By Lisa Sabin-Wilson (Hoboken,NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2009, 394 pages)

Second Edition is quite an improvement over the already excellent original. It is the essential book for those using WordPress in publishing a blog. This edition is updated to feature version 2.7+ which reflects the last major program change.

The writer introduces one to the basic WordPress blogging program. Then follows with a section covering the WordPress hosted service, next a section on how to set up a ’self-hosted’ blog with the WordPress.org program, and finally, a chapter covering the WordPress MU program used in setting up and hosting entire blogging communities.

<<Read the Rest of the Review>>             *Top

By Aaron Allston (New York: Random House Pub., 2009, 318 pages)

“Outcast” is the first book in the new Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi series. The war is over, Jacen Solo is dead and gone, and the Galactic Alliance is expanding under leadership of Natasi Daala.

In a move to consolidate her power and to control even the Jedi, Chief of State Daala unleashes a media witch hunt against the Jedi and has Jedi Master Luke Skywalker arrested and charged with negligence for not controlling Jedi Jacen and for standing by and allowing him to rise up and become a Sith lord- Darth Caedus. Luke accepts exile rather than watch the entire Jedi order be disbanded.

Luke does extract a legal right to come back from exile if he is able to account for and explain why he is not responsible for Jacen’s turn to the dark side. This launches Luke and Ben on a journey to seek out and retrace Jacen’s 5 year odyssey seeking alternate force traditions and force users—hoping to find evidence and reasons for Jacen’s change.

Their first stop is the Temple of the Baran Do at Dorin.  At the same time, the Solos along with Allana are having an adventure of their own helping old friend Lando Calrissian save the mining planet of Kessel. Meanwhile, back at Coruscant, Master Kenth Hamner is now in charge of the Jedi order and must deal with a new government order that all Jedi are to be monitored personally by an assigned ‘observer’.

It is an interesting read. Luke and Ben learn a few secrets while with the unwilling Baran Do leaders. Allana is spooked by a force presence from near space trying to communicate with her while on Kessel with the Solos. The Jedi try and cope with tag along observers shadowing their every move and reporting back to the government. Jaina Solo and others find ways to ditch their shadows and get the job done anyway–unobserved.

“Outcast” is the first installment in a series which promises to highlight an on-going struggle between Galactic Chief of State Daala and the Jedi. The Solos will continue to be uncontrollable ‘loose cannons’ in the continuing cold war between the government and the Jedi. Meanwhile, Luke and Ben Skywalker will continue their exiled quest for evidence to exonerate Luke and the rest of the Jedi.  It should be interesting to say the least!   

New Testament scholar Dr. Ben Witherington gives an incredible detailed analysis of Bart Ehrman’s New book: “Jesus Interrupted”—in a 6 part series:

Bart Interrupted— A detailed Analysis of ‘Jesus Interrupted’ Part One

Bart Interrupted— A detailed Analysis of ‘Jesus Interrupted’ Part Two

Bart Interrupted— A detailed Analysis of ‘Jesus Interrupted’ Part Three

Bart Interrupted: Part Four

Bart Interrupted— A detailed Analysis of ‘Jesus Interrupted’ Part Five

Bart Interrupted— A detailed Analysis of ‘Jesus Interrupted’— Coda

Response: This series is not to be missed by any serious new Testament student. Dr. Witherington does us all a great service in tackling Dr. Ehrman’s latest.

All of Ehrman’s books are popular and he usually hits the TV and radio circuit to support his new works so you should be hearing soon from some of your secular friends about how the NT can not be trusted. Fortunately armed with this series you will be able to tell them that it is Dr. Ehrman’s conclusions that should be questioned.          *Top

This is a great book for those starting out with WordPress. McNulty goes into detail on every facet of properly setting up a new WordPress blog. It has lots of illustrations to demonstrate every step. A real find for any beginner–wish this book was around 3 years ago when I set up my first blog, it sure would have been helpful and a real time saver.

The author does an exceptional job at explaining everything and making it all rather simple to understand. Valuable for WordPress.com bloggers but especially for WordPress.org users–if you don’t know the difference, McNulty will explain it to you. <<Read the rest at Blogging Ministry>>

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The latest offering in the Detective Alex Cross series. This story begins with the incredible slaughter and dismemberment of a family in Washington DC by a teenage Nigerian gang. Cross follows the evidence all the way to Nigeria and then on to Darfur in pursuit of a gang leader called Tiger.

In the process, he becomes involved with CIA operatives and becomes a fish out-of-water in Africa and a danger to himself and the others he comes in contact with. Cross finds himself arrested by the police and thrown in jail in Nigeria and nearly killed.

The story gives one a taste for the chaos and lawlessness of Africa along with the incredible heartache and on-going slaughter taking place in Darfur.

Dr. Cross escapes from Africa with his life but on return to Washington DC, the tables are turned and Cross and his family have become targets of the gang and leader that he was pursuing.

Oh yes, it does have the surprise ending that has become a signature part of the series. A real page-turner and bound to keep you glued to the book from page one all the way to the finish.            *Top

By James Luceno (New York: Ballantine Books, 2008, 317 pages)

The story follows the Millennium Falcon from the moment it was born (manufactured) at Corellian Engineering Corp. Assembly Facility 7. Then traces the history and different owners of the Falcon up to when Han Solo ‘won’ it from Lando.

