King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch
Reviewed by Sam Gutierrez
If you find yourself at a social gathering, try asking—“did you collect anything as a kid?”
Folks tend to leave behind their childhood collecting habits as they age, but some start up again as they reach midlife, looking back with nostalgia, ready to recapture some childhood magic.
This is where Ken Goldin and his company Goldin Auctions comes into play.
This TV series is a behind-the-scenes look at Goldin, his team, and a curious group of collectors around the world who have the most fantastic collections hidden away in basements, attics, living rooms, and garages. Over six quick episodes, we see prized collections including a Jackie Robinson Dodgers jersey, an Apple-1 computer from 1976, and a 2017 Lionel Messi soccer jersey, among other things. (Rated TV-14, Netflix)
Gracism: The Art of Inclusion
By David Anderson
Reviewed by Mary Li Ma
This newly revised and expanded version of David Anderson’s 2010 book Gracism: The Art of Inclusion builds on Anderson’s Scripture-informed model for anti-racism and continues the conversation about “gracism,” which still sounds prophetic to churches today. The author defines “gracism” as “the positive extension of favor to others regardless of and sometimes because of their color, class, or culture.” As a Christian of African American descent, he has experienced and witnessed the trauma of systemic racism in the broader society and in the church.
Gracism is an appropriate response to a God of grace. Anderson uses eight phrases from 1 Corinthians 12 to form his themes of honoring, covering, sharing, dignifying, standing with, considering, celebrating, and healing marginalized members of Christ’s body. The book includes questions for guided discussion. (IVP)
Parent Talks
Reviewed by Robert J. Keeley
Parent Talks is a podcast produced by Gateway Community Christian Reformed Church in Abbotsford, B.C., in which pastor Marcel DeRegt and three parents from the church discuss the book Habits of the Household, by Justin Whitmel Earley. Each chapter serves as a springboard for conversation.
In their chapter-by-chapter discussions, the group considers the author’s points and gives honest responses. Participants admit their own parenting flaws, joys, and sorrows, talk about what in the reading had the most impact, and name the practices they will try to incorporate into their parenting. All 10 episodes are available to listen to anywhere you find podcasts as well as on the YouTube channel of 412 Ministries, Gateway’s youth and young adult ministry.
The Lowdown
The Surface of Water: Written by Banner reviewer Cynthia Beach, this novel in IVP’s fiction line is about a megachurch pastor living in a world beyond his control. In the #ChurchToo era, it invites readers to see life’s shadowed edges illuminated by the light of truth. (IVP, April 9)
Cabrini: This powerful biopic from Alejandro Monteverde, director of Sound of Freedom, portrays the life of Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who arrives in New York City in 1889 and sets off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and health care for society’s most vulnerable. (PG-13, Angel Studios. In theaters March 8.)
Based on the Book: We Were the Lucky Ones is a limited series based on a New York Times bestselling novel about a Jewish family enduring and surviving the Holocaust. Author Georgia Hunter drew inspiration from her own family history to write the book, uncovering her grandfather's experience as a Holocaust survivor. (Hulu, March 28)
Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade: In 1987, librarian Wendy Peterson stumbles across a reference to Jessie Carson in the New York Public Library’s archives. During World War I, Jessie turned ambulances into bookmobiles and trained the first female French librarians. Wendy discovers her story converges with Jessie’s in surprising ways. (Atria Books, April 30)
