I once heard that an active reader only reads 2000 books in their lifetime. I found that depressing at the time, since I already owned at least 2000 books. If the statistic was correct, that meant that I would never be able to read all the books I already owned…. let alone the books I might obtain in the future.
A few years ago I decided to sit down and figure out if it was true. It turns out that 2000 books was probably a bit of an overestimate…. especially considering the fact that most people probably don’t read more than a dozen books a year or so (the median is 8, the average is 17). If you read 17 books per year from age 20 to age 80, you will read just over 1000 books.
I read a lot, but wanted to make sure that I read more than 1000 books in my lifetime. I think I can read about 4000 books. The problem is that there are so many really good books out there! So I decided to start keeping track of how many books I have read. And I am doing it on this blog.
4000 Books
Here are the posts from previous years, and the lists of books I have read, with the total count so far:
- Birth-2009 Estimate: 1500 (doesn’t count children’s books)
- 4000 Books 2010: 45
- 4000 Books 2011: 69
- 4000 Books 2012: 52
- 4000 Books 2013: 57
- 4000 Books 2014: ?? See Comments Below
- Total so Far: 1723
I don’t count the books I write in that list, which really should count for about 10 books each (I wrote 3 in 2013), since not only did I read the book while writing it, but I also read it and re-read it in the process of typesetting, editing, and proofreading the book….
It’s a little crass, but did you ever see that episode of Seinfeld where Elaine hears a rumor that the birth control sponges are going to be discontinued, and so she buys every one she can find in the entire city? Then, to conserve her sponges, she has to decide if each boyfriend is “spongeworthy” or not?
Yeah, it is strange, but that is how I have come to view books. Though there are millions of books available to read, I can only read 4000, so I have started to try to decide if each book is “readworthy” … that is, does it deserve a spot on my list of 4000 books I will read in my lifetime?
How I Choose Books to Read
Anyway, here is a bit more about how I choose which books to read:
- Will it challenge my thinking?
- Does it look like it says something new, or present a traditional truth in an insightful way?
- Is it written by someone who is credible?
- Will it help me in one of my own writing projects?
- Will it help answer a biblical or theological question I am struggling with?
- Is it enjoyable to read? (Sometimes, you have to just read books for the fun of it.)
I Do Accept Review Books, but…
I do accept review books, but I am doing this less and less. I probably received and read about ten books in 2013 that I read and reviewed on this blog and on Amazon.com. A few years ago when I first started this list, I was happy to receive any free book that any author wanted to send me to review on this blog. I read dozens. But it got to be that these were the only books I was reading…
So this past year, I was much more selective in which books I accepted for review. I turned down a lot of offers. I feel bad about that, but it is what I have to do to read the books I really want to read.
Of course, I often accept review books from people who read my blog, because if you take the time to read my stuff, I definitely want to take the time to read yours. So if you have a book you want me to read and review on this blog, contact me through the About Page.
Books I “Must Read” in 2014
Here are some of the books that are “Next Up” in my Reading Queue:
- Paul and the Faithfulness of God by NT Wright (2 vols…. though these 2 volumes should count as 10 books…. they are over 2200 pages combined)
- Freedom, Suffering & Love by Elphinstone (for my When God Pled Guilty book)
- Raising Hell by Ferwerda (for my When God Pled Guilty book)
- Razing Hell by Baker (for my When God Pled Guilty book)
- Understanding the Book of Job by Tompkins (for my When God Pled Guilty book)
- Unholy Allegiances by deSilva (for my When God Pled Guilty book)
- Reading Revelation Responsibly (for my When God Pled Guilty book)
- Time and History by Rissi (for my When God Pled Guilty book)
- The Game of Thrones Series (5 volumes… I know, I know, complete depravity…)
- How to Fail at Almost Everything… by Scott Adams (simply because I love Dilbert)
- C.S. Lewis: A Life – McGrath (I don’t have this book yet, but soon…)
My Favorite Books of All Time
Oh, and are you curious what books I have read that I highly recommend for others to read? I made a list of them at this page: Books Every Christian Should Read.
