Michael P. Murphy

Flannery O’Connor and Stylistic Asceticism

Arts & Literature

“As Rachel Toombs observes in the conclusion to her excellent study, Flannery O’Connor’s ‘unyielding theological convictions add dimension to her stories rather than collapsing them into soppy or didactic Christian tropes.’ Toombs’s attention to the dialogue between the baroque and the spare shine needed critical light on O’Connor’s unique form of theological aesthetics. This sustained retrieval of the theological mysteries that inform O’Connor’s literary imagination is eye opening, beautifully realized, and highly recommended.”

The Green Man

Arts & Literature

“These poems remain faithful to the green heart that fires their movement, one that proclaims, ‘At the Root of the World there is a Tree.’ The poetry unfolds in between: in between church, stone, and tree; the old gods and the new; and Celtic spirituality and Catholic theology. The deft use of both organic and metered form creatively discloses the divine at work over and again—and form a welcome contribution to the tradition of eco-theological poetics. A most impressive debut.”

Together

Marriage, Family & Relationships

“Geoff and Sherry Surratt are fun people to be with. Their new book, Together, provides an open, honest, and refreshing look at the challenges of marriage and ministry. We recommend this book to all couples involved in serving God together. Senior Pastor, King’s Church London Geoff and Sherry Surratt are an outstanding couple. Yes, they each have significant ministries in their own right, but it’s their thriving togetherness over decades of ministry that I absolutely want to wholeheartedly endorse. This amazing couple have not only survived but thrived through the ups and downs of ministry over the long haul. Their new book, Together: A Guide for Couples in Ministry, is a must read for every young ministry couple.”