The November 24 issue of Anabaptist world includes several mini reviews of recent books. Some of them are non-fiction books.
Authors Steve Thomas and Don Neufeld set the following goals for Living What Matters: Honest Conversations for Men of Faith (Herald): “to nurture invigorating expressions of healthy masculinity; combat influences that harm human well-being; call men to follow Jesus, who lived as the human model of God; enabling men to connect together on deep levels; and invite men to serve God’s shalom in the world. Although I read the book cover to cover, which has its own rewards, it is designed for use by Christian men’s groups. It is written from a clear Anabaptist perspective, emphasizing nonviolence and wholeness, including care for the Earth. Immensely practical, the book is organized into seven sections, covering these topics: male training, human needs, personal challenges, sexual fullness, social practices, conflict tools, roles in life. Each section includes an introduction and two-page summaries on various aspects of the topic. For example, “life roles” are for sons, brothers, friends, lovers, partners, fathers, mentors, workers, leaders, stewards, activists, and elders. Authors, who trade off writing subsections, include conversation questions. At the end of the book is a section on various resources on related topics. Footnotes in the back also point to useful resources. Ideally, the book will be used by groups of men, and although there are many things to cover at once, a group could tackle one section at a time and find great reward. — Gordon Houser
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter Dunn wrote a memoir: Unlikely Entrepreneur: From China to Amish Country, which chronicled his company’s improbable rise to become one of the nation’s leading suppliers of American-made wall decor. Written with LeAnna Gerber, the book has won over appreciative readers. Now in Amish Economics: A look at thirty Northeast Ohio Amish and Mennonite entrepreneurs (Fr. Graham Dunn), this Mennonite from Kidron, Ohio, shines a spotlight on his entrepreneurial neighbors, writing compelling and inspiring stories about business, family, and the Church. At first glance, the book may appear to be nothing more than a promotion of the Chamber of Commerce, but, as one reads it, one is intrigued by the recognition of failures as well as successes, which make these credible and convincing lives. Dunn primarily allows narrators to tell their own stories, evoking spiritual, cultural, and ecclesial reflections. Only three of the 30 appear to be affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA. One of the most fascinating to me was the story of the Amish Pioneer Corp family. by Wayne and Mary Wengerd, who trace their spiritual, economic, and ecclesial roots from the European Palatinate to postmodern America. For anyone interested in why this Anabaptist community sometimes fails but mostly thrives (Holmes County was recently named Ohio’s No. 1 county for small business owners), here is a good primer. — Levi Miller
“Poverty persists in America,” writes Matthew Desmond in Poverty, by America (Crown), “because some wish it and want it”. That “some” includes me and most of you reading this. Over the past 50 years, despite increases in public spending, poverty has not decreased. The costs of many basic services have increased during this period, including health care. Desmond writes: “Somehow the United States has the unique distinction of not having universal health care while having the most expensive health care system in the world. » Desmond uses a plethora of statistics to dispel myths about poverty and to show that middle-income Americans, and particularly the wealthiest, receive far more government benefits than people living in poverty. For example, “the United States spent $1.8 trillion on tax cuts in 2021,” and these largely supported the top 1% of earners. “Each year, the richest American families receive nearly 40% more in government subsidies than the poorest American families. » How to solve poverty? Here’s a solution: “The United States could effectively end poverty tomorrow without increasing the deficit if it cracked down on businesses and families that cheat on their taxes, reallocating new revenue to those who need it most . » Read this important book and you will be changed. — Gordon Houser
After a career as a schoolteacher in Evansville, Indiana, Dorothy Phinezy Word addressed social justice issues from an African-American perspective as a guest columnist in the Kokomo Tribune from 1996 to 2004. Jacob W. Elias, Word’s pastor at Parkview Mennonite Church in Kokomo, collected 41 of his columns in The dream lives on (Wipf and Stock) to share his wisdom on cultivating intercultural skills and his dream of equity and justice for all. Word highlights the achievements of African Americans in various fields, from Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball’s racial barrier, to scientists like Otis Boykin, who invented the pacemaker. Personal experiences are also present, such as her reflection on returning to campus in 1997 after attending Goshen College for a year in the 1950s. “Word is truly part of a historical litany of black women who, even in their relative anonymity, were prominent campaigners for freedom, courage and joy in celebrating black people,” says James Logan, professor and director of African and African American studies at Earlham College London. Richmond, Indiana. “While clearly understanding the risks and challenges of using a black woman’s voice and not her own, Elias diligently strives to let Word speak for itself. » Elias is professor emeritus of New Testament at the Anabaptist Mennonite Bible Seminary and author of 1 and 2 Thessalonians in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series, as well as Remember the Future: The Pastoral Theology of the Apostle Paul (Herald). — Tim Huber
The world could use a little more grace. The apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia about the need to find salvation in God’s grace rather than earthly works, and Mark Baker wrote similarly to churches today. Freeing yourself from religiosity and judgment: studies in Paul’s letter to the Galatians (Kindred) is a commentary for laypeople and theologians, focusing on the central question of who belongs in the community. Baker is the JB Toews Professor of Mission and Theology at Fresno Pacific Bible Seminary and has taught extensively on Galatians throughout Central America with SEMILLA, the Anabaptist seminary in Guatemala. Other aspects of international Anabaptist relations emerge in Baker’s emphasis on “church-centeredness,” a concept of group church dynamics developed by Paul Hiebert, a Mennonite Brethren missionary to India. (Baker is also the author of last year’s Church Centered: Nonjudgmental Discipleship and Community.) Revealing a deeper context of what the Galatian Church was going through as Christ’s followers struggled to define themselves, Absence of religiosity and judgment shows how the radical gospel of Jesus transcends legalism and division. This volume joins a commentary written by Baker in Spanish on Galatians, which has a more scholarly tone. — Tim Huber
What does it mean to sing about God being a “shield”? A shield is a shield, as Carla Klassen points out in These Songs We Sing: Reflections on the Hymns We’ve Loved (Pandora). His book is much more than obscure, random facts, like this one about the third verse of “Be Thou My Vision.” It is a living exploration of the impact and meaning of sacred music. A Mennonite pianist and professional chorister from Ontario, Klassen presents 52 concise reflections that deepen our appreciation of traditional hymns. She has selected an eclectic list, including some of the biggest hits (“O Power of Love”), ones that some readers may consider favorites but others may not be familiar with (“And Can It Be That I Should Gain?”), and the relatively obscure (“The day which you have given, Lord, is ended”). She describes “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” as “rock star” because so many famous musicians, from Ella Fitzgerald to Bob Dylan, have recorded it. Klassen has arranged over 150 sacred songs for piano, and this book was born from that quest as she decided to arrange one hymn a week for a year. She asked for suggestions and was surprised to find that many people responded with more than song titles, offering stories and comments to support their choices. She heard from faithful believers but also “several disillusioned” and “a few atheists”. Their contribution enriched the book as she discovered the importance of examining sacred music from different perspectives. Klassen writes not as a scholar but as someone who simply loves hymns. — Paul Schrag