Read Any Good Books Lately?

Beverly Nuckols (hocndoc) · Sat Jun 15, 2002 - 09:22:25

"Healing the Culture" by Robert Spitzer.
He covers 6000 years of secular philosophy in the introduction and 1st chapter. And, he's so clear that I can almost quote him from memory.

For example, he describes the basis of our modern problems as "metaphysical materialism," meaning that society only values material gain and sensations (he calls these and has devalued or completely discounted non-tangibles, such as love, contribution, and God.

Since the intangibles are not valued, our fellow humans are devalued if they don't contribute to the tangible gains that most are looking for. So, non-valuable humans are devalued further and their very "personhood" is doubted. So, the attitudes about abortion and euthanasia are reconsidered in the public sphere until they are accepted. Once they are accepted, they must be legalized. Once they are legal, they become expected, at least on a certain level. (Why should society have to pay for "unwanted" or "defective" children? And then "rights" cease being inalienable rights, and become something bestowed by society.
Life is further devalued, until the rights and personhood of the the people with more and more marginal materialistic value are in question, etc.

Wait until you see how he explains "personhood"!

Mon Jun 17, 2002 - 23:27:01

I would say that F. LaGard Smith puts himself in a tough place. On one side traditionalists will hate the book because he is basically showing how a lot of traditions are probably not like the early church. On the other side of the discussion he comes across as someone who is just trying to add a new pattern to correct one that has failed.

I enjoyed the book because it shows that the emperor has no clothes in regards to pattern theology, I didn't because it seemed to want to bind a new pattern on me, I got rid of one, don't need another.

I have been reading the writings of the early church up to about 325 a.d. Justin the Martyr is a good read. I find most of it on the internet. Have read several fred Peatross books, have read Crux of the Matter, a lot of Philip Yancey. The Worldly Church was a interesting read. Also some books on the Church of God-Anderson, Indiana.

You people have interesting discussions, thanks for allowing me to step in.

marc · Thu Jun 20, 2002 - 20:14:38

Julie--the back cover of Come to the Table features a blurb from William Willimon and identifies him as the author of Sunday Dinner. I hope that means the book's still in print. I'll have to check it out. Thanks.

spurly · Wed Aug 21, 2002 - 03:33:02

Currently I am reading three books that I would recommend to all of you. One is "Paul" by Chuck Swindoll. The second is "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge (which I am leading a small group of High School students through), and the last is "Shaping the Spiritual Life of Students" by Richard Dunn. They are all worth reading.

Booty · Tue Oct 08, 2002 - 11:40:00

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote (winky @ Oct. 07 2002,12:25)[/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]I'm re-reading [/I]Mere Christianity. It's so logical and convincing, I like to refresh myself on the basics of why Christianity makes so much sense.

Have any of you read Deadline or Dominion by Randy Alcorn? Those are great Christian fiction books that give a really thought-provoking look at spiritual warfare and what the after-life (both Heaven and Hell) might be like, all weaved into a really interesting fictional story. I just couldn't put them down.

Also in the recent past I've read The Crux of the Matter, Traveling Light, part of God's Holy Fire and Jabez: A Novel, all of which were very good.

This is a great thread. I love to have new ideas to add to my reading list.[/quote]
Frank J Paretti is another Christian author of fiction whose mission is realized through his books. We are able to find him is Spanish as well.

English books are difficult to find here so whenever someone leaves they usually donate their library to those who stay. Suffice to say that I am currently receiving a good number of books.

One question; is this western writer, Louis La Amour really that popular or could it just be the yanks that seem to travel here? I do hope I don't offend when I confess that I usually pass his books on rather quickly unless I am so desperate that I have taken to reading the ingredients of the imported products on the market shelves, (You really don't survive on some of that, that, that ...... Stuff? It is a wonder you don't explode!! )

OldDad · Wed Jun 12, 2002 - 08:02:17

Pretty self explanatory...What are you reading (or have read lately) that is worth passing on to others?

Main interest is in two categories: 1) RM authors who are grace centered, and 2) The best from "outside the tribe" of the RM. However, I really just want to know what you're reading. Any takers?

