2010 Reading Log

See 2009 Reading Log

January 2010

Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, by John Frame.  First time reading through DKG. Frame’s multiperspectivalism is much clearer now that I seen how he lays the groundwork himself. Would have been helpful, I think, to read this before Doctrine of God. Great read!

How People Change, by Tripp and Lane.  One of the three best books on pastoral care (others being Seeing with New Eyes and Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands).

Dug Down Deep, by Joshua Harris.  A great book to hand young Christians on the importance of thinking deeply on God for the Christian life. Theology is practical and Harris displays it biographically. He has put the cookies on the lower shelf, but shows the shelf with the crème brûlée and has given us the ladder to reach it.

Contagious Christian Living, by Joel Beeke.   To be frank, I think pastors should be getting handfuls of this little book for their congregations.

Calvin, by Bruce Gordon.  Best biography on Calvin.  The new standard.

February 2010

The Secret Providence of God, by John Calvin.  Its a book by Calvin on the providence of God – its like reading Einstein on math.  You should read it.

Liberating Black Theology: The Bible and the Black Experience in America, by Anthony Bradley.  I’m very grateful for Anthony Bradley’s unique book. Its a good lesson on how to not only engage with Black and Liberation Theology, but with any theological system. Students and pastors should take note. This book deserves some significant attention

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The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline, by Jonathan Leeman. The Gospel is offensive to our culture and Leeman doesn’t take the offense out of it. He argues, convincingly, that we must not take the offense out of Church membership and discipline either, for the sake of the Gospel.

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The Providence of God, by Paul Helm. Helm is, more and more, becoming the contemporary God-father of a classically reformed understanding of God. In this book, “The Providence of God”, Helm hovers over some major issues, often making the remark, “There is not space here to go much deeper….” Yet, Helm successfully, in my opinion, makes his case for a “no risk”, Compatiblistic understanding of the providence of God. For some further discussion on his understanding, see his article in the new John Frame festschrift “Speaking the Truth in Love.”

March

You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions, Chester, Tim. I can’t say enough about this book. Pastors should have stacks of it ready to hand out. You Can Change is a gospel-centered guide for biblical change, based upon life-giving theology.

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction,William Knowlton Zinsser. Its a classic that I’ve read before, but was reminded afresh of all my bad writing habits. Zinsser has the ability to show you how bad of a writer you are and, then, make you laugh about it – for whatever thats worth.

Trials of Theology, The: Becoming a ‘proven worker’ in a dangerous business,  Andrew Cameron.  A good, meaty book to hand a high schooler or college student who is considering or getting ready to enter theological studies for the pastorate.

The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church, Timothy Witmer.  Wise and practical counsel for those few men who will have to give an account for those whom they shepherd. Its one of those books that every serious pastor should read and re-read. I’m really happy I read it.

Leaders Who Last (Re: Lit Books), Dave Kraft. My friend, David Murray, loved this book. I was less than impressed with it (Zinsser, see above, probably wouldn’t have liked that sentence). I felt like I was reading the manuscript of a motivational speech the entire time. Some good content, though.