How about you? How do you decide which books to read, and which books are on your “Must Read NOW” stack for this coming year?
I am only half-way through N.T Wright’s “Paul and the Faithfulness of God” your first selection. I’ve been reading for a month and just hit page 900 today!
So how do you balance “long” books like this? I can report, thus far that this book is definitely worth reading. It really heats up in the second volume. But I’m looking for a stopping point because I’m going to have to throw myself back into work this new year.
I have no good way of balancing long books. I will often read a lighter book, maybe even fiction, at the same time, but this causes the long books to take that much longer to read.
I tend to look for “things that have been lost” and read those. However, I don’t just read anything old indiscriminately. Often times I am looking for a clearer understanding of a time period in Christian history (generally because a modern author has made some wild and confrontational claim about how a certain doctrine or denomination arose). Other times, I am digging for something in particular.
I appreciate your willingness to review books written by your readers. That may encourage me to complete a project I’ve been procrastinating on. Hopefully you won’t mind it if I take you up on the offer sometime in the future.
Yes. I hate to say it, but books that have stood the test of time are generally more worth reading than the newest hot item on the market.
When you finish your book, let me know!
How did you keep track on all the books you read especially since from young? I used to do it when I was young and completely lost touch with the list. I’m amazed!
I wonder if you have read this book.
Echoing Silence: Thomas Merton on the Vocation of Writing
It has really sparked my love for writing. 🙂
Cheers! Keep writing 🙂
Ever since I have been keeping this list, it is the only way I keep track of the books I read. For that first 1500 estimate, I went and counted all the books in my personal library which I had already read (it came to 900) and then added about 600 for all the books I read from age 6-20 before I started building my library.
I have not read that book by Merton, but I have heard people recommend it. I should probably read it.
Thanks for the lists. I’ve read some, but always looking for others. For pleasure I like to read teen literature (no explicit sex) and I also want to keep up with what my middle school students are reading. Since you read Game of Thrones (I am waiting patiently for next book!), I’d like to suggest two series ( the Awakened and Wandering Star series) that interweave by Jason Tesar. I think you’d enjoy them because they are sci-fi and fantasy and definitely more in line for boys. There’s also a series called Chaos Walking in which I really liked the talking dog. Hope you check them out!
Awesome! I will check them out. I mostly read books on Scripture and theology, but need the “fiction” to relax sometimes. Usually I read science-fiction/fantasy, so will check out those series you mention.
1. Apostle of the Last Days by C. Marvin Pate
What a great book to start of the year! I am thinking of putting this book on my Burning Books List. It sparked so many new ideas and possibilities in my mind. I love books like this! I wrote a longer review here: https://redeeminggod.com/paul-the-apostle-of-the-last-days/
2. Speak Truth to Power by A Quaker Search for an Alternative to Violence
The easiest route to follow in a violent world is to simply be more violent than the next person. The hardest task, the more courageous task, the task to which Jesus calls all His followers, is to seek alternative methods to dealing with violence that both affirm our inherent dignity as humans, while at the same time, refusing to resort to violence.
This book by the Quakers is a move in the right direction.
They propose three principles of non-violent resistance. They are:
1. Non-Cooperation
2. Good will toward all others
3. Complete commitment to refrain from all acts of violence
Such a way of living is not possible is the goal of life is living longer, but if the goal of life is to reveal Jesus and love others, then we can live with such principles while knowing that they may lead to our death.
3. Kindle Nonfiction Formatting Guide by Lis Sowerbutts
I bought and read this short eBook as one of the books to help me write my own Book Publishing Instructions book. As I bought and read it near the end of my process, it was only marginally helpful. I was primarily seeking an easy way to enable the Kindle Table of Contents button and the Kindle Guide through submitting an HTML document to Kindle Direct Publishing.
Though there were a few hints that were helpful, I ended up finding my own way. Nevertheless, if one is looking to publishing their book solely on the Kindle, this is a good introductory guide. If, however, one wants to publish their book for the iPad, Nook, and as a paperback, there are other more complete guides which might be helpful.