OD

Nicholas · Sat Jun 15, 2002 - 04:42:19

I recently finished the following ones

Crux of the Matter
This was an interesting book. I certainly felt like the authors were describing me when they talked about those willing to leave or consider leaving the RM wing in search of connection and experience with Jehovah God. I'll post more a more detailed review later

The Great Investment:Faith, Family,& Finance. T.D. Jakes Good introduction to principles we all should keep in mind. There were some verses that I considered stretched

Basic Christianity. John Stott
Absolutely wonderful. Should be read and re-read

Nicholas.....saved by grace

Thu Jun 20, 2002 - 17:48:52

I could not resist jumping into this conversation on two fronts:

1. I have recently read The Crux of the Matter and am reading God's Holy Fire, the first two books in a series by ACU press. Although both have weaknesses, they are worth reading for their outlook on where the restoration movement is today and our view of scripture.

I have also read Hughes, Reviving the Ancient Faith and thought it was a well done look at the history fo the restoration movement.

I most highly recommend Allen, Participating in God's Life, recently released by New Leaf Books. It is a great look ot the path the restoration movement took with regard to the Holy Spirit in the 19th Century and the crossroads we face with regard to the same issue today. I just ordered Hicks, Come to the Table and look forward with great anticipation to reading it. I recommend you order anything New Leaf publishes directly through their toll free number. I have done so twice and both times gotten to speak to Leaonard Allen personally.

If you are interested in the Lords Supper, I recommend "Communings in the Sanctuary" by Robert Richardson, a series of meditations on the Lord's Supper by Richardson who was a the personal physician to Alexander Campbell and a Professor at Behtany College in the !800s. It is available in re-print form from New Leaf [but is also available on-line at Hans Rollman's web site].

2. As to the discussion of "Radical Restoration" after reviewing Smith's comments in an interview in the Christian Chronicle [which has been run twice now, I decided I have better ways to spend my reading time and book money, so I neither have nor have read the book. In the interview he said two things that I have peviously described as "nitwittery." First he championed 4 part harmony as part of who we are. If that is even one of the significant distinctions of us as a group, we need some serious introspection. Second, he urged an abandonment of "youth ministry." The only way I can take that is a suggestion that we abandon any and all ministry to our youth. We may have differing views as to how to go about it, but his suggestion in my view will perpetuate a system where we continue to lose more of our youth than we keep. I also find it amusing that he makes these comments as a man who at about 50 has only recently been married and has no children. He is not engaging in any serious scholarship, he is merely speculating. As I said, I have better things to read, better books to buy.

seekr · Mon Jun 17, 2002 - 23:42:41

kanham, I love what you said about not needing another pattern being bound to you--AMEN to that! Our nature a lot of times does that, gets freed from one chain just to put on another. Freedom is so much better.

Maurine

Beverly Nuckols (hocndoc) · Wed Aug 21, 2002 - 05:08:13

Becoming One by Joe Beam and Equal to Serve by Gretchen Graebelin Hull.

(How's that for a good Christian woman?)

Booty · Tue Oct 08, 2002 - 11:27:49

My reading is so eclectic!!

I just finished Christian Attitudes towards War & Peace by Roland Bainton. I Now start on The Reformation of the Sixteenth Century by the same author.

For pleasure I am rereading Desire of the Everlasting Hills by Thomas Cahill. This man is so talented, I would stand in line to read his laundry lists!!

My Irish history studies is currently absorbed in For the Cause of Liberty by Terry Golway and my USA history is represented by America's Ceaser by Greg Durand. And yes I am still studying my written Spanish and combining my Venezuelan history in one by reading Seis Temas de Historia Venezuela Ildefonso Mendez Salcedo.

I have a paper to prepare on the travels of Paul for my degree pursuit and as well I must prepare for an exam on the cause and effects of gnosticism on the early church.
I also am spending hours building bookshelves!!

janine · Wed Jun 12, 2002 - 12:10:04

Ya mean besides the Bible? :)

Have recently finished, refering back to, or skimming-prior-to-deeper-reading, the following:

Daring to Dance With God, Jeff Walling;
The Courage To Be Christian, [? will insert author when I remember him!];
The Evidence for For Christ, Lee Strobel;
Take God At His Word/Experience the Power of Giving, Dr. Kregg Hood;
Holy and Reverend Is His Name, Mack Lyon;
Eat Right 4 Your Type, Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo/Catherine Whitney;
and several sci fi works, some by various authors in the Star Trek universe; others by one of my favorite authors, C.J. Cherryh, and at least one yearly re-read of Tolkein's Hobbit/LOTR cycle;

also, World Magazine and Women's World Magazine...

