These are just a few from my own library, and if you have some you think worthy of sharing, please let me know. I love to read!
The links to the books below all lead to Amazon.com because as an Amazon Associate I earn (a tiny pittance) from qualifying purchases. It seemed like a convenient way to get you the best price I know of. However, if you trace the author’s book back to its publishing company, then the author gets a better commission, and the publishing company fairs better as well.
At the bottom of this page (you will have to scroll a bit) are books that have changed me.
Book Reviews
“Primal Intelligence,” by Angus Fletcher (Part 2)
Fletcher’s challenge to make new plans when the environment changes, and to junk our must successful plans (that was then, this is now) is bracing counsel that sits well, as is his exhortation to be bold. A mentor of mine once urged me to “fail fast and fall hard,” or something like that. “Cut away…
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“Primal Intelligence,” by Angus Fletcher (Part 1)
The human brain thinks in story, and that kind of thinking can be observed in intuition, imagination, emotion, and common sense. Mentally, I was rubbing my hands with anticipation to read this book, and I was not disappointed.
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“Ecosemiotics,” by Timo Maran
Perhaps we view Maran in the way we might view a Hebrew Testament prophet, as one who is telling us the awful truth while there is yet time to do something about it.
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“Passions of the Christ” by F. Scott Spencer (and Steve Chong)
Steve Chong is a pastor in Australia, and a student together with me in Portland Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program in Semiotics. In our program, we read lots of deep and heady books, then comment on them to each other in a weekly forum. Just recently, we were reading and talking about F. Scott Spencer’s…
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“Passions of the Christ” by F. Scott Spencer
I was already intrigued by and warmly disposed to reading a book about Jesus’s emotional life. Clearly he had one, being, as it were, fully human, and though ancient texts do not spend nearly the time modern ones do on descriptive detail in this vein, still, the Gospels all portray Jesus as having a range…
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Guest Post: “Seeing Creation as Ongoing Revelation” by Trey Harris
Trey Harris is a pastor in North Carolina, and a student together with me in Portland Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program in Semiotics. In our program, we read lots of deep and heady books, then comment on them to each other in a weekly forum. In the following post, Trey offers wisdom and poetry inspired…
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“Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart,” by Russ Ramsey
The discussion of pain, that sharing is a precondition for dignity and hope, that we mistake suffering as failure rather than a means of grace, and that our sorrows are hallowed by God, “who enters fully into the painful stories of our own lives,” is so richly realized in the lives of the artists highlighted…
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“Telos,” by Leonard Sweet and Len Wilson
“Telos” is a Greek word meaning “consummation,” which positions it as apposite to eschatology, which studies those things which will occur at the end of time.
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“Church Going,” by Andrew Ziminski
Early on I came to trust the order of our book selections, as each builds on the ones that come before. Church Going lives up to that trust. I found this narrative delightful, enjoyable, and informative. Again, as I read along, pieces fell into place for me.
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“Parish Church Treasures,” by John Goodall
Though I never have had that home-church-for-centuries experience, I find myself wishing I had experienced what that must have been like
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“A History of English Churches,” by Matthew Byrne
So, this was a fascinating book, and I really enjoyed reading it. I’ve never made English archaeology my study, though I (like everyone else) went through my Arthurian phase and read The Crystal Cave, Mary Stewart’s (1916–2014) Arthurian saga.
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“Contextual Intelligence,” by Leonard Sweet and Michael Beck
Throughout this book, the authors refer to the tribe of Issachar’s contribution to Israel’s strength.
“Of Issachar, those who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, two hundred chiefs, and all their kindred under their command.”
1 Chronicles 12:32 NRSVUE
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“The Love of Learning and the Desire for God,” by Jean Leclercq
For the monk, everything, all things, if beautiful were worthy of sculpting into something praiseworthy for God, and as a means to draw ever deeper into God’s mysteries. But we may also take something from scholastic theology, because we seek not only to communicate to each other, we seek to communicate with the wide world, to…
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“Decoding the Divine,” by Leonard Sweet
Control the story, control reality itself. Control the story, and you hold the master key to all forms of power
Leonard Sweet, Decoding the Divine: Unveiling the Sacred Through Semiotics, 181
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“AI and the Church,” by Jason Moore
Will AI be a shortcut that sidesteps hope in becoming ever more like Christ, mastering the ability God gives us? Or is AI an electronic messiah which will do our hard work for us?
