Fall 2011 Reading List

Here are a few books recommended by some of our staff for Fall reading! Enjoy!

1. Eugene H. Peterson's book, Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading, will take its rightful place on my list of twenty must read books for any Christian, even though I don't agree with every point made in it. Peterson wants to make reading the Bible personal, relational, and transformational. Instead of someone being lord of the text, examining it as if in a laboratory or solely coming to it for information or with a desire to build a dogmatic belief system, he wants the reader of the Bible to submit their life to the transforming, power-filled, recreating, inspirational thoughts of Scripture. He wants us to read the Bible in everyday language and metaphors that helps us relate to, understand, enter into and live within God’s currently unfolding story.
   
2. Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch's book, The Faith of Leap, is a convicting read dealing with the theology of risk and adventure in the church. This book is a corrective to the dull, adventureless, risk-free phenomenon that describes so much of contemporary Christianity. It explores the nature of adventure, risk, and courage and the implications for church, discipleship, spirituality, and leadership.
3. D.A. Carson's book, The God Who Is There, is an excellent introduction to the God of the Bible for both seekers, new believers and those who need to go back to some foundational principles. In this basic introduction to faith, D. A. Carson helps readers to know what they believe and why they believe it. A wonderful read!
4. Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle's book, Erasing Hell, addresses the deepest questions you have about eternal destiny. Like you, sometimes the authors just don't want to believe in hell. But they state up front, "We cannot afford to be wrong on this issue." This is not a book about who is saying what. It's a book about what God says. It's not a book about impersonal theological issues. It's a book about people who God loves. It's not a book about arguments, doctrine, or being right. It's a book about the character of God.