The Week's Reads: Incarnation, Christmas, Wendell Berry, and more

As school takes the time for writing I would otherwise use for blogging, I thought I would at least share what I'm reading this week (and perhaps going forward). Here goes:

• Peter Leithart reflects on the Word made flesh, but in particular, the Word made martyr.
• Rowan Williams asks, in light of Christmas, "What would Jesus do?" Perhaps surprisingly, even as an Archbishop, he doesn't so much like the question.
• Speaking of Williams, Ben Myers excerpts from his new book on the great Anglican theologian -- which, incidentally, I had the opportunity to flip through at AAR -- regarding Shari'a law in Great Britain and "the politics of the empty church."
• Wendell Berry was in my hometown, Austin, Texas, last week, for a public conversation with his old friend Wes Jackson. (Where was I? 1,800 miles away, that's where.) Here are some highlights, along with an interview about Berry and an announcement and FAQ about a new book of essays on Berry's work.
• Ted Grimsrud asks how pacifism works as a core Christian conviction.
• Melissa Florer-Bixler preaches profoundly on adoption. (Best line: Jesus "doesn’t just want our stuff; he wants us to nail it to the ceiling." Trust me, it makes sense in context.)
• My friend Jimmy -- officially, as of this month, ABD -- rails against Tony Perkins in not one but two posts: "Jesus Was Not a Free-Marketer" and "Jesus Was an Occupier."
• Last but not least, always be reading everything Richard Beck writes. You'll thank me later.