Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Coming Out Alive! Navigating Postmodern Philosophy and Culture by Karen E. Cedergren is a one-of-a-kind book on how Postmodern culture and philosophy have changed the worldview. Almost a critical analysis of what is happening in the world at the moment and its consequences on believers, the author takes a deep look at what postmodernism has done to religion. After detailing what pre-modernism, modernism, and postmodernism are, she starts her narrative on how the Church has been affected by it. Culture has changed, and this has had a direct impact on the Church and people’s beliefs. Instead of being radical and canceling everything, the author calls for a renaissance where the Church and believers can see where things went wrong and how they can restore religion to where it belongs. She doesn’t talk about boycotting anything; she just urges the Church to be a little less like the world and be more like what Christianity should be.

Short, direct, and very easy to digest, author Karen E. Cedergren did a fantastic job with the research and driving her point home without sounding conceited. Instead of just sharing her ideas, she lays the facts down before sharing her findings with readers. She is basically calling out churches and how they have become lifeless. Instead of keeping tradition alive, churches have become a little lazy in preaching and keeping God’s name alive. People who are searching for guidance cannot find it in the churches, and people are drifting away from religion. But she isn’t just registering her grievances. She understands why things have changed and how we can get out of this mess quickly. This simple book is helpful, educational, and inspirational!

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The life and times of Jesus of Nazareth have inspired millions for almost two thousand years, but there are many anomalies and contradictions contained in the written teachings - in particular the English translations of the New Testament - which form the basis of modern Christianity. Salt & Light sets out to examine the evidence, weighing it against other sources, before applying logic and common sense to provide a wider and alternative view of events. Salt & Light reviews the available literature to build a more comprehensive picture of Jesus, His disciples, followers, and the people of the time. Jonathan Dean establishes objective criteria to conduct his evaluation, restricting it to credible sources such as eyewitness accounts. This effectively limits the scope of his inquiry to the first century CE and eliminates much documentation. The origin of the Gospels, along with the actual identity of the authors, has challenged theologians for centuries, with conflicting opinions emerging. This topic is revisited with some interesting conclusions drawn. Dean is able to establish a credible chronology for the writing of the Gospels, which he places some years earlier than many academics. He supports his conclusions with persuasive arguments, before presenting a summary of his findings.

Readers should be clear from the outset that Salt & Light is neither a conspiracy theory nor an attempt to tarnish the reputation of an iconic religious figure. Jonathan Dean reminds us that the Bible was originally written in several languages and that the translations into English from Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, or Latin have not always been entirely accurate. Some texts have become the subject of interpretation and speculation, while there are also gaps in the narrative. It should be remembered that few people were literate in biblical times. Of necessity, the Gospels would probably have been dictated to scribes from memory and anecdotal evidence some years after the events. The book is well illustrated with informative pictures, maps, and diagrams. I particularly liked the figure which showed the close relationship between the three Synoptic Gospels. The timelines provided are equally interesting and include a probable date for the crucifixion!

The book has been extensively researched and the list of references is impressive. Dean has provided much food for thought with this publication, which may not be universally acclaimed by fundamentalists. It was written for a much wider audience and is the first of a two-part series. It has succeeded admirably in shedding light on a controversial topic and should be read with an open mind. Christianity is about faith and it is up to readers to draw their own conclusions. A fascinating and courageous look at a topic that has interested me for many years. It is very thought-provoking.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Divine Intervention: 50 True Stories of God's Miracles Today, compiled by Daniel Fazzina, is a non-fiction Christian anthology that chronicles experiences within the lives of dozens of individuals who connect what occurred in that moment to an intervention by God. Each of the stories is narrated by the person whose story it is, in the first person, and offers a wide range of profiles. The experiences range from Derrick Holmes' testimony wherein he describes the night he was shot at random forty-three times and survived to Denise Lotierzo-Block, who suffered a brain hemorrhage and defied the odds of survival and rehabilitation after brain surgery, only to defy them again by re-learning to read; and on to Steven Sebyala, who was raised on the streets of Kampala as Uganda remained locked in protracted civil wars, turning to God and being blessed in ways he never dreamed possible.

