Religion in Review

Original RBL Reviews

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes: Harnessing Our Power to Change the World

Deepak Chopra with Gotham Chopra. HarperOne, $25.99 (208p) ISBN 978-0-06-205966-6

The bestselling author of more than 55 books, Deepak Chopra discerns with trademark insight the essential traits that comic book superheroes epitomize. Chopra suggests that these superhuman characters, many revitalized for modern media, capture the collective imagination because they symbolize the potential within each of us and stimulate archetypal energies and awareness. More important, when exemplary qualities are activated and engaged personally and collectively, they can lead us to authentic change and to a rewriting of the future of humanity. Keeping this expansive vision in mind, Chopra connects ancient spiritual laws of transformation with the fantastic realms of superheroes, while demonstrating application and relevance to the modern-day heroism called for during perilous times. Writing with his son Gotham, the elder Chopra bridges generations, cultures, and icons from Buddha to Batman, guiding readers to cultivate their own superpowers. (May)

Adam’s Gift: A Memoir of a Pastor’s Calling to Defy the Church’s Persecution of Lesbians and Gays

Jimmy Creech. Duke Univ., $29.95 (368p) ISBN 978-0-8223-4885-6

Creech, a former United Methodist minister, recounts his efforts to make that denomination more open and welcoming to LGBT individuals. Although he covers many examples and experiences from his pastoral career, the bulk of the memoir recounts his decision to perform a covenant ceremony for two Omaha women in 1997 and the fallout that ensued, including two trials by the United Methodist Church and revocation of his ordination credentials. The coverage of his trials gives insight not only into the United Methodist judicial process but also into the rhetoric and tactics on both sides of the debate for LGBT inclusion. Excerpts from letters, emails, news stories, conversations, and other documents from supporters and detractors provide a vivid glimpse into how the battles are fought and how people at all levels of the church genuinely feel. Despite Creech’s obvious passion for his advocacy, his retelling lacks verve and is overly detailed. Regardless, the work stands as a clear and compelling testament to the way pastors and other advocates can make some difference, despite entrenched opposition. (May)

Tweet If You [Heart] Jesus: Practicing Church in the Digital Reformation

Elizabeth Drescher. Morehouse, $20 trade paper (192p) ISBN 978-0-8192-2423-1

Culture has shifted. According to professor-writer Drescher, we are already living with a new “habitus,” or rule for life. Drescher challenges mainline churches facing a well-documented decline in membership to engage the “Digital Reformation” in order to renew participation. Combining a playful title and illustrations with anthropological insights, the author takes an optimistic yet practical look at the way things are and the reasons why churches should accept change. She sets today’s shift within the context of history, explaining that characteristics of social media hearken back to earlier works of Christians past (e.g., Paul reaching far-flung churches with short letters, medieval Christians learning without books, Luther creating a Christianity accessible to all). She argues that “change is being led by the swarm rather than the queen,” and it resembles the improvisation of early Christians, who had little concern for borders or buildings. This glass-half-full approach will motivate readers to count participation by interactions instead of bodies in pews. Drescher’s encouragement adds a hopeful voice to the debate over churches’ use of social media, though it likely won’t be the last word. (May)

The Book That Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization

Vishal Mangalwadi. Thomas Nelson, $22.99 (464p) ISBN 978-1-59555-322-5

This book should make any member of Western civilization proud. Mangalwadi, author of fourteen other books and Indian by birth, takes aim at what he sees as the negative aspects of the culture and religions of his native country by contrasting how the Bible of the Christian West has promoted justice, honesty, intellectual rigor, human freedom, values beyond the simple monetary, and the heroism of sacrifice. Mangalwadi makes a case for appreciating the Bible as the foundation and support for these ideals and more. Weaving personal narrative into observation and contemplation, he makes the book both accessible and provocative. It is refreshing to find, in a culture of relativism, someone willing to champion particular ideas, even if only to serve as a debate partner on matters of substance. Many readers will take issue with the predominantly “nice” Bible to which Mangalwadi appeals and with a logic that leads from the Bible to all social good, but there is much here worth serious consideration as the West wrestles with its relationship to the Good Book. (May)