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“Between Cross and Resurrection,” by Alan E. Lewis
Lewis goes deep with such heady scholars as Karl Barth (1886–1968), Jürgen Moltmann (1926–2024), and Eberhard Jüngel (1934–2021). Now, disclaimer here, in the spirit of full disclosure. I have read very little of these theologians, just enough to get by, because as a rule, I find theoretical theology too … theoretical. I have always preferred…
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“The Well-Played Life,” by Leonard Sweet
Sweet’s discourse on growing new and what that means for the third stage of life is refreshingly lifegiving and entirely counter-cultural. “Third Agers tell the stories of Jesus in ways that synthesize all and resonate with all, give voice to the oppressed, ventriloquize those who are suffering, and build for the future.”
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“Apostolic Imagination,” by J.D. Payne
According to J.D. Payne, we should not only be regularly reforming how we understand scripture, we should be regularly reforming our practices as the Church, particularly in how we do missions.
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“Designer Jesus,” by Leonard Sweet
To me, this is the heart and soul of Designer Jesus. Let us see if we can out-love Jesus. Golden coin—“This is the greatest commandment. It has two sides, but it is all one” (p. 457).
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“Faithful Disobedience,” by Wang Yi
… for pastors, their glory is not in their accomplishments nor even in their lives but rather in their investment in the church and in Christ, what will live into eternity (p. 162). Yi called it when he told pastors to get over being afraid of losing their jobs. That is earthly kingdom thinking, not…
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“Unreasonable Hospitality,” by Will Guidara
It is the culture of the staff, I am learning from his book, that has made the difference, and I think that is a direct corollary to churches. Relationships are hard but simple, relationships are everything, relationships are what last into eternity, because, in the end, it is only people, only love, that endures.…
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“Jesus Human,” by Leonard Sweet
This book, taken as a whole with all its many conversations and observations laid next to each other in mindful contextualization, brings meaning. It is experiential, becoming its own metaphor for the fractals and diversity of every Jesus human, and the Body of Christ. I deeply appreciate being taken on this journey in this way.
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“The Patient Ferment of the Early Church,” by Alan Kreider
Patience
Habitus (reflexive bodily behavior),the development of habits based upon the teachings and worship of the church
Catechesis and worship,involving personal mentors and discipling
The ferment of God’s invisible power, the Holy Spirit at work in each believer’s life
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“So Beautiful,” by Leonard Sweet
It is not religion and reason that go together, but religion and relationship—atoms alone do not make up the universe, but rather atoms in relationship with each other, held together by the weak force.
Leonard Sweet, So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church, 104–105
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“Changing Signs of Truth,” by Crystal Downing
Stories sweep us up and out, stories help our hearts and minds to focus. When we are thoroughly in the “now” of a story, we long to risk the next step, to write the next chapter, and follow where this story is going to take us.
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“Men and Women in Christ,” by Andrew Bartlett
If you are searching for a work that keeps sight of the bigger picture while scrutinizing the debate from every possible angle, then this is the book for you. #MenandWomeninChrist #AndrewBartlett
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“Good News for Women,” by Rebecca Merrill Groothuis
This book may be twenty-five years old, but it is anything but anachronistic. Both scholarly and approachable, the argumentation is impeccable and the citations good. #GoodNewsforWomen #Groothuis #RebeccaMerrillGroothuis
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“Nobody’s Mother,” by Sandra L. Glahn
This book is not only worth reading for the background on Artemis, it does a sturdy job of addressing a tough biblical text. #NobodysMother #SandraLGahn #1Timothy2 #Artemis
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“The Bible and Sexuality,” by Karen R. Keen
In my opinion, this little primer could be developed into a sturdy textbook for Christians on all sides of this hot topic today. #TheBibleandSexuality #KarenRKeen #NashvilleStatement #BiblicalSexuality
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“Strange Religion” by Nijay K. Gupta
I really enjoy reading Nijay Gupta’s work, and Strange Religion is just as interesting and appealing as everything else I have read from this author. I highly recommend it. #StrangeReligion #WeirdReligion #NijayKGupta
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The Tru316 Foundation
There are 66 books in the Bible, with 929 chapters, and 31, 102 verses. Over thirty thousand verses! But, The Tru316 Foundation focuses on just one verse: Genesis 3:16. #Tru316 #Genesis316 #BruceCEFleming
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“The Creation of Patriarchy” by Gerda Lerner
Is it possible to trace the origins of the patriarchal systems that have been practiced worldwide for thousands of years? #CreationofPatriarchy #GerdaLerner
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“Cultural Christians in the Early Church” by Nadya Williams
I would recommend Cultural Christians in the Early Church, by Nadya Williams, to exactly the audience the author specifies: those who yearn for the “good ole days” of the church. #CulturalChristiansInTheEarlyChurch #NadyaWilliams
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“Tell Her Story,” by Nijay K. Gupta
Would it not be great to read a scholarly book with such accessibility, written in such a conversational tone, that it is almost like being in comfy chairs, talking with the author? #TellHerStory #NijayKGupta #GoodBook
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“Unoffendable” Love and Offense
The final piece in a five-part review of this book.
