Books

40 pieces in this column

• A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse reviewed by Maria Ward · Fall/Winter 2025-26

  There are pockets of Swedish Christmas all over the United States, including at First Covenant Church in Seattle where author Sonja Anderson raised her family, and they are special sources of light, hope, and joy in this season for all who find them, Scandinavian or otherwise. All families who celebrate Christmas and appreciate learning about world cultures and traditions can enjoy reading and perusing Anderson’s new book, “A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse: A Saint Lucia Celebration.”

• Book Review – The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ reviewed by Mark Knight · Spring/Summer 2022

  The atonement is the cornerstone of Christian theological understanding. The rest of theology rises and falls on Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. What took place in those fateful hours reverberates throughout history and encompasses everything about who we are as Christians. And yet we need to ask ourselves if it is ever properly and fully understood? Can it ever be?

• Book Review: Power, Passion, and Faith reviewed by Ann Boaden · Spring/Summer 2022

  Emmy Carlsson Evald, suffragist, orator, church leader, mission-builder, tore through her eight-decade-long life like a whirlwind — and changed the world. She was a Swedish-American icon. She was a beloved and feared activist. But above all, she was a woman of faith, called, as she believed, to create a better tomorrow.

• Review: I Love Jesus and I Accept Evolution reviewed by Elder M. Lindahl · Spring/Summer 2019

  Denis Lamoureux, a dentist with PhDs in theology and biology, presents his case for the compatibility of the Christian faith and evolution. He interweaves his own spiritual, intellectual, and emotional development with an extended discussion of the various ways one might relate God and the world.

• Cascades Camp and Conference Center: A Century of Covenant Camps in the Pacific Northwest reviewed by Ryan Eikenbary-Barber · Fall/Winter 2018

  This is a wonderful book for anyone who ever went to church camp. It is a particular treat for people with fond memories of Lake Sammamish, the Beach, Circle C, Driftwood Point, and, of course, Cascades. You might just find some old camp friends in the many colorful photos.

• Silliness and Stillness: A History of Covenant Point Bible Camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula reviewed by Phil Carlson · Fall/Winter 2017

  Review of Silliness and Stillness: A History of Covenant Point Bible Camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by Mark Safstrom.

• The Pietist Option reviewed by Ryan Eikenbary-Barber · Fall/Winter 2017

  The Pietist Option by Christopher Gehrz and Mark Pattie III has much in common with Philipp Jakob Spener’s Pia Desideria. Both books are slim, readable, and packed with practical advice on church revitalization.

• BOOK REVIEW: Lillian Budd by Elder M. Lindahl · Fall/Winter 2010

  Lillian Budd (1897–1989), born in Chicago to immigrants Charles and Selma Peterson, a WWI Navy veteran and Western Electric Company employee, wrote a delightful trilogy about Swedish-American immigration.

• BOOK REVIEW: Angels, Worms and Bogeys: The Christian Ethic of Pietism by Phil Johnson · Spring/Summer 2010

  This somewhat odd title requires explanation. “Bogey,” for example, is one shot over par in golf. Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom points out that through the years, critics have characterized Pietism as below par with respect to sound Christianity on a number of counts. Our author challenges that notion and shows that Pietism’s performance has been miss-scored. Being a person for whom a bogey is my par, a “double bogey” is needed before I think it bad. After reading Clifton-Soderstrom’s book it is clear that Pietism scores a better than par “birdie” as does her book.

• Mama’s Milk by Michael Elsohn Ross and illustrated by Ashley Wolff reviewed by Jennifer and Violet Ecklund-Johnson · Spring 2008

  Mama’s Milk is a wonderfully illustrated book about how human and animal mothers feed their young. The rhyming text reads like a sweet lullaby and tells how a variety of animal babies nurse and bond with their mothers. The colorful pictures demonstrate mothers providing nourishment and comforting their young in their natural habitats. Both wild and domestic animals are included in the book.

• Review: From one Heart to Another reviewed by Elder M. Lindahl · Christmas 2007

  Dick celebrates this life-giving gift as he weaves together two threads, one about the physical ordeal he went through leading to well-being, and the other about the spiritual lessons he learned in the process. These parallel stories run throughout the book, connecting nicely into what might be classified as an extended, edifying Christian tract.

• Review: Wolf Song reviewed by Jennifer and Violet Ecklund-Johnson · Christmas 2007

  Wolf Song tells the story of a young girl, Nell, and her Uncle Walter embarking on a north woods adventure to howl with the wolves. The story is a refreshing change from the “big bad wolf” character typically depicted in children’s literature.

