I read a lot. The books I read and the insights I gain not only enhance and bless my life, but they also show up in my teaching and preaching, and in my conversation and counseling. I find myself frequently recommending books and am also often asked for recommendations.
Every week or so, I will make a book recommendation and write up a brief review for the website, the e-vine and social media. Also, I will place a copy of the book on the book cart in the church entryway for those who may wish to borrow it from our church library. These are books that I have found interesting and helpful, and so recommend to those who may be interested in these topics.
The books are listed here in reverse order from when they were recommended.
Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History
By John Dickson
Since Christians have been given new birth by the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within them, we should expect Christian history to be one long story of kindness, love, selflessness, and service, right?
Sadly and, at times, tragically, that is not the case. There are two main reasons. First, the institutional church is a mix of both believers and unbelievers. Secondly, and more significantly, all of those believers still have a sinful nature, and are daily in need of God’s forgiveness. Until Christ returns, His visible church on earth will be a mix of good deeds and bad. In other words, it will consist of both bullies and saints.
In this way, church history is a lot like the history of God’s people recorded in Scripture. The Bible is the story of God’s faithfulness to His unfaithful people. And in some ways, church history continues that story. (And, I might add, the story continues in each of our lives.)
In this very readable history of Christianity, John Dickson focuses on specific individuals as well as the big events (the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Religion Wars, the modern abuse scandals). As a good historian, he sets these stories in their contexts, pointing out where the reality is sometimes not as bad as the popular assumptions (although still bad). But he also tells about the heroic and saintly, the incredible Christ-like characters who blessed countless lives, and dramatically impacted the values of western civilization, but whose names and stories are not well known to modern audiences.
If you want to learn more about church history but don’t like reading “history,” then I recommend this book. Look for this book, along with most of the previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
The Great Divorce
By C.S. Lewis
Yes, another C.S. Lewis book this week. I have been enjoying re-reading several C.S. Lewis classics of late.
This book is not about marriage, but rather about heaven and hell. But it is not a theological or devotional essay. Rather, it is a work of fiction, depicted as the dream of a man who visits heaven and hell in his dream, and wrote about what he saw and experienced. Just as Lewis used fiction in “The Screwtape Letters” to depict the contours and scope of temptation, so in this brief book, he uses fiction to write about heaven and hell. But the real point that Lewis is making has to do with the direction and shape of the Christian life. So, like “The Screwtape Letters,” this is really a book about discipleship, a very creative, imaginative look at the meaning of the Christian life.
One of the fascinating and thought-provoking points in Lewis’ depiction of hell and judgment is that the those who are under God’s judgment in hell have essentially chosen it and prefer it to the alternative. The same weaknesses and foibles from their earthly lives continue in eternity, and are in fact magnified, such that the denizens of hell, despite an opportunity to visit heaven, are eager to get back on the bus and go “home.”
In one of the memorable lines which is spoken as the narrator is conversing with a resident of heaven, is that there are essentially two types of people: There are those who say to God in faith, “Thy Will be done.” And then there are those to whom God ultimately says, “Thy will be done.”
As a work of fiction, it shouldn’t be pressed too hard or mined too deeply to discern every facet of Lewis’ doctrinal stance. But his main points come through quite clearly: We are too quick to excuse in ourselves that which does not reflect Jesus simply because it’s convenient, provides short-term gain, or satisfies our ego. The point of the book ultimately is not to provide doctrinal answers regarding the nature of heaven and hell, but rather to invite us to take a hard look at our own thoughts, words and deeds in our lives today, and to ask ourselves how well they match up with the character of the Savior we claim.
There is a copy of this book, along with most of the previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Mere Christianity
By C.S. Lewis
A few weeks ago, I reviewed “The Screwtape Letter” by C.S. Lewis. It kind of got me started on a C.S. Lewis kick, re-reading books of his that I had first read 30-40 years ago. (It also helped when I learned that many of them are included in my Audible subscription.) There is value in reading again very good books because as we grow in knowledge and life experience, the teachings and insights take on fresh relevance and application. Such is certainly the case with the writings of C.S. Lewis.
“Mere Christianity” occasionally shows up on lists of the most important Christian books of the 20th century, sometimes at the top of the list. This is a work of apologetics, a defense of the Christian faith. Lewis is addressing the skeptic of his time regarding the reasonableness of the faith. What stands out about Lewis’ writing is his sharp, incisive logic, his down-to-earth applications, and, above all for me, his memorable illustrations. I was reminded while reading this book again of a number of illustrations of the faith that I regularly use in teaching that I had forgotten were first learned from this book.
“Mere Christianity” was not initially a book, but rather a series of radio lectures that Lewis gave at the request of the BBC during World War 2. The BBC wanted to avoid any dead air space since it left the airwaves vulnerable to hi-jacking by German infiltrators who could then broadcast propaganda to the British people. The BBC thought they should have some Christian programing and so asked popular Oxford professor Lewis to put together a series of brief talks to fill up the airspace. Little did they know that those lectures and the subsequent book would become one of the most important works of Christian apologetics of the century, a book that over the years many have credited with being part of their coming to faith in Christ.
If you have never read this book, I highly recommend it. If your only familiarity with C.S. Lewis is the Narnia books (which are very good as well), this would be a good introduction into his formidable theological mind and impressive gift of communication.
There is a copy of this book, along with most of the previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out. Previous recommendations can be found here: https://stjohnslutheran.net/pastor-mikes-bookshelf/
Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age
By Samuel James
Winston Churchill once said: “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” His point being that once we occupy and use a building, our lives begin to adjust and change in response to that building and its very architecture.
What Churchill said about architecture is actually true of all of our tools, and especially the tool we call technology. For instance, the introduction of the printing press, the railroad, the automobile, and the television, to name a few, not only provided a new tool to benefit human life, they immediately began to change lives, change society, and change the world, as humanity adjusted to the new technology to the point that life soon seemed unimaginable without that technology.
