Reviews by Stephen Barkley
Isaac Newton
On 3/1 Stephen Barkley wrote: Thomas Nelson Publishers has just introduced a series of biographies entitled, “Christian Encounters”. I just finished reading Mitch Stokes’ work on the life of Isaac Newton. While I cannot yet speak for the other books in the series, this volume is a resounding success. Stokes relates the life ... An Extraordinary Life
Tithing
On 2/19 Stephen Barkley wrote: Tithing is the story of 11 different people or couples who find that ancient practice to be an important part of their spiritual lives. The strength of this book lies in the diversity of its subjects. You’ll find everyone from fundamentalists to liberals between these covers, which only lends strength ... A Survey of North American Tithing Practices
The Selfless Gene
On 1/29 Stephen Barkley wrote: The Selfless Gene is a side-splitting call for moderation. Foster contends that it’s possible to believe in God without sticking your head in the sand when it comes to science. In pursuit of this belief, he disarms and jabs young earth creationists and uber-Darwinists like Richard Dawkins with equal ... A Side-Splitting Call for Moderation
The Gospel According to Lost
On 12/24 Stephen Barkley wrote: The Gospel according to lost is what happens when a pastor enjoys a television series. This book is not a book of theories and speculation about Lost. (With one season to go, that would be a foolish endeavour!) It's a reflection on the religious and philosophical themes that permeate the award winning ... Reflections on Faith and Philosophy
The Liturgical Year
On 12/4 Stephen Barkley wrote: The Liturgical Year is a collection of devotional thoughts centered around the annual liturgy followed by the church throughout millennia. It is an attempt to draw believers back to the year that begins at Advent rather than the first of January. While I found some of the historical work on the origin ... Beautiful in Style, Weak in Substance
Five Cities That Ruled The World
On 11/5 Stephen Barkley wrote: This book is a rare find: a history that's interesting to read. Wilson stands in the company of Thomas Cahill in his ability to make centuries of history read like a gripping plot. The book's title is self-explanatory. Wilson surveyed the history of five major cities, with particular attention given ... A History of Western Civilization
The Tallest of Smalls
On 10/21 Stephen Barkley wrote: I snagged this book for my two-year old son. He’s addicted to books—seriously addicted. The Tallest of Smalls is a brief story about a neglected boy who got to play with the cool kids for a while before falling (literally) back into his own insignificance. The story concluded with Jesus entering ... The Tallest of Smalls | Max Lucado
The Search for God and Guinness
On 10/13 Stephen Barkley wrote: Where do you go after writing best-selling books about the faith of George W. Bush and Barack Obama? To beer, of course! This fascinating volume delves into the history of the most iconic family in brewing. After a chapter on the history of beer and civilization (hint: it’s far more important than ... The Search for God and Guinness | Stephen Mansfield