5. Freedom, Suffering, and Love by Andrew Elphinstone
Using theistic evolution as a foundation, Elphinstone denies original perfection, and thus, original sin. We are becoming. Christ did not restore us to a lost original, but showed us the way forward in the next step of our anthropological evolution.
Elphinstone seeks to answer the questions: “Was God surprised by sin? Or could it be that what is going on is exactly what God expected all along… perfection through pain and suffering?
7. Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
A truly epic story. I am shocked at his ability to weave a story, though I am also shocked at his X-rated depictions of sex and violence at times. Most Christians will not be comfortable reading this book. I, however, love the story and look forward to reading the rest.
A long book, but worth the read. The sections are the end about homosexuality, abortion, divorce, and other ethical issues are well worth reading the book, but (as he points out at the beginning of these sections) you are likely not to understand his approach to these issues, or agree with his take on them, unless you have read the rest of the book.
When it comes to a book about the proper way to read and apply the New Testament, this book is a must read volume.
I love the Dilbert comic strips, and I am trying to start my own business and develop my life as a writer, so when I saw this book, I decided to give it a try. I am usually not that much into self-help rah-rah books, but this was a pleasant surprise. The humor of Scott Adams was well-balanced with helpful insights and useful tips on working toward a life goal. One of the things I really picked up from the book is how I need to start studying more psychology so that my writing and speaking will be more persuasive.
My favorite part of the book was where he gave me permission to drink as much coffee as I want. Thanks, Scott!
Gorton is right. Christos is best translated as “King” in the New Testament. Doing so will help us in our reading and understanding of the New Testament.
My only complaint with the book is that I am not sure this point needed 110 pages to explain…
I wrote a full review here: Warfare in the Old Testament.
Unless you are a sociologist or philosopher, you probably don’t want to read this book. Relying heavily on cultic myths and practices of various religions, Girard attempts to explain why violence is at the center of all societies and religions, and why, in fact, violence gave birth to religion.
He ultimately argues that there was an original act of violence which ultimately led to the possibility of the destruction of all people in the community, and so to avoid the ever-increasing cycles of violence, the community selected a ritual victim (a human or an animal) that would both carry the guilt of the community as well as the violent tendencies into death, thus satisfying the demands for revenge and the blood lust that comes with it.
He argues that much (all?) of our violence comes from a desire to imitate or have what belongs to another, and this desire leads to a violent action by which we seek to obtain the belongings or knowledge of the other being.
There is much more that Girard argues, but I do not recommend it for the average reader. His method of argumentation is laborious and while a discerning reader will benefit much from what Girard writes, the amount of work it takes to find these insights makes this book hardly worth the effort. Though I have not read them yet, I expect that “Things Hidden from the Foundation of the World” and “The Scapegoat” will prove to be more reader-friendly.
In An Irreligious Faith Glenn Hager calls us to live our faith in a way that looks like Jesus.
Beginning with his own personal story, Glenn writes pointedly and insightfully about this thing called “church.” He shows that while some people have left the church as an organization, they have not left the church as an organism – a living, breathing, growing, relationship with God and with others.
I wrote a full review of this book here: https://redeeminggod.com/salvation-by-crucifixion/
I am seeking to learn more about psychology, both for personal improvement and to help develop my business. This book came highly recommended, and so I bought and read it.
It is highly recommended for a reason. Cialdini not only provides great insights into some of the basic psychological motivators that drive humans, but also provides ways to defend ourselves when marketers and salesmen try to manipulate us with these tools. Of course, there are also some honest ways to use these tools in your own marketing endeavors, and Cialdini writes some about these as well.
My only real complaint with this book is the complaint I have with all such books: it seems as if 50% or more of the book is devoted to telling stories about whatever the author is writing about. The stories are fascinating, but seem to be little more than filler.
As I continue to research and write about the violence of God in the Old Testament, a reader of my blog told me to read Girard. So I bought most of his books and am working through them in the order in which they were written.
I really think Girard is on to something with his theory of mimetic rivalry. However, Girard is not easy reading. Maybe it is the translation from French that is the problem.