The introduction of the smartphone may be the most profound new technology in terms of its impact on how we live our lives. In just a decade and a half since the iPhone was introduced, it has had an enormous impact on daily life, to the point that for a significant number of people, and more and more businesses, life cannot be imagined without it, and is being shaped around it.
In this book, Samuel James suggests that the impact is even greater than we might think. He pulls together research that shows that the online world, and its instant accessibility through the smartphone, is actually changing our brains, how we think, and how we interact with the world and each other.
But this is not an anti-technology screed. Rather, James is calling us as followers of Christ to cultivate Christ-centered wisdom in how we use this technology. We need wisdom not only regarding the content of what is available online – much has already been written about that – but also the way the online world shapes our values, our thinking, and our desires, by the very way it works.
This is an important book. I highly recommend this for anyone who has a smartphone, who is on social media, and especially for anyone who finds themselves checking their phone for no apparent reason than to check it.
This book will be on the bookshelf in the narthex eventually, but I’ve already loaned our copy to someone else who is reading it.
The Resurrection of the Son of God
By N.T. Wright
As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, I want to share with you a recommendation for a book that has become the definitive study of the historicity of Jesus’ bodily resurrection. I have to point out, though, that this is a massive scholarly tome that might not appeal to all because of the depths to which the author goes in presenting his case, and the sheer length of the book (over 800 pages).
Wright approaches the topic as an historian, seeking to account for the well-documented rise of the very early universal belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus by the early Christians. In doing this, he explores the beliefs of the contemporary Jewish context, as well as beliefs of the Greeks and Romans among whom the news of the resurrection of Jesus spread. Through it all, Wright explores nearly every explanation for the rise of the belief in the bodily resurrection, and finds them all untenable with one exception. That one exception is that Jesus actually, physically rose from dead.
In writing this book, Wright, as one of the foremost New Testament scholars today, interacts with nearly every theory that has been advanced by skeptics to explain the facts that are accepted by nearly all: That the tomb was empty and that certain early Christians truly believed that they encountered the risen Jesus, including former unbelievers James and Paul. He also explores every viable explanation for why the New Testament authors wrote what they did about the resurrection and its meaning. He pays particular attention to the notion, common among skeptics, that the early church, when speaking of resurrection, really referred to a spiritual ascension, and not a bodily, physical resurrection. He thoroughly debunks this idea as unsupported by the facts.
I have read of numerous skeptics whose views were changed by this book, sometimes expressing shock that they had never encountered this information before. One notable skeptic, historian and journalist Molly Worthen, spoke about the role of this book in her conversion in a podcast with Collin Hansen of the Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/gospelbound/happened-molly-worthen/
It actually took me multiple months to finish this book. Because of the density of the information, I found I could only read 10-15 pages at a sitting. But I’m very glad for having persevered. I’m going to hang on to my copy but if you would like to borrow it, let me know.
For a less imposing work on the historicity of the resurrection, I suggest “The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus” by Gary Habermas and Michael Licona, or Gary Habermas’ website, which has links to many videos: https://www.garyhabermas.com/
The Screwtape Letters
By C.S. Lewis
This book is a classic, one that I have read several times. It never fails to entertain, challenge, convict and educate, even after several readings. As I prepared to preach on the Lord’s Prayer for our Lent Midweek services (especially “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”), I thought it would be a good time to return to Screwtape’s instructions to his protégé Wormwood. Once again, I found it a blessing, not just to my sermon preparation, but to my personal walk with the Lord.
The book is a series of fictional letters from Screwtape, a senior devil and close associate of “our Father below,” to Wormwood, a junior devil who has been charged with pursuing the damnation of an ordinary young man. Screwtape’s instructions are at times comical, satirical, but also profoundly insightful regarding the true purposes of the demonic. You will never look at the scope and breadth of temptation in the same way.
Lewis first published this book in 1942, therefore many of the events of the young man’s life are in the context of wartime England. For that reason, some of it might feel a bit dated. But even still, the depiction of the fallibility of our human nature, and our persistent susceptibility to temptation is, unfortunately, timeless.
This brief read is also a testament to Lewis’ brilliance as a creative writer. That he conveys so much through one side of a fictional written correspondence is really rather amazing. I can’t recommend this book highly enough for anyone seeking to grow in understanding what we’re up against in the daily spiritual warfare we are engaged in. All for the purpose of clinging every more tightly to Christ, in whom all the forces of evil are defeated.
The Lord Bless You & Keep You: The Promise of the Gospel in the Aaronic Blessing
By Michael J. Glodo
Most of our worship services conclude with the familiar words of the Aaronic Blessing as the benediction: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.” In this book Michael Glodo unpacks these words and invites us to hear them in their original context, as well as the echoes of them throughout the Old and New Testament. In this way, he invites us to consider the depth and richness of this take-for-granted blessing, and instead treasure it as the gift from God that it is.
Any time we speak of God, we are speaking analogically or metaphorically. Since God is spirit, it is only in a derived sense that we can speak of God’s “face” and that with it He “looks” upon us. But these images, along with that face “shining,” appear frequently in the Scriptures. For God’s face to shine upon you is to be visited by His grace and favor. On the contrary, for Him to remove His face from you, to turn His face away, is the most severe of judgments. Glodo provides rather exhaustive examples of this in His book.
But ultimately, where he is going in this study is to show how the grace of this blessing is seen and given most abundantly in Jesus through the Gospel. In Him, all that would lead the Lord to turn His face away has been forgiven. Instead, the gracious face of the Lord shines on us through the work of Jesus on our behalf. What then should be on our minds when a pastor pronounces these words over the congregation? How should we receive them? What is being given and received?