Years later, Han and Leia go on a fun safari along with their adopted daughter (really their granddaughter) Allana in a hunt for the history, past owners, and secrets of Han’s beloved old YT-1300 freighter. Meanwhile, a former Captain and a wealthy consortium are also looking for the Falcon and the secrets that she may hold to a lost Republic treasure.

The book supplies a fun story that fills you in on a number of facts about the famous ship and its past. However, the real story in the end is the developing relationship between Allana and her grandparents Leia and Han.

The book fills the gap between the ‘Legacy of the Force’ series and the new ‘Fate of the Jedi’ series which will be launched in April 2009.           *Top

A continuation of the Evangelical/Mormon dialogue started with the book “How Wide The Divide” by Craig Blomberg and Stephen Robinson and continued in “Bridging The Divide” by Robert L Millet and Gregory C.V. Johnson.

Dr. Robert L. Millet is professor of religious education at BYU and Dr. Gerald R. McDemott is professor of religion and philosophy at Roanoke College and teaching pastor at St/ John Lutheran Church.

This book is a detailed and well documented theological discussion of the major issues which have traditionally divided LDS from Evangelical Christians. Particular attention is paid to the theology of God, Jesus, and the Trinity. Also to Salvation, eternal destiny and the role of the church.

Each subject is introduced by one author followed by a response from the other then with a rebuttal and some concluding thoughts by the first. This format allows for in-depth discussion of issues that could not be addressed in “How Wide..” or in “Bridging…”. It is a gold mine of references and details that theologians will find useful.

Once more, traditional ‘apologists’ will find the book to be controversial and far too positive and friendly. However, scholars on both sides of the divide will use the book as a reference and as a jumping off point for continuing and honing the ongoing discussion.

Unlike the two previous dialogue books, this one is not as accessible for a popular audience but requires some understanding of Christian history, theology, and philosophy.

There are a number of great articles and an on-going discussion of the book on Summa Theologica.            *Top

A Novel by the author of The Kite Runner.

The story of two women, Mariam and Laila. Mariam is 5 years of age in Afghanistan, 1964. She looked forward to the visits by her father Jahil until she is old enough to understand that her mother Nana and her were not part of his regular family.

After her mother dies, Jahil finally takes her in but quickly marries her off to a businessman from Kabul–Rasheed who is least 30 years older than the 15 year old girl.

Laila grows up in Kabul, the daughter of a teacher. Life is pretty good till the Russians come and with them the beginning of continuous war. Her brothers are killed in the war against the Russians and her mother is never the same. Laila closest friend is Tariq who moves with his family to Pakistan to escape the war that has finally come to Kabul. Soon Laila’s life is changed when she is injured and her family is killed as they too are trying to leave the war zone.

Rasheed and Mariam take her in and nurse her back to health. Laila plans on going to Pakistan to find Tariq but Rasheed tricks her into staying on and becoming his second wife. At first the two women do not get along but later with the coming of a child they become closest of friends and rely upon each other to make life with Rasheed tolerable.

The story is one of hope in the midst of war and dispair–family and love in the face of incredible injustice and cruelty. It gives one some insight into family life and particularly the plight of Muslim women in Afghanistan over the last 40 years under the Russians, the Mudjahadeen, and the Taliban. An incredible story.              *Top 

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By Dr. Robert L Millet and Rev. Gregory C.V. Johnson (Rhinebeck, New York: Monkfish Book Pub. Co., 2007, 185 pages)

In many ways, this is a continuation of “How Wide The Divide”, it even has a forward by Craig Blomberg and Stephen Robinson the authors of the aforementioned work.

In this book, Robert Millet, a professor at BYU gives us a current view of Mormonism; while Gregory Johnson an evangelical pastor in Utah, who is a former LDS and a graduate of Denver Seminary, stands in for the Evangelical viewpoint.

Another very helpful book for understanding the differences that continue to separate Evangelicals and Mormons. But also helpful in defining areas of agreement, terms and perspectives that continue to cause confusion, and possible areas of cooperation. It is a valuable attempt at bridging the tensions that still persist when evangelicals and LDS converse about their faiths.

In one section, the two writers pose major questions to one another about their faiths with in-depth expositions. In the next, they answer questions from an audience, some are quite controversial. At the end are valuable conclusions from both writers and an appendix which includes: “Some Guiding Principles of Constructive Conversation”.

A valuable book for both evangelicals and Mormons who really wish to understand each other better.            *Top

By Daniel Silva (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Group,2008, 433 pages)

The latest Gabriel Allon novel, who is an art restorer by passion and cover, and an Israeli spy par excellence.

This story takes Allon to Moscow running down a lead that identifies a prominent Russian industrialist as a weapons dealer completing a potential major sale of sophisticated weapons to al-Qaeda. The Russian businessman is a former colonel in the KGB and well connected politically. Allon follows him and his family across Europe to all the current playgrounds of the new Russian oligarchy. It is very close, but guess who survives in the end?

A fast paced can’t put down story of intrigue and espionage that captures the current realignment of Russia away from freedom and democracy, and away from the West, towards empire and a new autocracy.            *Top

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