and then, of course, GCM!

julie danley · Sat Jun 15, 2002 - 03:31:34

I might shake things up a bit by these comments but I couldn't hold myself back from commenting. So, here it goes...those of you who read F. Lagard Smith's book, Radical Restoration...do you really think that his approach is a healthy one for the church of Christ? What is F. Lagard Smith afraid of?...that we might come to a greater realization of the power of the Spirit? that our worship might be more emotionally demonstrative and those that think might have an impact on the church and its' functions? Sorry this sounds so angry but I can't stomach so much of the stuff I hear him say or write. Please tell me what you find appealing about his writings. only by grace, Julie

julie danley · Sat Jun 15, 2002 - 21:13:11

I will try to explain what I meant by comments but this will be brief as I should be heading to work soon. I believe F. Lagard Smith would like for us to go back the church of the 1950s where men had all the power and I don't believe that restoring 1st century Christianity should be our goal. We should be thinking and reexamining where we are and what needs to be done to bring the lost to the feet of Jesus. Smith seems to be afraid of the bigger churches who are influencing the church of Christ brotherhood and he is afraid of youth and their influence on the church. He is the Rush Limbaugh of the church of Christ and has very pointedly criticized those who are doing good and I believe he needs to examine his motives. I am just surprised that so many still hang on his every word. I don't mean to be harsh but only to state my feelings. I feel that he has been divisive and hurtful. Yes, we should hear all sides but only to the point that it is beneficial. I feel his book Radical Restoration is a knee jerk response to the worship renewal that has been going on in churches of Christ across the nation. I will ask again...what is he afraid of? only by grace, Julie

susieface · Sun Jun 16, 2002 - 06:34:21

Julie and Mike,

I have to agree with you both on LaGard. I did not like his tone in Who is My Brother. I feel he is really conservative at heart. I have not read Radical Restoration yet, I have put off reading due to my unhappiness with his other book. (The only oone of his I have read). I did not like the way he seemed to "put some down". I felt I had to go all the way to the end of the book to "get" what he was saying. I was hoping Radical Restoration would be better. I agree with some he has to say, but I disagree with some also. It is really just his tone that bothers me. Is Radical Restoration a better book? I want to read it, but not if it is like the Brother book.

Old dad,
What is The Rest of the Gospel by Dan Stone about? Is it easily accessible? Any christian bookstore or where on the internet?

Susie

George · Wed Jun 19, 2002 - 17:44:54

I've read Jim McGuiggan's "Celebrating the Wrath of God" and John Mark Hicks "Come to the Table." Both are rich in material, especially the use of the Hebrew scriptures. Anything these two write is worth purchaseing.

George

Arkstfan · Wed Jun 26, 2002 - 18:34:33

I will finish Founding Brothers tonight. Then it is on to Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses. Bruce Feiler is Jewish and he writes about walking through different sites mentioned in the books of Moses.

It's funny but Amazon.com is offering a bundle deal if you buy it and John Adams. I snagged Walking at Booksamillion because it was on sale in hardback for $5.97.

My plans are to re-read Your God is too Small by J.B. Phillips and to wade into Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers before much longer.

Morris · Mon Aug 12, 2002 - 05:35:34

Lacy,
A book I think you might enjoy is Thomas C. Oden's After Modernity ... What? (Zondervan, 1990), a revision and reworking of his Agenda For Theology, 1979,
He was an extreme liberal for decades, of the ilk of liberation and other fad theologies. His insightful and scathing critique of modernity is priceless and very different from anything written by conservatives who have never been there done that.

Read a little about it here:

http://www.goodnewsmag.org/library/articles/oden-jf93.htm

I lucked up on the book for a buck at at a used book sale.

OldDad · Thu Aug 15, 2002 - 07:16:42

Is anyone familiar with John Piper? At church tonight I was given a copy of A Godward Life, and it looks like it will be good.

The back flap says he is a Baptist pastor, and has written several other books.

OD

Arkstfan · Wed Oct 09, 2002 - 14:48:48

I'm just about to finish The Great Rescue by Edward Fudge. Fantastic book!

His discussion on baptism as a non-saving yet essential can make your head hurt but the second or third time through the little light starts clicking on. To boil it down.... his argument is that faith does not save, Christ saves. Salvation is extended to all but only those with faith are saved. Baptism does not save because those without faith can be and are baptized. Those with faith though are baptized and receive remission of sins.

