Non-Fiction
The
Gospel of Ruth, by Carolyn James.
I just finished reading The Gospel of Ruth on a
recent plane trip. It is the crown jewel of her career and the best book I’ve
read this year (and I read a lot of books!). Carolyn opens new windows on the
book of Ruth. It is not the simple love story you thought it was, it is a
dramatic story of extravagant grace.
End
of Memory by Miroslav Wolf.
A close second for me this year was The End of Memory by Miroslav Volf.
Volf explores the question of memory in relating to past wrongs and to the
ultimate question of whether the mantra of Never Forget in a post-holocaust,
post-genocide culture squares with the teachings of the Scripture. Fascinating.
Exploring
Reality: The Intertwining of Science and Religion by John
Polkinghorne
The clergyman-physicist John Polkinghorne moves easily between theology,
particle physics, and ethics in this book. His novel ideas are
fascinating to read, and he encourages believers to hold scientific inquiry
dear alongside a vibrant faith. His theories are worth considering, if
not adopting, for anyone investigating the intertwining of religion and
science.
The Reason for God by Tim
Keller may be the most essential read for any person of faith or for someone
considering the Christian faith. If you’re a Christ-follower, you’ll be
strengthened and equipped, convicted and encouraged; if you’re not, you’ll
appreciate Keller’s low-key, non-dogmatic arguments for the man called Jesus,
and perhaps even a little surprised by some of his admissions re: religion’s
failures, pitfalls, and hypocrisies. But, know also that he won’t patronize you
by not pointing out failures, pitfalls, and hypocrisies of atheism, pluralism,
and universalism as well. He’s too kind for that.
The Reason
for God, Dr. Timothy Keller
Dr. Tim Keller is pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC. Beyond
his sermons, this serves as his foray into the contemporary dialogue on faith
and culture. Publishers Weekly and others highlight Keller’s intelligence
and ability to weave together material from classics to philosophy to
anthropology; however, two other aspects make this book even more
significant. First, Keller engages in the dialogue as one who listens
well. He knows his audience, respects those with whom he is in
conversation, puts forth their best case and acknowledges a well-put
critique. Second, he engages as a pastor. His purpose is not to win
an academic debate, it is to present good news that engages even to the depths
of the deepest critique, so that we are
changed.
Cry,
The Beloved Country, Alan Paton
The story of Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the
backdrop of apartheid
Sidewalks
in the Kingdom by Eric O. Jacobsen
A great introduction to New Urbanism that explores the ways in which urban
design influences community and everyday life. Jacobsen lays out the
Church’s call to city ministry and finds we would do well to consider many of
the ideas and principles promoted by the New Urbanists.
Walking
on Water Madeleine L’Engle
The well-loved author of A Wrinkle in Time offers her theological and
mystical musings on writing as a way of life. It’s similar to Annie Dillard’s The
Writing Life but with all the weight and focus of writerly
appreciation for Christ as the greatest Storyteller.
Christ
and Culture Revisited by D. A. Carson
Don Carson gives one of the more helpful, less reactionary treatments of one of
the stickier religious questions about how to be a Christian in the world. Even
if you’ve never heard of Neihbur, this book will challenge you to pray for more
wisdom before we speak about the cultural impact of Christianity.
Simply
Christian, by N.T. Wright is one of the most hopeful books I’ve
read in years. I was powerfully drawn to the overarching vision of Gods purpose
to restore through Jesus the world He created and loves and to carry out that
work through His image bearers who are here to look after things. As
always, Bishop Wright will make you think and give you a bigger picture of Gods
call on your life.
Tim McConnell
The
Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God, Robert
Louis Wilken. A sweeping engagement with the beginnings of Christianity
that lets you see, taste, and feel the thought patterns and culture of the
Christian Fathers. Reading this book is an opportunity to measure your
own patterns of Christian life with the community of saints. You will
leave feeling that you have walked through the ancient Church and met a number
of new brothers and sisters in Christ. Informed by a profound depth of
scholarship, but written in a style easily read by the layperson.
Thomas
F. Torrance: An Intellectual Biography, Alister McGrath.
T. F. Torrance passed away in December 2007 in his home in
The second half is an introduction to Torrance’s theology which will be of particular interest to an informed reader of the Reformed tradition who wants to understand why Karl Barth might matter for an evangelical and how modern science and theology still interact. This may be a challenging read, but it pays off.
Brave
New Family by G.K. Chesterton has me thinking about my family and
home as a valuable work of art and culture.
The
Rise of Christianity, Rodney Starks. Starks is a sociologist
who began with the question, "What explains the explosive rise of
Christianity from an obscure sect to a worldwide faith?" and parses out
the question through an exploration of history, sociology and more. A
must read for any student of church history.
The
Reason For God, by Tim Keller, is a must. Keller answers
difficult questions about Christianity that we often avoid or pray we
never have to answer, and does so with respect, intelligence, humility,
and grace. This book is up there with Mere Christianity
by C.S. Lewis for me.
A Walk In The Woods, by Bill Bryson. This book will wet your appetite for hiking the Appalachian Trail, whether you are an avid long distance hiker or you just like to get outdoors once in a while. I laughed out loud many times reading the well written account of Bill’s experiences on the AT. I am surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did, but it’s great and I think you’ll think so too.
Another
Sort of Learning, by James V. Schall
Check out this sub-title: Selected Contrary Essays on How
Finally to Acquire an Education While Still in College or Anywhere Else:
Containing Some Belated Advice about How to Employ Your Leisure Time When
Ultimate Questions Remain Perplexing in Spite of you Highest Earned Academic
Degrees, Together with Sundry Book Lists Nowhere Else in Captivity to Be Found.
The title really does say it all, if you can follow
it. Schall, a political philosophy professor at
Al Mohler, President
of Southern Baptist Seminary and an evangelical voice in the public sphere, has
produced another excellent Summer Reading List, with excerpts. Mohler’s theme
this summer is history, and he recommends and comments on some books that look
superb. I recommend checking out both of his lists.
Three books to read if you want to think about the role of intuition, faith, doubt, and certainty in human knowing. I suggest you read them in this order.
Blink, Malcom Gladwell
Proper Confidence, Lesslie Newbigin
Longing to Know, Esther Lightcap Meek
All are quick reads, very easy to understand, and will probably help you realize that you're smarter than you thought.
Posted by: Mark Upton | June 10, 2008 at 08:13 AM