If you like your sci-fi fast-paced, slightly silly, and highly entertaining, Paul Regnier's Space Drifters: The Emerald Enigma is right up your alley. Glint Starcrost is on the hunt for a mythical treasure while on the run from a variety of bounty hunters. For some random reasons, a teenager from the past and a mysterious, beautiful woman show up on his ship. Along with Starcrost's reptilian strongman, the four of them bounce around the galaxy, narrowly escaping one peril after another.
I enjoyed the nods to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy are apt. This is definitely genre fiction, but The Emerald Enigma is wholly original. Regnier writes great characters and bars no holds in twisting and turning the story. Without preaching, Regnier injects some fun religious content as well. We learn that Starcrost's sidekick has a gift, or a curse: things he dreams about manifest in reality. So you can imagine the havoc that ensues after he reads their time traveling friend's Bible.
Regnier has fun with the story and works in some thoughtful theological ideas that a discerning reader will enjoy. I'll certainly have fun reading book 2.
Friday, July 26, 2019
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
The Gift, by Bryan Litfin
Exiled from their homes in Chiveis, Teo and Ana, heroes of Bryan Litfin's The Sword, venture into the wider world. In book 2 of Litfin's Chiveis Trilogy, The Gift, the pair ventures south, in search of knowledge of Deu and his New Testament. In this post-apocalyptic world, Christianity has been nearly wiped out, and the Bible is barely known.
Facing peril and evil, as well as their own struggles, they find that they did not leave behind anti-Christianism in Chiveis. Though the nature of the religious persecution may be different in these lands unknown to them, it is effective and relentless. In spite of persecution, however, some faithful remain. Like the pair from Chiveis, these believers seek the New Testament as well, hoping for a better understanding of the faith they try to follow.
Teo, the soldier, continues his acts of derring-do and sacrificial heroism on behalf of Ana, whose penchant for getting into pickles is exceeded only by her alluring beauty. Despite their clear compatibility and destiny together, she keeps Teo at arm's length, sometimes to her peril. They are both tested, yet both maintain a desire to learn move about Deu.
The Gift, like The Sword, is first a thrilling adventure story with evil villains, narrow escapes, and main characters with heroic, yet believable, personalities. I have to admit, Litfin drew me in. While reading The Gift, I enjoyed the story while skeptically criticizing elements of it. But with The Gift, my disbelief completely suspended as the story progressed. And even more than The Sword, The Gift raises questions about how we might respond to a gospel about which we knew as little as these believers knew.
I'm not saying The Gift is without its problems, but it's certainly a fun book with lots going for it. I won't waste any time getting into book 3.
Facing peril and evil, as well as their own struggles, they find that they did not leave behind anti-Christianism in Chiveis. Though the nature of the religious persecution may be different in these lands unknown to them, it is effective and relentless. In spite of persecution, however, some faithful remain. Like the pair from Chiveis, these believers seek the New Testament as well, hoping for a better understanding of the faith they try to follow.
Teo, the soldier, continues his acts of derring-do and sacrificial heroism on behalf of Ana, whose penchant for getting into pickles is exceeded only by her alluring beauty. Despite their clear compatibility and destiny together, she keeps Teo at arm's length, sometimes to her peril. They are both tested, yet both maintain a desire to learn move about Deu.
The Gift, like The Sword, is first a thrilling adventure story with evil villains, narrow escapes, and main characters with heroic, yet believable, personalities. I have to admit, Litfin drew me in. While reading The Gift, I enjoyed the story while skeptically criticizing elements of it. But with The Gift, my disbelief completely suspended as the story progressed. And even more than The Sword, The Gift raises questions about how we might respond to a gospel about which we knew as little as these believers knew.
I'm not saying The Gift is without its problems, but it's certainly a fun book with lots going for it. I won't waste any time getting into book 3.
