Our Books of the Year
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MAINLINE CHURCHES: FROM PEWS TO CONDOS JUNE 27, 2015 2015 BOOKS ISSUE Our books of the year Brilliant fiction, worldwide friction, careful depiction MS_Green Ad_World5.15.indd 1 5/26/15 5:47:46 PM 13 COVER.indd 2 6/5/15 4:32 PM TAKE AN online CLASS ON 1 Corinthians WITH PAIGE PATTERSON TAKE THE COURSE FOR FREE This fall, you can study the ancient text of Scripture with Dr. Patterson through this flexible-access class on the book of 1 Corinthians, which can be taken on campus or online and is free to anyone wishing to audit the course. Designed as a massive open online course (MOOC)—an innovative educational method practiced by the nation’s leading universities—Dr. Patterson’s class provides seminary-level training to individuals, families, small groups, and churches for free. The course is also available for undergraduate and graduate credit at the standard tuition rates. Sign up today. 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Just www.InFreedomsCause.com. best decisions you’ll ever make, go to InFreedomsCauseTour.com. 13 CONTENTS.indd 2 6/10/15 8:50 AM JUN27/ 15/ VOLUME 30 NUMBER 13 COVER STORY Mmmm … four books of the year A committee of WORLD writers chose these books, spread among four categories, that should be “chewed and digested” Our favorite genre Readable and insightful history books from the past months Spreading the words A Taiwanese publishing group is on the lookout for Reformed books to translate into Chinese FEATURES DEPARTMENTS Church, Inc. Joel Belz As the American church becomes more evangelical, DISPATCHES mainline denominations News Human Race with empty buildings enter Quotables the real estate business Quick Takes ON THE Janie B. Cheaney COVER Photo by CULTURE Matt Rose Movies & TV Background photo Books by HATCH_TK/ Q&A iStock Music Mindy Belz NOTEBOOK Science Technology WORLD (ISSN 0888-157X) (USPS 763-010) is Sports published biweekly (26 issues) for $59.95 per Houses of God year by God’s World Publications, (no mail) 12 All Souls Crescent, Asheville, NC 28803; Religion 828.232.5260. Periodical postage paid at Asheville, NC, and additional mailing off ices. Mailbag Printed in the USA. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Andrée Seu © 2015 WORLD News Group. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Peterson WORLD, PO Box 20002, Asheville, NC 28802-9998. Marvin Olasky g Visit our website—wng.org—for breaking news and more JUNE 27, 2015 WORLD 3 13 CONTENTS.indd 3 6/10/15 9:42 AM “The earth is the L’s and the fullness thereof; the world and those who dwell therein.” For your tablet —P : Editor in Chief Marvin Olasky Editor Mindy Belz Managing Editor Timothy Lamer News Editor Jamie Dean Senior Writers Janie B. Cheaney • Susan Olasky Andrée Seu Peterson • John Piper Edward E. Plowman • Cal Thomas • Lynn Vincent Reporters Emily Belz • J.C. Derrick Daniel James Devine • Sophia Lee • Angela Lu Correspondents Megan Basham Julie Borg • Anthony Bradley • Andrew Branch Tim Challies • Michael Cochrane • Kiley Crossland John Dawson • Amy Henry • Mary Jackson Michael Leaser • Jill Nelson • Arsenio Orteza Stephanie Perrault • Joy Pullmann • Emily Whitten Mailbag Editor Les Sillars Executive Assistant June McGraw Editorial Assistants Kristin Chapman • Mary Ruth Murdoch Art Director David K. Freeland Associate Art Director Robert L. 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If you would prefer not to receive these promotions, please call customer service and ask to be placed on our DO NOT RENT list. 13 CONTENTS.indd 4 6/10/15 8:28 AM Brand Wedding World 6.15.indd 1 5/13/15 10:05:31 AM 13 CONTENTS.indd 5 6/8/15 9:44 AM JOEL BELZ “Which of these three,” Jesus memorably summarized after telling the story of the good Samaritan, “proved to be a real neighbor?” In that brief, pithy query—as at so many other times in His teaching—Jesus both surprised His listeners and stretched their understanding to brand-new levels. Again and again, He managed The question looms to go right to the heart of a matter by springing on His listeners an unexpected question that I HAVEN’T YET HEARD A GOOD ANSWER TO summarized the whole matter. THE BAKER’S CHALLENGE My goal three columns back was to explore together our aptitude to imitate Jesus’ remark- able rhetoric.