Reading

Here is a list of books that I have found particularly helpful. The current books I am reading are at the top. This list will grow, and I will rank them (on a scale from 1 to 10) as I add to the list. Enjoy.
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Becoming Conversant with the Emergent Church - D.A. Carson

This has been a pretty good read. I have found it fairly balanced, and relatively easy to understand. He does a good job of asking the right questions, and profiles the writings of Brian McLaren without creating a caricature. So far, it gets an 8.5 out of a possible 10.

Creation Evangelism - Ken Ham

Ken does a good job of laying out the reasons why an understanding of the Biblical account of creation and the fall of man must be part of evangelism in our post-modern culture. A must read for anyone who is serious about reaching the lost with the live giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. A 10 for sure!

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The Forgotten Trinity - James R. White

So far, an excellent book.There is a lot of information here, and it will take me a while to get through it. So far (about 25% completed) its a 9.8

The Truth War - Dr. John MacArthur

I am almost finished with this one, and it has been a bit of a disappointment. There is a lot of good stuff here, but it is quite repetitive. Not his best effort.

Update: 3/4/08 I have finished it, and give it a 5.0 There are great points made throughout the book, but it is redundant and recycled material from some of his other books. That was difficult to wade through, since I read those books 10 years or more ago, and it made this current text familiar and a bit boring at the same time. I kept saying to myself’ “I get it, move on…” The appendix in the back is good, and so are the notes. I think this book could have been much shorter, possibly a smaller paperback, and been much more useful. Then I could hand it out to people I know who want to know something about the emerging church from a critical perspective.

I wouldn’t pass it by, but I wouldn’t rush out to buy it either.
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God at Work - Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
9.0

A very good book for understanding the doctrine of vocation, from a Lutheran perspective. If you can wade through that, you will glean a lot of useful ideas from it.

Putting Amazing Back Into Grace - Dr. Michael Horton
9.8

Another very good book, that got me really excited about Reformation Theology, and was formative in my thinking. Highly recommended!

When Choice Becomes God - F. LaGard Smith
8.5

An excellent book if you want to understand pro-choice thinking. I believe that the understanding of the philosophy explored in this book is applicable to other aspects of the popular culture as well.

Why Government Can’t Save You - Dr. John MacArthur
8.0

A good book if you are looking for an alternative to political action. Worth the read.