Regardless, if you can wade through all the technical stuff of the first 150 pages, the last 150 pages of this book are quite insightful and helpful for understanding how violence occurs and what God is doing about it in Jesus Christ.
However, since the book is so difficult to read, I only recommend it for those who like reading about psychology and cultural anthropology. Some of Girard’s other books (or books that have spawned from his thesis) would be better suited for the average reader who wants to understand Girard’s mimetic theory.
As I continue to research and write about the violence of God in the Old Testament, a reader of my blog told me to read Girard. So I bought most of his books and am working through them in the order in which they were written.
Of the books by Girard I have read so far, this one is the best. However, there are still several books which follow this one, so if the trend continues, I suspect the books will only improve in readability. The way Girard writes about his mimetic theory seems to improve over time (or maybe his translators are getting better).
Anyway, this book (as seen by the title) explains in great detail the aspect of Girard’s mimetic theory which causes mimetic violence to break out toward an innocent victim, referred to as the Scapegoat. After showing how this has happened in various “myths, ” Girard turns to some biblical accounts to show how the skapegoating mechanism is revealed in Scripture as well, but in a way that turns the mechanism upside down and reveals what is truly going on behind the scenes.
I found his explanation of Satan being divided against himself to be revolutionary as well for how Satan has used violence (and especially violent religion) to cast himself out, and thus, solidify his own power in the world.
As I continue to research and write about the violence of God in the Old Testament, a reader of my blog told me to read Girard. So I bought most of his books and am working through them in the order in which they were written.
By far, this is the best and most lucid book from Girard. In it, he not only includes the best explanation of mimetic theory I have read so far, but he then ties in the accompanying themes of the scapegoat mechanism, how Satan casts out Satan through violence, and how Jesus reveals all this to the world through His ministry, life, death, and resurrection.
If you are wanting to understand mimetic theory, this is THE book to start with. You may not even want to read Girard’s earlier works, as this book both summarizes and clarifies everything that Girard has been writing up to this book.
As I continue to research and write about the violence of God in the Old Testament, a reader of my blog told me to read Girard. So I bought most of his books and am working through them in the order in which they were written.
Girard’s writing ability only seems to improve over time. Of the books by Girard, this one is the most readable. However, as this book is basically just a collection of s and interview transcripts, I do not think that this book is the most helpful for a reader who wants to understand Girard’s mimetic theory. For that, I highly recommend “I See Satan Fall Like Lightning.”
I did, however, greatly appreciate Girard’s clarification and correction of his earlier idea that the death of Jesus is not to be understood as a sacrifice. I had great problems with that idea from Girard’s earlier books, and I am glad to see that he has backtracked. How refreshing for an author to come out and say, “I was wrong… Here’s why!”
This book also includes a good summary of mimetic theory and theology, but again, to properly understand mimetic theory, I recommend “I See Satan …”
A book about the one commandment Jesus gave, by which we live and love like Jesus and fulfill the whole commandment. Read the full review here: https://redeeminggod.com/the-1-commandment/
An excellent commentary on the book of Judges and Ruth. See the full review here: https://redeeminggod.com/commentary-on-judges-and-ruth/
22. The Path to Freedom by Brandon Chase
A book about finding freedom in Jesus Christ. Read an interview about this book here: https://redeeminggod.com/the-path-to-freedom-by-brandon-chase/
I have been trying to do a lot of reading on Mimetic theory, and this book came highly recommended. I found Part 1 to be extremely helpful in understanding some of the contours of mimetic theory, but the deeper I got into part 2 of the book, the less interested I became. I just didn’t understand what Alison was trying to say or argue in the book. Or maybe it just took him too long to say it.
Essentially, James Alison seemed to be arguing that original sin wasn’t eating forbidden fruit, but in in the improper imitation of God, and (more importantly), trying to cover up what we have done by blaming others for our own actions. In other words, the original sin (and ongoing sin) consists in what Rene Girard calls mimetic rivalry and the scapegoat mechanism. If this is what Alison was arguing, I just didn’t see how Part 2 added much to his argument. But maybe I missed something….
