The Great Booklist of 2006: A Literary Retrospective
Well here is the long awaited book post. I think I'll just list things, provide some comments, and then rate them (out of five stars ... five being the best):
1. Seeking the Secret Place: The Spiritual Formation of C.S. Lewis - This is the newest book by Lyle Dorsett. It was great. For those of you into C.S. Lewis, this book provides a fresh perspective on his life as a disciple of Jesus. 5 Stars.
2. The Story of Christianity Volume Two: The Reformation to the Present Day by Justo Gonzalez. This book was good as a broad overview of church history from a not entirely Western perspective. Gonzalez is from Latin America (Cuba, I believe) but received his Ph.D. from Yale in Historical Theology. Sometimes it gets bogged down in details but, overall, it's a pretty useful book. 3.5 stars.
3. On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) In the Future Tense by David Brooks. I really liked this book. David Brooks is a creative thinker and a great writer. His cultural analysis seems to be spot on. If you graduated from Wheaton you must read this book! 5 Stars.
4. For All God's Worth: True Worship and the Calling of the Church by N.T. Wright. Even if you don't always agree with N.T. Wright, he has great things to say. I'd say this is another "must read" book. 5 Stars.
5. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris. This book is volume one of two (currently) and focuses on the early life of Theodore Roosevelt. When it didn't make me feel like a slacker (TR was a New York State Assemblyman, a published historian, and a respected ornithologist by the time he was 24), it was inspirational. If you like biographies of Presidents, this is a good one. 4 stars.
6. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Did I read this? Yes. Was I entertained? Somewhat. But it is still a silly book. It's a popular novel that wishes it was entirely historical. It's full of suspense but it's not really well written. 1 Star.
7. Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright. This is a great introduction to the Christian faith. It is also a reminder of those things that are really important. Jesus really is the main character of all history. Read this book to find out how to join Him as He continues to renew all things. 4.5 stars.
8. Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith by Eric O. Jacobsen. If you are one of those people who is into true neighborhoods and thinks that it is good for Christians to live in a way that is concious of the world around them, read this book. 4 stars.
9. Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts by Steve Turner. This is not a long book but it is a worldview shaping book. I might be biased as a very important person in my life is an artist, but I think you should all read this book. 5 stars.
10. Fit Bodies Fat Minds: Why Evangelicals Don't Think and What to Do About It by Os Guinness. I like Os Guinness a lot. But this book was a yawner. There are any number of more interesting titles that address the same topic. 2 stars.
11. "Fundamentalism" and the Word of God by J.I. Packer. If you're wondering about the doctrine of Scripture, this is a necessity. J.I. Packer lays out the strong case for the traditional Evangelical view of the Bible. I agree. I think he clearly shows that the Bible teaches that it is the Word of God and is to be received by believers as authoritative. 5 stars.
12. The Work of the Pastor by William Still. This book is out of print but I think it ought to be in print again. Anyone considering pastoral ministry should read this. It's practical, witty, and pokes through a lot of nonsense that comes from many corners of the church these days. 4 stars.
13. Worship: Reformed According to Scripture by Hughes Oliphant Old. I really liked this book, but it's not for everyone. It is incredibly interesting to see the roots of Christian worship practices. For instance, Dr. Old starts his discussion of things like Baptism and Daily Prayer in the Old Testament and works his way up to the Reformation. I like it. 4.5 stars.
14. Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour. This is the story of a Palestinian Christian who grew up around the founding of modern Israel. He became a priest and has spent his life working to bring peace and justice to everyone in that area of the Middle East. I really liked this book. It was recommended to me by Dr. Gary Burge as the book to read to start understanding the church in the Middle East. 5 stars.
I have a bunch of books in progress now and I have about two months to finish a few more. So maybe I'll update and add to the list! But this is good for now. Enjoy!
1. Seeking the Secret Place: The Spiritual Formation of C.S. Lewis - This is the newest book by Lyle Dorsett. It was great. For those of you into C.S. Lewis, this book provides a fresh perspective on his life as a disciple of Jesus. 5 Stars.
2. The Story of Christianity Volume Two: The Reformation to the Present Day by Justo Gonzalez. This book was good as a broad overview of church history from a not entirely Western perspective. Gonzalez is from Latin America (Cuba, I believe) but received his Ph.D. from Yale in Historical Theology. Sometimes it gets bogged down in details but, overall, it's a pretty useful book. 3.5 stars.
3. On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) In the Future Tense by David Brooks. I really liked this book. David Brooks is a creative thinker and a great writer. His cultural analysis seems to be spot on. If you graduated from Wheaton you must read this book! 5 Stars.
4. For All God's Worth: True Worship and the Calling of the Church by N.T. Wright. Even if you don't always agree with N.T. Wright, he has great things to say. I'd say this is another "must read" book. 5 Stars.
5. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris. This book is volume one of two (currently) and focuses on the early life of Theodore Roosevelt. When it didn't make me feel like a slacker (TR was a New York State Assemblyman, a published historian, and a respected ornithologist by the time he was 24), it was inspirational. If you like biographies of Presidents, this is a good one. 4 stars.
6. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Did I read this? Yes. Was I entertained? Somewhat. But it is still a silly book. It's a popular novel that wishes it was entirely historical. It's full of suspense but it's not really well written. 1 Star.
7. Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright. This is a great introduction to the Christian faith. It is also a reminder of those things that are really important. Jesus really is the main character of all history. Read this book to find out how to join Him as He continues to renew all things. 4.5 stars.
8. Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith by Eric O. Jacobsen. If you are one of those people who is into true neighborhoods and thinks that it is good for Christians to live in a way that is concious of the world around them, read this book. 4 stars.
9. Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts by Steve Turner. This is not a long book but it is a worldview shaping book. I might be biased as a very important person in my life is an artist, but I think you should all read this book. 5 stars.
10. Fit Bodies Fat Minds: Why Evangelicals Don't Think and What to Do About It by Os Guinness. I like Os Guinness a lot. But this book was a yawner. There are any number of more interesting titles that address the same topic. 2 stars.
11. "Fundamentalism" and the Word of God by J.I. Packer. If you're wondering about the doctrine of Scripture, this is a necessity. J.I. Packer lays out the strong case for the traditional Evangelical view of the Bible. I agree. I think he clearly shows that the Bible teaches that it is the Word of God and is to be received by believers as authoritative. 5 stars.
12. The Work of the Pastor by William Still. This book is out of print but I think it ought to be in print again. Anyone considering pastoral ministry should read this. It's practical, witty, and pokes through a lot of nonsense that comes from many corners of the church these days. 4 stars.
13. Worship: Reformed According to Scripture by Hughes Oliphant Old. I really liked this book, but it's not for everyone. It is incredibly interesting to see the roots of Christian worship practices. For instance, Dr. Old starts his discussion of things like Baptism and Daily Prayer in the Old Testament and works his way up to the Reformation. I like it. 4.5 stars.
14. Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour. This is the story of a Palestinian Christian who grew up around the founding of modern Israel. He became a priest and has spent his life working to bring peace and justice to everyone in that area of the Middle East. I really liked this book. It was recommended to me by Dr. Gary Burge as the book to read to start understanding the church in the Middle East. 5 stars.
I have a bunch of books in progress now and I have about two months to finish a few more. So maybe I'll update and add to the list! But this is good for now. Enjoy!
posted by Andrew at 10:05 AM
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