As a Lutheran, I would have taken a different approach in the chapter, “The Aaronic Blessing and Worship.” Glodo writes that we are to think of God as being the audience of worship and we ourselves as the actors. He writes this to counteract trends in worship toward entertainment, and the notion that the leaders are performing for the congregation as audience. He is quite right to point to the faults of thinking of worship in this way. But actually, I think a Lutheran approach to worship better supports his main point about the Aaronic Blessing. God is not just the audience, but also the actor. God is present to shower His blessings upon us as we gather. He does through His Word and Sacrament, delivering the goods of salvation. The Aaronic Blessing is the final way in which God serves us in worship, placing His name and grace upon us one more time as we set off to embrace our vocations in the world.
I recommend this book if you would like to get behind and into these familiar words and to be led into thinking more deeply about words that sometimes just roll right by us. There is a copy of this book, along with most of the previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out. Previous recommendations can be found here: https://stjohnslutheran.net/pastor-mikes-bookshelf/
Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics and Romance Became our New Religion and What to Do About it
By David Zahl
Has our culture become less religious or more religious? David Zahl would say that collectively we’re just as religious as ever, just that our “religions” are often things like parenting, politics, career, and romance. The things that we used to look for in conventional religion – meaning, significance, identity and purpose – we now look for in these other pursuits. Even though our culture has become more secular, we’re just as religious. For that reason, he made up a new word, “Seculosity,” as the title of both the book and this cultural phenomenon.
Zahl writes that one of the main things we used to find in conventional wisdom is the sense that we are “enough.” We properly find this in Christianity by having a solid grounding in God’s grace. Because I am loved by God, chosen by Him, forgiven by Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus, I know that I am “enough,” just as I am.
One of the main problem with these alternate secular religions is that they impel us on a relentless, never-ending pursuit of “enoughness.” Do I find the sense that I am enough through my parenting? Through my political activism? Through my romance with my soul-mate? Through the success of my career? Zahl points out that people who are constantly seeking to prove to themselves and to others that they are enough are people who are prone to anxiety, worry, and depression.
I found this to be an insightful and spot-on analysis of the times we live in. It was also a fun book to read. Zahl’s informal, sometimes ironic and tongue-in-cheek style of writing is engaging, and, for me, a bit of a break from the more academic reading I’ve been doing lately. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to better understand our cultural moment and how easy it is to be swept along in the prevailing currents.
Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West
By Andrew Wilson
This was the most fun history book that I’ve read. Maybe you don’t associate “fun” with reading history, and maybe this is just because I’m a history nerd. But I really enjoyed this book.
The point of reading and learning history is not to better understand the past. It’s to better understand the present. By growing in our understanding of how the world got to be the way it is, we are better equipped for discerning the meaning of the major issues today, and what they mean in our lives, and perhaps better discernment about where we are going. Learning history reminds us that the way things are today is not the way things have always been, and the things that are taken for granted and assumed to be true are actually reflections of greater historical and cultural trends. As Christians, we are better prepared to share the gospel in meaningful ways in the present context when we have a good understanding of how the present context came to be.
In this book, Andrew Wilson explores the roots of the WEIRDER world that we live in. What is WEIRDER? Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic, Ex-Christian, and Romantic. It’s easy for us to assume that this type of world is normal, self-evident and just the way things are. But our culture is actually weird in the context of history and around the world. Andrew Wilson points to the years 1776 as the year when the WEIRDER characteristics all took a big leap forward and set us on the path to the modern world.
As Americans, when we hear “1776,” we think of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation. But Andrew Wilson (who is British) points out that many other things happened that year, such as James Watt’s steam engine which triggered the industrial revolution, and the publication of Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations,” which defined capitalist economics and was part of the beginning of the explosive economic growth of the West compared to the rest of the world.
But what does this have to do with Christianity? Much in every way. Although this is mainly a history book, Wilson’s ultimate point is to call the church to be its authentic self in the present age. He calls Christians to a greater understanding of the world we live in so that we might more effectively bring the light of the gospel to a world in need.
I really enjoyed this book. I had many moments of saying to myself, “I didn’t know that!” as Wilson pulled together some amazing synchronicity regarding the events of 1776. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to better understand our present context in the West and what that means for the church.
But I’m sorry. I won’t be putting the book on the shelf just yet. I will most likely be reading this book again as well as citing and referring to it in teaching. But if you are interested in borrowing it, please let me know.
Embodied: Transgender Identities, The Church, & What the Bible Has To Say
By Preston Sprinkle
A few months ago, I reviewed another book by the same author, “People to be Loved.” That book took a biblically-grounded, Christ-centered, and compassionate look at homosexuality and the church. I mentioned at the time how much I appreciate the author’s presentation, including how he calls out where the church has messed up, both in saying things the Bible doesn’t say, and failing to love as Christ calls us to love.
In this book, he addresses transgender identities. Similarly to his previous book, his work is based on a thorough exploration of the biblical record in its context, as well as numerous interviews with personal friends and others who identify as transgender. All for the purpose of once again promoting a compassionate approach to those with gender dysphoria while remaining faithful to the biblical witness.
Sprinkle also wades through the information and misinformation on all sides of this discussion, and dives deeply into the medical and psychological data as well. He wrestles with being created in God’s image as male and female and how that relates to transgender experience. Finally he offers practical guidance for individuals and the church.
I appreciate that this book is not an alarmist diatribe, nor a capitulation to cultural trends. His approach is even-handed, thoughtful, and caring. I’m recommending this book because it is simply the most helpful on this topic that I have found.
There is a copy of this book , along with previously recommended books (including “People to be Love”) on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ is Essential
By Collin Hansen & Jonathan Leeman
Do we need the church? Are congregations essential? Can’t I just be a Christian on my own, just me and Jesus? In a culture which is arguably more individualistic than any in history, valuing personal autonomy over relationships, these are questions that people ask about Christianity. The fact that COVID forced us into individualized screen-based worship didn’t help much either.
In this book, Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman cover ground that would have been taken for granted a couple of generations ago, but must be articulated today. We need the church. We need each other. The foundational reason is because this the will and design of God. Jesus created the church, called it into being through the sending of the Holy Spirit. The congregation is the context where people are baptized, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, hear the word preached, and worship God is ways that an individual cannot.
