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cosmicbookworm's reviews
309 reviews
Red State Christians: Understanding the Voters Who Elected Donald Trump by Angela Denker
5.0
How did we reach a point where our nation elected a man like Donald Trump to the White House, when less than twenty years earlier, evangelical Christians were condemning Bill Clinton? Why would so many Christians support a man who embodies values contrary to their beliefs? How did we end up here? Angela Denker, a Lutheran pastor from Minneapolis, MN, a former sports writer, spent a year in 2018 traveling the country seeking answers. Denker effectively compiles the history and current state of a diverse nation in her search for answers.
I admit that by the end of the book I was a little weary of listening to the views of people who draw different conclusions than I do, especially when I learn of things like a Southern Baptist church withdrawing support of a Lutheran Church in El Paso, who is doing great things for people in its community, https://www.facebook.com/cristorey1010/ because of the pastor’s refusal to support Donald Trump. Things like this bring me to the point of exhaustion.
The book's conclusion brings everything together. If I lived in the Twin Cities, I’m confident that I would find my way to Denker’s congregation. This is a place I could worship.
Denker’s conclusion to her important book:
“My Red State Christian story began with Trump, with his bombast and his uncanny ability to mollify moral concerns and unite an Evangelical Christian coalition of voters. Still, the place my story ends is far from Trump. It ends in places in America where people are forming unlikely alliances, surprising each other and surprising political pundits, to build a future that looks nothing like the Republicans or Democrats of the past. Grace, for American Christians and for all of us, is a difficult thing. It means starting from a place where all of us have been wrong, and knowing that we all have something to learn from each other. If you are a liberal reading this book, I hope you’ve learned about the humanity and diversity of Red State Christians, and you can see parts of yourself in them. If you are a conservative reading this book, I hope you’ve learned about the dangerous edges and manipulation apparent in parts of American Red State conservative Christianity, and I hope you see that in some places, Jesus’s message of love and sacrifice has been perverted to lift up power and hatred. I hope, whoever you are, that your beliefs prior to reading this book have been challenged and that you’re open to further conversation.”
I admit that by the end of the book I was a little weary of listening to the views of people who draw different conclusions than I do, especially when I learn of things like a Southern Baptist church withdrawing support of a Lutheran Church in El Paso, who is doing great things for people in its community, https://www.facebook.com/cristorey1010/ because of the pastor’s refusal to support Donald Trump. Things like this bring me to the point of exhaustion.
The book's conclusion brings everything together. If I lived in the Twin Cities, I’m confident that I would find my way to Denker’s congregation. This is a place I could worship.
Denker’s conclusion to her important book:
“My Red State Christian story began with Trump, with his bombast and his uncanny ability to mollify moral concerns and unite an Evangelical Christian coalition of voters. Still, the place my story ends is far from Trump. It ends in places in America where people are forming unlikely alliances, surprising each other and surprising political pundits, to build a future that looks nothing like the Republicans or Democrats of the past. Grace, for American Christians and for all of us, is a difficult thing. It means starting from a place where all of us have been wrong, and knowing that we all have something to learn from each other. If you are a liberal reading this book, I hope you’ve learned about the humanity and diversity of Red State Christians, and you can see parts of yourself in them. If you are a conservative reading this book, I hope you’ve learned about the dangerous edges and manipulation apparent in parts of American Red State conservative Christianity, and I hope you see that in some places, Jesus’s message of love and sacrifice has been perverted to lift up power and hatred. I hope, whoever you are, that your beliefs prior to reading this book have been challenged and that you’re open to further conversation.”
The Darkest Child by Delores Phillips
I read "The Darkest Child" as part of a group read, and I'm thankful for being introduced to it. It is probably the most traumatizing book I have ever read, but it is also a beautifully written, heart-wrenching, and thought-provoking piece of historical fiction.
The story is painful to read, knowing that the fiction mirrors the lived experiences of many. The characters are vividly portrayed, and their struggles are depicted with a raw honesty that makes you feel as if you are right there watching what is happening.
Phillips' writing captures the brutal realities of racism, poverty, and familial abuse without ever losing sight of her characters' resilience and humanity. The inclusion of the first four chapters of the unfinished sequel provides a glimmer of hope for change, though it also hints at the continuing challenges that lie ahead.