I really have enjoyed his discussion of Jesus as the "covenant man" who did live the law perfectly. Just as Adam representing all men brought sin into the world, Jesus representing all mankind lived perfectly.

He paints the picture of us in heaven and upon being asked if we lived up to what was expected us that we bow our heads in shame and point to Jesus saying "No but he did it for me".

marc · Sat Oct 05, 2002 - 23:17:12

Man, I can't believe I had to go so far back to find this thread! I didn't realize it had been more than a month since anyone had posted here.

I'm just posting to say that I'm finally reading john Adams not that it's out in paperback. I'm just a bit more than 100 pages in so far. Very vivid picture of Revolutionary times. As much good as I've heard about this and I'm still impressed.

btw, I've had people recommending The Road Less Travelled for a long, long time now. I'm going to have to read it soon.

mike · Tue Oct 08, 2002 - 15:00:45

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster is superb. I think it is the best book written on the spiritual disciplines.

If you like Foster, check out the following books by my favorite author, Dallas Willard:

Hearing God
The Divine Conspiracy
Renovation of the Heart.

Mike

gmk3 · Wed Jun 12, 2002 - 17:42:49

Hey,

Come to the Table by John Mark Hicks
The Jesus I Knever Knew by Phillip Yancey
Radical Restoration by F. Lagard Smith

They are all great books. I hope you get a chance to read them sometime.

Gilbert

OldDad · Thu Jun 13, 2002 - 23:25:55

Thanks for the replies so far. Added several books to my "to-be-read" list, particularly those from the RM. Have to admit, I've not kept up with RM authors outside of Lucado for quite some time. My list below reflects that...

Since the first of the year I have read (or re-read):

What God Wishes Christians Knew About Christianity by Bill Gillham. Terrible title, challenging book.

The Rest of the Gospel by Dan Stone, with Greg Smith. Best book I've read in 10 years. The section titled "Double Cross" is worth twice the price of the book.

The Handbook to Happiness by Charles Solomon. First time I'd read this older book. Great counseling resource.

Grace Works by Dudley Hall. A re-read, but worth every second.

Living with Jesus Today by Juan Carlos Ortiz. Owned this book for almost 20 years, but was never able to get past the first 30 or 40 pages until this past winter. Then I read the whole thing in one night. Simple and fascinating.

Lifetime Guarantee by Bill Gillham. Read this one every year. Revolutionized my life and ministry.

The Saving Life of Christ by Maj. W. Ian Thomas. A classic from the early sixties. The major has been a tremendous influence on the "grace teachers" in all Christian streams.

So there it is, something to offend almost everyone :p

OD

seekr · Sat Jun 15, 2002 - 19:49:22

I do not have access to books, as far as ordering new ones, but Julie piqued my interest in F. Lagard, so I looked him up and found a transcript on his views of radical restoration. What I read sounded so great, so much of what God has shown me. And yes, the institution will not accept this kind of change, but Christ's church (us) can if we stop doing things they way they've always been done. Didn't read too much on the youth thing, but what I read I agree with. I think the program has taken over relationship with each other. I didn't read anything about the acappella issue (which is no issue in God's eyes) so I cannot comment on that, but it is important that we are all flawed and wrong about some things to keep us from becoming conceited. I'm sure none of us agree with everything we read that someone has written, as I think it should be that way. But there is a lot of good to be gleaned from a lot of sources.

Maurine

kebecer1 · Mon Jun 17, 2002 - 19:27:00

Two really RM character books, I'm to read, soon enough:

"Barton Stone" (2001) and "Walter Scott: A 19th-Century Evangelical" w/ essays by scholars of all three branches of the Movement.

And, for those who give a hoot, though written for mainline Prot. congos, I'd recommend "Cracking your Congregation's Code"--for those of us trying to revitalize congregations, it's a keeper! :p

janine · Wed Jun 19, 2002 - 17:26:16

Smith comes across to me as someone who has some definite convictions about the Lord and His church, but who is willing to point out that yes, the emperor is naked...

I found nothing but loving disagreement in his 'open letter' to Max Lucado. Does he come across as swell-headed or arrogant because he dares to disagree with Saint Max? I don't know.

Maybe the perfect balance would be to alternate reading: one Lucado book, one Smith book, one Lucado, another Smith...

