What I am presently reading…

As of February 2011, I am reading the following:

1. John Maxwell’s Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know.  This is a small book and most of its principles (and illustrations and content) are similar or identical to what is found in the 21 Irrefutable Laws, but nonetheless I am going to read this because I am committing myself to reading at least one leadership book per month this year.  So far I have been challenged by the timeless principle that leaders are developed over time, not instantly.  At 36 years old this year, I am only now beginning to understand how little I know and how much I really need to learn.  I am also, with every passing year, more sensitive to how much God has taught me through the years through experience.  We may regret the mistakes of our past, but they are the chisel that God often uses to shape our character and leadership abilities. 

2. Ray E. Ballmann, The How and Why of Homeschooling.  As a homeschooling parent, I wanted to read this book because I read somewhere else that it is one of the “pillars” of the homeschool movement.  So far (only 3 chapters in), it is interesting and provocative; especially his “6 beliefs” section of chapter 2.  He makes a compelling argument for homeschooling by arguing that if you believe 6 key principles (pages 28-38), then homeschooling really is for you!  Check them out!  Maybe I’ll do a post soon on these 6 beliefs. 

3. For purely intellectual indulgence, I am reading at intervels, Robert Lightner’s book The Last Days Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Different Views of Prophecy- WHO believes WHAT about prophecy and WHY.  I picked this up for 50 cents at Goodwill recently and because I liked Lightner’s work on spiritual warfare in Angels, Satan, and Demons, I picked it up.  I need to read it because quite frankly, eschatology is my Achilles’ heal theologically.  It’s not that I don’t know “what I believe” about the major aspects of eschatology, it’s that I have a hard time coming down squarely on the particulars.  I am hoping this book helps.  It has been helpful thus far because it is not arguing for a specific position, but rather Lightner surveys the whole field and presents the various definitions, positions, arguments, etc… while allowing the reader to make up his own mind on the particulars.  Helpful book so far. 

4. The N.T. Book of Acts- I am reading this in the month of February with my children each day.  A chapter per day for the month of February (28 chapters) and discussion all along the way.  I don’t know if it’s exactly spiritual to say that one has a “favorite” book of the Bible, but if I did, it would be Acts.  I love seeing the church in action, living missionally, making Christ known, encountering oppositon, responding with boldness.  I pray that the church today would spend more time reading, contemplating, and seeking to live-out, the book of Acts. 

5. Also, I am reading a SLEW of books related to my dissertation.  Literally, there are too many books to list here as I finish my proposal and begin writing my dissertation on Asahel Nettleton and his evangelistic preaching in the Second Great Awakening.  For starters though, I would highly recommend John F. Thornbury’s God Sent Revival: The Story of Asahel Nettleton and the Second Great Awakening.  Dr. Thornbury has become and friend and mentor to me, having recently retired to Lexington.  He visits me often at church and in other social settings.  His book is a wonderful, contemporary introduction to the subject of my dissertation, evangelist Asahel Nettleton.  I read it almost every day in some capacity. 

On 11/26/07, I finished Churchless Christianity by Herbert Hoefer, 2001, William Carey Library (PhD program required reading).  The book is very controversial as well as very thought provoking.  It basically examines and analyzes (biblically and from a Lutheran perspective) a phenomenon in India whereby Indian converts to Christianity (debatable) refuse baptism or church membership on cultural grounds and prefer instead to be identified as Hindus who pray to Jesus.   Very interesting, even if you don’t agree with all of Hoefer’s conclusions. 

On 11/27, I began A Passion for Souls By Lyle W. Dorsett, 1997, Moody Publishers (PhD requirement).  This is a biography of Dwight L. Moody.  I have read Pollock’s and enjoyed it thoroughly, now I will read Dorsett’s and see how the two compare.  UPDATE (11/28) I finished Dorsett’s book tonight, and I loved it.  He is definitely and admittedly biased toward a positive view of Moody and he does a wonderful job of painting an accurate picture of a giant of a man who loved Christ, loved telling others about Christ, and loved serving Christ.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an introduction to the life and ministry of Moody.  It is more thorough and detailed than Pollock’s book (longer as well at 417 pages!) and an easy read.  I have been prone to criticize Moody in the past because of my calvinistic predisposition toward “revivalism” and “revivalist” techniques, but after “getting to know” D.L. through his biographies, I think much of the criticism directed toward him is unwarranted.  He cared deeply about individual, personalized, soul-care.  He much preferred the “one on one” encounters that took place in the inquiry rooms to the massive crowds that came to hear his preaching.  I walk away from this book thoroughly loving the man, Dwight Moody, and recommending him to all readers.