What I love most about the stories Daniel Fazzina brings together in Divine Intervention is that no single experience is like another except in one way: God was present. Each of the fifty stories sounds authentic in voice because they are, having been written or narrated by the person who felt this divine proximity and intervention themselves. The writing is clean and straightforward and every story is long enough to understand the intricacies of the person prior to the event but without unnecessary verbosity to distract from the reason for sharing it. My favorite is the experience of Dayalan Sanders, a native Sri Lankan Christian who immigrated to the United States but continued to return home in the aid and service of others. In 2004, a tsunami destroyed the area surrounding the village of Navalady, but Sanders and those with him miraculously survived. As a South Asian who lives in the West myself, I connected with the devastation of natural disasters where there are little to no resources to protect those who live there. I was also touched by the man who clings to his faith as if it were a banyan tree and survives against all odds, not taking the credit for strength and courage but instead putting it at the foot of God. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Pilgrimage: A Doctor's Healing Journey by Donna Chacko MD is a revealing and motivational memoir about the author reaching a crisis and recovery. When people are sick, overwhelmed, and in pain, most of us go to a doctor. But where does a doctor turn to with these crushing feelings? Can doctors reach a breaking point too? Are they allowed to? What happens when they go over the edge? This is the wonderfully gripping and enlightening true story of a dedicated, harried radiation oncologist whose outward demeanor masks inner turmoil. We think doctors must always be in control, but this physician's healing odyssey shows that relinquishing control can sometimes be the best thing to do.

Chacko delves into her past to unearth the issues that are contributing to her marital problems and health concerns. God is in her equation, and she puts it all on the table for you to consume. Just when you think doctors are somewhat immune to everyday problems or must have super coping mechanisms, this author shows you how frail yet strong a doctor can really be. Anxiety and stress plague many people today, and there is an abundance of substance use, sleep disruption and persistent health issues. One of my favorite parts of the book is near her breaking point and spends time with the prayers and poems she has in her closet--one being her grandmother's. The support systems we depended on seem to be disintegrating, or ineffective. When these are stripped away, when you come to the end of yourself, what, or who, do you have left? God. If you're looking for inspiration on how to begin your own healing journey, take your first step by reading the amazing Pilgrimage: A Doctor's Healing Journey by Donna Chacko, MD.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Get to the Point: Every Guidance or Provision You Will Ever Need Can Be Found Today in God's Presence by Kevin White is a book that should have never been written as, ideally, people should not need it. What then is the reason for its publication? Many Christians are missing what it truly means to be a Christian, despite doing everything that is Christ-like. It appears that many are pursuing good works in the name of Christ without understanding the process. The author emphasizes that God’s whole purpose has been His presence in your life. Does this sound as if it’s nothing new? If you keep using words like hope, faith, and confidence that are not backed up by practical action, it’s like wearing a parachute and expecting it to save your life without you jumping out of the plane.

True to its title, this is a book that will not waste your time. Kevin White demonstrates that your true path to an authentic connection with God cannot be found in rituals and religion alone. What White aims to achieve in Get to the Point is to help you grasp the rich essence of your relationship with God. In a world where Christian knowledge is limited to Bible stories, misquoted verses, and the anything-goes interpretation of Scripture, White keeps it straightforward and stresses that God’s whole purpose has been you in His presence and His presence in you. If you want to discover your reason for being, this inspirational Christian guidebook can point you in the right direction.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Ambient Christ: The Inside Story of God in Science, Scripture and Spirituality by Joseph C. Masterleo is a book I have long wanted to read, only it wasn’t written yet. Finally it is here — a brilliantly articulated argument that reconciles science and faith, establishing the logical way in which one complements the other, and demonstrating that one does not necessarily imply the absence of the other. In this book, the author pulls the reader into uncharted waters as he explains the seamless connection between the visible and the invisible worlds, showing with convincing and logical arguments that there is a new synthesis that explains the unity of science and religion. Readers will understand the link between the biblical narrative of creation and science and evolution. This synthesis demonstrates that the material and the spiritual worlds do merge and proposes an intelligent solution to the mysteries of the incarnation and the secrets of the Holy Grail that have never before been revealed. That unity is Christ!

There was a period in the Church’s history when the free spirit of scientific inquiry was systematically and ruthlessly stifled, and for centuries, science was considered as opposing religion. The dialogue between science and religion is a recent endeavor, one that was amplified by Pope John Paul II. This book is a giant leap in the direction of that dialogue and Joseph C. Masterleo comes across as a master in the field. The Ambient Christ is well-researched, filled with scientific and historical facts, and observations that are mind-boggling. The author does an impeccable job of uncovering trends and belief systems, capturing the religious climates of the different periods in writing that is fluid and excellent. Some of the observations in this book will have readers rethinking their approach to religion and science. The Ambient Christ: The Inside Story of God in Science, Scripture and Spirituality is a pioneering work that defines the spirituality of the future and establishes the place of Christ in that spirituality; it offers a fresh perspective in understanding the salvific mission of Christ as the unifying principle.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Enemy of Humanity by Jubei Raziel is a non-fiction study of Christianity and the Bible, setting itself above the parapet as a wholly faithful exploration of facts, without fear of influence customarily derived from conjecture or supposition. Raziel begins with an introduction to his journey, a casual read that launched an ambitious investigation. Over the course of thirty-three chapters, Raziel is meticulous in the combing through of a wide-ranging degree of wisdom from the origins of a holy book that has been indiscriminate in who it appropriates and then recycles its texts from, to the foundational enslavement by way of a creation story that Raziel is able to succinctly dissect using intellectual reasoning and the Bible's own scripture, and on to the background of popular catchphrases such as, “Love the sinner, hate the sin,” and the reality of what they mean.