'The Darkest Child' is a stark reminder of the injustices that have shaped our history and a testament to the enduring spirit of those who endured them. I highly recommend this book.
5.0
The story is painful to read, knowing that the fiction mirrors the lived experiences of many. The characters are vividly portrayed, and their struggles are depicted with a raw honesty that makes you feel as if you are right there watching what is happening.
Phillips' writing captures the brutal realities of racism, poverty, and familial abuse without ever losing sight of her characters' resilience and humanity. The inclusion of the first four chapters of the unfinished sequel provides a glimmer of hope for change, though it also hints at the continuing challenges that lie ahead.
'The Darkest Child' is a stark reminder of the injustices that have shaped our history and a testament to the enduring spirit of those who endured them. I highly recommend this book.
The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta
5.0
In my quest to understand "What Happened? And "Read Until You Understand," I found "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory" by Tim Alberta to be an important look into the world of the evangelical movement. As a practicing Christian and the son of an evangelical pastor, Alberta offers a comprehensive and sobering examination of the American evangelical movement. His insights are rooted in personal experience and a deep concern for the Church. Alberta is a credible and compelling critic of the evangelical Church's current direction.
The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis by Maria Smilios
4.5
"The Black Angels" is a thoroughly researched book that covers a lot of ground. It explores two important storylines, which might have been split into separate volumes, but they are interconnected and need to be told together. These storylines shed light on the intersection of racial discrimination and medical dangers during a time when both were widespread. It is a must-read for high school students and anyone committed to reading until you understand.
Author Maria Smilios, a former science editor, uncovers a nearly lost part of American history. She sheds light on the crucial role played by courageous Black nurses in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) at Sea View Hospital on Staten Island. Sea View was a hospital for TB patients that faced a staffing crisis when white nurses left due to dangerous conditions. In response, hospital administrators recruited Black nurses from the South, enticing them with promises of employment and training opportunities, which seemed more promising than the Jim Crow laws where they lived. While racism looked different in the north it was still rampant and affected their daily lives in significant ways. Despite being subjected to underpayment, prejudice, and harsh working conditions, these women demonstrated incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience. Their contributions were instrumental in testing groundbreaking drug treatments that led to the development of Isoniazid.
Overall, "The Black Angels" is a moving tribute to the Black nurses who braved both a deadly disease and the deeply embedded racism of their time. Their story is one of courage, commitment, and an enduring fight for recognition and respect in a world that often denied them both.
I read this book to be able to participate in an online discussion with "Uniting Through History." I am thankful for the opportunity, and I highly recommend this book.
Author Maria Smilios, a former science editor, uncovers a nearly lost part of American history. She sheds light on the crucial role played by courageous Black nurses in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) at Sea View Hospital on Staten Island. Sea View was a hospital for TB patients that faced a staffing crisis when white nurses left due to dangerous conditions. In response, hospital administrators recruited Black nurses from the South, enticing them with promises of employment and training opportunities, which seemed more promising than the Jim Crow laws where they lived. While racism looked different in the north it was still rampant and affected their daily lives in significant ways. Despite being subjected to underpayment, prejudice, and harsh working conditions, these women demonstrated incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience. Their contributions were instrumental in testing groundbreaking drug treatments that led to the development of Isoniazid.
Overall, "The Black Angels" is a moving tribute to the Black nurses who braved both a deadly disease and the deeply embedded racism of their time. Their story is one of courage, commitment, and an enduring fight for recognition and respect in a world that often denied them both.
I read this book to be able to participate in an online discussion with "Uniting Through History." I am thankful for the opportunity, and I highly recommend this book.
The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy by Jim Wallis
5.0
"The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy" by Jim Wallis is a thought-provoking, impactful, and convicting work that challenges readers to reject the distorted form of Christianity that has been co-opted by nationalism and racial injustice. Drawing from six key Bible verses—Luke 10:25-37, Genesis 1:26, John 8:32, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 5:9, and Galatians 3:28—Wallis issues a call to action for all people of faith. He urges Christians to reclaim their faith's true message of love, justice, and equality and to actively work toward refounding democracy on these principles. This book is a compelling invitation to live out a faith that aligns with the Gospel's core teachings.
Majority World Theology: Christian Doctrine in Global Context by
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Was reading with a couple of friends. We corporately lost interest. We finished half of the book and learned a lot but it was time to move on.