Deus Misereatur

Beyond the Modern Age: An Archaeology of Contemporary Culture Bob Goudzwaard and Craig G. Bartholomew InterVarsity Press PO Box 1400 Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426 www.ivpress.com ISBN: 978-0-8308-5151-5; $30.00; May 2017 What happens when two academics from different disciplines get together to discuss the ailments of present-day society and some possible solutions? They pen a book, print it and get it publicized! And so Bob Goudzwaard, professor emeritus of economics and social philosophy at the Free University in Amsterdam, and Craig G. Bartholomew, the H. Evan Runner Professor of Philosophy and professor of religion at Redeemer University College in Ancaster Ontario, dean of the St Georges Centre for Biblical and Public Theology, and adjunct faculty at Trinity College Bristol, have done. “Beyond the Modern Age: An Archaeology of Contemporary Culture” is a 320 page weighty monograph digging down to the bedrock of four modern worldviews, dusting off and cataloging their finds, discu...

Embodied Hope: A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering Kelly M. Kapic InterVarsity Press PO Box 1400 Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426 www.ivpress.com ISBN: 978-0-8308-5179-9; $18.00; June 2017 5 of 5 Stars: For the Hurting, the Healers and the Helpers One of the most awkward moments you can ever face is to walk into a hospice, a hospital room, or a home and get bombarded with “why” questions: why pain, why this catastrophe, why this decline and death. What truly makes it clumsy is to then start waxing eloquent about the problem of evil and pain and the goodness of God in a defensive, apologetic posture. Most of the time the family is not asking, needing or wanting a crash course in philosophy. I learned early on in situations like this to simply sit down, shed tears with the family, and hold hands with parishioners or patients. Kelly M. Kapic, professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain Georgia and able author, presents similar advi...

“ We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because you have taken your great power and reigned ” (Revelation 11.17). Almighty and everlasting God, the source of all life and joy, who, by the jubilant announcement of the Gospel has called us to have part in your Kingdom and glory; shine powerfully into our hearts by your Word and Spirit and draw us with the constraining, compelling cords of faith, hope and love that we may heartily chose that good part which shall not be taken away from us, and may we give all diligence to make our call and election sure through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We ask you to direct all world leaders, to include President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan; President Dési Bouterse of Suriname; and King Mswati III of Swaziland ; over-rule the atrocious savagery running rampant in many nations; countermand the legitimizing of slavery, prostitution and drug-running; and may all nations come to bow th...

Who Lynched Willie Earle?: Preaching to Confront Racism by William H. Willimon My rating: 5 of 5 stars Given the present environment of racial tensions in the U.S.A. there are a rising number of volumes from diverse authors rolling out of publishing houses across the country. Will Willimon, retired Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church and Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke University Divinity School, has recently added his voice with his tiny 137 page paperback “Who Lynched Willie Earle: Preaching to Confront Racism”. Though the manuscript is popularly written and small in size, it is deep in thought and significant in intention. The first four chapters of the book deals with the story of the lynching Willie Earle on February 17, 1947, and the critical analysis of the only local sermon preached by a white pastor the following Sunday (Hawley Lynn). The remainder of the material covers the place and problem of racism as well as pre...

The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle My rating: 4 of 5 stars Quite a fun fictive piece. It runs in the same stream of progressive positivism that prevailed at the turn into the 20th century. It follows much of a similar trajectory as Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth," but instead of going into the earth, it rises to the center of South America. "The Lost World" also plays out the fallacious mindset that fed much of the early Darwinian evolution of the day; especially its racial superiority. This appears to be the culture milieu that many imbibed in at the time, such as Theodore Roosevelt and Sir Julian Huxley, to name a few. But all of that said, it was a fun fictive piece written in the style one comes to enjoy in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story line holds all of the way through the tale, and ties together in a tidy piece. I happily recommend the book, especially if you're looking for an entertaining read. View all my reviews

“ Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed ” (Revelation 15.3-4).  O Eternal God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties over two centuries ago; grant, please, that we and all the inhabitants of this land may have grace to maintain those liberties in righteousness and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. We ask you to over-rule the brutal savagery raging in many nations, as well as the legitimization of slavery, prostitution and the harassment of your Church. We affirm with Scripture that the hearts of national leaders, to include President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan; King Felipe VI of Spain; and President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka , are streams of water in your hand, O LORD, and that you turn them wherever...

O Lord, make us have a perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Preserve those who are heading to Carnegie tomorrow. Thank you for the opportunity you provided for us; now provide us safe travel; enrich our service projects; bring our VBS time to have a powerfully positive impact on the kids; and give physical and emotional resilience in all we do that we may come back singing your praises. On behalf of your Church throughout the world, as well as Westmoore Community Church; Wheatland Methodist Church; Wildewood Christian Church; and Word of God Church , we pray. Show yourself strong on behalf of those who are suffering for righteousness sake, show them a sign of your favor that those who hate them may see it and be put to shame, because you have helped and comforted your people (Psalm 86.17). Reclaim those who have lost their way...