Richard J. Mouw is professor of Christian philosophy and president of Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California. He is the author of 16 books, has served as editor of the Reformed Journal and is a regular columnist for Beliefnet. He is a reasonable Christian voice in the evangelical tradition and always has something edifying to say about popular culture and the faith. His moderating perspective is refreshing in a time when far too many Christians from different ends of the spectrum are wholeheartedly condemning those who do not agree with them. Such a stance is a mixed bag, probably earning him the scorn of those more conservative than he is and the praise of progressive Christians like ourselves.

Mouw begins this engaging collection of essays with "Praying at Burger King" where he explains why he prays at this fast food establishment:

"There is no place in all creation that is outside the scope of God's mercies — not even a Burger King. Cheeseburgers and french fries are, properly understood, gifts from the Lord. The children running past my booth are fashioned in the image of their Creator. Fast-food restaurants are a part of the larger world in which many people are starving. I find it good for my soul to acknowledge these facts. And in making my quiet gesture, I may even be able to offer a reminder to the people around me that more is going on in restaurants than meets the secularist eye."

Mouw gives equal time to McDonald's where he vows to practice courtesy and kindness to the youth who work there, doing what he can to mend the tattered gap between the generations. The author has spent 30 years in Christian higher education and he is very interested in the integrity of Christian character, critical thinking in order to better serve the Lord, church leadership, and practicing God's shalom in everyday life. We like what he has to say about greed, asking questions, and our "post" world.

In the last essay, he writes:

"The God that I read about in the Bible is an overwhelmingly generous Creator and Redeemer. I worry a lot about how evangelicals sometimes try to turn him into a stingy God. We try to contain him within our favorite theological systems and to limit his faithfulness to our favorite projects and causes. He will not be restricted in that manner. 'His ways are not our ways.' "