Gotten a couple requests from people wondering about some good books to read. There are tonne of great books to read. Most of the books that I would recommend are listed on the Book list on the right hand side of my blog (hopefully I'll keep it up to date with my favourite books and the ones that i'm reading). However, for those of you who want a peek into my reading schedule. I'll do an update of the books I've recently read:
1. Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon (Hardcover)
by Bryan Chapell (Author) Amazon Link
This and three other books were required reading for my preaching course. Really gave me a good handle on Expository preaching and the importance of making it Christ-centred. If we miss Christ as the centre of the gospel and of our preaching we can over-emphasise our own works or our worse still, we (the preacher) can come across as the star and not Christ. Really enjoyed my preaching subject as it grounded me in a lot of the basics of preaching that I didn't have a chance to formally learn. When I get back, look out for full-on Christ-centred, Bible based, Expository Sermons with passion!
I'm kinda making my way through C S Lewis' books whenever I get the chance. This is a really cool book that explains Miracles for the skeptic. I like how CS Lewis approaches all of his explanation problems. He starts with the lay person and systematically explains the world that he lives in. Also, he is SUCH a good writer. Man, if only I could write as well as he could. I think the first step to being a good writer is having a great middle name ... something like 'staples'. My favourite is a chapter call 'Little Horrid Red Things'
3. Faith Seeking Understanding by Daniel Migliore Amazon Link 
If you're after a passionate, easy to read book on Theology (Systematic) ... covering most of the big topics, this is a worthwhile read. Sure you're only going to get Migliore's version of theology, but for the most part its pretty spot on. I really enjoyed reading it, even though I had to read it for Systematic Theology II. Especially like the quote in the section about humanity where it talks about Man being sentient but not able to even fully understand himself. Ok, Migliore puts it a lot more eloquently, and if I was near the book, I'd quote it directly.
If you're instead keen on Biblical Theology this is a good intro read. Biblical Theology looks at the Bible from start to finish, focussing on the big picture of what's going on in the whole story of the Bible (the metanarrative). The previous book looked at topics all across the bible, this book starts at the beginning of the bible and takes you to the end, drawing in common threads and themes. I like it because it very quickly gives you the major things to focus on. Sometimes we focus on the minor things and forget what's really important in the Bible. Aussie author! yay.
Ok, here's on that's not about theology. As you know I also try to read material outside of just theology. This is a random book I picked up at Borders that turned out to be a very interesting read. I never really knew much about the American informercial industry. It was great to see them deconstruct all of the different dodgy tricks being used by the advertisers to lure in unsuspecting buyers. On top of that, it was even more fascinating to learn how successful they were at what they were doing. Amazing really. Great story.
Well .. that's it from me. Just looked across at the shelf of books and there are so many that I could be writing about. I guess it'll have to wait. On my list for this week is: The monkey and the fish, three views on the rapture, don't stop believing, two views on women in ministry and hopefully, i'll have time to get to NT Wright's new book "Justification".
Look forward to your comments
tYA2Cz Excellent article, I will take note. Many thanks for the story!
Posted by: 1267887007 | 06 March 2010 at 08:50 AM