The author I couldn't recall was Mike Nappa, who wrote "The Courage To Be Christian". The dustjacket says things like "Entering a Life of Spiritual Passion" and "Christianity Isn't For Wimps".

segell · Wed Jun 26, 2002 - 19:04:59

I'm reading "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala. Also, "A Case for Faith" by Lee Stroebel. Highly recommend both. Mostly "Fresh Wind..." - it will bless and break your heart for serving God.

Lacy · Mon Aug 12, 2002 - 01:10:22

Janine,

Loved your examples! As you know, we are supposed to be talking to the unsaved, untaught and uncertain, but some tradition or taboo gets hooked in our minds and embedded in our congregations which causes us to talk and talk about it among ourselves instead. Everyone who becomes a member has to know about it, so we have "taboo classes" in which we initiate those coming from the denominations. Before long it is disseminated widely and becomes, not only a major topic of conversation, but a major tenet of our faith. A taboo first becomes a matter of faith, and when it is sufficiently established, it becomes a law. Eventually we live under law and have forgotten, if we ever knew, about gtace--all because we were talking to ourselves about unessentials and not to those who need to hear us talk about the things that really matter. This is an example of a legalistic church talking to itself.

But in the case I cited in the earlier post regarding a liberal denomination, the latest philosophy captures the people's minds and through this same process becomes the theology of that denomination. They have Bible classes alright, but the Bible is interpreted in the light of their new-found belief, hence, losing its value and effectiveness. It is at this point that leaders say, as one recently did, "We don't need expository sermons, what we ned is need centered sermons." So they have "need centered' classes, using some liberal book and casually refer to the Bible just to sure they are properly interpreting it in the light of their human help.

The legalist church doesn't go outside its circle but brings people in, as a spider does, but a liberal church removes their identifying circle and tries to bring everyone else in, making a bigger circle. But people who live in circles, be they small or large, talk in circles and not to the "squares" who live outside their circles.

We have "the ladie's circle," church circles, and now, I suppose, this board as a circle. I have finished my round, so I'll see you the next time around. But meanwhile, let's see if we can't get acquainted with some "squares" and talk to them about Jesus. It might help if we listen as well as talk.

Lacy

nerdneh · Thu Aug 15, 2002 - 21:02:23

Am reading Difficult Conversations by a group of authors from Harvard. Interesting book on communication. Also, enjoying Cahill's How the Irish Saved Civilization, which is almost a "must" read for history fans. Also am finding Martin Seligman's Learned Optimism somewhat of an interesting re-read.

winky · Mon Oct 07, 2002 - 16:25:02

I'm re-reading [/I]Mere Christianity. It's so logical and convincing, I like to refresh myself on the basics of why Christianity makes so much sense.

Have any of you read Deadline or Dominion by Randy Alcorn? Those are great Christian fiction books that give a really thought-provoking look at spiritual warfare and what the after-life (both Heaven and Hell) might be like, all weaved into a really interesting fictional story. I just couldn't put them down.

Also in the recent past I've read The Crux of the Matter, Traveling Light, part of God's Holy Fire and Jabez: A Novel, all of which were very good.

This is a great thread. I love to have new ideas to add to my reading list.

Booty · Wed Oct 09, 2002 - 16:08:12

This is an author I want to read!

Tue Oct 08, 2002 - 14:19:42

I've heard that "Celebration of Discipline" by Foster is good.
Found a used hardcover 20th anniversary edition online, cost me $8.48 total. Better than $22 plus tax from the local bookstore. Just hope it's not too over my head. Anyone here read it? Thoughts?

Saw a book not long ago by somebody McNutt - CoC preacher, I think -- semi-autobiographical, but also included little inspirational and humorous pieces. All I recall of the title is the last part ...
"... and Biblical Briefs" -- I wondered if it was about underwear in Bible times.
:D

janine · Wed Jun 12, 2002 - 18:12:36

I like F. LaGarde Smith, too. And Jim McGuiggan.

marc · Sat Jun 15, 2002 - 19:38:11

Hmmm. . . in the last week or two:

Discovering our Roots by Leonard Allen & Richard Hughes. Rereading bits and pieces, really.

Thy Kingship Come by David Mains. This was a little companion book for the "Chapel of the Air" radio broadcast from back when I worked in Christian radio. I've always liked the way Mains approached the kingdom in this book, with a focus on the kingship and the rule of God.

Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis. Okay, so he's not great at autobiography; his history's still first-rate.

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