Craving the Divine: A Spiritual Guide for Today's Perplexed
Niles Elliot Goldstein. Paulist, $20 (208p) ISBN 978-1-58768-043-4
Covering a wide array of emotions and states of being—disorientation, panic, loneliness, yearning, anger, determination, surrender and emergence—Goldstein (Gonzo Judaism), founding Rabbi of the New Shul, above all simply reminds readers that we are human. In his easy-going style he uses an engaging mix of Bible tales, congregants' stories and personal anecdotes, as well as cultural references to illustrate a sort of eight-step program for opening oneself spiritually. Some are extreme examples of life's pain—homelessness, suicide, terrorist bombings—and others, all-too common encounters with job loss, cancer and death. Each story is tempered with a corresponding example of hope, a reason to carry on. Goldstein comes across as neither smug nor cavalier, nor does he consider this a self-help book. Rather, he seeks to address not personal loss so much as "the phenomenon of being lost, of becoming a wanderer, a soul unable to find its way." As a seasoned extreme traveler himself, he knows what it is to wander, and readers of all spiritual persuasions will appreciate his gentle prodding as a fellow traveler on the journey. (Sept.)
Celebrating the Jewish Year, Volume I: The Fall Holidays
Paul Steinberg. Edited by Janet Greenstein Potter. Jewish Publication Society, $22 paper (220p) ISBN 978-0-8276-0842-9
Steinberg, a rabbi and educator, calls the Jewish holidays "fundamental expressions of our spirituality." In Judaism's holistic approach, he says, spirituality encompasses the interaction of a person's intellectual, emotional and physical aspects, so the holidays "tie us to history, the earth, the Jewish people and God." This first of three volumes explores Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Each section discusses a holiday's biblical origins, ideology and customs, followed by writings from Jewish thinkers throughout history, contemporary perspectives, and alternative meditations. What makes this volume stand out from other holiday guides is an additional section with sacred texts presented in and inspired by Talmudic format. Steinberg examines each text at three different levels—literal, interpretive and personal. He doesn't shy away from questioning practices that may seem outmoded, but challenges readers not to abandon them abruptly. His careful, thorough and reasoned explanations will deepen understanding of each holiday's history and tradition, allowing celebrations to become, in fact, more celebratory. (Sept.)
Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife
Irene Spencer. Center Street, $24.99 (383p) ISBN 978-1-59995-719-7
Just as A Mormon Mother is the standout memoir of a 19th-century polygamous woman's life, this autobiography offers the compelling voice of a contemporary plural wife's experiences. Daughter of a second wife, Spencer was raised strictly in "the Principle" as it was lived secretly and illegally by fringe communities of Mormon "fundamentalists"—groups that split off from the LDS Church when it abandoned polygamy more than a century ago. In spite of her mother's warnings and the devotion of a boyfriend with monogamist intentions, Spencer followed her religious convictions—that living in polygamy was essential for eternal salvation—and became a second wife herself at the age of 16 in 1953. It's hard to tell which is more devastating in this memoir: the strains of husband-sharing with—ultimately—nine other wives, or the unremitting poverty that came with maintaining so many households and 56 children. Spencer's writing is lively and full of engaging dialogue, and her life is nothing short of astonishing. After 28 years of polygamous marriage, Spencer has lived the last 19 years in monogamy. Her story will be emotional and shocking, but many readers will resonate with the universal question the memoir raises: how to reconcile inherited religious beliefs when they grate against social norms and the deepest desires of the heart. (Aug. 22)
The Divine Mentor: Growing Your Faith as You Sit at the Feet of the Savior
Wayne Cordeiro. Bethany, $19.99 (224p) ISBN 978-0-7642-0349-7
Honolulu-based megachurch pastor Cordeiro (The Seven Rules of Success) offers a simple book on a practice that has helped to change his life and that of his church—at least 40 minutes of daily quiet time spent studying and journaling about the Bible. Cordeiro views biblical characters from David to Ruth to Paul as personal mentors who come alive through biblical stories, and sees God as the "Divine Mentor" who wants his followers to actively study his Word to transform their lives. Cordeiro outlines his own specific program—20 minutes of scripture reading followed by 20 minutes of journaling, often followed by 20 minutes of sharing with friends—using the acronym S.O.A.P. (scripture, observation, application, prayer) to guide his study time. Samples of Cordeiro's own journals are included. While Cordeiro avoids using guilt as a motivator, he doesn't really allow for the possibility that other study methods may work better for different people, and there is a tinge of prosperity theology in his teaching: daily study will bring "a dusting of heaven" and help release "that latent treasure, that potentiality, the possibilities for your life." There's little new here, but Cordeiro's fans may welcome it. (Aug.)
Two Starred Reviews Coming in PW on Monday, June 25:
How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now
James L. Kugel. Free Press, $35 (608p) ISBN 978-0-7432-3586-0
Kugel's tour de force of biblical scholarship juxtaposes two different ways of reading the Bible: the ancient biblical interpretations, ranging from the Book of Jubilees to Augustine, that he explored in The Bible as It Was, and the modern historical approach that challenges the historical veracity of Scripture and seeks instead to find its writers' original sources and purposes. It can be a jarring journey schooled in traditional views, but what emerges is a fresh, even strange, and very rich view of everything from the Garden of Eden to Isaiah's dream vision of God. Refreshingly undogmatic and often witty, Kugel brings an intimate knowledge of the Hebrew Bible to illuminate small points as well as large. He discusses who the ancient Israelites were; the resemblances between YHWH and Canaanite gods; the unique role of the prophet in Ancient Near Eastern religions; the nature of ancient wisdom literature; and what the Bible means when it calls Solomon the wisest of men. The result is a stunning narrative of the evolution of ancient Israel, of their God and of the entire Hebrew Bible, contrasted with ancient interpretations that aimed to uncover hidden meanings and moral lessons. So, for example, for the ancients, the story of Cain and Abel is a tale of good versus evil. For the moderns, it was originally an etiological story about the relation between ancient Israelites and the fierce Kenites to their south. While Kugel is a traditional Jew, he sees the modern approach as compelling, so the dilemma is whether a person of faith can read Scripture in both the old way and the new. Drawing on Judaism's non-fundamentalist approach, Kugel's proposed answer is that the original purpose of the texts and their lack of historical accuracy matters less than their underlying message: to serve God. (Sept.)
What Do Muslims Believe? The Roots and Realities of Modern Islam
Ziauddin Sardar. Walker and Company, $9.95 paper (160p) ISBN 978-0-8027-1642-2
Pakistani-born and British-educated Sardar, author of 40 other books on Islam, pens this elucidating and very original introduction to the religion. He describes the basics of Islam, including the Qur'an and hadith, the life of Muhammad, and the history of Islam and Muslims in an easy-to-read and cogent manner. Sprinkled throughout are surprising facts, including that Muslims do not believe in original sin and that there are as many Muslims in China as in Egypt. Sardar clarifies some troubling aspects of the Prophet Muhammad's life, explaining polygamy as mainly alliance building and Muhammad's participation in battle as more limited than generally described. He criticizes Muslims for their rigidity and for losing touch with reason—which, in his opinion, is a cornerstone of Islam. He decries the literalism behind the creation of Shariah law, the rejection of free interpretation of the Qur'an (called ijtihad), and unfair treatment of women, but sees these reactions as anomalies. In contrast, Sardar acknowledges Muslims' tolerance, such as their acceptance of other prophets, their flourishing book trade, and societal advancements. With its manageable length and optimistic outlook, this introduction to Islam is a cut above the rest. (Sept.)