Monday, July 22, 2019
If Jesus is Lord, by Ronald J. Sider
Ron Sider has been challenging Christians' thinking since at least 1977, when has controversial classic Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger was published. Here's what I love about Sider: unlike many people who write from the "Christian left," I have no doubt that Sider is writing as an Evangelical, Bible-believing, Jesus-loving Christian. This is why, even though I don't fully embrace his conclusions in If Jesus is Lord: Loving Our Enemies in an Age of Violence, I can thoroughly recommend it for anyone grappling with the question of Christian pacifism.
If you are a follower of Christ, grappling is what you must do with If Jesus is Lord. As a Christian pacifist, Sider asserts that "it is simply contrary to the facts of history to say that there are only two options: to kill or do nothing in the face of tyranny or brutality." Giving specific examples from the Sermon on the Mount, Sider shows that "the commanded response is neither violent nor passive. Jesus calls his disciples not to turn aside passively or hit back but rather to confront the evil nonviolently."
This third way is the application of Jesus' pacifism. But the core is more simple: Jesus said "Love your enemies." Sider points out that loving your enemies while you are trying to kill them is really difficult. Sider does not see "how it is possible to seek to kill people and at the same time be engaged in inviting them to accept Christ." In terms of violence, there is little question as to Jesus' perspective. "Jesus's actions and teaching reject the use of violence. And he seems to expect his disciples to do the same. . . . The evidence of the New Testament is quite clear. Jesus called his followers to love their enemies, not kill them."
I am not prone to violence, and I have never served in the military. But I have always tended to support the military and police, with the necessary violence that those roles infer, and have always thought that one might, when faced with personal violence, be justified in a violent response. Sider reviews and debunks Just War theory, and makes a strong case for pacifism based on Jesus' life and teaching. But as much as he made me think and challenged my previous notions on violence, I don't feel like he adequately answered the questions, What are we to do in the face of a figure like Hitler? Or, What am I to do in the face of an individual threatening immediate violence to my family? Never having faced that situation, the third way does elude me. . . . Nevertheless, I am grateful to Sider's calling me to deeper faith and deeper, more faithful thought about violence.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
If you are a follower of Christ, grappling is what you must do with If Jesus is Lord. As a Christian pacifist, Sider asserts that "it is simply contrary to the facts of history to say that there are only two options: to kill or do nothing in the face of tyranny or brutality." Giving specific examples from the Sermon on the Mount, Sider shows that "the commanded response is neither violent nor passive. Jesus calls his disciples not to turn aside passively or hit back but rather to confront the evil nonviolently."
This third way is the application of Jesus' pacifism. But the core is more simple: Jesus said "Love your enemies." Sider points out that loving your enemies while you are trying to kill them is really difficult. Sider does not see "how it is possible to seek to kill people and at the same time be engaged in inviting them to accept Christ." In terms of violence, there is little question as to Jesus' perspective. "Jesus's actions and teaching reject the use of violence. And he seems to expect his disciples to do the same. . . . The evidence of the New Testament is quite clear. Jesus called his followers to love their enemies, not kill them."
I am not prone to violence, and I have never served in the military. But I have always tended to support the military and police, with the necessary violence that those roles infer, and have always thought that one might, when faced with personal violence, be justified in a violent response. Sider reviews and debunks Just War theory, and makes a strong case for pacifism based on Jesus' life and teaching. But as much as he made me think and challenged my previous notions on violence, I don't feel like he adequately answered the questions, What are we to do in the face of a figure like Hitler? Or, What am I to do in the face of an individual threatening immediate violence to my family? Never having faced that situation, the third way does elude me. . . . Nevertheless, I am grateful to Sider's calling me to deeper faith and deeper, more faithful thought about violence.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
Friday, July 19, 2019
Rebirth: Havok Season 1
What is flash fiction? Short stories--very short stories. Havok Magazine provided a platform for flash fiction, mostly in the sci-fi, fantasy, and related genres. In case you missed it, they have collected 48 of those stories in Rebirth: Havok Season 1.
The authors of the stories range from seasoned writers who have published multiple, award-winning novels to writers whose publishing history might only consist of posting a story on a web site (so far!). The quality of the stories, as a result, has a range that you might expect, but I bet you would be hard pressed to pick out the novices from the pros. In other words, just because some of the stories are written by no-name unpublished or little published authors doesn't mean they are poorly written or unreadable. While I enjoyed some stories more than others, they are all quality work.