Nevertheless, I am glad I read the book, simply due to the insights in Part 1.
This is a great biography of C. S. Lewis. Probably the best one available. It is well-researched, well-documented, and best of all, well-written.
If you are interested in learning more about C. S. Lewis, his life, his relationships, and his writing career, this is a book you must read. I was also interested to find out in the last chapter why the writings of C. S. Lewis have become more and more popular over the years. Though most though his writings would fade in popularity, they have only seemed to grow.
Using the themes of giants (such as Nephilim and Goliath) in the Hebrew Scriptures, Taylor Murray shows how this talk of giants in the Bible reveals truths about pride and humility. The giants are often equated with pride, and God often brings their pride low through means of one of His humble servants.
This an excellent book for students of Scripture, preachers, and teachers, especially when you are looking for ways to preach and teach about the “giant” passages in the Bible.
For Kitamori, love and pain are almost synonymous. Therefore, if God is love, then God is also in pain. This is the basic thesis that Kitamori attempts to unfold in his book.
I agree in theory with what Kitamori argues, but I disagree completely with how he arrives at his conclusion. He frequently writes that the pain of God arises out of the wrath of God and the desire of God to punish the sin that is in the lives of those He loves. For Kitamori, the pain of God is really closer to a conflict within God. He loves people, but hates their sin, and so is conflicted.
I do not think the pain of God arises from God’s wrath, but simply rises out of concern for loved ones who are being hurt by sin.
Due to the pervasiveness of this wrath of God theme in the book, I have trouble recommending it.
A full review of this book can be found here: https://redeeminggod.com/drunk-with-blood-steve-wells/
A full review can be found here: https://redeeminggod.com/convictions-of-marcus-borg/
One of the most important truths you can discover when seeking to learn what God is like and what the Bible teaches about God is the truth that Jesus reveals God to us and explains the Scriptures. We must seek to understand God and Scripture through the lens of Jesus Christ.
It is this idea that C. S. Cowles introduces in this book. He shows that when we seek to understand God and read Scripture through the lens of Jesus, we discover that God is not violent, that He loves and forgives all people, and that He is with us in our sin, pain, and suffering.
If you want to know God’s care for you in a deeper way, you must look to Jesus. And if you want help in seeing what Jesus reveals to us about God, I recommend this book by C. S. Cowles.
See the full review here: https://redeeminggod.com/making-sense-of-the-bible/
31. Blessed are the Balanced by Paul E. Pettit & R. Todd Mangum
See the full review here: Blessed are the Balanced
32. Radically Normal by Josh Kelley
See the full review here: Radically Normal Christian Life
33. "So-Called" Christian: Healing Spiritual Wounds Left By The Church by Jim Turner
See the full review here: Christianity Unity and the Church
35. A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
36. A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin
A truly epic story. I am shocked at his ability to weave a story, though I am also shocked at his X-rated depictions of sex and violence at times. Most Christians will not be comfortable reading this book. I, however, love the story and look forward to reading the rest of the series when they come out.
This book is full of great ideas. The problem (at least for me) was that the ideas were hard to get at. The book didn’t seem to have any progression of argument from one chapter to another, and even with each chapter, the thought flow seemed rather circuitous. It almost seemed as if the book was a record of a conversation, but with only one part of the conversation recorded.
But if you can just read the book for the ideas it contains, and ignore the lack of progression in the book, this book is worth reading. It contains ideas that all Christians need to learn, and if they already know them, to be reminded of.
For example, Richard Rohr believes that most Christians live in fear of God when in reality, God wants us to live in love for God (chap 1). Later he presents an interesting perspective on the Bible (chap 4) which makes the law a thesis which fails, the prophets provide the antithesis, and when Jesus comes along, He shows the true way of God. Read this way, the Bible could make a lot more sense.
One of the most radical and important ideas in the book is that on Calvary, nothing changed but everything was revealed (p. 200). We often think that prior to Calvary, God was angry and vengeful (there’s that fear of God again), and after Calvary, God can now love us because of Jesus. But if Rohr is right (and I believe he is), Calvary didn’t change God’s attitude toward us, it showed us what God has always felt about us: Deep, self-sacrificial love.
