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  September 24, 2008
 
• BEHIND THE NEWS
  • Publishers Give Religion Reporters Food (for Thought) at Journalists' Annual Conference
• SHORT TAKES
  • Zondervan Author Wins Christian Prize; Baker Promotions, Top-10 September Catholic Titles; Speakers at Jewish Children's Book Writer's Conference
• RELIGION IN REVIEW
  • Two Reviews Coming in PW on Monday, Oct. 13
  • Three Starred Reviews Coming in PW on Oct. 13
  • Two Original RBL Reviews
• BESTSELLER BYTES
• BESTSELLERS: PW September Religion Bestsellers
• HOW TO SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE
BEHIND THE NEWS
Publishers Give Religion Reporters Food (for Thought) at Journalists' Annual Conference
by Marcia Z. Nelson

Those who think the news is grim in publishing as sales stay soft and heads of houses revise resumes need to know it could be worse: you could be a religion reporter working for a newspaper. The atmosphere was sober (except at the closing night party) and buyouts were the subject of many a conversation at the 59th annual conference of the Religion Newswriters Association held Sept. 18-21 in Washington, D.C.

Religion publishers pitched tents and titles in an exhibitors room to reporters whenever journalists took a break from panels about religion and the 2008 elections, new media and blogging, and writing with nuance about Islam. Jossey-Bass, Baylor University Press and HarperOne all held press conferences for a captive and well-fed audience to promote or debut key titles. Chris Korzen and Alexia Kelley, co-authors of A Nation for All: How the Catholic Vision of the Common Good Can Save America from the Politics of Division (Jossey-Bass, May), offered background analysis and answers about what is looking to be the crucial Catholic vote in the fall elections. Baylor University religion sociologist Rodney Stark was principal presenter of new findings and topics from a series of Baylor surveys of American religious beliefs and practices, the results of which are summarized in Stark's What Americans Really Believe: New Findings from the Baylor Surveys of Religion (Baylor Univ., Sept.).

HarperOne debuted The Green Bible (Oct.), a "green-letter" edition that highlights more than 1,000 verses dealing with caring for God's creation. The environmentally friendly edition features a cotton-linen cover, recycled paper and soy-based ink, as well as an introduction by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and essays by environmental scholars and leaders. Zondervan feted religion columnist Cathleen Falsani to introduce her Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace (Sept.), already going back to press. Other publishers reeling in reporters, or trying their best: Baker Publishing Group, Paraclete Press, SkyLight Paths/Jewish Lights, Westminster John Knox, and Islamica publisher Tughra, which set out a seductive platter of Turkish delight for browsers.

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SHORT TAKES
Zondervan Author Wins Christian Prize; Baker Promotions, Top-10 September Catholic Titles; Speakers at Jewish Children's Book Writer's Conference
by Daisy Maryles
Camy Tang, author of Zondervan's popular Sushi Series, won the 2008 American Christian Fiction Writers' award for best book in the debut author category for her 2007 novel Sushi for One? Publishers Weekly's review called the book a "sassy narrative" and said it was "refreshing to have Tang's voice in Christian fiction." Tang continues the series in Only Uni and more recently with Single Sashimi.