Depending on your tastes, some of the stories will be more memorable than others. I'm not much into magic-infused fantasy stories, and a fair number here fit that mold. Several of the stories piqued my interest enough to check what else the author has written, and many of them left me wishing there were more to the story.
I suppose that is the point of flash fiction--give the reader a taste, and leave him longing for more. I was repeatedly impressed by the authors' ability to create a world, characters, and story elements in just a couple of pages. I won't name favorites--there are too many and it would be unfair to leave several out. Not every story here is a five star story, but in this case the whole is greater than the parts. Forty-eight different authors created forty-eight different, unrelated worlds, loosely united under the theme of rebirth. The final result left me wanting to visit quite a few of those worlds again.
The authors of the stories range from seasoned writers who have published multiple, award-winning novels to writers whose publishing history might only consist of posting a story on a web site (so far!). The quality of the stories, as a result, has a range that you might expect, but I bet you would be hard pressed to pick out the novices from the pros. In other words, just because some of the stories are written by no-name unpublished or little published authors doesn't mean they are poorly written or unreadable. While I enjoyed some stories more than others, they are all quality work.
Depending on your tastes, some of the stories will be more memorable than others. I'm not much into magic-infused fantasy stories, and a fair number here fit that mold. Several of the stories piqued my interest enough to check what else the author has written, and many of them left me wishing there were more to the story.
I suppose that is the point of flash fiction--give the reader a taste, and leave him longing for more. I was repeatedly impressed by the authors' ability to create a world, characters, and story elements in just a couple of pages. I won't name favorites--there are too many and it would be unfair to leave several out. Not every story here is a five star story, but in this case the whole is greater than the parts. Forty-eight different authors created forty-eight different, unrelated worlds, loosely united under the theme of rebirth. The final result left me wanting to visit quite a few of those worlds again.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
The Sword, by Bryan Litfin
Imagine a world in the not-too-distant future where, due to a global pandemic and a devastating nuclear war, human civilization has been reduced to a medieval standard of living. Actually, it's not that hard to imagine, since that scenario has been played out in many books and movies. In Bryan Litfin's The Sword, the first book in his Chiveis Trilogy, Litfin adds a twist. In his post-apocalyptic world, all memory of Christianity has been purged, and pagan religions prevail.
In the kingdom of Chiveis, the priestesses of the pagan religions call the shots. When Teo, an independent-minded soldier is rescued from a bear attack by Ana, a beautiful country girl, their lives are entwined for good. Ana's beauty had not been unrecognized, sparking envy in a princess and lust in a neighboring king. After Teo rescues her from the clutches of the king, they go on the run and discover a partially intact Bible in an abandoned church.
Teo secretly translates portions of the Bible and he and Ana gather a group of seekers who begin to worship this unknown God, who they discern is the creator of all, is infinitely good, and demands sacrifice for sin. Inevitably, these worshippers face harsh persecution. Litfin's narrative is full of sword play and action, scheming and betrayal, and exploration of spiritual ideas.
As a work of fiction, The Sword is definitely fun to read, with its action, suspense, and romance. But Litfin, who has a PhD in religious studies and who taught theology at Moody Bible Institute for many years, has a bigger purpose than spinning an entertaining tale. The Sword is a thought experiment. What would society look like if all traces of Christianity were wiped out? What sort of Christianity would we rebuild if all we had was a portion of the Old Testament? What miraculous interventions would God choose to use to reveal himself? What kind of community would a group of new believers create, and how would they stand up under persecution?
The Sword is an entertaining, thought-provoking page turner that leaves readers eager to jump into the next story, The Gift.
In the kingdom of Chiveis, the priestesses of the pagan religions call the shots. When Teo, an independent-minded soldier is rescued from a bear attack by Ana, a beautiful country girl, their lives are entwined for good. Ana's beauty had not been unrecognized, sparking envy in a princess and lust in a neighboring king. After Teo rescues her from the clutches of the king, they go on the run and discover a partially intact Bible in an abandoned church.