Dion: The Wanderer Talks Truth (stories, humor, & music)

Dion DiMucci with Mike Aquilina. St. Anthony Messenger/Servant, $16.99 (144p) ISBN 978-0-86716-999-7

Having previously written a memoir (The Wanderer: Dion’s Story, Quill, 1989), pioneering early ’60s rocker Dion keeps it short and sweet this time. He gives glimpses of his life, times, and friends: what led up to the lamented 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, rock’s then-brightest star; his disagreement with some of John Lennon’s more political music; his 14-year use of heroin (that gets two pages), a lethal habit he kicked 42 years ago. He’s a storyteller and musician, not an author, so this abbreviated style works, particularly since it is laced with unaffected, street-wise humor. Neither is he a theologian, but he’s an ardent, pew-sitting believer; he calls himself “a ferocious Catholic.” Catholics, particularly those of a certain age, will like this unexpected book. It’s far from Keith Richards’ dissolute and surprisingly well-remembered Life. But as Lou Reed asks in his foreword, “Who could be hipper than Dion?” (Apr.)

Sneak Peek: Religion Book Reviews Coming in PW May 9

Inside Scientology: The Story of America’s Most Secretive Religion

Janet Reitman. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $28 (464p) ISBN 978-0-618-88302-8

Anyone who missed the recent investigative accounts of the Church of Scientology will benefit from this exhaustive history of the controversial sect. A contributing editor at Rolling Stone, Reitman has expanded on her 13,000-word story on Scientology, which ran in 2006, to produce a detailed and readable examination of the life of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the church, and his successor, David Miscavige. The book offers astonishing accounts of the abuses of power, the purges, and the climate of fear and intimidation commonplace among the top ranks of the organization. What’s lacking here is a thoughtful analysis of what Scientology represents within the broader 21st century culture and why people seem to fall prey to its ideas. Reitman plows through her abundant material without an organizing narrative arc; consequently many of the chapters pile on without providing satisfying conclusions. The only hopeful conclusion Reitman offers--and most readers will agree--is that Scientology is shrinking, with less than 250,000 members worldwide. (July)

Allah, Liberty, and Love: The Courage to Reconcile Faith and Freedom

Irshad Manji. Free Press, $26 (272p) ISBN 978-1-4516-4520-0

The controversial Manji follows up The Trouble with Islam Today with the surprising Allah, Liberty, and Love. Whereas Manji’s first book brazenly critiqued all things Islamic--from the Qur’an, Muhammad, and mosques to individual Muslims themselves, Manji here generally speaks admiringly of her Islamic faith. Although she has some interesting ideas, such as desiring to bring into the tent those Muslims seen as “countercultural,” her counterarguments directed at Muslim women who wear hijab (the veil) as a feminist statement are simply narrow. The book suffers from manipulative attempts to draw sympathy from the reader, including constant references to the death threats she receives and how such threats cause anxiety in her mother, and exhaustive quoting of nasty emails sent to Manji (both from Muslims and non-Muslims) and her responses. The result is a tit-for-tat pace that might work better on cable television. Though Manji urges readers to strive for moral courage in the tradition of great religious leaders (many of whom Manji compares herself to, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and even Oprah), her combative tone seems almost to invite more nasty emails from those who disagree. (June)

On the Virtual Shelves: Web Exclusive Religion Book Reviews

Broken Wings

Carla Stewart (FaithWords, June)

http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-446-55656-9

Praying for Strangers

River Jordan (Berkley, Apr.)

http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-425-23964-3

Divinity of Doubt: The God Question

Vincent Bugliosi (Vanguard, Apr.)

http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-59315-629-9

Recruiting Young Love

Mark Jordan (Univ. Chicago, Apr.)