zachary nerison

Started strong insights diminished over time

Reviewed: 07-19-22

The insights from the book began very strong. But the got less helpful near the end of the book. Still worth a listen. Certainly an insightful book on a topic I hope to see more written in the near future.

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Very interesting

Reviewed: 04-16-22

I love the involvement of ethics in a si-fi book. Some often think that when we someday leave earth we will be free of the deep ethical dilemmas which comprise our existence. Likewise, Lewis embraces the possibility that we are the only data to suggest that every species anywhere is hostile. The book is like an interesting tapestry which tells a fascinating lesson with the culmination of the strokes. Central to the story Lewis is trying to paint is that of the the unavoidable malady of humans existence, he helps the reader imagine that human sin and human centrism would perpetuate even if expanded upon the great scope and endeavors which await us in the wider universe.

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I never imagined 30+ hours could be so engaging

Reviewed: 04-11-22

I bought this book because I was curious about the impact that Reinhold Niebuhr had upon Obama’s thought specifically his foreign policy and his decision making. It was underwhelming in this regard, he only mentioned Niebuhr once in developing his 2009 Nobel lecture. However, the book was deeply engaging in a way I never expected. I loved the more raw approach he took. When he shared about the toll politics took on his ability to be present with his daughters I was nearly brought to tears. When he insisted on visiting wounded soldiers to make him self familiar with the costs of war, I was filled with deep respect. Overall the book is one that is hard to put down, most engaging book I have read in the last year.

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Reading Outliers instead

Reviewed: 03-02-21

There are many better books on this topic. If you are brand new to this topic then this might be the book for you. If your looking for something deeper this is not the book for you.

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Lots of passion, little evidence

Reviewed: 10-02-20

Lenny Duncan is a passionate writer. He makes it clear that he cares about the issues he has presented.

What really takes away from the books value is that he makes many claims that he provides little evidence to support. One example that arises over and over is his linking of the churches decline to the churches failure to address social issues. Though this could indeed be true he failed to persuade me that the connection is as important as he is making it.

He also uses conflicting concepts as if they were in cohesion. For example he says in one line that it is good and holy for people to be their authentic selves. A short time latter he says that individuals living into their authentic selves through destructive behaviors are bad. Which is it? should people be their authentic selves or not be their authentic selves?

Further Duncan uses terms who's definition deviate from their biblical counterparts. For example he deems several things as "holy." This term is expressly biblical and its meaning is inherently linked to the character of God and what he has disclosed is "holy" in scripture. Those things Duncan deems holy on several occasions deviate drastically from what scripture outlines as "holy." In this sense he redefines the term without providing a definition which specifies how his definition varies from the expressly biblical terminology.

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2 people found this helpful

A great read even though it was clearly rushed through production.

Reviewed: 09-30-20

1. This is an excellent introduction to the practice of biblical lament.
2. Wright makes a compelling case that those preaching the coronavirus as a sign of the end times are misguided. He makes a compelling case that Christ was and is the final sign which should lead us to repentance.
3. Wright is a master speaker he could likely talk about something as mundane as 16th century table manners amongst nobility and his speaking ability would still draw a crowd. Yet, it is very clear in the recording of the book that he recorded it with haste, likewise the book could be organized better and certain explanations are cut short prematurely. All of which I suspect were due to the rapid nature of the books production.

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1 person found this helpful

Unique Book

Reviewed: 09-06-20

This is a book that will help you have empathy for others. Further this book will challenge to rethink your ability to judge wether someone is innocent or guilty and your ability to tell what an individuals emotions mean. This book will also help the reader see that many human failures are collective failures not just failures of individuals. The only criticism I have is that Gladwell at times says that a person is guilty but at the same time the evidence presented in the chapter makes it clear he thinks they are not guilty. For example, in the case of Brock Turner he seems to present evidence that Turner should not be considered guilty of a crime but closes the chapter by essentially saying despite this he is guilty. It’s confusing because it is not always clear where he stands on the issue.

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A Culture of Evangelism

Reviewed: 07-15-20

One of the main things promoted in this book is creating a culture of evangelism. It has many good ideas. I think the direction of the book makes it a worthwhile read. It lacks in its depth. It doesn’t get into the more difficult realms of any conversation on evangelism. One or two questionable biblical interpretations.

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Excellent coverage

Reviewed: 03-03-20

The content of Niebuhr’s is organized well. Really enjoyed the survey of his writings as life milestones. Perhaps the only improvement could have been a survey of his reception within churches nation wide. In other words, how did his life impact and change the pastoral role.

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