So if you want to understand the unity of Scripture and the love of God, this book might be worth reading. Just know that it takes some perseverance to get at these themes.
In an insightful yet challenging way, Timothy Beal writes about how we got our Bible and how it is used today by most Christians. Fundamantalist Christians will not at all like or agree with his approach or his conclusions, but for people who want to read the Bible but have problems with inerrancy or with the violence of God in the Bible, the approach suggested by Timothy Beal may be just what is needed.
I have often wondered how a person might read and teach the Bible if they did not believe in the inerrancy of Scripture. Having read this book by Borg, I now know, and I am pleasantly surprised. After three opening chapters about how we got the Bible and how it is to be read and understood, Marcus Borg takes the reader on a broad survey of the Bible, beginning with Genesis and going all the way through Revelation.
As I struggle with what I was taught in Seminary about Scripture, books like this give me hope that there is room for serious scholarship and deep thinking about Scripture, even if Scripture is not inerrant. I highly recommend this book.
A while back I read God’s Word in Human Words by Kenton Sparks. Sacred Word, Broken Word was a refreshing summary and more readable popular-level book about the same topic and ideas as found in that previous work.
As I struggle with how to read and understand the Bible in a way that is different than the method I was taught in Seminary (a method that has been blown to bits by my study of the violence of God in Scripture), this book was extremely helpful in my search for how to read the Bible authoritatively.
One of the key ideas I gained from this book is the idea of the adoption of Scripture by God. Just as God has adopted us, so that we are His children, and yet we are not without sin or error, so also, we can think of the Bible as a human book which was adopted by God, and just like us, we should not expect it to be without error. Nevertheless, just as God uses us to carry out His will on earth, so also, God uses Scripture to reveal His will to people.
There is much more in this book worth considering. I highly recommend it.
The thing I like about all of N.T. Wright’s books is that he writes with wisdom, wit, brevity, and clarity. He often says what you already know to be true, but were either afraid to say or didn’t know how to word it. Of course, Wright’s books are often filled with theology-shaking insights and ideas as well which you never before considered. Either way, you come away from an Book by Wright feeling refreshed, invigorated, and excited. N.T. Wright is like Moses, calling out the the Egyptian Pharaoh of contemporary theology, saying “Let my people go!”
This book tackles the difficult subject of Scripture. It is not really an organized book which contains one primary argument, but is a collection of s and transcripts from various articles and talks which NT Wright has given over the years. Many of the chapters contain ideas which can be found elsewhere in Wrights’ books, but some of the chapters are new as well.
The one complaint I have of the book is that it did not really contain any information about Wright’s view on inerrancy. In a book claiming to tackle contemporary issues regarding Scripture, I think this is one of the key issues which should have been addressed.
Boyd seeks to argue against the idea that faith is certainty. He does an admirable job, but ultimately fails, partly because he fails to understand that faith is not an all-or-nothing proposition. That is, the Christian faith is not a package deal. It is a set of beliefs, and each belief stands separate from the others.
Yes, all beliefs are connected, but not as a house of cards (a favorite analogy of Boyd’s) but more like an Excel spreadsheet. While pulling a card out of a house of cards causes the entire house to fall, changing one cell in a spreadsheet doesn’t destroy the whole spreadsheet, but simply changes other cells.
Boyd also reveals a basic misunderstanding of other key ideas as well, such as the term “salvation,” the requirements for eternal life, and the concepts of great faith, small faith, etc.
I have read a dozen (or so) of Boyd’s books and this is the most imprecise book of them all. For a scholar of Boyd’s caliber, this book was a disappointment. I would say that this book is more of a thesis on faith, which can easily be disproven, than a firm statement on what faith is (and is not).
The bottom line is this: if a person wants to know what faith is, and how to know they have believed, this book will only bring more confusion and questions, for at the core of Boyd’s critique of faith as certainty is a certain belief that he has properly investigated and defined faith (which he hasn’t). His attempt to define faith as a willingness to commit in the face of uncertainty (p. 68) while using certainty (p. 50) is like a relativist arguing against absolutes by using the absolute statement that “There are no absolutes.”‘ Boyd believes with certainty that faith is not certainty.