The authors take it further than these theological truths and point also to the practical blessings and benefits to active participation in a church community. Coming from a reformed Baptist background, some of their explanations leave out things that as Lutherans we would emphasize, especially the communal aspect of the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. That being said, there is much of value in this book and I recommend it for anyone who wants to focus on the important of church and congregation in God’s design for His people, for our growth and for His mission.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out. Previous recommendations can be found here: https://stjohnslutheran.net/pastor-mikes-bookshelf/
10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity
By Rebecca McLaughlin
It’s not an easy time to be a Christian teenager. There are many questions that teens might have about their faith and what it means in today’s world, when many of the values of the post-Christian West seem to be out-of-sync with historic Christianity. On the other hand, they may also be aware that the Christians have not always handled these issues well, and at times have responded to challenges and disagreements in very unchristian ways.
In this helpful book, Rebecca McLaughlin identifies ten important questions, and then provides answers. After the introduction, entitled “Note to Parents, Grandparents, Guardians and Friends,” the rest of the book is addressed to teens, speaking to them as teens. She uses familiar books and movies to illustrate her points, and addresses concerns that teens have today. Here are a few chapter titles: “Can Jesus Be True For You But Not Me?” “Is Christianity Against Diversity?” “How Can You Believe The Bible Is True?” “Hasn’t Science Disproved Christianity?” “Why Can’t We Just Agree That Love Is Love?” “Who Cares If You Are A Boy Or A Girl?”
That being said, parents should read the entire book, not just the introduction. Her presentations are very straightforward and understandable. Her illustrations from movies and books and music are very helpful as well. Parents who read this book will be better equipped to meaningfully and compassionately discuss these topics with their teen. (And other adults as well!)
There will be a copy of this book on the library cart in the Narthex, but as of this writing, I have already loaned the book out, so it is not yet available.
The Genuine Jesus: Fresh Evidence From History and Archeology
By Paul L. Maier
We rightly look to the Scriptures for the truths about Jesus upon which our faith is based. But are there things we can learn from history and archeology? Is there evidence outside of the Bible for the familiar stories? The answer is yes.
Paul Maier has a distinguished career as an historian specializing in Christian origins and the 1st century. I have benefited from several of his other books, especially his books on Josephus and Pontius Pilate. This book is an updated version of previous writings, including new information from archeology.
The book focuses primarily on the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as well as the early church from Acts of the Apostles. Maier simply tells the familiar story, but bringing into it important insights from history, as well as information about the Jewish, Greek and Roman cultures that shed light on the Bible’s accounts. He supplements his writing with numerous photographs of sites and artifacts.
I highly recommend this book if you are wanting to better understand the New Testament in its original context. There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Born Again This Way: Coming Out, Coming to Faith, and What Comes Next
By Rachel Gilson
This is a fascinating book by Rachel Gilson about her life – and so much more. She is very up front with the fact that she has always been romantically attracted only to women. She came to faith in Christ while a student at Yale. She chronicles her ups and downs and struggles as she sought to follow Christ faithfully, including what the Bible says about marriage and sexuality, as a same sex attracted person.
But it is more than a biography. As she describes her struggles, she also dives deeply into what the Bible says about sexuality and marriage, and how it is connected to Christ and our life in Him. This was not a mere academic concern for her, but her life and fulfillment and hope. She points to the richness of her life in Christ, and what that means for following faithfully in a fallen world as a fallen person.
I highly recommend this book. If you are someone who is same sex attracted and desiring to follow Christ faithfully, Rachel Gilson’s story and reflections offer hope and encouragement. But even if that is not the case, she provides a helpful window into the unique challenges of those who seek to follow the Bible’s teaching as a same sex attracted person, as well as the call to congregations to be places of welcome, support and encouragement.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture
By Christopher Watkin
The first bookshelf item for the new year is quite a tome (over 600 pages), and may only appeal to a few people to pick up and work your way through. But the purpose of doing these “bookshelf” reviews is not just to make recommendations for all, but also to let you know what I’ve been reading as I seek to bring the Word of God to bear on our world today in my preaching and teaching. This review will be a little longer, but that’s because of the scope of this book.
This is a book I was looking for before I knew it existed, so as soon as I read the description, I picked it up. (And the fact that the forward was by Tim Keller helped in that decision as well.) Something that is very important to me in my teaching and preaching as your pastor, and you may have noticed, is helping us as followers of Jesus to think like Christians in a world that is becoming less and less Christian. There are many assumptions and beliefs we take for granted in our modern context that do not come from Christianity, that are in fact opposed to Christianity, even though, because they are deep in our culture, they sound right. This concern is what led to the “Did God Really Say?” worship series last fall. These “cultural narratives” shape our world, and if we’re not immersed in Scripture, they will shape our thinking and living as well, and lead us away from Christ.
What Christopher Watkin has done in this book is provide a comprehensive overview of what it means to see the world through Christianity. Critical theory, in its various forms, is an approach to the world which seeks to explain everything in terms of an overarching issue. For Marx, history is the story of economic class struggle. For others today, our history can be explained as a conflict between races. There are many varieties of critical theory at work today that are shaping how we approach issues and challenges in the world. Critical theories are often reductionistic in assuming that the chosen issue accounts for everything in history and in our world today. In this book, Watkin describes the biblical lens through which Christians are to view the world. In doing so, he compares and contrasts it with other views that are influential in the world today. Unlike other critical theories, Biblical critical theory is not reductionistic, but rather comprehensive, taking in all of history and all of our world today, and all of eternity.
Watkin models his approach on “The City of God” by Augustine (354-430), one of the most important books in church history. Augustine wrote his book as Rome was falling and people were blaming Christianity for weakening the empire. So Augustine composed a thoroughgoing critique of pagan Roman culture, and then went through the entire Bible, pointing out how Christianity is not only different, but better. Watkin’s intent is to provide a “City of God” for today. In doing so, he goes through the entire Bible, and all along the way compares and contrasts the Christian view with the contemporary (Western) assumptions about reality.
