We share reading lists on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Jennifer’s.
Just started
1. A Place for Weakness: Preparing Yourself for Suffering
by Michael S. Horton
I’m reading this with some very engaged believers at Elizabeth’s.
Good book; good discussion.
2. Christianity & Liberalism
by J. Gresham Machen
I’ll be reading this one with friends at Tim Challies beginning June 2 for six weeks. Join us! It’s an oldie (1923) but a relevant goodie (or so they say; I’ll find out for myself). Named one of the top 100 books of the century (the 20th century) by World magazine.
3. Blood of Paradise: A Novel
by David Corbett
I don’t read much fiction. And this isn’t really the kind I prefer. But I checked this one out from the library because its setting is El Salvador (where I’m going this summer). And sometimes I get a better feel for a place by reading fiction than non-fiction.
4. The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion
by Tim Challies
Technically, I’m not reading this one. But I am listening to it digitally (which seems so appropriate, huh?). It’s the free audiobook of the month at Christian Audio. And a very good one so far! I’m beginning chapter 4.
Still reading
5. Pujols: More than the Game
by Scott lamb, Tim Ellsworth
Almost finished. It’s a LOT of baseball stats. I skim those parts. I mainly want to know about the man and his mission. It’s in the book too.
Finished from April’s nightstand
6. Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God
by John Piper
Very good. Classic Piper. How does thinking relate to our pursuit of knowing and loving God? He aims to eliminate the either-or thinking between head and heart, thinking and feeling, reason and faith.
7. The Greener Grass Conspiracy: Finding Contentment on Your Side of the Fence
by Stephen Altrogge
Do you ever think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence?
Read this book.
8. God in the Yard: Spiritual Practice for the Rest of Us
by L. L. Barkat
This is a doing book, not just a reading book. It contains chapters with prompts for 12 weeks of spending time outside with God. It was a valuable experience for me.
* * *
What’s a good book that you have read lately?
14 comments:
As you know, I'm reading the first two right along with you. The Pujols book sounds interesting, too. I'll have to give that one a look.
I have Think, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
My list is also up.
Melissa,
It’s just a hunch, but I think I’m going to have to read much slower in “Christianity & Liberalism”. I started the first few pages (? or whatever you call it on a Kindle, ha) last week. So glad we’re in these two books together.
I still haven't finished this week's reading for "A Place for Weakness" but it's provoking a lot of thought so far...
Think sounds intriguing. I get a little frustrated when some get into either/or statements about head and heart. It would be nice to see someone show how they work together.
Hmmm...I enjoy Michael Horton so I might have to check that one out. I need to download a copy of the Machen book still. Wasn't Think good?! I'm wanting to read Greener Grass soon. I really enjoy his blog. Great list as usual! :-)
Barbara,
Piper does a good job connecting the dots between the head and heart and how they serve each other, not function independently. Sometimes you run into churches that lean heavily one way or the other too (I know firsthand), but of course it's always best to blend both. If you like Piper books, you’d enjoy this one too. I like that he’s heavy on scripture.
Kara,
I have never seen Stephen Altrogge's blog. I hesitate to go find it though because do I need to add another blog to Google Reader? No! ha. This is my first Michael Horton book. I'm finding he asks lots of the same questions I do, but he answers them. :-)
Hmmmm ... Christianity and Liberalism does sound intriguing. I am wondering just what liberalism meant in 1923? I'm assuming, something quite different from today's definition.
I bought a copy of The Greener Grass Conspiracy based on your review--but after a few chapters I told a friend about it and now I'm holding off while she acquires a copy so we can read it together. It's SO good.
While I'm not reading Christianity and Liberalism along with the Challies' book club, I am looking forward to reading the book club's thoughts on the topic. I've recently read a few articles talking about the history of liberal theology, fundamentalism, and evangelicalism--and I'm curious to learn a bit more. My curiosity is also piqued because I'm currently reading an "Introduction to Christianity" that includes some pretty liberal theology--and I'm interested in learning a bit about how this (dare I say wacko?) theology developed.
Wow. You have an awesome reading list. :) Enjoy!
That's a great idea about reading fiction to get a sense of a place. My husband went to El Salvador a number of years ago and really enjoyed it.
Bekah,
I hope The Greener Grass Conspiracy lives up to the expectations I laid out for it. I actually went back through it today to finish typing up the quotes I wanted to remember, and was surprised again at how much I need it, especially in the realm of complaining. I really don’t think of myself as a “complainer” but when I listen to different things that come out of my mouth, um, it’s complaining.
I’m not really sure what to expect from Christianity and Liberalism. It’s not a book I probably would have chosen to read on my own so I’m glad I’ll have Challies’ group to lean on. Your book sounds interesting; I hope you’ll do a review when you’re finished with it.
Trish,
I used to feel guilty reading fiction, like it was a frivolous way to spend my time, but I finally realized that I learn a lot from reading fiction (not to mention being entertained). I still don’t read much but I do occasionally love getting caught up in a great story. That’s cool that your husband has been to El Salvador! Glad to hear he enjoyed it. I really don’t know what to expect…
I enjoyed Think a lot, and I thought Pujols was a fun read (but I also think baseball stats are interesting).
I want to read Think and have been thinking of joining up with Challies blog.
Enjoyed reading your list!
Amy @ Missional Mama
I JUST stuck A Place for Weakness on my Amazon wishlist after reading some of Melissa's thoughts on it.
And I thought all of your remarks about Tim Challies' new book were punny and ironic. ("Technically...")
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