An accessible, if not particularly deep, exploration of Christian living.
A Christian author offers simple, pragmatic advice to the faithful in this nonfiction work.
Presented as a collection of letters written to unnamed “friends and loved ones,” Lang’s book offers practical advice on how to live out the basic teachings of Christianity, distilled down to Jesus’ maxims to love God and one’s neighbor. The author deliberately eschews complex doctrinal questions, asserting that it is “better for you to begin acting like a Christian as soon as you can rather than wait until you are intellectually satisfied with theological answers to your questions.” Writing on the importance of humility, the author highlights the virtue’s connection to kindness and an “unassuming spirit, which is easy for others to befriend.” A letter about envy notes that Christian duties of “unselfish love and unambitious intentions” are not compatible with materialistic cravings. Other topics addressed among the book’s 42 letters include self-control, forgiveness, gratitude, and service. While Lang’s approach to Christianity here is broadly Protestant and evangelical in its emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus and the primacy of Scripture, it is also ecumenical. Thus, while Catholic or Orthodox doctrines or liturgical approaches may not be highlighted, the author is careful not to exclude them from his practical advice. (A chapter on worship, for example, emphasizes that “Worship takes many forms,” and includes participation in sacraments alongside singing, prayer, and preaching.) This is an accessible book whose target audience is those seeking ways to pragmatically apply Christianity to everyday life. Readers looking for in-depth theological discussions will be disappointed, though the author, who holds a doctorate in child and family development, is careful to back up his advice with an ample assortment of Bible verses. The book unfortunately avoids guidance on how Christians should approach contemporary political discourse and important social issues; still, Lang’s empathetic approach is certainly welcome.
An accessible, if not particularly deep, exploration of Christian living.Pub Date: Dec. 10, 2024
ISBN: 9780988504455
Page Count: 184
Publisher: Greco Corporation
Review Posted Online: March 31, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
It’s not Shakespeare, not by a long shot. But at least it’s not James Franco.
A noted actor turns to verse: “Poems are a Saturday in the middle of the week.”
McConaughey, author of the gracefully written memoir Greenlights, has been writing poems since his teens, closing with one “written in an Australian bathtub” that reads just as a poem by an 18-year-old (Rimbaud excepted) should read: “Ignorant minds of the fortunate man / Blind of the fate shaping every land.” McConaughey is fearless in his commitment to the rhyme, no matter how slight the result (“Oops, took a quick peek at the sky before I got my glasses, / now I can’t see shit, sure hope this passes”). And, sad to say, the slight is what is most on display throughout, punctuated by some odd koanlike aperçus: “Eating all we can / at the all-we-can-eat buffet, / gives us a 3.8 education / and a 4.2 GPA.” “Never give up your right to do the next right thing. This is how we find our way home.” “Memory never forgets. Even though we do.” The prayer portion of the program is deeply felt, but it’s just as sentimental; only when he writes of life-changing events—a court appearance to file a restraining order against a stalker, his decision to quit smoking weed—do we catch a glimpse of the effortlessly fluent, effortlessly charming McConaughey as exemplified by the David Wooderson (“alright, alright, alright”) of Dazed and Confused. The rest is mostly a soufflé in verse. McConaughey’s heart is very clearly in the right place, but on the whole the book suggests an old saw: Don’t give up your day job.
It’s not Shakespeare, not by a long shot. But at least it’s not James Franco.Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9781984862105
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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