This page lists my book recommendations. I will add a new one each month. I have
included a very short review as to why i have found that book helpful, but more
information can be gained from Amazon by clicking on the cover image.
April 2007
Power & Passion by Sam Wells is an
excellent book that really opens up to
me aspects of what the different gospel
narratives reveal about the events of
the passion and then applying them to
really contemprary social & politicial
challenges that we face. In the first
chapter (on Pilate) you are left more
critical of Pontius' motives and
superficial 'nothing I can do' attitude. As
is eloquently communicated, beware of those who say there is nothing they can do
and be wary of abdication yourself. The next chapters examine the narratives
surrounding Barabbus (chapter 2) and Joseph of Arimathea together with
Nicodemus (chapter 3). It argues persuasively that the problem was not that the
zealots like Barabbus were too revolutionary, but that they weren't revolutionary
enough - not going as far as to challenge the very worldview that ends are secured
only by violent force. It is more revolutionary to believe in the ultimate victory of love
& purity and to trust in the kingdom to come rather than the powers of here and now.
The other stark challenge is the shadowy, shy discipleship of Joseph &
Nicodemus. I'd never before seen the parallel of a background 'Joseph' character
who did the decent thing at the beginning and end of Jesus' life. However, both
these men appear to have had opportunity as 'prominent members of the council' to
be more public before or perhaps even to have prevented Jesus' execution. Did
they do too little too late? Do I? Anyway, read the book it really makes you think &
even manages a chapter on Pilate's wife (from just one verse) - worth a read for that
achievement alone! Plus it was the Archbishop of Canterbury's recommended
Lenten Book 2007.
March 2007
The Myth of Certainty by Daniel Taylor was the book, years ago, that first got me
seriously thinking about postmodernity and its impact on the Christian faith and how
I might respond. At the time I was wrestling with Open Theism and so I related to it
more as a testimony to the struggle that intellectual believers can have which
means they often feel neither fully at home in a simplistic church nor in a cynical
secular society (a struggle summarise in the book's subtitle). It uses a style of
writing that I enjoy; having a story that is threaded through the book - enabling
learning by narrative not just logical argument. It's also a book you can engage with
at different levels and in different ways. Rereading it now as someone who now
knows what the emerging church is and has joined in some of that conversation, I
see new things in this and relate even more to the pains and joys of the struggle.
Sometimes I feel more hopeful that this book, but above all it is good to know that
others understand and that God us too (with our questions, maybe through them).
February 2007
More Ready than you Realise by Brian McLaren is a greatly encouraging book on
evangelism that encouraged me to have a new vision of what it is and how I can
more sincerely & more enjoyable witness. Brian explores the concept of spiritual
friendships and evangelism as a two-way conversation within that context. Most
usefully (and frequently amusingly) he illustrates what he means throughout the
book by example emails back and forth between Brian (a pastor) & a young woman
whom he first meets by helping her load her heavy harp into a car. He also uses the
analogy of dance to explain how the natural flow of this openhearted witness
involves both parties sharing & responding to the moves of the other. I was also
touched by the interpretation of Peter & Cornelius as an example which starts with
the believer learning more spiritual truth from the not-yet-believer. Finally, Brian
also outlines some more useful models for considering people's relation to Jesus
(better than 'in' or 'out' approach is a model that takes account of people's
trajectories, 'toward' or 'away' from Jesus); this further challenges you to reconsider
whether the church model of letting people belong to help them come to belief is
more Christlike than the normal vice versa.
January 2007
Flame of Love by Clark Pinnock is a beautiful expression of a theology of the Holy
Spirit. Unlike many mainstream charismatic texts it studies the role of the Spirit in
creation, universally and outside the church as well as how the Spirit works with the
Son to bring salvation and drawing us into unity with God. As well as being very
moving, I felt it really captured the importance of the Spirit's role in creation,
salvation and in wider society (including those in other religions who can be
reached). It also includes a very biblically grounded perspective on baptism and
being filled with the Spirit.
December 2006
The Scripture Principle by Clark Pinnock is a masterful study on the role of
scripture and how we should approach it. With regard to academic rigour, he
thoroughly reviews all the developments in criticism and how some of these (even if
originally wrongly used by liberal sceptics) can be really helpful in honestly
evaluating what the text was meant to convey. Clark also manages to convey the
importance of approaching the text as both human & divine. Divine in that by faith
we accept it's authority over us & seek to hear God's voice through it, but also
Human in its means of communication and context (for instance accepting story and
cultural expressions).
November 2006
Free of Charge by Miroslav Volf is a deep, touching & challenging book. Drawing
on both his experience of suffering as a Croatian and his exhaustive knowledge as
a theologian, he explores the real meaning of giving & forgiving. He digs beneath
the surface of our superficial thinking about these matters, to consider the tough
issues and situations that make obedience to these twin challenges difficult. He
also has deep & profound insights into what we can do ourselves & what we need
God to do through us.
