Individual Entry: Christian Reading List
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May 25, 2009

Books , Faith : Christian Reading List

I often get asked, out of the many book I have read, which ones I would most recommend to other Christians to read. Now obviously we are all in different places in our journey with God, and so what books would be helpful to one individual might be different from those which would be helpful to someone else. Still there are certain books that I tend to turn to time and time again, and I have finally gotten around to organizing a formal list of highly recommended books.

To make this list, I looked through my shelf, my blog entries, and a log I have been keeping since November of books I have read. I initially started with 25 books I would recommend, wanted to get it down to a “top ten”, and finally compromised at 15 books. Here’s what I came up with:

“Repenting of Religion: Turning from Judgment to the Love of God” by Gregory A. Boyd
A great book that really gets to the root of how Christianity represents a fundamentally different world view, and how so much of what is called “Christianity” isn’t. If you want to read about a church that really applies these ideas, I’d suggest “No Perfect People Allowed” by John Burk.

“Searching for God Knows What” by Donald Miller
Christianity is about relationship, not religion. This book really captures that idea.

“Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith” by Rob Bell
A great explanation of Christianity which uses new metaphors and also reconnects it with its Jewish root.

“The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer To The Heart Of God” by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge
A great “big picture” view of Christianity in the context of Eternity. Another book in this vein is “Epic”, also by Eldredge, and the DVD of Eldredge “performing” Epic is fantstic.

“Messy Spirituality” by Mike Yaconelli
A reminder that God has never been looking for perfect people (they don’t exist); but rather likes to collect around Himself spiritual misfits and losers who are willing to Follow Him.

“Start Here: Kingdom Essentials for Christians” by Don Willliams
A great answer to the question “OK, I’m saved. Now what?” This would likely be review to older Christians; but a very useful review.

“How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth” by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart
By far the best single book I have found about how to study the Bible. Raises all of the kinds of questions which should be asked when looking at any portion of the Bible.

“Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship With God” by Dallas Willard
God’s intent is to communicate with every Christian as a normal part of their lives. This is the best book I have found on that subject.

“The Rest of the Gospel: When the Partial Gospel Has Worn You Out” by Dan Stone, David Gregory, and Sally Rackets
We were never meant to live our lives as Christians in our own strength. God’s intent was that we would live victorious lives by the power of Jesus living in and through us. This book explores exactly what that means.

“This Beautiful Mess: Practicing the Presence of the Kingdom of God” by Rick McKinley
A great teaching on what it means to demonstrate God’s Kingdom to a hurting world

“The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible” by Scot McKnight
Another great book on how to study the Bible with a different style than Fee and Stuart’s book above.

“The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church” by Gregory A. Boyd
A must-read for any American Christian. All about how Christians should view the relationship of Church and State.

“Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality” by Donald Miller
A very honest and open memoir of one Christian coming to understand the faith. I recommend this book both in terms of what the author learns and in his willingness to talk about his life, faults and all. He’s a great example of what Christia transparency should be.

“Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens” by Neil Cole
A great book on some alternative ways to “do church”. I recommend this highly to anyone who thinks that your typical Sunday church service is the only way to do things. I would also recommend (with some reservations) “Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity” by Frank Viola.

“Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile” by Rob Bell and Don Golden
A great Christian perspective on activism - how we are to serve in the world’s redemption, not through secular means by by the Kingdom of God.

Posted by Steven at May 25, 2009 05:00 AM

Comments

Posted by: Tina at December 3, 2009 01:53 PM

Posted by: Tina at December 3, 2009 01:54 PM