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Which books are worth reading?

Our books editor, Elizabeth Palmer, writes a wonderful weekly email called Books Worth Reading. You can sign up here—if you're interested in learning about new books to read, I highly recommend it!

I'll do my best Elizabeth impersonation this week and let you know what I'm reading. While I've been trying to read more from authors who are Black, queer, and other social locations that are not White US/European men, I've made an exception for Jürgen Moltmann's The Crucified God. It was highly recommended to me by a beloved former professor. I'm only on page 15 or so, and already I feel like these words from 1973 speak directly to crises in today's US churches. I'd love to hear from you: have you read Moltmann? What are you reading now?

Speaking of books, the Century has had some fascinating book reviews recently. Nijay Gupta recommends Stephen Young's thoughtful rebuttal to the "fugitive slave theory" interpretation of Paul's letter to Philemon. Meggan Manlove praises Jacob Sorenson's thorough and theological study of church camps. You can also read below an adapted book excerpt that explores new ways to envision church parking lots.

Jon Mathieu
[email protected]

This week's top articles:

It’s time to reimagine the church parking lot

“I invite you to stand in a church parking lot or imagine doing so. Notice your distance from neighboring houses, local businesses, or passersby. You are standing on a horizontal wall, an asphalt expanse that separates your faith community from its neighbors and community.”

by G. Travis Norvell

Freeing Philemon from the “fugitive slave” theory

“The fugitive slave scenario is a situational theory that was introduced sometime in the patristic period…and is now treated by many as fact. Stephen E. Young bursts this bubble.”

Nijay Gupta reviews Stephen Young

Why go to church camp?

“Anyone trying to love as Jesus loved can gain new perspectives from these pages on caring for young people.”

Meggan Manlove reviews Jacob Sorenson

Living by the Word for March 20 (Lent 3C)

Jesus obliterates our internal ledgers and points us to repentance.

by Mihee Kim-Kort

Lent 3C archives

Get even more lectionary resources with Sunday’s Coming Premium, an email newsletter from the editors of the Christian Century. Learn more.

The receptive, reflective act of paying attention

“On a night of magnificent music, Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s music director Riccardo Muti seemed intent on first teaching his audience how to practice attending to others."

by Peter W. Marty

The exuberant absurdity of Don’t Look Up and Moonfall

“Knowledge can’t save even those who have the courage to face the truth of pending disasters.”

by Kathryn Reklis

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