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RELIGION IN REVIEW
Two Reviews Coming in PW on Monday, Oct. 13
Augustine and the Jews: A Christian Defense of Jews and Judaism
Paula Fredriksen. Doubleday, $32.50 (528p) ISBN 978-0-385-50270-2
In this densely argued and exhaustive book, religion professor Fredriksen (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews) does for Augustine what she has already done so brilliantly for the historical Jesus.
READ FULL REVIEW
World of Faith and Freedom: Why International Religious Liberty is Vital to American National Security
Thomas F. Farr. Oxford Univ., $29.95 (368p) ISBN 978-0-19-517995-8
A veteran in foreign affairs offers this lucid case against an American foreign policy that either ignores religion or sees it as an obstacle to human freedom.
READ FULL REVIEW
Three Starred Reviews Coming in PW on Monday, Oct. 13
A Community Called Taizé: A Story of Prayer, Worship and Reconciliation
Jason Brian Santos. IVP Academic, $15 paper (180p) ISBN 978-0-8308-3525-6
When he first visited the Taizé ecumenical community in France's Burgundy region, author Santos, now a doctoral candidate at Princeton University, had no plans to write a book. By his second trip, however, the idea for one had taken root. Geared to an English-speaking, North American audience and said to be a first-of-its-kind account, this lovely and instructive book mingles the community's history with descriptions of day-to-day life and practical information about making a pilgrimage to Taizé. Although many American Christians are familiar with Taizé's chants, few may know the details Santos imparts. Most compelling among them is the author's witnessing Taizé founder Brother Roger's violent death in 2005 at the hands of a disturbed woman during evening prayers. Santos insists that this did not lead him to write the book, but it provides a remarkable context for writing about the community that has attracted so many with its message of reconciliation, trust and freedom. Besides Santos's careful research, readers will appreciate his thoughtful ideas about how to take Taizé's spirit beyond the community. (Nov.)
Digging Through the Bible: Understanding Biblical People, Places, and Controversies Through Archaeology
Richard A. Freund. Rowman & Littlefield, $44.95 (352p) ISBN 978-0-7425-4644-8
It is often the work of biblical literalists to find harmonies and agreements in the scriptural record. Others seek, and celebrate, the differing views of the biblical writers. Freund, professor of archeology, history and Judaic studies, and director of Jewish studies at the University of Hartford, has put together a masterful and eminently readable study of these differences, not to resolve them, but rather to explore the rich traditions that produced these writings. In an invaluable introductory chapter, he leads the reader through the world of biblical archeology, examining the methods of textual criticism and historical research. He then explores the biblical and archeological foundations for our understandings of such notables as Abraham, David, Jesus, Mary and many others. Freund's quest for history brings him also to Qumran and to the search for "the teacher of righteousness." He masterfully studies the rise and centrality of the synagogue system within the Hebrew community. His conclusions may be discomfiting to some, but his commitment to objective research and sound exegesis will surely inspire and inform every reader. (Nov.)
Living Gently in a Violent World: The Prophetic Witness of Weakness
Stanley Hauerwas & Jean Vanier. IVP Academic, $15 paper (132p) ISBN 978- 0-8308-3452-4
Hauerwas, a leading theologian, and Vanier, founder of L'Arche, an international community for the disabled, examine how fragility, friendship and the witness of people with disabilities might transform the Christian church. Part of a new series that pairs academics and practitioners to examine issues of Christian life and thought, the book's chapters alternate between the mostly theoretical voice of Hauerwas, professor of ethics at Duke, and the personal stories of Vanier. The two authors upend notions of normalcy and oddness, strength and weakness, and progress and death. They also challenge the assumption that autonomy indicates success for disabled people and make the case that community offers the best context for growth for all of us. With between 60% to 90% of fetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome being aborted, Hauerwas and Vanier insist on the holiness of people with disabilities. Hauerwas writes, "L'Arche stands as a reminder that 'progress' should not mean eliminating all that threatens us." His discussion of the political implications of gentleness in the last chapter is worth the entire book. (Nov.)
Two Original RBL Reviews
The Search for Spirituality: Our Global Quest for a Spiritual Life
Ursula King. BlueBridge, $24.95 (256p) ISBN 978-1-933346-14-4
Spirituality is notoriously hard to define, but religion scholar King, a professor emerita at the University of Bristol, makes a bold attempt, outlining its scope and impact by "ask[ing] what spirituality does rather than what it is." This overview of the "global quest for spirituality" examines its linguistic and philosophical roots, addresses tough questions (the intersection of contemporary consumerism with interest in spirituality), and covers its effect on culture, including health, gender, nature, science and the arts. King examines spirituality's complex relation with religion and argues for the legitimacy of "secular spirituality." Acknowledging that the search for a spirituality apart from religion is primarily Western, she touches on the ideas of prominent figures from around the globe, including Teilhard de Chardin, the Dalai Lama, and Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as less widely known spiritual thinkers. This cook's tour, intended as a survey rather than a critical analysis, argues that more spirituality, spread in part through education, can help alleviate the world's many ills. While King sometimes makes broad generalizations not supported by evidence, this introduction to spiritualities not based in religious practice is thoughtful and accessible. (Oct. 30)
The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
Timothy Keller. Dutton, $19.95 (176p) ISBN 978-0-525-95079-0
Pastor of a Manhattan Presbyterian church that draws more than 5,000 weekly attenders, Keller (The Reason for God) reinterprets one of Christianity's best known parables, that of the prodigal son. While most understand "prodigal" as a description of the spendthrift son in the familiar story, Keller construes "prodigal" differently. The father who unhesitatingly and generously receives his son back into the family fold is in fact the prodigal, because his forgiveness and bounty is free, unconditioned and abundant. The father of the parable stands for the prodigal God of the title, and the father's true son—Jesus—will reconcile humans to the father from whom they are estranged and ultimately welcome them back home. Like a provocative sermon, Keller's short, easy to read book challenges received wisdom and reminds Christians that redemption has brought them hope. Keller's clarity and intelligence, manifest in a wide range of references from the Bible, but also literature, theater and film, adds to the persuasiveness of his original interpretation. He offers serious Christians food for re-thinking this familiar story. (Oct. 30)
BESTSELLER BYTES
Chart Topper Commentary
by Daisy Maryles
Bestselling author Gary Chapman breaks love into seven essential "characteristics" in his new Doubleday book, Love as a Way of Life, which he believes will make a difference in marriage, parenting and the workplace. They are: Kindness: Discovering the Joy of Putting Others Before Yourself; Patience: Accepting the Imperfection of Others; Forgiveness: Finding Freedom from the Grip of Anger; Courtesy: Treating Others as Friends; Humility: Stepping Down So Someone Else Can Step Up; Generosity: Giving Your-self to Others; and Honesty: Revealing Who You Really Are.