There is a LOT of good in this book (as with all things Boyd writes), but the reader should view the book as one voice in an ongoing conversation about the nature of faith, and not as the certain final word about faith (which is the way Boyd presents his view).
You might ask: Well, what book do you recommend instead? Sadly, I haven’t read it yet… My views on faith have been picked up from numerous lectures, studies, and conversations I have had (and given) over the past 20 years with other teachers, scholars, and pastors.
The bottom line is that faith can be certainty without requiring the all-or-nothing certainty that Boyd (rightly) writes against.
43. Chaos: Making a New Science by James Gleick
44. Complexity: A Guided Tour by Melanie MItchell
45. Simply Complexity: A Clear Guide to Complexity Theory by Neil Johnson
I have been doing some reading on chaos and complexity recently, partly because this area of science fascinates me, but also because I think it may offer some help for the fields of theology and biblical interpretation.
Of the three books, I enjoyed reading the book by Gleick the most, for it reads a bit like a novel. However, the book by Mitchell was the easiest to understand…. not that I understood much!
The title makes you think this book might be about the nature of faith, but it isn’t. The book is about prayer. Of course, since prayer involves faith, I suppose it is also about he nature of faith…
Regardless, this may be one of the best books on prayer I have ever read. This is the “how to pray” book you have been searching for … or at least, it was the one I have been looking for.
Greg proposes a form of prayer that engages our imagination. This not only helps us know what we are praying for, but also keeps our minds from wandering during prayer. The imagination is not bad, but is something given to us by God to see, envision, and pray for the future He has for ourselves, our family, our friends, and this world.
When I was young, I use to practice the type of prayer Boyd describes in this book, but when I went off to Bible college and then became a pastor, I was instructed in the “real” way of praying, and my “childish” way of praying died. But now, I wonder if “faith like a child” is the right way after all, that is, praying with my imagination.
This is a great book which covers many of the popular perspectives on several of the major theological debates in evangelical theology, debates such as inerrancy, eternal security, divine foreknowledge, and others.
Surprisingly, the s seemed to be quite fair in summarizing and defending the views which the authors disagree with.
Not surprisingly, many theologians will likely discover that their view is not recognized or discussed at all. At least, that was my experience. Most of the chapters, for example, seemed only to present the “Calvinist” or “Arminian” views on certain topics, thereby implying that Boyd and Eddy are either ignorant of the more moderate and mediate views, or simply do not consider these alternative perspectives worth mentioning. Either way, the reader is left thinking they must choose between the views presented, which is not true. This sort of oversight is present in the chapters on the providence of God, salvation, eternal security, and hell, just to name a few.
Nevertheless, if a reader wants a broad, generalized overview of some of the primary perspectives on various theological topics, this book will be a helpful introduction. The bibliography at the end of each chapter will direct the reader into deeper study, though even here, there are glaring omissions from the lists of books about the various topics.
This is a book on the traditional dispensational understanding of the millennium and the role of the believer in the future Kingdom of God. The main drawbacks to the book is that it is a little repetitive and circular. It does not have much progression of argument, but instead kind of circles around and around on the same theme about how the promises of the future Kingdom of God inspire believers to live for God now. There were also a few typos and formatting issues in the book, but this is typical of a self-published book (as my own books testify!).
If you hold to dispensational theology, you will like this book. If not, you will not care for it. If you don’t know whether or not you are dispensational, this book will be a good read to introduce you to the idea that how we live now effects our future rule and reign with Jesus Christ in eternity.
This book is a “Basic Theology” for church life. It is not a basic theology for theologians, for it doesn’t contain sections one would normally find in an introductory theology book, such as theology proper, or eschatology.
Instead, the book includes discussions of theological topics that are pertinent in most church settings, such as the authority of Scripture, the primacy of grace, how to be a disciple, the importance of service, and life in the Kingdom of God.
