Who Stole My Bible? Reclaiming Scripture as a Handbook for Resisting Tyranny (Jennifer Butler, Faith in Public Life, 2020)

Butler's book has at least three audiences in mind: (a) the religious progressive seeking rootage in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, (b) those beginning a journey into a theologically progressive environment, and (c) those who seek to better understand how "progressive Christian" is not an oxymoron.

The author has distinguished herself over the years in her progressive social activism, closely connected to Faith in Public Life. Her distinctive contribution is the desire to show how Scripture creates a progressive mindset.In her relatively short volume (149 pages) the author guides the reader from Genesis to Revelation in understanding the wide scope of Scripture's consistent heartbeat: resist tyranny and serve God. The kind of service the author sees is undergirded with liberation (her helpful bibliography includes the recognize "names" of liberation and womanist theologies, to name two categories). Early on she cites her goal: to connect biblical and post biblical leaders "whose work has shown just what can and should be done to resist tyranny" (xxv).

This is a helpful read for those seeking an introduction to progressive religious thought, as well as a refresher for those reappraising their own faith stance. Regrettably, the book was written just before the 2020 elections, so much of the rhetoric is formed in response to (what was at the time the current tenure of) President Trump. Published in 2020, but released after the election, the book was too late to pique the thinking of voters, and cannot consider the possibilities offered by the blue-wave 2020 election results. A publication and release date a year earlier may have been especially relevant.

That said, Butler's work is helpful. She elucidates the possibilities of a progressive social agenda and skillfully weaves biblical and theological thought to make a convincing argument. For Christians disheartened with the radical right, Butler is a helpful antidote. For those already committed to a progressive theological and social agenda, Butler affirms and strengthens.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.

The End Is Music: A Companion to Robert W. Jenson's Theology (Chris E. W. Green, Cascade Books, 2018)

Author Chris Green acknowledges, within the first few words of his Preface, the difficulty of writing a worthwhile companion to a theologian's broader work. This is especially the case, he writes, for a theologian of such prodigious writing volume as Robert Jenson (1930-2017). Because I am virtually unfamiliar with Jenson's work, I picked up this volume as a means to acquaint myself

with Jenson and to help me decide whether or not to investigate more deeply his theology.

In spite of Green's reservations, his relatively brief (around 125 pages, without bibliography) companion to Jenson is well done. He lays out with clarity Jenson's theological program in broad terms and then systematically parses his work into chapters which include: God, Truth, Creation, Salvation, Church and Kingdom.

Green captures my attention in several ways. (1) I'm fascinated by the connection Jenson, a devoutly Lutheran theologian, has with the pre-Colonial Puritan Jonathan Edwards. Green's several references to this connection intrigue me to investigate more deeply this unlikely trans-historical, cross-denominational theological match-up. (2) Throughout Green's brief companion volume, he references Jenson's explication of the nature of time and its relationship with a creative God in ways that open new thinking vistas for the practical theological (i.e., the "pastor," the "preacher"). (3) His final chapter, especially his thoughtful coverage of Jenson's eschatology is hopeful and faith-inspiring. It is a healthy, optimistic contrast to much of Christian publishing's past two or more decades of "Left Behind" nonsense.

Like many pastors, I have taken little time since seminary days to intentionally devote time to reading theological tomes. Occasionally I have dipped into some of the past's heavy-hitters (Barth and Brunner, for example), but not for any protracted period of time. The ever-present hum of sermon and Bible study preparations have garnered my attention for much of my vocational life.

Green, however, has whet my appetite for more of Robert Jenson's theology. Green's focused, brief but meaty companion to Jenson is a good start.