October 14, 2015

Our fall books issue includes scholars' recommendations of the best recently published books in New Testament, global Christianity and American religious history, and practical theology.

Few secrets are as devastating as those that make us rethink our identity. Heidi Neumark discovered one when her daughter Googled their name.

Our fall books issue's reviews include Anthony B. Robinson on Fleming Rutledge, Sarah Morice Brubaker on Stanley Hauerwas, Valerie Weaver-Zercher on Nadia Bolz-Weber, and more.

Longtime Hauerwas readers will not be surprised to hear that his new book is maddening—nor that some of the most maddening aspects are also the most rewarding.

Phil Jenkins's abundant evidence gives lie to the traditional assumption that all but the four canonical Gospels were effectively squelched in the fourth century.

Molly Phinney Baskette's book is not a robust example of the Christian practice of confession. But she does offer a glimpse into the life of a church that is thriving against the odds.

Jon Levenson's new book reflects on the theme of the love of God in the Hebrew Bible. The three components of his subtitle suggest the range and depth of his exposition.

Yes, Go Set a Watchman has its problems; yes, it needed an editor. Yet one senses that this fiction has grown out of a life lived.

Fleming Rutledge's magnum opus is many things: a look at the ways the death of Christ has been interpreted, an argument that the how of his death matters, and a protest against Christianity-light.

Readers who found Pastrix to be a long, cool drink will find more refreshment here. Those who have tired of Nadia Bolz-Weber's cranky schtick will tire of it here as well.

The authors of Spiritual Companioning suggest a way forward for those disenchanted with polite, shallow church relationships.