On 11/28, I began Clinton Arnold’s Powers of Darkness: Principalities and Powers in Paul’s Letters.  I will try to have a summary shortly, as I plan to have this book finished by tomorrow (Friday, 11/29).  Also, I have gone back to a book I began earlier this semester and now must continue for class next week, William Martin’s A Prophet With Honor: The Billy Graham Story.  I hope to have something to say about this book by the end of next week too.  It is very long (700+ pages) so it may take some time. 

I did eventually finish the Graham biography and all I can say is that it is a magnificent read, a must for all Christians who enjoy biography.  Martin is critical but fair and even when showing Graham “warts and all” concludes that he is a genuine force in Evangelical Christianity, a true man of God who, though not perfect, has remained above reproach in his dedication to Christ.  The surprise for me was to read just how involved Graham was in so many things throughout his ministry.  For those who think he was “just a mass-evangelist,” they should read about his involvement with the founding of Christianity Today, modern television ministry (for better or worst) and the Lausanne conference on world evangelization.  Graham is truly an amazing man, even if one concedes that he has made some mistakes.  I do know he accomplished more in his life for the glory of Christ than most will ever even attempt.   

In the month of February 2008, I have been working through a number of books. Consider the following sampling:

1. A Theology for The Church, edited by Daniel L. Akin.  Though I have only read the opening 3 chapters (required for a doctoral seminar), I was thoroughly impressed with this volume.  It is intimidating at first because of its massive size, but the material (at least in what I read) is fair and balanced, conservative and scholarly (a rare blend!) as well as very thorough.  The opening chapter on prolegomena by Greg Thornbury is absolutely excellent and should be read by all serious Christian thinkers.

 2. Safe in the Arms of God, by John MacArthur; Though I read this years ago, I am re-reading it now and using it in our church for a ladies study on dealing with the trauma of child-loss.  My wife and I are leading this together and the result has been tremendous.  The ladies who have attended, many having lost children themselves either in the womb or in infancy, are both grateful and amazed that we as a church are approaching this topic and talking about it in church.  MacArthur wrote the book out of a conviction that very few Christians know how to address the subject of the loss of an infant, especially from a biblical/ theological perspective.  This book is amazingly pastoral and allows for an excellent balance of theological understanding and practical ministerial application.  In other words, it provides biblical answers as well as teaching Christians how to minister in the midst of this crisis.  Every pastor should read this, and many more churches should be doing studies like this one for their people.  A great book to use for a small group study. 

3. Putting on the Armor: Equipped and Deployed for Spiritual Warfare, by Chuck Lawless.  This workbook written by my PhD advisor and academic mentor, is a much-needed resource for the church today.  It is in-depth enough that every pastor should study its content, but practical and simple enough that it can be worked through by any layman.  Dr. Lawless takes the spiritual warfare language of Ephesians 6 and instructs Christians in how to actually apply the truths of the spiritual armor found in this famous passage.  He works from the firm conviction that the “armor” language of this famous chapter is more than an allegory, but real instructional truth that is practical and applicable for Christian living and warfare against the enemy. 

For a brief example of how this works, consider week #3 where under the discussion of “having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” Dr. Lawless challenges Christians to consider what ”the gospel of peace” means.  It means that we must be at peace with God (in salvation and in fellowship) as well as with our fellow man (forgiveness and reconciliation).  We must surround ourselves with individuals who are praying for us to be “sharers” of our faith.  Finally, we must learn how to share our personal testimony to others.   In each of these areas, the reader is given exercises, questions and topics for discussion that help to expound on the point.  Each point is also built upon a thorough exposition of scripture. 

The study is a 7-week study requiring the student to work through a study-per-day for 5 days per week.  Also, in the back of the book is a “leader guide” for those teaching the class.  It is ideal for small group studies or personal discipleship.  I am presently teaching through the study in my adult Sunday School class, and they are loving it as well as being challenged by it. 

4. Great Leader, Great Teacher: Recovering the Biblical Vision for Leadership, by Gary Bredfeldt.  Since I have only just begun this reading, I don’t have much to comment upon yet.  It is a required reading for a seminar for the spring as well.  But I do know that I need to learn much about leadership, as does every pastor.  And where better to start than to study the scriptures to see what they say about leadership?

5. Finally, I have just started reading Indigenous Church Planting: A Practical Journey, by Charles Brock.  Not much to comment upon here yet either, except that the emphasis seems to be cross-cultural (i.e. foreign missions) and the book seems a bit tedious. 

6. I am also reading a collection of articles on church-planting by Dr. J.D. Payne, about 15 articles in all.  For devotional reading (when I have time) I am reading the Puritan writer Thomas Brooks.  His classic Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices is an insightful look into the Puritan view of spiritual warfare as well as a practical guide to recognizing and defending against the temptations of Satan.