Barry Taylor

A Survival Guide for Heretics

“'The name of God is the name of the chance for something absolutely new,' says John Caputo. Van Voorhis has done a remarkable job letting us in on his journey toward that something new and by using M. Scott Peck's schema about the stages of religious growth and change he helps us understand not only the trajectory of his thinking but how he got there. A must-read for all who find themselves walking unfamiliar territory in the name of God.”

God Only Knows

Arts & Literature

“In the emerging era of popular music as a shaping cultural force, there were a few artists whose work not only profoundly impacted their peers but who continue to influence today. Among those artists were The Beach Boys, one of California's most unique contributions to the pop music canon, a band whose music exported not only American pop to the world, but also Cali surf culture, sunshine, and a commitment to spread love through music. Much has been written about The Beach Boys over the years and their work has been scrutinized from virtually every angle. What's unique about this volume is that it seeks to explore a singular and key element of The Beach Boys' music, namely, the spiritual component that funded their creativity. The Beach Boys rose to fame in the wake of the 'death of God,' but their music, like many of their era, was fueled by a hunger to seek out the spiritual in new and expanding ways. God Only Knows is a volume of essays that unearths some of those spiritual and theological threads and along the way invites the reader to a deeper appreciation of pop music's power and some fresh perspectives on one of popular music's most important and influential bands.”

LSD to Galilee

Theology

“There are many great stories lost to most of the official accounts of the rise of the Jesus Movement, and this is surely one of them. Rob’s story of his family and their complex relationship with God, psychedelics, and crime could read like a movie script. Instead, he mines it for some deep and radical theological reflection, exploring encounters with the divine in unexpected places and offering not only an alternative account of the early days of contemporary Christianity but an alternative and refreshing theological perspective that speaks to past events and to current times. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!”

Preaching After God

Preaching & Worship

“There has been a lot of talk about preaching over the past number of years--debates about its viability and vitality in these post-secular, interactive times . . . Snider ups the conversation by inviting us to consider the influential and culture-shaping world of continental philosophy, and offers us ways to incorporate it into our communication. Snider doesn't want us to domesticate these ideas. He wants us to use them to inform and frame a new way of preaching, and a new way of thinking about life, God, church and everything in between.”

The Cynic and the Fool

Theology

“Tad Delay continues his remarkable and insightful exploration of Lacan's work and its intersections with theology in this new book. The term psychoanalytic theology would probably not arouse too much excitement except in the most arcane of circles, but that is the arena in which Delay does his work, and it is marvelous stuff. Riffing from a Lacanian idea about the role of the cynic and fool in the political realm, he delves deep into the psyche of our times, to explore what he calls the 'dynamics of collective belief.' Delay's gift is his ability to take complex ideas and open them up so that we can all see ourselves, and each other, a bit more clearly. This new work is courageous, challenging, and so worth the journey.”

We Don’t Trust Your Theology

Christian Living

“In this age when ‘deconstruction’ can be a philosophical position, or perhaps a religious reaction against conservatism, or even a meme on social media, Benson grapples with the aftermath of his own faith deconstruction by coming to terms with the very personal impact of frustration, disappointment, and a desire to find meaningful ways to address faith in the midst of life’s uncertainties. A recommended read for anyone genuinely seeking to find a path where there does not seem to be one.”