Books

Wilson’s Bookmarks

Brief reviews of ‘Four Views on Christian Spirituality,’ ‘Masters of Command,’ and ‘Roadside Panic.’

Wilson's Bookmarks

Wilson's Bookmarks

Four Views on Christian Spirituality Edited by Stanley N. Gundry and Bruce Demarest (Zondervan)

This helpful volume features Eastern Orthodox (Bradley Nassif), Roman Catholic (Scott Hahn), “progressive mainline” (Joseph D. Driskill), and evangelical (Evan Howard) scholars in dialogue. By far the most readable essay is Hahn’s. The others require a reader determined to slog through or skim, but all reward attention. Another volume in the Counterpoint series gives Four Views on the Lord’s Supper. Still, it’s surprising that the Eucharist doesn’t figure more prominently in this volume.

Masters of Command Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, and the Genius of Leadership Barry Strauss (Simon & Schuster)

Usually I avoid books with chapter titles like “Ten Qualities of Successful Commanders.” But Barry Strauss is one of my favorite historians, and I enjoyed this book. Comparing and contrasting the strengths and weaknesses of these three great generals, Strauss also draws enduring lessons: “In spite of many changes in technology, since ancient times the principles of war have changed as little as human nature has.”

Roadside Picnic Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, translated by Olena Bormashenko (Chicago Review Press)

First appearing in English translation in 1977, this classic of Russian science fiction (the inspiration for Andrei Tarkovsky’s film Stalker) has been newly translated by a professor of mathematics, Olena Bormashenko, whose version reads more fluently than the earlier one. Many novels involving contact with aliens have what might be called a theological dimension, and that’s certainly true of Roadside Picnic, in which the Strugatskys took some familiar conventions of the genre and applied a lot of torque.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

A Tale of Two Scientists: What Really Happened 'In the Beginning'

Cover Story

The Evolution of the Debate: Divided on Origins

Cover Story

Infographic: America's View on Evolution and Creationism

Review

The God Who Is (and Isn't) There

How to Drive Out Demons

The Cosmos's Best-Kept Secret

The Hymns That Haunt Us

The Problem with ‘Incarnational Ministry’

Excerpt

Ashamed No More: A Pastor's Journey Through Sex Addiction

Finding Jesus at Burning Man

NASCAR Driver Blake Koch Takes a Stand for Jesus

Review

How Narratives Can Prepare Hearts for the Gospel

The Gospel Is More Than a Story: Rethinking Narrative and Testimony

Rejoicing in the Wrath: Why We Look Forward to the Judgment Day

Editorial

Why Gay Marriage Is More Than a Legal Issue

How Maya Moore Brings Style and Grace to the U.S. Olympic Women's Team

News

Philistine Digs Define David and Solomon

Gospel Goes Global

Rich Mouw on Why Evangelicals Need to Be Quick to Listen to Mormons

News

Childproofing Churches

Why Divorce Calls Children's Existence into Question

News

Foreign Adoptions in Short Supply

The Other Iranian Revolution

News

Mixed Views on Vanderbilt Veto

Review

Go and Do

Review

Where Sin Abounds

Review

Enough

My Top 5 Books On Special Needs

Letters to the Editor

Louis C. K. Disses Himself

News

Passages

News

Gleanings

News

Go Figure

News

Should Pastors Be Guaranteed Job Security?

News

Quotation Marks

A Season of Change at Christianity Today

Review

Fighting to Die: Confusion About the Purpose of Martyrdom

Should Churches Display the American Flag in Their Sanctuaries?

News

Syria's Last Chance

Q & A: Marco Rubio on His Faith of Many Colors

View issue

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‘Every Adoptee’s Worst Nightmare’

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The Russell Moore Show

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The Bigfoot and UFOs Podcast Introducing Listeners to Christ

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