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.) 

A Film You Might Have Missed: God Grew Tired of Us (2006)

A few months back I was talking to a guy from my church about films, documentaries in particular. He recommended that I see a documentary called God Grew Tired of Us. I thought that, if nothing else, it was an interesting title.

The film (directed by Christopher Quinn and narrated by Nicole Kidman) tells the larger story of southern Sudanese Christians who were driven out of their country by northern Sudan's Muslim Arabs during the second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005). Thousands of refugees walked over 1,000 miles to northern Kenya for sanctuary, where their hollow, emaciated bodies sought food and shelter. (I warn you: the footage in this section is graphic.) Relief does come to many; several of these "Lost Boys" are given an opportunity to go to America where they might work to rescue those of their families who remain behind.

Yet the smaller story of three of these boys (men by this time) is the main focus of the film. Daniel Abol Pach and Panther Bior get placed in Pittsburgh, John Bul Dau in Syracuse, NY. While in America, they will have to earn enough money to first pay for their airfare to America before they can help support their families.



From this point, God Grew Tired of Us becomes a multifaceted film that touches on themes of joy, cultural confusion, adjustment, loneliness, striving, unrest and hope. These men have no idea how to react to American culture. Some of them have never even experienced electricity. Without realizing it, the men point out some of the less attractive aspects of American culture. After one year in America, Panther comments, "In the United States, people are not friendly. You can find someone that's walking in the street by himself, you know, don't even talk, you know. You cannot go to the house of somebody you don't know, though you are all Americans. They call the police and say, 'why did this guy come to my house? I don't know him." In one of the film's most telling scenes, John looks in wonder at all the Christmas lights, Christmas trees, all the signs of commercialism and says (paraphrase), "There are so many ways to celebrate Christmas here... All our people have is Jesus Christ."

The camera follows these men for three years during which time they work two or three jobs so they can send money home. It doesn't take long for them to understand that people working minimum wage jobs can't get very far. In one scene, John sits down, tired from all his work, and reflects on what life was like during the genocide in Sudan. He's clearly thankful for his new life in America, but longs to see his family again. He realizes that because of the genocide (which at this point is still going on), this may never happen. When he was a boy of thirteen in Sudan, one of his jobs was burying the bodies of the slaughtered. "I began to think," John reflects, "that God had given up on us."

God Grew Tired of Us shows us all the things we take for granted as Americans. It shows us what it's really like to be a stranger in a strange land. And it shows us the lengths that some people will go to in order to provide for the ones they love. I don't want to tell you too much more; I'd rather you see the film for yourself. Be prepared for an incredible experience.

World of Faith and Freedom (NF 2008) - Thomas F. Farr

World of Faith and Freedom: Why International Religious Liberty is Vital to American National Security (NF 2008) - Thomas F. Farr (Hardcover, 384 pages, $29.95, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780195179958) Available in stores, online, and on the Amazon Kindle.

The concepts of democracy and religious liberty are closely tied to our nation’s history, yet the State Department has largely left religion out in matters of U.S. foreign policy. Veteran State Department officer Thomas F. Farr’s book World of Faith and Freedom explains why and argues that religious freedom should be an indispensable element of our foreign policy.

Keith Pavlischek, Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center (and member of SPEP) has written an excellent review of Farr’s book. His review, originally published in Touchstone Magazine, can be found here.

Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, an American Town (2009) - Warren St. John

Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, an American Town (NF 2009) Warren St. John (Hardcover, 320 pages, $24.95, Spiegel & Grau, ISBN 9780385522038) Available in stores, online, and on the Amazon Kindle.

What’s this? A book about soccer for this month’s book recommendation? Maybe I’ve been hanging out too much with Trip? Allow me to explain: Several of my friends (including Trip) are passionate about soccer. Since they’re my friends, and friends typically want you to share in their interests, they’ve tried to engage me in a love for soccer, alas, to no avail. So when I tell them I’ve just read this great book and that it’s a book about soccer, they’re quite skeptical.