• Heloise and Abelard, A New Biography reviewed by Phil Johnson · Winter 2005

  Heloise and Abelard is about two great historical persons. Heloise (1095-1163), a person of integrity and intelligence, loved Peter Abelard deeply and was unwavering in her faithfulness as a wife and a lover. She was 20 when she fell in love with the great scholar Peter, the 46-year-old master of the school of Notre Dame in 1115. She loved Abelard both physically and intellectually the rest of her life.

• And There Shall Be Wars, World War II Diaries and Memories by Bud Wagner reviewed by Elder M. Lindahl · Winter 2004-2005

  This is an authentic story of patriotism and bravery. When Bud was drafted in April, 1941 at age 22, he thought he would be away from his beloved farming and market-gardening business in Minnesota for about a year. Actually, he served “for the duration” until July, 1945. Almost 42 months of this time was overseas duty, much in combat in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Bud was a model GI who willingly, honorably, and efficiently did his part to defeat Hitler. The point of his title, and Bud’s belief, is that there will always be wars until the Prince of Peace is affirmed by the nations of this world.

• Books from Pietisten Readers Fall 2004

  Dr. Tim Johnson's Finding God in the Questions; Glenn Olsen's Beginning at Jerusalem

• A Magnificent English Cathedral by Bruce Carlson · Winter 2003-2004

  A great work of art is almost always done by a single person. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony wasn’t written by a committee. Same with Shakespeare’s plays. It’s hard to think of any other masterpiece, aside from the KJB, cooked up in this way.

• Review of Ingrid, My Swedish-American Life and Adventure by Elder M. Lindahl · Winter 2003-2004

  This recent book gives one an excellent picture of immigrant emellan, of a life lived in-between two countries, two cultures, and two languages. I highly recommend Ingrid’s book to the readers of Pietisten and to anyone who wants to read about an exciting, modern immigrant experience.

• Review of O Clouds, Unfold! Clara Ueland and her Family by Phil Johnson · Winter 2003-2004

  People who have been inspired by the books If You Want to Write and Me or have enjoyed Mitropoulos and the North High Band or Strength to Your Sword Arm will be delighted to hear that the manuscript of another great piece of Brenda Ueland’s writing has been discovered and published.

• World on Fire by Michael Brownstein reviewed by Fred Cervin · Summer 2003

  This could be the Common Sense or Uncle Tom’s Cabin for today’s situation. Has a bit of the flavor of Tom Paine put through the fires of William Blake.

• When Life Calls Out to Us: The Lifework of Viktor and Elly Frankly by Haddon Klingberg, Jr. reviewed by G. Timothy Johnson · Summer 2002

  Like many who went to college in the middle part of the last century, I was required to read Viktor Frankl’s moving memoir of his Holocaust years, Man’s Search for Meaning. Even though I can remember being deeply stirred by the book as a North Park student, I sheepishly admit that I could not remember many of the details of the book—or of Frankl’s then relatively new psychological theory known as logotherapy.

• Wittgenstein's Poker reviewed by Bruce Carlson · Summer 2001

  Lots of people look forward to the Festival of Lessons and Carols broadcast live each year from the Cambridge University King's College Chapel on Christmas Day. The soaring music sung by boy sopranos, the lovely "Once in Royal David's City" processional, the beautifully read texts, and the thrilling acoustics of this vaulting, perpendicular Gothic chapel built by Henry VI combine for a spiritual and aesthetic treat.

• Swedes in the Twin Cities reviewed by Bruce Carlson · Spring 2001

  These scholars had collectively produced Swedes in the Twin Cities, which was selling like hotcakes. The book is co-edited by Dag Blanck, the Director of the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center at Augustana College, Rock Island, and Philip J. Anderson, Professor at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago.

• The Greatest Generation reviewed by Muriel Lindahl · Spring 2001

  The Greatest Generation is a great book, one of the best! The reason I enjoyed it so much was that Brokaw writes so well, introduces us to some authentic individuals and seems to capture the character of this time period in our history. In the same book you get history, biography, autobiography, romance, tragedy, and triumph. I encourage everyone to read this inspiring book.

• The Feeling of What Happens reviewed by Lynne O. Geweke, MD · Spring 2001

  Several months ago, in a somewhat foolish burst of philosophical bravado, I began reading this book with an eye to reviewing it for Pietisten. As a neurologist, I looked forward to diving into Dr. Damasio’s thoughts on consciousness; he is a preeminent neuroscientist and popular thinker and writer on this subject. In addition, although I do occasionally darken the doorway of a church, I always try very hard to be a thorn in the side of those of mystical and warm-fuzzy religion. I hoped this book would provide some easy barbs to toss at my theologically-oriented friends.

• Simon’s Family reviewed by Carol Elde · Spring 2001

  Simon’s Family, A Novel of Mothers and Sons by Marianne Fredriksson, Ballantine 1300 KS, 1999. 306 pp. $14 paperback.