Best of all, this book puts forward a strong stance on grace, not the weak-kneed and empty grace of Lordship salvation, Calvinism, or Arminianism, but the strong and outrageous grace that God freely offers to all. As such, there are fantastic chapters on the gift of eternal life, the truth that faith is not a work, the perseverance of the saints, and election. The entire book is great, but for these chapters alone, I highly recommend this book.
Someone recommended I read this book. Frankly, I wish I hadn’t.
It is not because I disagreed with the book. No, I agreed. I wholeheartedly agreed. It is just that the book took nearly 200 pages to say something which could have been said in one.
But then, the truth of the book is so important, maybe it takes 200 pages to convince some people of it.
I suppose the main problem I had with the book is the same issue I have with most popular books these days: there are too many stories and illustrations. I know a lot of people like this. I don’t. I just want the facts. I want to cut to the chase.
So here it is:
The church teaches that light is good and darkness is bad. A deeper look into Scripture, however, reveals that there are certain things about God and about ourselves which we can only learn in the dark.
By “the dark” the author doesn’t mean “when the lights are off” but any place of fear in our life.
In the end, Barbara invites the reader to not run from the areas of darkness in our life, but to enjoy them, walk through them, and even sit in the darkness, allowing God to work in and through those areas of darkness in ways which cannot be done in the light.
If you want to read more about this idea, then get her book.
51. Finding Church: What If There Really Is Something More? by Wayne Jacobsen
A great book. Here is a longer review: Finding Church by Wayne Jacobsen
52. The Bible Tells Me So by Peter Enns
This is a challenging book. See my full review here: The Bible Tells me So
I have read quite a few books of non-violence over the past several years. I would call this book an introduction to the others. It lays out some of the big issues and principles of non-violence, but does not delve deeply into any of them.
Also, and much to my disappointment, the book does a poor job of footnoting resources which the author obviously relied heavily upon in the writing of this book. Since I have read so heavily from books about non-violence over the past several years, I noticed many themes and ideas which this author pulled from other authors, but this author rarely cited these other authors.
I know that footnotes annoy some readers, but I think that if done right, they can be a great help to those who want to read and study further into the issues the author presents. Also, I think that they are also a good way of saying thanks to those upon whom the author depended for ideas.
This is one of the most straight-forward introductions to the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit I have ever read.
Lots of books on the Holy Spirit are full of fluff. This book is anything but that. Dr. Radmacher’s book on the Holy Spirit contains what he has learned through decades of studying Scripture, teaching others, and most of all, through walking with the Spirit in his life, marriage, and ministry.
If you want to learn what Scripture teaches about the Holy Spirit and what you can expect from the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry, read this book today.
Lots of people struggle with what goes on inside their heard.
This book by Dr. Radmacher helps people understand their thoughts, and (more importantly) helps them understand how to control their thoughts. Dr. Radmacher is not a psychologist, but approaches the topic of this book from the perspective of a theologian and Bible scholar.
He also presents several key thought that Christians should have about God, the church, and discipleship.
This is a book about the things that “simple church” practitioners have in common. Best of all, it is a book by people who actually practice “simple church.”
The authors of the chapters in this book come from all sorts of church backgrounds and traditions, but rather than focus on the things that separate them from each other or from people who practice other forms of church, this book focuses on the things that unify us and bring us together in Christ.
If you want to learn more about the simple church / house church / missional church / organic church movement, this book presents what they hold in common.
As I move toward a personal position on non-violent resistance, I read this book.
I found it only marginally helpful. Several of the chapters were encouragement and insightful, but many of the other chapters seemed to have been written by ivory-tower scholars who do not seem to be aware of the sin and violence that lurks at the door of most people’s daily existence.
I am not saying the authors are unaware of this… just that it seems that they were not aware of these struggles.
A couple of the chapters, however, were valuable and insightful. The chapter by Gregory Body was extremely well done, as was the chapter by John Dear.
I suppose if someone was new to non-violent resistance, this might be one of the books that would give them a good introduction to the issues as well as provide answers to some of the common objections.