The Christian Studies Shelf

Christianity and Critical Race Theory
Robert Chao Romero, author
Jeff M. Liou, author
Baker Academic
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9781540966148, $49.99, HC, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Christianity-Critical-Race-Theory-Constructive/dp/15= 40966143

Synopsis: Critical race theory (CRT) is a cross-disciplinary examination by=
social and civil-rights scholars and activists of how laws, social and pol= itical movements, and media shape, and are shaped by, social conceptions of=
race and ethnicity. The word critical in the name is an academic reference=
to critical thinking, critical theory, and scholarly criticism, rather tha=
n criticizing or blaming people. (Wikipedia)

Critical race theory has become a lightning rod in contemporary American po= litics and evangelical Christianity. With the publication of "Christianity = and Critical Race Theory: A Faithful and Constructive Conversation" co-auth= ors Robert Chao Romero and Jeff M. Liou provide a critical but constructive=
and sympathetic introduction written from a perspective rooted in Scriptur=
e and Christian theology.

The authors take us beyond caricatures and misinformation to consider how c= ritical race theory can be an analytical tool to help us understand persist= ent inequality and injustice--and to see how Christians and churches workin=
g for racial justice can engage it in faithful and constructive ways.

"Christianity and Critical Race Theory" explore aspects of critical race th= eory that resonate with well-trod Christian doctrine but also that challeng=
e or are corrected by Christian theology. It also address the controversial=
connection that critics see between critical race theory and Marxism. The = aim is to offer objective analysis and critique that go beyond the debates = about social identity and the culture wars and aid those who are engaging t=
he issues in Christian life and ministry.

Of special note is the inclusion of a helpful glossary of key terms.

Critique: A timely and invaluable contribution to our current national disc= ussion on and about Critical Race Theory (and in view of the Maga Republica=
n political attacks on CRT being all too often an ideological attempt to dr= ess up simple racism with the veneer of intellectual legitimacy), "Christia= nity and Critical Race Theory: A Faithful and Constructive Conversation" de= serves the widest readership possible and is unreservedly recommended readi=
ng for clergy, seminary students, academia, political activists, and non-sp= ecialist general readers with an interest in the subject. While an essentia=
l and core addition to community, seminary, and academic library Religious = Ethics, Social Issues, and Contemporary Race Relations collections and supp= lemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for personal reading = lists that "Christianity and Critical Race Theory" is also readily availabl=
e in a paperback edition (9781540965196, $23.99) and in digital book format=
(Kindle, $17.99).

Editorial Note #1: Robert Chao Romero (PhD, UCLA; JD, UC Berkeley) is assoc= iate professor in the UCLA departments of Chicana/o, Central American, and = Asian American Studies in Los Angeles, California; director of the Brown Ch= urch Initiative at Fuller Theological Seminary; and an attorney. His award-= winning books include The Chinese in Mexico, 1882-1940 and Brown Church.

Editorial Note: Jeff M. Liou (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is national=
director of theological formation for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/US=
A and adjunct assistant professor of Christian ethics at Fuller Theological=
Seminary in Pasadena, California. He cofounded the Asian American Christia=
n Collaborative and writes on race and justice, Asian American Christianity=
, theological ethics, and political theology. Ordained in the Christian Ref= ormed Church, Liou has served as a campus minister, pastor, and university = chaplain.

Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart
Emily Jaminet
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.avemariapress.com
9781646802180, $15.95, PB, 160pp

https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Habits-Sacred-Heart-Relationships/dp/1646802187

Synopsis: Jesus invites you to experience his love through devotion to his = Sacred Heart, a powerful source of spiritual and personal healing that can = also transform your relationships with family, friends, and others around y= ou.

With the publication of "Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart: Ten Ways to Bui=
ld Stronger, More Loving Relationships", Emily Jaminet (who is the Executiv=
e Director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network) identifies ten habits = and virtues that come from the Sacred Heart. She also shows how you can int= entionally practice these virtues in order to get closer to Jesus and stren= gthen the relationships that are most important to you.

Having Jesus at the center of family life isn't reserved for the pious; it'=
s a form of practical spirituality that is open to everyone. "Devotion to t=
he Sacred Heart of Jesus" has been a cornerstone of Jaminet's life bolsteri=
ng the faith of four generations of her family members. In this book she sh= ares her own story as well as the real-life experiences of regular Catholic=
s whose families have been changed for the better by the love and virtue th=
at came from devotion to the Sacred Heart.

The habits and virtues include: Encounter the King (welcome Jesus into your=
home with the virtue of docility); Welcome the Light (have courage to rid = your heart of shame); Let Go of the Need to Control (rediscover the liberat= ing virtue of humility); Put Jesus at the Center of Relationships (experien=
ce the release of forgiveness); and Live in the Kingdom of Peace (experienc=
e the transforming power of prudence).

Each chapter includes a prayer, reflection questions, and wisdom from St. M= argaret Mary Alacoque (who began the Sacred Heart devotion) and the Catechi=
sm of the Catholic Church.

Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart: Ten W= ays to Build Stronger, More Loving Relationships" is especially and unreser= vedly recommended reading for clergy, seminary students, and all members of=
the Roman Catholic community. It should be noted for personal reading list=
s of those with an interest in Catholic Christian Devotionals, that "Holy H= abits from the Sacred Heart" is also available in a a digital book format (= Kindle, $11.99).

Editorial Note: Emily Jaminet (https://www.emilyjaminet.com) is also the au= thor of the "Secrets of the Sacred Heart" and the co-author of "Divine Merc=
y for Moms", "The Friendship Project", "Pray Fully", and "Our Friend Fausti= na". She is the co-host of Inspired by Faith on St. Gabriel Radio and the h= ost of the Emily Jaminet Podcast. She is the director of adult faith format= ion and coordinates RCIA for her parish. Jaminet has appeared on EWTN's Wom=
en of Grace, Bookmark, and At Home with Jim and Joy. She is a monthly contr= ibutor on Spirit Catholic Radio, Relevant Radio, and Diocesan.com. She also=
writes for CatholicMom.com

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Midwest Book Review
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Midwest Book Review

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