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Showing posts from April, 2018

Review: Israel/Palestine

Polity Press, 2017. 328 pp. To many, the Israel/Palestine conflict is hairy and complicated, yet it often appears in modern news. Explanations can often be complex and biased, especially with such a charged political situation. The solution is found in Middle Eastern scholar Alan Dowty's Israel/Palestine  (Polity Press, 2017). Now in its fourth edition, Israel/Palestine is an excellent primer to the conflict. Dowty begins by dispelling myths of the issue, including that it is centuries-old or based on religious differences. Dowty insists that the roots of the Israel/Palestine conflict are recent and are geopolitical in nature, a conflict over land. After providing a background to both the Jewish and Arab perspectives (a brief "story" on how they came to their current mindsets), Dowty chronologically moves through the significant events in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and notes its effects on Jews, Arabs, and the narrative as a whole. By placing the conflict within...

Review: High King of Heaven

The Church may be comfortable with a relaxed Christology, claiming that Jesus died and rose—but what more are we missing? In High King of Heaven: Theological and Practical Perspectives on the Person and Work of Jesus  (Moody, 2018), biblical scholars and theologians unite to craft a fully-orbed portrait of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is divided into four sections: the Person, Word, Work, and Witness of Christ, and respected authorities within theological and biblical studies each commentate on a fragment of Christology. Together, this book is a well-crafted, robust introduction to the doctrine of Christ. It is written at a somewhat higher level of reading, so this book is suited for students and church leaders or laypersons interested in diving deeper into matters of theology. The bite-sized chapters, each devoting careful exegesis and application to a particular area, such as the kenosis or the ascension, also make this a valuable reference tool in study and sermon preparatio...

Product Review: LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle

Overview When adventure strikes, the right bag makes all the difference. Too often, however, luggage bags are either large, ponderous suitcases or small, flimsy duffle bags. I have traveled to Central and South America multiple times with terribly large suitcases. It added extra complication to my trip—especially lugging the bag up the steps! This is the problem which LL Bean seeks to rectify in the LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle. With a 137-liter capacity, this duffel is able to hold the items of the biggest pack-rat while being easy to transport. It features a telescoping handle, smooth-gliding wheels, and cinch straps. Specifications Capacity: Approx. 8,350 cu. in., 137 L.  Weight: 9 lb. 3 oz.  Dimensions: 17"H x 34"W x 15"D.  Highlights This bag is sturdy. Not only is it capable of holding many items, but it is incredibly durable. It has a reinforced nylon bottom and a thick plastic frame so that the bag does not sag or become weak....