Teo secretly translates portions of the Bible and he and Ana gather a group of seekers who begin to worship this unknown God, who they discern is the creator of all, is infinitely good, and demands sacrifice for sin. Inevitably, these worshippers face harsh persecution. Litfin's narrative is full of sword play and action, scheming and betrayal, and exploration of spiritual ideas.
As a work of fiction, The Sword is definitely fun to read, with its action, suspense, and romance. But Litfin, who has a PhD in religious studies and who taught theology at Moody Bible Institute for many years, has a bigger purpose than spinning an entertaining tale. The Sword is a thought experiment. What would society look like if all traces of Christianity were wiped out? What sort of Christianity would we rebuild if all we had was a portion of the Old Testament? What miraculous interventions would God choose to use to reveal himself? What kind of community would a group of new believers create, and how would they stand up under persecution?
The Sword is an entertaining, thought-provoking page turner that leaves readers eager to jump into the next story, The Gift.
Monday, July 15, 2019
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield
Rosaria Champagne Butterfield has one of the more unlikely conversion stories that I have heard. She taught English and critical studies and a large, secular university. Her specialty was feminism and she lived with her lesbian lover. But a local pastor reached out to her with acceptance and love, and the truth of the gospel won her over.
In The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor's Journey into Christian Faith she tells the story of her life before and after her conversion. The greatest challenge for Christians is the fact that Butterfield did not become a Christian due to sophisticated logical arguments or by challenges to her sinfulness, but through love and relationships.
Now married to a pastor and mother of several adopted children, Butterfield has perspectives that can challenge those of us who have been in the church all our lives. For one thing, she lauds the community life of lesbians, and, on several occasions, had opportunities for the church community and the lesbian community to work together and learn from each other.
As an outsider of sorts, Butterfield is not afraid to step on some toes. But she is now an insider, and her criticisms come with family love. Above all, her story is a reminder that one should never rule out prospects for conversion. The warm embrace of Christian community and the power of the gospel of Christ can change any life.
In The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor's Journey into Christian Faith she tells the story of her life before and after her conversion. The greatest challenge for Christians is the fact that Butterfield did not become a Christian due to sophisticated logical arguments or by challenges to her sinfulness, but through love and relationships.
Now married to a pastor and mother of several adopted children, Butterfield has perspectives that can challenge those of us who have been in the church all our lives. For one thing, she lauds the community life of lesbians, and, on several occasions, had opportunities for the church community and the lesbian community to work together and learn from each other.
As an outsider of sorts, Butterfield is not afraid to step on some toes. But she is now an insider, and her criticisms come with family love. Above all, her story is a reminder that one should never rule out prospects for conversion. The warm embrace of Christian community and the power of the gospel of Christ can change any life.
Friday, July 12, 2019
Who On Earth is the Holy Spirit?, by Tim Chester
Tim Chester asks a good question in his little book Who On Earth is the Holy Spirit? and Other Questions about Who He is and What He Does. Many Christians have this question about the most mysterious member of the Trinity. True to form, Chester, a pastor in the UK, looks to the scriptural record to gain a broad understanding of what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit.
Every Christian should be aware of the Holy Spirit and his work. Unfortunately, a minority slice of the Christian world--pentecostals and charismatics--seem to have monopolized teaching about the Holy Spirit. Chester's is a moderating voice, offering a balanced perspective that will challenge some Christians to open their minds to spiritual gifts like prophecy and healing, and will remind other Christians that these "manifestation" gifts are only a part of what the Holy Spirit is about.
It's short. It's biblical. It's theologically sound. It's balanced. It's a good book.
Every Christian should be aware of the Holy Spirit and his work. Unfortunately, a minority slice of the Christian world--pentecostals and charismatics--seem to have monopolized teaching about the Holy Spirit. Chester's is a moderating voice, offering a balanced perspective that will challenge some Christians to open their minds to spiritual gifts like prophecy and healing, and will remind other Christians that these "manifestation" gifts are only a part of what the Holy Spirit is about.
It's short. It's biblical. It's theologically sound. It's balanced. It's a good book.
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