Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer My rating: 3 of 5 stars There is a dark side to religious freedom, and to religion in general. Krakauer provides a most disturbing look at the … Continue reading Book Review: Under the Banner of Heaven

Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 by Ibram X. Kendi My rating: 5 of 5 stars Question #1: Who here remembers learning all about the 1620 Mayflower in school? Maybe there were Thanksgiving pageants, songs, games, costumes and activities created to celebrate our proud pilgrim heritage. Question #2: Who here remembers learning all about the 1619 White Lion? Pageants? Costumes? Songs? Celebrations of our pride over the arrival of the first documented group of 20 African slaves to the English colonies brought here to make us … Continue reading Book Review: Four Hundred Souls

Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt by Patrick Q. Mason My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was blessed (or cursed) with my mother’s heart and my father’s mind. And the two often don’t get along. In matters of faith, I have discovered for me that understanding is dependent primarily on the heart. In matters of critical thinking however, understanding is dependent primarily on logic. So when it comes to our worldview philosophies, where does “belief” come into play? Patrick Mason has created a treatise on the subject of belief which beautifully and masterfully bridges the divide … Continue reading Book Review: Planted