Maybe it’s simpler than that. Maybe Conservatism in America is following a pattern or redeveloping, evolving. Since its shaping in the mid-twentieth century, the movement has had its ups and downs. In 1994 the Republicans took control of Congress, but lost it again in 2006. A Conservative sat in The Oval Office for five out of seven terms between 1981 and 2009. But since election night 2008, connecting the Democratic presidential victory with its congressional victor two years prior, political pundits cry the end of conservatism on the horizon. Enter this book by R. Emmett Tyrell, Jr: After the Hangover: the Conservatives’ Road to Recovery.

Tyrrell jumps right in by denouncing modern day Liberals as existing and operating far from the historical roots of the term. He then moves into a treatise on the history of conservatism from the Reagan years to the present. He talks about some basic propositions about conservatism that hold it back from achieving more than it has.

Throughout the book the author turns out to be more and more of a chronic soapboxer, quoting previous soapbox works, and even going as far as to complain about a term he “coined” as being used prolificly without attribution. In these times, there is a lot of insightful information and background facts that appear regularly, and coupled with the author’s wit and humor, keep the reader engaged, though eagerly awaiting something more insightful. Often the first and last five pages of each chapter will suffice in getting the author’s point.

Generally the book is a good read for the political junkie or intellectual. The greater portion of Thomas Nelson’s readers wouldn’t make it through the introduction. I am glad to have read the book, feeling educated and better acquainted with the finer details, history, problems and outlook for the movement.

* A review copy of this book provided free by Thomas Nelson. Want to blog for books? Check out www.BookSneeze.com

I recently met author and blogger Sheryl Young through the world of LinkedIn.com. When Sheryl’s husband gave his life to Jesus, she thought, “How can I, a girl from a Jewish family, be married to a Christian?” She set out to prove the Gospel wrong. But the moment she really studied the Old Testament and dared to compare it with the New, everything changed. She fell in love with “Yeshua,” saw her Jewish heritage with new appreciative eyes, and realized the two could fit perfectly together.

Sheryl has written a book, What Every Christian Should Know About the Jewish People. She answers questions such as: Why is it imperative for every Christian to gain a fresh, love-filled perspective toward the Jewish people today? What makes a person consider him or herself Jewish? Do Jewish people really need to be converted?

Here’s a quick Q&A with Sheryl:

What was the driving force behind your writing this book for Christians – and not a book for Jewish people about Christ?

Since finding the Lord in 1987, so many Christians have asked me questions about the Jewish religion, Jesus’ Jewish upbringing, and why Jewish people find it hard to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Also, there have been recent times that churches have attempted to “evangelize the Jews” without learning about them first. I felt a strong calling to help Christians have more tools and knowledge for reaching out to the Jewish world community in friendship and love.

What are a few questions answered in your book?

I’m asked most often:

• Is Judaism a religion, a nationality or a culture?
• Why did Hitler target Jewish people and those who helped them in the Holocaust?
• How can I, as a Christian, defend Israel’s existence?
• When Jewish people accept Jesus, must they leave all their Jewishness behind?
• Can Christians relate to the Jewish holidays?

As a Jewish person, how did you come to know Jesus as your Messiah?

My family lived in an all-Christian neighborhood because of my father’s job. I really believed all the stories in the Torah (Jewish version of Old Testament), but I also wanted to know more about the Jesus my friends spoke of.

When we moved away from there, I forgot my desire for many years. Then, my grandparents died, and our family fell away from practicing Judaism. After I got married, my husband (whose mother was a Christian) just up and went to church one day. About two weeks later, he came home and said he’d accepted Jesus. So I went along to church, to see what it was about.

All those feelings came rushing back. But I still thought, I’m a Jewish girl, how can I accept Jesus? Then, the church had a revival and a Jewish believer in Jesus came to give her testimony and sing Messianic Jewish songs! That night, I gave my life to Christ.

More information about author Sheryl Young:

Sheryl has written professionally as a freelance author since 1997. Her articles and editorials have been seen in the Tampa Tribune, St. Pete Times and Florida Baptist Witness Newspapers; Light & Life, Today’s Christian Woman and Better Nutrition Magazines; “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” VISTA National Sunday School Curriculum, NewChristianVoices.com and most currently as Staff Writer for The Underground Online Christian Magazine.

Find details about How to Order “What Every Christian Should Know about the Jewish People” at her Blog. It is available (online only) at LifewayStores.com, Amazon.com and most other book-selling websites.

“The Christian Atheist” is written by Craig Groeschel, pastor of multi-site and internet church, Life Church (www.lifechurch.tv). In the promotional material I’ve seen online today, Craig calls himself a “recovering Christian Atheist”. At the bottom of the post you can watch a promo by Craig on the book.

The concept for “The Christian Atheist” is that an overwhelming percentage of North Americans claim to be Christian. But do they really live as if they believe God exists and salvation is found in Christ? We hear it, read it, repeat it, but are those who profess Christ (“Christians”) who live as though God does not exist (“atheists”)?

My Dad told me about a book he picked up by a popular author. He started reading it and almost put it aside because it challenged and convicted him. I expect “The Christian Atheist” to have the same effect on us as we read it. Of course, if we can’t be convicted by the truth, we’ve got a deeper problem, right? Not everyone goes looking for a challenging word, but I think we as the people of God might want to start.

If you’ve picked up the book and read it, leave your comments here, or post a review at: www.christianbooklounge.com.

You can get more information, check out the blog and download a sample chapter at: www.christianatheist.com.

And now, the clip from Craig Groeschel: