David Warkentin

Soul of the City is a collection of essays on the intersection of Christianity/church and Canadian cities.

Unsettling the Word: Biblical Experiments in Decolonization Steve Heinrichs, editor Mennonite Church Canada, 2018 Review by David Warkentin What is the subject? The book’s subtitle describes Unsettling the Word best:…

The “what” and “how” of discipleship “Syllabus week,” can be one of the most overwhelming times for students. Assignments, reading requirements, course outlines: “information overload” describes this first week of…

Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship (updated edition)
Author: N.T. Wright
Besides offering an example of discipleship himself within academia, N.T. Wright isn’t typically known for his work on the topic of discipleship…

I consider peace and nonviolence a central part of what it means to follow the way of Jesus. I don’t hold this belief lightly, and I realize how complex it can…

Healing the Gospel: A Radical Vision for Grace, Justice, and the Cross
Author: Derek Flood
Browsing your local Christian bookstore or favorite online bookseller quickly reveals the current trend of books on the gospel: What is the gospel? What’s wrong with the gospel? How do we share the gospel? Is the gospel really good news? These questions are being asked across theological spectrums.

Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City
Author: Timothy J. Keller
Diversity, innovation, busyness, people, poverty, prosperity, development, density, spirituality, culture: a lot happens in cities. Cities are a mosaic of people with countless perspectives on life and culture.

Difficult for all the right reasons The Cost of Community: Jesus, St. Francis and Life in the Kingdom Jamie Arpin-Ricci It’s generally accepted that the Sermon on the Mount offers…

“Have you read this book? It’s going to change our church for the better!” “Yeah. Plus we’re going to use some cool social media that will really rejuvenate our ministry!” Christians seem to be magnetically drawn to all the latest and greatest ministry innovations.

The Gospel Commission: Recovering God’s Strategy for Making Disciples
Author: Michael Horton
We are very familiar with the famous words of Jesus known as the great commission (Matthew 28:18–20). For nearly 2,000 years, the command to “make disciples” has motivated Christians to share their faith with others.

The author of Hebrews wrote these words as an encouragement to a church in troubled times. Surrounded by persecution and religious intolerance, Christianity emerged on this foundation: Jesus Christ.

Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived
Author: Rob Bell
Heaven and hell. Salvation and judgment. Not easy subject matter – a reality Rob Bell knows all too well! Bell’s latest book, Love Wins, has stirred controversy and garnered attention across the evangelical landscape and beyond.

Building Cultures of Trust
Author: Martin E. Marty
When it comes to important issues of faith and life, what is your common response to people you disagree with or don’t understand? Quite often we label, disregard, argue against, and ignore people or groups with whom we differ.

I’m often asked, “Why are you a pastor?” Or, “What’s it like being a young(er) pastor?” Or I simply get intrigued looks when strangers discover my profession. These reactions reveal stereotypes about pastors and church leaders that many people hold, as those people assume they know who I should be or how I should act.

Title:The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
Author: Timothy Keller
Christians commonly use the parable of the prodigal son to reveal the heart of the gospel – God’s love accepting back his wayward children. Typically, the parable is said to be about “them,” the sinners of this world. Tim Keller, in his book The Prodigal God, proposes a broader reading, one in which Jesus’ message is also for “us,” the religious folks.