What can make this book difficult is that Watkin doesn’t do this on a superficial level, but rather dives deep into the philosophical issues underlying the attitudes of today. I will readily admit that there were sections that I had to read multiple times before moving on. This is not because he is a poor writer (he’s actually quite a very good writer!), but rather because of my unfamiliarity with some of the contemporary philosophies he was dialoguing with.
I had the privilege of hearing and (briefly) meeting the author when I attended The Gospel Coalition conference last September. I found him to be an engaging speaker on this topic as well. This is an important book and is being recognized as such. Christianity Today named it their “Book of the Year,” in their annual book awards.
The copy of this book for the Church Library cart hasn’t arrived yet, but if you are interested reading it, I will gladly let you borrow my copy.
Why Do We Feel Lonely at Church?
Jeremy Linneman
One of the challenges of our age is the increasing prevalence of loneliness. Social media was supposed to bring us together and better connect us, but it has not always lived up to its promise and the culture’s hopes. The COVID shutdowns drove us away from each other, leading us to view personal proximity as a problem. But this is not just about social media and COVID. The trend in our culture toward individualism has been building for decades. Loneliness and isolation are just some of the fruit of this trend.
This affects the local congregation as well. As a congregation, we are not just a store for spiritual needs, or a place to absorb religious information. We are a community that comes together to worship, to pray, to grow, to serve, to grieve, to rejoice, to eat, to play, and more. Jesus identified the love between Christians as an identifying mark of His church. Christianity is inherently relational, and so when the culture is struggling relationally, it affects the church.
How should we think about this as Christians and what should we do? In this little booklet, Jeremy Linneman, who serves as a pastor in a congregation, writes about the practice of building community. He encourages authentic fellowship through certain practices: Hospitality, being patient with one another, persisting through conflict and praying together.
This book is a quick read, but has long-lasting suggestions and insights. I highly recommend it for our community as we strive to grow in doing the Christian life together. There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
On the Incarnation
By Athanasius of Alexandria
As we head into Christmas, I’m recommending a timeless classic of theology about the incarnation, what we celebrate on Christmas. Athanasius wrote this book in approximately 319 AD, in part as a refutation of Arius and the Arian heresy. (I talked about this at the Advent Midweek service on December 13 in providing background to the hymn “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”) The Arians taught that Jesus was not true God as was the Father, but rather the Father’s first creation, making Jesus kind of a God, Jr.
In this book, Athanasius lays out the meaning of the incarnation, that Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, is true God and true man. He provides the solid biblical foundation, and also covers why it is so important that we get this right.
This book has held up remarkably over the centuries and Athanasius’ presentation is just as timely and relevant today as it was in the 4th century. I know of people who read this every Advent to help ground them in the truth that we celebrate as we gather to the manger.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy
By Tim Keller
This quick read (only 44 pages) is a very helpful look at Gospel-centered humility. Tim Keller points out the flaws and dangers of our current “self-esteem” culture and the notion that the key to a fulfilled and ethical life is loving yourself. But he also critiques its opposite, the belief that humility means that we are to think less of ourselves and focus on our faults and deficiencies.
In Christ, we have something better than either. Our identity comes not from the circumstances of our lives or the feelings of our hearts, but rather the grace of God in Christ. Encouraging what he calls “self-forgetfulness,” Tim Keller points to Christ as the source of seeing ourselves rightly: As people richly blessed and utterly dependent on our redeemer. It is our identity in Christ that is to shape our thinking about ourselves and our reactions to the good and the bad around us.
I highly recommend this little booklet as a very helpful and practical application of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. If you haven’t read any Tim Keller, this would be a quick introduction to his gospel-centered approach to life.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
The Air We Breathe: How We All Came To Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress and Equality
By Glen Scrivener
We all believe in freedom, right? That people should be treated equally and shown kindness, that we should be striving to make the world a place in which these virtues thrive? The importance of these values are assumed to be obvious to all, and it’s considered heresy to suggest their opposite.
But where did this values come from? The assumption of many today is that they are self-evident and work hand-in-glove with an enlightened, modern, science-based, secular society. This is in fact not true. These values do not naturally flow from nature, from science, or anything that can be proven by naturalistic means. There have been many cultures which have had very different values, in some cases, completely the opposite, such as ancient Greece and Rome, and pre-Christian Europe.
So how did our western culture become a place where freedom, kindness, compass, caring for the weak, and equality became accepted as self-evident and obvious? The answer, according the Glen Scrivener (and many other writers), is Christianity. The values of Christianity have been so baked into our western culture that they seem self-evident when in fact they are not.
One of the challenges of our modern culture is that it champions the fruit of Christianity (these values), but denies their root in Christianity. How long will our culture maintain its allegiance to these values while denying the biblical story from which they arose?
Glen Scrivener is not the only Christian writing on this topic. The book “The Secular Creed” which I reviewed a few weeks ago, makes the same contention. I highly recommend this book as a concise, well-written analysis of our culture and where it’s most cherished values came from, and what that means for Christians today.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ
By Timothy Keller
Since Advent is right around the corner, it seems appropriate to highlight a book for the season. This week’s book is a little gem by Tim Keller about the meaning of Christmas.
What does it mean that the Lord of the Universe became a helpless baby in a manger? Was He just revealing things about Himself, or was this a rescue mission for a humanity in desperate and hopeless need? The Christmas story is so familiar that we can easily lose sight of deep meaning of the action of our God. Beyond the lights and songs, the traditions and the gatherings, is God’s grand mission of rescue that gives us hope.
Tim Keller has been and still is my favorite author, and I recommend anything that he has written. But as we head into Advent and Christmas, I recommend especially this little book. Its message provides a helpful orientation and grounding for all the activity of the coming month.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Every Waking Hour: An Introduction to Word and Vocation for Christians
By Benjamin T. Quinn and Walter R. Strickland II
What does our faith mean on Monday morning? How are Christians to think about and approach their work and vocation? This little book is a brief answer to those questions.