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RELIGION BESTSELLERS: September PW Bestsellers
Hardcover
  1. Become a Better You
    Joel Osteen. Free Press, $25
    ISBN 978-0-7432-9688-5
  2. Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, the Respect he Desperately Needs.
    Emerson Eggerichs. Thomas Nelson, $21.99
    ISBN 978-1-5914-5187-7
  3. Have a New Kid by Friday.
    Kevin Leman. Revell, $17.99
    ISBN 978-0-8007-1902-9
  4. Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence.
    Sarah Young. Thomas Nelson, $13.99
    ISBN 978-1-5914-5188-4
  5. Love as a Way of Life
    Gary Chapman. Doubleday, $19.95
    ISBN 978-0-385-51858-1
  6. Mistaken Identity.
    Don & Susie Van Ryn and Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak. Howard Books, $21.99
    ISBN 978-1-4165-6735-6
  7. Walking with God: Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really.
    John Eldredge. Thomas Nelson, $22.99
    ISBN 978-0-7852-0696-5
  8. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
    Timothy Keller. Dutton, $24.95
    ISBN 978-0-525-95049-3
  9. Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
    Alex Harris and Brett Harris. Multnomah Books, $16.99
    ISBN 978-1-6014-2112-8
  10. Riven
    Jerry B. Jenkins. Tyndale House, $24.99
    ISBN 978-1-4143-0904-0

Paperback

  1. The Shack.
    William P. Young. Windblown Media, $14.99
    ISBN 978-0-964729230
  2. 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life
    Don Piper with Cecil Murphey. Baker/Revell, $24.99
    ISBN 0-8007-5949-4
  3. The Five Love Languages
    Gary Chapman. Moody/Northfield, $12.99
    ISBN 1-881273-15-6
  4. A Sister's Hope
    Wanda E. Brunstetter. Barbour, $10.97
    ISBN 978-1-5978-9273-5
  5. The Purpose-Driven Life
    Rick Warren. Zondervan, $14.99
    ISBN 978-0-310-27699-9
  6. Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul.
    John and Stasi Eldredge . Thomas Nelson, $14.99
    ISBN 978-0-7852-8909-8
  7. The God Delusion.
    Richard Dawkins. Mariner Books, $15.95
    ISBN 978-0-618-91824-9
  8. Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential.
    Joel Osteen. FaithWords, $13.99
    ISBN 978-0-446-69615-9
  9. Mere Christianity
    C.S. Lewis.. HarperOne, $11.95
    ISBN 978-0-06-065292-0
  10. Battlefield of the Mind
    Joyce Meyer. FaithWords, $14.99
    ISBN 978-0-446-69109-3
 
 

PW Religion BookLine from Publishers Weekly
Editor: Daisy Maryles (dmaryles@reedbusiness.com)
Contributing Editor: Marcia Z. Nelson

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