A Faith and Culture Devotional: Daily Readings on Art, Science, and Life

A Faith and Culture Devotional: Daily Readings on Art, Science, and LifeI give this book my highest recommendation. I hesitate to call this book a devotional. It is much more than that. I initially bought it for my father-in-law in an effort to show him we don't have to shelve our brains to be a follower of Christ. As I read it myself and saw how challenged and encouraged I was I bought one for my wife, my pastor, my worship leader and I am buying 9 more for the men's discipleship group I lead. What an interesting concept that a Christian can be educated, balanced and have an intelligent, fact based and defensible faith. I challenge anyone to read a couple of the daily readings and they will be hooked.

It's hard to decide which of the great 5-star reviews I identify with the most, but the phrase "stretch and challenge" comes close. Am trying not to race through too quickly, as there's so much to chew on, to delight in, and to share with others....one reviewer mentioned the "conversation with Muslims" piece--one of my favorites so far...Erwin McManus - p 38-39 "There is only one reason for God to come himself, because in issues of love, you just can't have someone else stand in for you..." What a great analogy he has given in this conversation with a Muslim. I'm recommending this book, and giving it, to many!

I'd never seen a devotional like this before, and you probably haven't either. A Faith And Culture Devotional: Daily Readings on Art, Science, and Life, compiled by Veritas Forum founder Kelly Monroe Kullberg and author and educator Lael Arrington, doesn't follow the usual time-honored devotional formula of Bible verse(s), brief inspiring story and/or application, prayer for the day. In fact, I'm not quite sure "devotional" is the right category for this wonderful book. It is a digest of provocative bite-sized essays from respected Christian voices from across our culture's spectrum. Bible and Theology, History, Philosophy, Science, Literature, Arts and Contemporary Culture are each represented in the 15 weeks of daily readings. Contributors include Frederica Matthewes-Green, R.C. Sproul, J.P. Moreland, John Eldredge, Francis Collins, Philip Yancey, and Terry Glaspey. Though all are orthodox in their basic theology, they are not all from the same theological or ideological camp. That's the strength of this volume. Though there are devotional elements to it, this volume is more about allowing ourselves to enter into interior dialogue with important ideas. It is intended to help readers live faithfully as learners, and seamlessly weave what we're learning into the whole cloth of our lives. Each day's 500-800 word essay is followed by a set of reflection/discussion questions designed to take the day's reading and make it sticky. For instance, on day seven of week one's readings, the day of the week devoted to contemporary culture issues, Erwin McManus writes about a discussion he had with a group of Muslims about Christianity. In summarizing his surprising conversation with the group, he says, "Religion exists not because God loves too little but because we need love so much." The three reflection and discussion questions following his essay are the kind of great, open-ended asks that invite probing thought. Recommended. Big time.

Wow. Did you ever wonder what Picasso really thought about his own artistic abilities? How God, who created reality, sees reality? If there is implicit evidence for the Big Bang in the Bible? What makes U2 concerts unforgettable? About the source of the astonishing complexity of a single cell and its DNA? How (or if) a close community enhances health? What really motivated Harriet Beecher Stowe to write Uncle Tom's Cabin? These are a very slim sampling of the topics explored in A Faith and Cultural Devotional. You won't believe the scope and reach of this book. And the range of voices (from scientists, authors, philosophers, thinkers, artists) chiming in from their offices, classrooms, studios, and laboratories! It reads to me like a symphony of intellects, all pitched for and pointed to One Thing: the unfathomable variety and glory of God and his relentless love for us. This book is good medicine for minds and hearts overstimulated and numbed by our warp-speed culture. It is truly wonder full.

Everywhere we turn today - whether it be on the news, in the paper, or within a circle of friends - the topics of faith and culture are prevalent. Kelly Monroe Kullberg and Lael Arrington have scripted a devotional that allows, on a daily basis, for us to take a closer look at how faith is (and has been) a part of "Bible and Theology", "History", "Philosophy", "Science", "Literature", "Arts", and "Contemporary Culture" . They have brought together the thoughts, expertise, and writings of leaders in each of these areas to further equip and stretch us. Each day concludes with thoughts for reflection and discussion, further contributing to its utility not only for personal study and reflection, but as an ideal tool for small groups.