The authors being their presentation by reflecting on the fact that we follow a working God, who gave Adam work to do in the garden – before the fall. Work is a good thing that is pleasing to God, not a punishment for the fall. In fact, our work is the means by which God distributes His good gifts to all people. It’s common to think that we are only serving God and doing a holy work when we are engaged in spiritual matters. But the authors point out all our work is a holy work because God has given it to us to do and is at work through it.
This is about vocation, which is actually a broader topic than work. Each of us have several vocations that in which we serve God and others: family, worker, neighbor, etc. The point is to see that every waking moment is an opportunity to glorify God as we live out these vocations.
This book is a helpful resource in thinking about the work that we do, whether paid or unpaid, and how can be done to the glory of God and the good of our neighbor. There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
By Ken Sande
This highly-recommended book has been around for awhile, but remains extremely timely and helpful. As long as we are sinners living among sinners, there will be personal conflict in our lives. Unfortunately, our sinful nature also often leads us into unhelpful and unproductive ways of responding to conflict. On the one side, we may just ignore the situation (and the person), or, on the other side, may engage in unproductive attacks and accusation. Social media and electronic communication have made the latter response very easy.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to pursue peacemaking and reconciliation. Jesus put this right at the heart of the Lord’s prayer, calling us to link our willingness to forgive others to our prayer for forgiveness from God. At a time when there is so much destructive conflict in our culture, among politicians and nations, Christians are called to a different way of life, seeking peace and reconciliation in the name of Christ, and to the glory of God.
In this book, Ken Sande explores the biblical call to live as peacemakers, and provides very practical, down-to-earth, boots-on-the-ground recommendations and strategies for putting it into practice.
I can’t recommend this book enough. Some of you may remember that we used this book as the basis for a worship series about 20 years ago. That same year, it also formed the biblical basis of our school theme “Blessed are the Peacemakers.” There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims
By Rebecca McLaughlin
In this helpful little book, author Rebecca McLaughlin considers five commonly-heard sayings. These sayings are normally associated with a more secular outlook, rather than a Christian outlook. But the author points out that they still flow from a Christian worldview. And, in fact, on the surface, Christians can gladly affirm them. Black lives do matter. Love is chief among values. Women’s rights are human rights. Historically, it was Christianity that first championed diversity and inclusion as flowing from the truth that we are all made in the image of God, and that God is a God of both justice and love.
The challenge for Christians is that these saying, as popularly used, often carry connotations that Christians cannot affirm. What the author does in this book is help us see the Christian roots and values behind these statements, so we can better understand and engage when discussing where we differ regarding their application and relevance today.
I appreciate the compassionate heart of the author as she calls Christians to live out our own creed as we engage the challenging issues of the day. Too often, Christians have forgotten about love, kindness, and mercy in responding to societal issues. She has written a book that is not an angry polemical tirade against the culture, but rather a call to follow Jesus.
I highly recommended this book. Rebecca McLaughlin is becoming one of my favorite authors for her compassionate and rigorous analysis and application of God’s unchanging Word in changing times.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Talking with Your Kids about Jesus: 30 Conversations Every Christian Parent Must Have
By Natasha Crain
In Deuteronomy 6:7, Moses calls upon parents to be the teachers of the faith to their children, saying about God’s commandments: “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Paul commended Timothy’s mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5) for teaching him the Word, pointing out “how and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). The point is that an essential part of parenting is teaching the faith to our children.
This book is aimed at helping and supporting parents in carrying out that responsibility. She points out that this is not only a matter of formal instruction, but rather a continuous faith conversation that uses the events of life as starting points for teaching, discussing and living the faith. In this book she covers the essential teaching, focusing on the identity and work of Jesus. Because children today are growing up in a more secular culture, she strongly encourages including apologetics in that instruction. While I endorse nearly all of what she teaches, please note that her view of baptism is not sacramental, not Lutheran. She also includes discussion questions for digging deeper.
We have recently started at SJL a zoom-based bible study for parents that meets later in the evening after the kids are (theoretically) in bed. For our first study, we used the Right Now Media version of Natasha Crain’s presentation, along with a study guide.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution
By Carl R. Trueman
Have you ever looked around at the world today, especially regarding some of the dramatic shifts in how society looks at sexuality and gender, and wonder, “How did we get here?” How did we get from certain concepts being considered absurd a generation or two ago, to a place where those notions are broadly accepted?
In this book, Carl Trueman provides an answer. Eschewing simple explanations, he dives deep into the historical, philosophical and technological roots that have led to personal identity becoming so highly politicized and sexualized. In doing so, he also addresses how the contemporary notions of identity compare to the biblical perspective of personhood.
This is not light reading. But well worth the effort. And if you really want to go even deeper, I recommend Trueman’s other book, “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self.” “Strange New World” is a concise and more accessible version of that highly academic work. I have found both books extremely helpful in understanding how deep societal shifts can affect the way we view ourselves and our world.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
How Much is a Little Girl Worth?
By Rachael Denhollander
This week’s recommendation is a children’s book. You may remember that a couple of months ago I recommended “What is a Girl Worth?” by Rachael Denhollander. One of the issues that she confronted in that book is the devaluing of girls and women, not only by abuse, but by not taking seriously the need to protect them from future abuse, and to bring justice to abusers.
But one of the tragedies of abuse is the victim’s own devaluating of herself. A low sense of self-worth can heighten a girl or woman’s vulnerability to an abuser. The damage that abuse does to the victim’s sense of self-worth is also a factor in their reluctance to speak up, seek help and seek justice.
In writing this book, Rachael Denhollander seeks to encourage young girls to have a healthy view of their worth. In many ways, she makes the point “You are worth everything.” Little girls are worth being cared for, caring for themselves, and being protected. She grounds that sense of self-worth in the fact that they are made by God in His own image and redeemed by Jesus by his life and death on the cross. Self-worth flows from creation and salvation.
