Janus, the patron god of thresholds in Roman mythology, had two faces, one looking backwards and the other forwards. This reflects a general reality in life: every transition involves looking back and looking forward. It’s bittersweet—bitter because endings are always hard, and sweet because beginnings can be rather exciting, brimming with potential. I’ve had reason to think about this a lot over the past couple of months, as Current, a wonderful publication where I had served in an editorial capacity for 2.5 years, concluded, and I’ve started a new editorial position at Mere Orthodoxy. Here’s the official announcement from today’s email to all subscribers:
Mere Orthodoxy is doing truly exciting work, and I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of it! If you are a Christian who is interested in thoughtful Christian book coverage, this really is a place for you. I hope you will consider subscribing to Mere Orthodoxy, if you’re not a reader already. Online membership is free, and even the print journal subscription is quite a steal, and you will get to read leading thinkers and theologians who deeply love the church and write out of that love.
Case in point, you can read today on the site theologian
’ review of Beth Allison Barr’s new book on pastors’ wives. And I encourage you to check out the rest of this week’s essays, which have been phenomenal. A few days ago, wrote beautifully on virtue, as we approach the half-century mark since Alasdair MacIntyre’s book After Virtue. Also on the theme of virtue, Kevin Brown, the president of Asbury University, wrote a beautiful essay about spiritual formation. In advance of Mother’s Day, I had an essay this week on the ethical horror show that is surrogacy. And if you’re tired of negativity and just need something to make you smile, there is Musembi wa Ndaita’s fabulous essay on church hospitality and cookies and soccer.So, if you are reading books, I want to know: What are you reading, old and new? What books are shaping your life this year? With what books, old and new, would you like Mere Orthodoxy to engage? And if you’re writing books, I want to know: What are you working on? We can’t cover everything, of course, but I am excited to expand book coverage to serve our readers and, ultimately, the church, as we seek to love God with all our mind together.
Congratulations Nadya!
Great to hear!