Here’s a few books that I’ve read recently and can recommend. These are all available for between $5 and $12 (bargain!!) from Stef’s book stall on Sunday each week.
The Prodigal God, by Tim Keller
Finally read a Tim Keller book! I loved it, very engaging. His main point — there are two brothers in the parable, not just one. And thus, moralism is just as bad as the behaivour we normally call sin. Which means that both the ‘sinful’ person and the ‘moral’ person are both far from the Father, because neither is relying on his grace to meet their true need. I also loved the chapter on hope, where he looks at the biblical theme of exile and homecoming. This was the chapter where I most agreed with the comparisons I’ve heard between Tim Keller and CS Lewis.
Investigating Jesus, by John Dickson
Loved it. John Dickson looks at the way normal historians understand Jesus, and what they know about him. As an old history undergrad, I really enjoy John Dickson’s ‘pure historian’ viewpoint, but the best thing is that it’s not at all dry or technical. He doesn’t make much comment, because the evidence speaks for itself. I reckon this would be a great gift for someone that you’ve talked to about Jesus, but is still a bit skeptical.
The Legacy of Soverign Joy, by John Piper
Encouraging, bite sized, theological biographies (This book features Augustine, Martin Luther and John Calvin). The chapter on Augustine made me very keen to read his ‘Confessions’. The chapter on Luther was really inspiring, heaps of stuff which spurred me on in ministry. I also liked the honest examination of their faults. These are not ‘neutral’ accounts of their lives, they are themed around Piper’s own theological passions. I quite enjoy this, because Piper’s aim is to encourage, not just to recount history. There are 5 books in this series.
Religion Saves, and Nine Other Misconceptions, by Mark Driscoll
I liked this book a lot. I was expecting ‘Mark Driscoll Lite’, based on the way it’s presented — but I don’t think such a thing exists! It seems at first like a random collection of interesting and controversial topics, but he is consistent as he contrasts a ‘religious’ approach to a grace/gospel approach on each issue. I loved the chapters on Grace and Faith/Works for the very practical and encouraging theology, the chapter on birth control was helpful stuff I haven’t seen explained as well elsewhere, and I always find his perspective on the emerging church helpful.
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