She has also written a similar book for little boys, “How Much is a Little Boy Worth?”
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Don’t Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship
By Thaddeus J. Williams
This is another book that lines up well with our current worship series, “Did God Really Say: Lies That Sound True.” The author encourages us to be “heretics” regarding the worship of self. He calls on Christians to break the “Ten Commandments” of self-worship which reflect multiple aspects of the individualistic secular culture of today.
What are some of these commandments? The first is “Thou shalt always act in accord with your chief end – to glorify and enjoy yourself forever,” or, in other words #liveyourbestlife. The third is “Thou shalt obey your emotions at all costs,” #followyourheart. Another is “Thou shalt live your truth and let others live theirs,” #youdoyou. For each of these, the author digs down deep into the core beliefs that they reflect, how we see it in the world today and in ourselves, and then compares and contrasts them with the life of following Jesus.
For each commandment, he also includes a brief testimonial from someone who is a “heretic” regarding that commandment. This is followed by a prayer, as well as practical ways to live God’s truth instead of the lies around us.
I had the chance to hear Thaddeus Williams at The Gospel Coalition conference I attended last week in Indianapolis. His summary of his main points of his book (which was only officially released this week) convinced me to pick it up. And now I am recommending it and sharing it with you. There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
The Gospel According to Satan: Eight Lies About God That Sound Like the Truth
By Jared C. Wilson
Do we really want to hear the gospel according to Satan? Author Jared Wilson assures us that we are regularly hearing it in the sayings and cliches of our culture, as well as some of the things we tell ourselves. There are things that sound true about God and ourselves that are actually false and misleading and harmful
If this sounds similar to our current worship series “Did God Really Say,” it’s no accident. This is one of several books I read in preparing this series. (I’ll be reviewing a couple of other similar books in the weeks to come.)
As the author explains in his introduction, his approach is to imagine what the gospel would sound like if Satan proclaimed it. Keeping in mind that Jesus calls Satan the “father of lies,” the gospel according to Satan would consist of supremely deceptive lies about God, all designed to deprive us of the peace, comfort and hope that only comes through the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. And the sad truth is that there are many such lies that are commonly heard in our world today.
If you want to dive more deeply into some of the topics I have been raising in our current worship series, check out this book. There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out. Previous recommendations can be found here: Pastor Mike’s Bookshelf.
The Spirituality of the Cross: The Way of the First Evangelicals
By Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
In our culture today, spirituality is in, and religion is out. More and more people identify themselves as “spiritual but not religious,” seeking to define their own self-made spirituality outside the established religious traditions. This is a spirituality that looks within for truth, picks and chooses from sources outside of oneself, and is essentially not accountable to anyone or anything else, except personal conscience and feelings.
But how well does such a spirituality address the life as we know, with its blessings and challenges and tragedies? How well does such a spirituality account for our own failures to live up to our own standards, let alone others, as well as the darkness that lurks within? What answer does a self-made spirituality have for the inevitability of the grave?
Gene Edward Veith describes in this book his own spiritual journey through multiple approaches to spirituality before finding his home in Lutheran spirituality. What is Lutheran spirituality? He describes it as a “spirituality of the cross.” Christ and His cross are at the center. We look not within but to Him as He speaks to us in His Word and comes to us in His sacraments.
This brief book provides an excellent overview of Lutheran spirituality, and how to think and live spiritual growth from an authentically Christ-centered perspective. I have recommended this book to quite a few people over the years and have discussed its contents with individuals and in classes. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a spirituality centered in Jesus and His Word.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
I Am a Church Member: Discover the Attitude that Makes a Difference
By Thom Rainer
In a time of hyper-individualism along with a general distrust of institutions, the notion of “church membership” can seem rather quaint and outmoded to some, a relic from a different era. Many take a consumerist approach to congregational life – taking part in and benefiting from certain programs and ministries but opting out of making a commitment that involves working and serving to make those ministries happen.
Thom Rainer has put together a very helpful little booklet that explains what church membership means, and why it is an important part of our lives as Christians, as well as the health of the faith community as a whole. Pushing back against some of the individualist trends of the culture, as well as the “country club” mentality that has plagued many congregations, Rainer describes very practically how pursuing an active church membership strengthens our discipleship, the health of the church and the mission of God.
I recommend this book for every member of St. John’s, as well as those considering membership. It’s a very brief read, only 78 pages and will only take an hour or two to read. There are several copies of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
People To Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just An Issue
By Preston Sprinkle
This is a hard topic to have meaningful discussion about. It’s so easy to devolve into a clichés and “us” versus “them” thinking, as well as looking at homosexuality simply in terms of sin and doctrine, rather than also taking to heart the real people with real lives who are made in the image of God. The author says of his approach, “The question of homosexuality defies simple answers, so I refuse the give thin answers to thick questions.” This book is the result of rigorous study of what the scriptures say as well as listening and taking seriously the stories of his LGBT friends.
This is a very helpful book. His scriptural analysis is some of the best I have read on this topic. He goes deep into the interpretation of the relevant passages, as well as their historical context, and what it means in our context today. He also looks fairly and honestly at the way Christians have spoken about this issue and how the church has treated those who are attracted to their own sex. This is certainly an issue where it is possible to be right and wrong at the same time.
I highly recommend this book as we strive to live lives that are marked by faithfulness to our Lord and love toward those around us.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life
By Tish Harrison Warren
This book is a gem. I just finished reading it for the second time and believe myself to be blessed as much as reading it the first time.
Author Tish Harrison Warren (one of my favorite writers) walks through an ordinary day and the mundane tasks that make up our days: Getting up, making the bed, brushing our teeth, eating lunch, checking email, etc. In each of these activities, she sees reminders of God’s activity in our lives and His presence and grace among us. She also connects each of these activities with the parts that make up the historic liturgical worship service. In doing so, she brings together things that we don’t often think about as being together: Worshiping God in Word and Sacrament and, for instance, brushing our teeth.
