Books

Rhythms of Habit: Virtue and the Church Calendar (CiRCE Books, Forthcoming in 2026)

Rhythms of Habit is an introduction to the virtues as moral muscles, habits as exercises aimed at strengthening specific virtues, and to the church calendar as an annual prescription of habits aimed at forming the virtues needed to become a whole human in Christ.

Publication date: June 2026. More information coming soon!

Praise for Rhythms of Habit

Jon Jordan’s Rhythms of Habit makes a helpful and original contribution to the growing body of literature on how the rhythms of the Church Year can deepen and sustain our faith. He gives a clear introduction to the seven virtues, helps us to understand how habit strengthens virtue and helps us see how the Church Year can itself strengthen habits of virtue. I commend this book not only of its clarity but also for the way Jordan constantly illustrates the practical applications of all he says. The whole book has the tone and style of helpful advice from a good friend who understands our struggles and is there to help us.

Malcolm Guite Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum Life Fellow of Girton College Cambridge

I don’t know another book that attempts what Jon Jordan does here, interconnecting the virtues (both classical and theological) with the Christian Year. Jordan’s years-long experience as a teacher comes through in the simple clarity (but not false simplicity) with which he uses Scripture to introduce his readers to what various virtues are and why they are important if we want to live real Christian lives, and then pulls off the same simple clarity with the annual cycle of church seasons that starts with Advent. With many a concrete example, Jordan explains and he shows, especially with a selection of sermons that bring home the virtues through the seasons. The aim of everything in this book—developing virtues, learning Christian habits, and practicing it all again year after year—is to have the “muscle memory” of a true disciple of Jesus.

Rev. Dr. Victor Lee Austin Theologian-in-residence, Episcopal Diocese of Dallas Author of Christian Ethics: A Guide for the Perplexed

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From Law to Logos (Wipf & Stock, 2017)

St. Paul’s epistle to the Galatians offers a fascinating window into the life of the Christian church in its earliest days. We see in this letter a pastor guiding his people through questions of salvation, theology, and ethics. The more we read, the more we realize that many of the same questions facing the Galatian Christians continue to face us today: Are we still under the Old Testament Law? What happened to the Law when Jesus came? Who are the people of God?

From Law to Logos: Reading St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians is a primer for reading Galatians for all it is worth. The focus of this book is preparing lay Christians to understand Galatians by reading it as a letter, in its entirety, over and over again. At the end of each chapter, the reader is better prepared to read and study Galatians in its literary, historical, and theological context.

Praise and Reviews for From Law to Logos

In our time of so many who are educated, interested, and Biblically illiterate, the gift of catechist may prove the most important, and Jon Jordan has it. He explains how to read an epistle, what Galatians' connections to the Old Testament are, how the argument goes, and only then what it says to our lives. I commend this book as in introduction to Paul’s letter, and to the heart of our faith, highly.

George Sumner, Episcopal bishop of Dallas

As a pastor I am constantly on the lookout for biblical commentary that is both accessible and theologically sound. This slim volume on Galatians is just that. With deft skill, Jordan cuts right to the heart of St. Paul’s message without sacrificing one ounce of integrity. If you’re looking for a commentary that will illumine, entertain, and steer miles clear of the tedium that bogs down much biblical scholarship–look no further.

Ryan Casey Waller, Author of Broken

Jordan’s From Law to Logos is a gift to read. It offers an intelligent and contemplative re-reading of Galatians beneficial for theologian and novice alike. The reader will discover through Jordan’s study of the text the gift of Christian identity as life spent in grateful self-gift in a cosmos infused with the faithfulness of Christ. Timothy P. O’Malley, PhD, University of Notre Dame

Jon R. Jordan’s From Law to Logos is a welcome model for the church’s ever-wavering efforts to advance biblical literacy among congregants. … It is often difficult to find texts with such broad catechetical benefits. How valuable it would be to see a whole series of books like From Law to Logos, books carefully written by formal educators for varied audiences for the simple purpose of teaching us to read the Bible on its own rhetorical terms. Such a series could provide the foun- dation many in the Church need to deepen their engagement with Scripture and tradition.

The Living Church, May 2018 Issue

Jon must be an excellent teacher, because he sets about his task with clear prose, and maps out the aids we need to access Paul’s message. There are chapters on how to read the book, and how to read an Epistle. We are introduced to the author and the audience, and its occasion and purpose. The chapter introducing Galatians has extended sections on Paul and on the Galatian church and its problems. An excellent chapter on Paul’s use of the Old Testament is worth reading and printing off for further reference. The rest of the book identifies the major themes – and yes, we are urged to read the entire Epistle at the end of all eight chapters.

The Anglican Digest, Summer 2017 Issue

Jordan’s comments are surprisingly thorough yet refreshingly untedious. He focuses on Paul’s main points and flow of thought. He doesn’t ignore controversial interpretive matters, but neither does he allow them to dominate the discussion. If you want to grasp the message of Galatians, this book is for you. Jordan will equip you to study and understand the letter’s glorious defense of the true gospel. Heed Jordan’s recommendations and you’ll have read through Galatians–conveniently printed as an appendix–at least 8 times before you complete From Law to Logos. Each time through, you’ll have something different to watch for, and you’ll become a better student of Paul for having done so.

Bible Study Magazine, Jan/Feb 2018 Issue