Book Review: Neighbors and Wise Men

Neighbors and Wise Men is a collection of scattered spiritual episodes from the life of the author, Tony Kriz.  Though the stories span from insights into Tony’s younger life growing up in the church to his present retrospection, the unifying theme is hearing God speak through unexpected people in not-so-normal situations.  These episodes take place in his missionary work in Albania, spiritual crisis in Hungary, seminary and pub days, a few years at Reed college and in more recent developments.

Each chapter varies in length, but each carries an insight that carries Kriz along his spiritual journey.  The writing sometimes read like parables, short but with a powerful point.  Sometimes it can be descriptive and introspective - a process of discussion and thought.  The writing doesn’t always expound on its points, which is disappointing because it brings up interesting remarks on the subject of divine communication.  Nevertheless, Kriz ties in the theme of “sacred encounters in unexpected places” as if God had stamped that motto on the author’s life.

This book will challenge Christians - no matter where they are in their faith - to rethink how God speaks to us today.  Coming from a more progressive point of view, even I found this book to be a breath of fresh air and convicting to how I go by the day-to-day, but it doesn’t come off as preachy.  Rather, Tony Kriz invites the reader into joyful and painful episodes of listening to neighbors and wise men.
3.5/5