Every moment of every day is a gift from God, with numerous indicators and signposts of His love, as well as His call on our lives. I highly recommend this book for those who would like to look at their daily lives through a sacred lens.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
Getting to Know Jesus: Using the Six Core Teachings of the Bible to Grow in a Deeper Relationship with Jesus
By Paul Schult
Is the Christian faith mainly about relationships, or is it about teachings and doctrines? Is it about having an authentic relationship with Jesus, or having the correct biblical understanding of the Bible’s teachings, with Jesus at the center?
The answer is “yes,” and this little book by Paul Schult helpfully makes this connection. He uses the six core teachings of the Bible, as presented in Luther’s Small Catechism, to teach what a relationship with Jesus is all about.
If you would like a straightforward, very readable review of the basic teachings of Christianity, with the emphasis on relationship, I highly recommend this book. I have used it to supplement the “Foundations” class, and have recommended it frequently in that capacity.
The author, Paul Schult, is the pastor of our sister congregation, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Redwood City. There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
What is a Girl Worth? One Woman’s Courageous Battle to Protect the Innocent and Stop a Predator- No Matter the Cost
By Rachael Dennhollander
This book is both disturbing and inspiring. It is the story of the first woman to publicly speak out about the mega-abuser Larry Nasser when he was a highly respected doctor for gymnasts, including the USA gymnastics team. Rachael Dennhollander pressed through numerous obstacles and fierce opposition, along with coming to terms with her own abuse. But she never stopped in her pursuit of justice, and as a result, Larry Nasser will be behind bars for the rest of his life.
Why is this book on my list as a recommendation? It is because Rachael Dennhollander is also a very committed Christian, dedicated to following Christ while pursuing justice, including Christ’s call to forgive others as He has forgiven us. How do justice and forgiveness work together? How do we forgive someone who is unrepentant, and has done great evil against us and others?
Not only is Rachael’s story compelling, her theological insight and application provide one of the best from-the-trenches presentation of living Christ’s forgiveness that I have ever read. I told her story as part of the “Forgive” Lent Midweek series earlier this year. I highly recommend this book, but please be warned: parts are very disturbing.
There is a copy of this book, along with previously recommended books on the Church Library cart in the Narthex, available for checking out.
The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How it Ends, and Everything Important That Happens in Between
By Gregory Koukl
What is Christianity all about? What’s the big picture of the Bible? What’s the big picture of existence itself? This little book by author Gregory Koukl lays out straightforward, down-to-earth answers. He presents the basic Christian story in terms of five easy-to-remember words: God, Man, Jesus, Cross, Resurrection. Along the way, he contrasts the Christian story of reality with other competing stories, especially the secular story which dominates our culture today.
Why is this helpful? Sometimes we get bogged down in bible reading, losing site of the forest for the trees. Having a good grasp of the over-arching story helps us better understand how it all flows together, and where we fit in to God’s grand narrative. Being well-grounded in the basic story of Christianity also equips and prepare us to share the good news of Jesus with others.
Koukl’s style is very down-to-earth and not overly technical, which is quite an accomplishment since he is presenting weighty topics. I was so impressed by his presentation that I have incorporated some of his approach and technique in my class on the key teachings of the Christian Faith, “Foundations” (https://stjohnslutheran.net/foundations)
The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God
By Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller
Since last week’s sermon focused on marriage (Hebrews 13:4), I felt it was only appropriate to highlight a book on marriage. Both Pastor Mark and I have recommended this book in the past, and there’s a very good reason for that. It is quite simply the finest book on Christian marriage and how to live it.
Marriage is among God’s first gifts to humanity and also provides a picture of the gracious love of Christ for His bride, the church. But what does that mean in our complex contemporary context? How do we live as Christian husbands and wives today?
Tim Keller does a masterful job of pulling together insights from brilliant thinkers and helpful resources, and then presenting them in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This book takes a deep dive into the philosophical and social trends that have landed our culture in troubled marriage waters. But he, along with his wife Kathy, provides down-to-earth practical guidance to help navigate these streams. All with the goal of helping husbands and wives better love and serve each other, as Christ has loved and served them.
This book is highly recommended for all married couples, but also for singles who hope to be married someday.
Joining Jesus as a Family: How to Raise Your Children to be Followers of Jesus
By Greg Finke and Susan Finke
There is no shortage of books that focus on helping you grow as a disciple. But not nearly as many books on how to raise your children to be disciples. Greg and Susan Finke have done the church a big service in making their insights available in this book.
If the author’s name sounds familiar, it is because this is the same Greg Finke who put on a personal witnessing workshop last year: Joining Jesus on His Mission. What Greg and Susan have done with this book is taken the material from his first two books and placed it in the context of raising your family. The focus then is not merely how I can join Jesus on His mission, but how to raise children to join Jesus as well.
Our St. John’s Leadership team read this book together, discussing also how some of the insights from this book translate into the school setting, as the Christian school seeks to support parents in raising their children to be disciples.
Although this book is targeted primarily at families with children at home (and grandparents who are involved in their grandchildren’s lives), others would benefit from this book as well. If nothing else, it will serve to remind and reinforce the call to join Jesus on His mission each day.
Scribes and Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible
by John D. Meade and Peter J. Gurry.
Have you ever wondered how we got the Bible that we use today? What about those footnotes in your Bible that refer to alternate texts and different translations? What about the suggestion by some that the Bible has been translated so many times that we can’t trust it? Is that right? And how do we choose among the myriad English versions available today?
This book provides answers to all these questions and more. The authors cover the origins of the original text as well as textual criticism, the art and science of evaluating the differences and similarities in ancient manuscripts. They also describe the fascinating process by which the canon (which books are included in the Bible) was developed over time, dispelling some of the popular myths of today. They also cover the importance of translation and the history of the English Bible in all its varieties.
Finally they address the Bible as the Word of God and why, despite and because of its history, we can have full confidence in the truths it contains. I recommend this book for anyone who is curious to learn more about the Bible.