• Pre-Ventura by Bruce Carlson · Winter 2000

  One of Minnesota’s finest citizens just published his memoirs. In A Man’s Reach, 91-year-old Elmer Andersen looks back with humor and wisdom on a full, rich, and wonderful life.

• Review of Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg, Parts II & III reviewed by Tom Condon · Winter 2000

  I recommend Borg’s stories to all readers, especially those who see that the stories are not only a path to good faith but also a way to "Meet Democracy Again For The First Time."

• Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg reviewed by Tom Condon · Summer 2000

  Marcus Borg, from my viewpoint, neatly diagnoses the central issue of our times: a deep misconception in our view of the world (in this case, its religious core) and of the sociopolitical structures arising from it. Then, constructively, he shows how, by a labor of critical rethinking, we might revise our view, or paradigm, of Creation, our place and purpose in it, and, so, our earthly aims, relations, and actions.

• Civilizations in Conflict? reviewed by Robert T. Sandin · Spring 2000

  A while back I read an editorial in the New York Times which struck me as a constructive evaluation of the situation in the Balkans. The Times identified the author as a University Professor at Harvard, a former director of security planning at the National Security Council, and the author of the book reviewed here. I thought this was someone whose work I needed to know, so I bought the book.

• From Rättvik to Isanti County by Karl Nelson · Fall 1999

  My grandfather, Curtiss D. Johnson, had a deep interest in his Swedish heritage. Many years ago, he gave me a coin that depicted immigrants landing in New York with the Statute of Liberty in the background. The coin reminds me that my ancestors arrived in America in that same fashion. Many of Pietisten’s readers share this same heritage, but even those non-Swedes among us would enjoy reading Robert Ostergren’s history of the emigration of a Swedish community.

• Festschrift—a Fitting Tribute to F. Burton Nelson, Scholar, Teacher, and Churchman by Phil Johnson · Fall 1999

  This book in Dr. Nelson’s honor is a treasury of essays by distinguished scholars.

• Review: Swimming in the Congo by Margaret Myers by Phil Johnson · Summer 1997

  "How many times have you been saved, Grace?" The answer was eleven. "'Is that all?' Carrie tossed her head with an air of virtuous suffering. 'I've been saved twenty-four times.'"

• Review: Worshiping Present and Future Hope: A Critique and Proposal by Warren Dahlstrom · Summer 1997

  In the Preface, the author writes that this book is about replacing the presider notion of leading worship with "artistic creativity in the performance of Christian worship."

• Review: The Covenant Hymnal, A Worship Book by Philip Brunelle · Spring 1997

  Almost 40 years ago, I first held in my hands a Covenant hymnal — it was the "green one" — when at age 15 I accepted my first church organist position at Bethany Covenant Church in Bloomington, Minnesota.

• Review: The Momentous Years, by Vernoy Johnson by Phil Johnson · Spring 1997

  Vernoy Johnson has given us a treasure. He has skillfully woven an account of the lives of his parents, Ruth and Alfred Johnson, in China from 1921 to 1927. The materials out of which he has woven this book are his mothers letters, writings by his father, relevant historical documents, and interesting photographs.

• China on Their Minds by Gordon Nelson and Molly Nelson · Spring 1997

  Because there are parallels between Vernoy Johnson's upbringing and mine, Pietisten requested that I respond to his book The Momentous Years.

• Handel’s Messiah, A Soulful Celebration: Reprise Records A music review and personal reflection by Susan Hawkinson · Winter 1992

  My Advent preparations have always been marked with multiple performances, sing-a-longs, and recordings of Handel’s Messiah. This great work has inspired me since my days at North Park College, and I continue to look to the music and text for vision and hope each season.

• Beyond the Satin Funhouse reviewed by David Liljengren · Fall 1992

  “One balmy spring morning in Hollywood, a month or so before my forty-eighth birthday, I woke up screaming,” writes Dan Wakefield in Returning. Wakefield’s charmed life as a successful novelist, darling of New York literary circles and sought-after screenwriter, seemed headed for a rotten conclusion. He feared his end would come “as one of those bodies in the movies of Hollywood who float face down in their own swimming pool.”

• Willie Mae, by Elizabeth Kytle reviewed by Dennis Jones · Fall 1992

  Willie Mae is a first-person biography which was first published by Alfred Knopf in 1958. And according to the blurb on the back of the EPM paperback, “it was listed by the New York Times as one of the best books of the year, and was widely reviewed as ‘a sweet book, a strong book, a laughing book, and sometimes a heartbreaking and infuriating book, but never a whining book.’” That truly wraps up the flavor of Willie Mae.

• Middle Passage by Charles Johnson reviewed by Peter Sandstrom · Summer 1992

  Charles Johnson uses a common enough vehicle to introduce us to his novel and to his protagonist. It is called, “Have you ever had one of those days... ?”