Spring Reads - April 2022

 Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation 

by Kristin Kobes DuMez

Calvin College Professor of History Kristin DuMez writes a sweeping documentary on the past 75 years of white evangelicalism, attempting to answer the question of how we (evangelicals) arrived at this particular place in culture with one foot squarely in the conservative Republican camp.  Extremely readable, I was intrigued to follow the steps that she defines and the leaders she mentions, because I was in the thick of this history, making decisions and following the guidelines of these conservative spokespeople.  This historical perspective gave me much consternation and sometimes shame, for accepting so much of the rhetoric that was espoused without analyzing my immediate acquiescence in the 1980's and '90's; today, I am much more prone to review, think and agonize over what I am told by the media and by both sides of the political spectrum.  DuMez definitely opened my eyes to the past and what has contributed to our current reality, but she didn't convince me that masculine patriarchy was the major contributor to this situation.  As with any flawed organization, there are many components and variables that make it so.

Where the Light Fell: a Memoir by Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey has long been one of my favorite non-fiction authors.  He speaks rationally and sanely about suffering in his bestseller, "Where is God When it Hurts?"  His raw questions in "Disappointment With God" make believers nod their heads along with him.  We all have questions about why God allows hard situations in our lives.  Because Yancey attended the same Bible College as I did, I wanted to hear his story.  This memoir clearly details Yancey's upbringing in a fundamentalist church, with a slightly dysfunctional mother.  Shame and guilt were  regularly dished out; but God dished out extra grace to combat the ill effects.  Yancey, with thoughtful analysis, determines that only God's grace and love kept his faith intact. An interesting read, particularly for others who have had similar histories.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Although this was quite a lengthy saga, it was well written and introduced me to Ethiopa's history.  Conjoined twins, Marion and Shiva, are left orphans at birth due to the death of their Indian born mother (a nun) and the fleeing of their surgeon father.  The story chronicles the mysterious tie that the twins have, the conflict between them, and the beautiful but sorrowful ending after their reconciliation.  The outstanding stars of the story are the true adoptive parents who step in to raise them, with great love and guidance.  Both doctors, they include the boys in their medical lives and transfer their passions for excellence in surgery and research to them.

Dear Emmy Blue by Lia Louis

Lia Louis does a great job of describing an introverted twenty something who hasn't quite resolved her past...so cannot move forward.  A mother who has chosen not to be involved, a father who has been incognito, a forever friend who has been her security for years, and his brother.  Lots of moving pieces and fun characters.  Happy ending!

Unashamed: Rahab's Story by Francine Rivers

This was true to the Biblical account and a great reminder of how God's redemption plan unfolded through the lineage of a prostitute.  How amazing is God's grace?  Rivers did a good job adding interesting family characters and developing a love interest with one of the spies, Salmon--putting Rahab into the line of Boaz, Jesse, David and ultimately Jesus.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

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Written in 2000, this young adult book won both the Newberry Award and the Coretta Scott King award, the first black man to receive that honor.  The story takes place in Flint and Grand Rapids, MI; the author's home state.  He writes convincingly and simply, introducing us to Black culture and characters. So enjoyable.