Culture

Atria Books, 2012 Reviewed by Tara Burton. Upon reading the title I was immediately drawn to this book. Despite the fact that it has close ties to Christianity as the author reflects on her faith journey, it was actually the cover image of a carefree Golden Retriever with his tongue sticking out playfully which drew me like a moth to ...

Allen & Unwin 2012 RRP $26.99 Reviewed by David Weddell. Gittins' Gospel: Religious book or not? On first glance, the cover picture of an older man in priestly clothes would suggest this is book belongs in Christian bookstores. On second glance, the subtitle, "The economics of just about everything" and the back cover information that Gittins is an economics journalist ...

Franciscan Media, 2012 RRP $23.95 Reviewed by Wendy Scott. Fools, Liars, Cheaters and Other Bible Heroes is a set of 28 studies, each dealing with the life, background and actions of one of the very flawed personalities God chose to do his will. Some of the chapter headings say much about this book’s approach: · Rebecca: Beautiful Bride to Manipulative ...

2013 Reviewed by David Weddell. Based on the best-selling book of the same title and funded by the donations of thousands of fans, Blue Like Jazz is not a stereotypical Christian movie, and that's a big part of what makes it great. Rated M, this semi-biographical movie is edgy because it is realistic. The plot firmly grabs your attention, partially ...

Song for Marion Stars: Gemma Arterton, Christopher Eccleston, Terence Stamp Rated: PG Reviewed by Sue and Kate Hutchinson mother and daughter. Song for Marion is a genuinely affecting story of love, friendship, heartache, persistence, hope and redemption. For fans of Quartet, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Calendar Girls, this warm-hearted movie, even if predictable, will delight and move you. ...

Dreaming a New Earth: Raimon Pannikar and Indigenous Spiritualities Mosaic Press 2012 RRP $39.95 Reviewed by David Pitman. This is a book about indigenous spiritualities, with particular reference to Australia, Korea, Japan and New Zealand. It is a collection of articles, written by authors from around the world, that offer a strong affirmation of the integrity and authenticity of indigenous ...

Talking about ethics: Negotiating the maze Acorn Press, 2011 RRP $14.95 Reviewed by ethicist Trevor Jordan. It is often said that "ethics is a conversation", but as Justin Denholm points out in his helpful study guide, we need conversations that go beyond a mere sharing of opinions or disagreements. Talking about ethics is a good place to start for Christians ...

Contemplative Meditation for Groups Homewood Publications 2013 RRP $20 Reviewed by Noel Preston. Ken Davidson's own sacred story — told early in the script — begins in the Queensland Methodism of the 1950s. The critical point of its development is undoubtedly the traumatic death through cancer of his young wife, Margaret, in the 1980s. Sparked by that traumatic event, Ken's ...

Wiley-Blackwell, 2011 RRP $39.95 By Karyl Davison. This book reminds us that the contours of Christianity around the world are complex and enormously diverse. Christians are members of thousands of different churches, speak hundreds if not thousands of different languages and are present in almost every country across the globe. Douglas Jacobsen, Professor of Church History and Theology at Messiah ...

The Righteous Mind Penguin 2012 RRP $19.99 Reviewed by Rob Sandilands Anti-abortion or pro-choice? For or against the ordination of homosexual people? Infant baptism or believer's baptism? These are some of the political and religious divisions that can occur in society and the church. There are times when you can have a mix of all of them within the same ...