I don’t blame them, especially since I’m still not that interested in soccer. But I am interested in people, particularly people from different cultures. I’m interested in how we all try (and mostly fail) to understand each other. Outcasts United is a book I care about because it forces us to deal with these issues on both microscopic and global levels.

Outcasts United is the story of the Fugees from Clarkston, Georgia, a soccer team (actually three teams of varying ages) made up of refugees from such war-raved countries as Liberia, Sudan, Congo, Burundi, Somalia, Ethiopia...and those are just the African countries. It’s also the story of how a small Southern town handles the mixing of cultures into their small corner of the world. It’s a fascinating study of culture. The book is certainly making me examine my own reactions to people of different cultures. “What if all these people from different countries moved into my community? Would I be welcoming or fearful?”

Take that a step further. Would I be willing to share my faith with people from other cultures? Or try to understand theirs? Would I be willing to invite them to church? Even on a more fundamental level, would I be willing to simply talk with them? Or would I give in to local peer pressure and just ignore them?

It is impossible to read this book and not take a look at yourself. This is not a “Christian” book, per se, but it is a book Christians should read. Why? Because the Global Community is here and it can’t be ignored (nor should it be). Outcasts United is an engaging, humorous, sometimes sad, and often thrilling look at the challenges of living in that Global Community.

The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith (NF 2008) - Tim Keller

The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith (2008) - Timothy Keller (Hardcover, 160 pages, $19.95, Dutton, ISBN 978-0525950790) Available in stores and online.

At first glance you might think this thin volume from Tim Keller (pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City) would have more to do with spiritual growth than with culture, but the book provides plenty of richness in both areas. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is familiar to millions of Christians, but Keller expounds the Luke 15 text to show that this isn't just the story of the prodigal son. There's much more to it. (And what about the book's title? The Prodigal God? You'll have to read the book!)

Keller challenges both our spiritual and cultural assumptions of how we should look at God the Father and the ways we seek (or fail to seek) Him. When hearing this parable, we typically dwell more on the prodigal than the elder brother who did not rebel. But, says Keller, each represents a different way to be alienated from God.

But wait a minute! Wasn't the elder brother who stayed with his father more obedient? As Keller shows from Scripture, the two brothers are more alike than they first appear.

This is a fascinating, convicting, comforting and biblical look at a familiar text. The Prodigal God is a great book for private devotionals, group studies or discussion groups. Highly recommended.

Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be (NF 2008)

Why We’re Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be (NF 2008) - Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck (Trade paperback, 256 pages, $14.99, Moody Publishing, ISBN 9780802458346) Available in stores and online.

Maybe you’ve heard of the emergent movement in Christian circles. Or maybe you haven’t, but have heard of some of its people. Names like Rob Bell (author of Velvet Elvis), Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz), Brian McLaren (The Secret Message of Jesus) and others crop up in discussions of emergent leaders. Authors Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck are not emergent and although they see much good in the movement, they also see much danger.

The good comes in what the authors believe to be a genuine attempt by the emergent church to reach the lost. The bad comes in the form of their theology. It seems many emergents are seeking to reach unbelievers by convincing them that Christians and non-Christians alike are all on a sort of mysterious spiritual journey to discover God. That might sound like a noble effort, but too many emergents convey the idea that they’re searching for God without having found any answers and without the authority of God’s word.

DeYoung (senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) and Kluck (a writer for many sports venues including ESPN the Magazine) could both easily be mistaken for emergents. They’re thoughtful, young, and seeking to engage the diversity of our culture for Christ. Yet they’re not emergent. By a careful examination of Scripture and emergent theology, the authors show why they aren’t emergent...and why we shouldn’t be, either.

DeYoung’s chapters are somewhat academic (but very readable), closely examining the theological aspects and deficiencies of the emergent movement, while Kluck’s are more personable, reminiscent of a conversation you might have with a good friend. The combination of styles works well, giving the book a broader scope and depth than perhaps could have been achieved by a single author. For anyone who wants to know what the emergent church is all about, or for anyone who wants to engage the culture in a biblical manner, Why We’re Not Emergent is an excellent book.