Jubei Raziel holds absolutely nothing back in Enemy of Humanity, which I found to be so much more engaging and profoundly honest than the dozens of theses I've collected over the years. The narrative is a well-constructed balance of intelligentsia and the comfortable conversational style of a man who knows what he's talking about. And Raziel definitely knows what he's talking about. My favorite parts were found in chapters eight, Contra-Christianity where contradictions are laid bare in a near-perfect laundry list of tit-for-tat scripture, and twenty-two, wherein the stunting of psychological and emotional expansion results in subservient fixation to the church, “Because they’re catalyst to the paradigm.” If you're going to read a book that digs deep into the core of Christian theology and rounds up its findings with facts, Enemy of Humanity is your stop. All aboard.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Shut Door: Losing Me, Finding Him is a work of non-fiction in the memoir, autobiographical and introspective writing sub-genres, and was penned by author MeShayle Lester. The work is intended for the general reading audience and discusses the emotional trauma and how one’s identity can be shaken by paternity news within the family. As the author recounts the incredible revelations following her discovery that her father of 37 years was not her biological father, so begins a journey of self-exploration and the search for answers. From questions of God and Christianity to the true nature of soul-searching, this is the story of a woman finding strength against the doors which have been closed to her in life.

Author MeShayle Lester has crafted a heartfelt and harrowing work of non-fiction, but one with plenty of renewed hope, strength, and faith to offer readers who persevere with it. I found the work to be well organized in its storytelling and recollection of some quite incredible circumstances. In terms of the presentation of the author, I found that the use of close narration created a deeper emotional resonance, and I felt that there was a raw, honest quality to the prose which makes it highly readable and emphasizes the true grief of the process all the more. This is sure to teach important lessons for others finding themselves in this position and seeking help from those above and around them. Overall, I would highly recommend The Shut Door: Losing Me, Finding Him to fans of deeply emotive writing styles, fascinating real-life family stories, and for anyone experiencing similar feelings everywhere.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

After Steve Harryman’s wife was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, the next 25 years of their life together becomes a profound personal transformation and embodiment of faith. This is Char's Gift: A Remarkable Story of Hope Through the Storms of Life by Steve Harryman. The author shares their love story, the anatomy of his wife’s illness and her humane concern of helping others, the strength of their faith, and the pain of his loss. Char’s debilitating illness doesn’t stop her from reaching out to help those who are facing their own bouts with a terminal illness. Char and Steve have created a ministry to offer the opportunity for anyone facing a serious illness or disability to enjoy moments of hope. They founded the Hope Through The Storm Ministries and the Hope Conference where people walking the same journey find strength and encouragement in one another.

After reading Char’s Gift, you cannot help but feel appreciative of the sociological and psychological impact of faith. It does move mountains, and if it works hand in hand with love, they move the world. This is a true love story that needs no romanticizing because everything here is straight from the heart. Steve Harryman writes with a strong sense of inspiration as if Char is guiding him. This is a tale of altruism that we can all learn something from, especially when you think that it stems from physiological adversity. Cancer remains one of the top killers, and anyone who contracts it commonly undergoes the five stages of dying. Char, however, takes it as an opportunity to maximize the quality of her life by setting an example and knowing that there are deeper things that matter more to her that are stronger than death. Read it and be inspired. It’s a story that attests how love and faith will always trump death.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Milk and Honey Land: A Story of Grief, Grace, and Goats by J. M. Huxley is a story of faith, loss, hardships, and finding hope once again. Divided into four parts, the story follows the journey of Janet Huxley, the author, as she retells her life’s story. Living in San Diego, she was aware of the PSA 727 plane crash tragedy, but Janet did not expect to lose her father in an airline crash. Her life changed forever. From having nightmares to feeling adrift, Janet was not ready to live a life where her beloved father was not part of her story anymore. Soon after, she lost more people in airline-related incidents and that made Janet feel more removed from reality. Losing faith, Janet was moving away from God before she knew it. But when things got too bleak, she felt closer to her spirituality and learned that hardships are just a way to feel closer to God.

Acceptance has a way of healing all wounds, and that rang true for Janet Huxley. I am so glad that she chose to share her story. Not many people have been in a similar situation, so this book can be a comfort for those who are grieving or have lost someone in a situation like this. The narrative was nostalgic and melancholic. The author talked about her father with so much pain, love, and appreciation that my heart ached just from reading it. The narrative felt like a conversation. I felt as if the author was sitting right in front of me and narrating her story. While the themes of religion, finding God, and exploring spirituality were very prominent, the themes of hope, rising above, and personal growth were also there. I would highly recommend Milk and Honey Land: A Story of Grief, Grace, and Goats to everyone.