The Best of 2012 in Books

Early in 2012, I challenged the congregation of my church to read at least three books throughout the year, books having to do with some aspect of the Christian life. Many people shared those books with me, so now I want to share with them (and you) some of the best books on the Christian life that I encountered in 2012:

When I am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety (2010) - Edward T. Welch

Although meant to be a companion workbook to Welch’s Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God Rest, this short book actually stands on its own, covering what for many Christians are real problems: anxiety, worry, fear and depression. If you don’t want to tackle the larger book, or if you’re not sure how much anxiety, worry, fear and depression are a part of your life, this book is for you. 

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream (2010) - David Platt

I have talked to Christians who both love and hate this book. Radical does have some problems and maybe could’ve been presented more carefully, but Platt is more concerned with challenging our ideas about the American Dream and helping others than he is with being too careful. Sometimes that approach works to his detriment, but for me, this book challenged the way I think about helping others and in particular how I think about missions. 

A Praying Life (2009) - Paul E. Miller

Absolutely essential. This book has transformed my prayer life in ways I could never have imagined. Whether your own prayer life is solid, non-existent, or somewhere in between, read this book. 

Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books (2011) - Tony Reinke

Anyone who loves reading will enjoy this book, Christian or not, but it is certainly geared toward Christians. The author’s passion for reading (and not just Christian literature) is evident on every page. Reinke addresses not only those who love to read, but those who hate to read, those who want to read more, those who read only Christian literature, and.... well, just about everybody else.  

A Kingdom Called Desire: Confronted by the Love of a Risen King (2011) - Rick McKirley

“How?” is the question most Christians ask. The question we should be asking is “Why?” Not, for instance, “How do I get what I want?” but “Why do I want what I want?” This book will open your eyes to what you really desire most. 

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness (2012) - Timothy Keller

A short, but powerful look at what our lives should really be about, and it’s not ourselves: it’s others. Keller doesn’t mess around and he doesn’t mince words. A very short book you can read in an hour, but will stick with you long afterward. 

This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence (2009) - John Piper

Anything by John Piper is worth your time and this book is no exception. We've often heard about marriage being a picture of Christ's love for the church, but that teaching is usually given in haste without a proper contemplation of all it implies. Piper corrects all that here. My only quibble is that Piper sometimes tends to belabor some points and rush through others. Still, an excellent resource on marriage.

Crying for a Vision and Other Essays (2007) - Steve Scott

British-born musician and poet Scott combines his deep love of Scripture with a deep love for the arts in a series of exceptional and sometimes challenging essays on how Christians should engage and support artistic endeavors. 

Redeeming Science: A God-Centered Approach (2006) - Vern S. Poythress

I thought my head was going to explode during parts of this, but it was certainly worth the effort. Poythress is - odd as it may sound - a Christian with very high views of both Scripture and science. Christianity and science, says Poythress (with doctorates in theology and science), are not antagonistic, or at least shouldn’t be. An astounding book, but be prepared to expand your mind. 

Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom & Discernment (2009) - Brian Godawa

Previous thoughts here. 

Republocrat (NF 2010) - Carl R. Trueman

Previous thoughts here. 

Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples (2010) - Jim Putnam

My good friend Trip gave me this book, which is an excellent examination on how to help people in and out of the church as they grow spiritually. Putnam puts all Christians into one of four categories: spiritual infants, spiritual children, spiritual young adults and spiritual parents. It’s a humbling read, but biblical and very practical for all Christians, not just those leading or mentoring others.

Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate (2012) - Justin Lee

I could write pages on this one. Whether you’re Christian, gay, both or neither, you should read this book. Honest and heartfelt, Lee delivers a stunning look at what it was like for him growing up both Christian and gay. I may not agree with all of Lee’s logic and Bible exegesis, but I greatly admire his courage, honesty and faith. Like me, you may not agree with Lee, but this book could very well become a needed bridge in understanding how to engage the gay community.

Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Plan for the World (2012) - Timothy Keller

Yes, Keller is good enough to place two books on my list. (I could’ve included a third!)

If you’ve ever wondered about how you can be a Christian and suffer through working for an absolute jerk, this book is for you. If you’ve thought that work is a necessary evil, this book is for you. If you love your work, this book is for you. No matter what your relationship to work, Keller’s book is an eye opener. (And any book that starts with a quote from John Coltrane can’t be bad.)

That’s it - the best books I read this year on Christianity. Let me know what you read.  

Genesis for Normal People (2012) - Peter Enns, Jared Byas

Genesis for Normal People: A Guide to the Most Controversial, Misunderstood, and Abused Book of the Bible (2012) - Peter Enns, Jared Byas

Patheos Press, 136 pages

Trade Paperback ISBN 9781939221032 $12.99

Kindle eBook $8.99

Stories are not waiting to be molded to fit our experience. They are waiting for us to take the risk of entering the world of story and be changed by it.

Too often readers go to the Book of Genesis to prove a point. Maybe that point is a scientific one about how the world really began. Maybe someone is seeking to discover what happened to the dinosaurs. Or maybe someone else just wants to discover how mankind could so royally mess things up. Authors Peter Enns and Jared Byas waste no time in telling us that Genesis is, by and large, a story, not a scientific textbook, not an exhaustive account of creation, and certainly not a book of irrelevancies for the 21st century. It’s a story of relationships, specifically the relationship between God and the people He created. 

Since it’s the first book in the Bible, Christians usually go to Genesis to start our “Read the Bible in a Year” (or longer, in my case) plans. Inquisitive Non-Christians looking for answers tend to start there, too. For both groups of people, things can get confusing if not downright frustrating. 

What makes reading Genesis so frustrating is the fact that we are living in the 21st century, looking at the story with 21st century eyes when we should be trying to focus on what the book’s ancient author was trying to convey to ancient readers and hearers. The book’s original audience didn’t care about the Big Bang or dinosaurs. They didn’t even know the world was round, for cryin’ out loud! They needed to know who they were as a people, that their faith was in God and that God was going to see them through, no matter what. God was there in the beginning, He will be there in the end and at every stop along the way. And He will not give up on His people. 

The fact that the authors are able to shift our paradigms in just a little over 100 pages* is remarkable. For seasoned Christians, the tone of the book may be a little off-putting; while Enns and Byas want you to think like an ancient, their writing style is pure 21st century casual: non-technical and humorous, bordering on irreverent. But for non-Christians, this style might just put them at ease, showing them that Genesis is the first part of a Bible with 65 other books showing how God’s people sometimes just don’t get it and need lots of reminders. Being a person who often doesn’t get it (If you doubt that, just ask my friends and family.), I appreciate the reminders. 

In many ways, ancient Israel’s weaknesses are our weaknesses. Genesis is just the beginning of a long story that chronicles Israel’s struggle with God, its faith and belief that ultimately, God can be counted on and will see us through from beginning to end and beyond. 

And it’s our story, too.     

4/5

*(The eBook version I bought includes a study guide with questions for individual or small group use. I have not seen the print version, but assume it includes the guide and questions as well.)