God’s love, the smog of shame, and the cost of forgiveness are a good way to complete my thoughts on this book. #Unoffendable #BrantHansen
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“Unoffendable” Scripture Versus Straw Men
Jesus and Paul provide the template for us to understand how to process our offences and emotional pain. At the end of this post, I provide the title for what I think is a way better book on that topic. #Unoffendable #BrantHansen
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“Unoffendable” Who Does Jesus Trust?
This week I tackle Jesus’s observed theology concerning people, and what scripture has to say about love and anger. #Unoffendable #BrantHansen
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“Unoffendable” Action Versus Motivation
Though the second chapter begins with what I see as good advice, it seems to conflate concepts throughout, and ends with what to me is a hair-raising conclusion.
#Unoffendable
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“Unoffendable” Be Careful With This
Considering he accolades of such high-profile authors as all Alan Hirsch and Frank Viola (who I hold in high regard), you would think I would love this book.
But I do not.
#Unoffendable
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“Reading While Black”
McCaulley has a good voice for reading, not wasting words, yet somehow managing to take time to explain. He speaks the truth in a firm, clear, and yet gracious way, from his own life and experience and also as pastor. #ReadingWhileBlack #McCaulley
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“Slaves, Women & Homosexuals”
This book first came out in 2001, so a lot of water has traveled under the proverbial bridge since he sent this manuscript off for final approval. Nevertheless, we found ourselves instantly drawn in by Webb’s hermeneutic of redemptive movement. #LGBTQ
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“Killing Christians”
This book had me at the title and never let go until I had read the last page
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“Out of a Far Country”
Whether you or I agree with how Christopher Yuan has made sense of who he is in the Lord, and how he interprets God’s call on his life, the bottom line for us all is to trust that God is loving enough, wise enough, powerful enough, and expansive enough to guide each of us into…
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“The First Urban Christians”
Beginning with the urban environments Paul strategically targeted, Meeks draws the reader into the geography and culture of the ancient city and its importance and impact on the people of antiquity.
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“Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions”
Ian Stewart enriches the reading of Flatland greatly with his own explanation of Abbott’s references to various Victorian references, and explication of Abbott’s mathematical allusions.
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“Anatomy of the Soul”
By God’s design, even in paradise, even in perfect relationship with God and earth, even in a state of spiritual wholeness and blessing, no human being can remain indefinitely alone.
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“The Old Testament in Archaeology and History”
Though initially daunting in size, once into the reading the chapters are page-turners. After reading the final chapter (Killebrew’s Philistines), my text had become so marked up and dog-eared, the spine cracked in several places, that the book itself is a mute testimony.
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“Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating”
The earth’s ecosystems are in a state of early and accelerating collapse because humankind has become so decoupled from nature, we disregard, dishonor, and even actively brutalize the earth and its resources.
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“What Did the Ancient Israelites Eat? Diet in Biblical Times”
After reading the whole book (including endnotes), I realized how important understanding food, famine, and feasting factor into the formation of people groups since time immemorial, and particularly the Israelites.
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“The 5 Minute Archaeologist in the Southern Levant”
Well-named, each essay really did take about five to fifteen minutes to read and was both engaging and informative.
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For the heart
- Anything by Brene Brown
- Curt Thompson
Intimacy with God
- Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To (Anthony DeStefano)
I am a Protestant, and DeStefano is a Catholic writer, so there are some ways in which he and I do not share the same perspective, or theology. However, I found this book on prayer transforming.
- Practicing the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence)
This book is three hundred years old, yet the truths are timeless.
- The Cloud of Unknowing (Anonymous)
This book comes from the middle ages, and speaks from that Catholic perspective, yet the overall wisdom is worth gleaning.
- The Knowledge of the Holy (AW Tozer)
I included the three-volume work because the other two books are just as important, and included a couple of other Tozer books as well.
- Anything by Hildegard of Bingen
The first book is an overview. She was a mystic who lived a thousand years ago, who wrote poetry, music, and books about her visions from God.
For the mind
- Love Your God With All Your Mind (JP Moreland)
- Heresy: A History of Defending the Truth (Alister McGrath)
- Total Truth (Nancy Pearcey)
If you like science
- Reasons to Believe (website of Hugh Ross)
- The Language of God (Francis Collins)
If you’re into alternatives to traditional church
- Reimagining Church (Frank Viola)
- Pagan Christianity (George Barna and Frank Viola)
- The Rabbit and the Elephant (Tony and Felicity Dale)
- ReJesus (Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch)
And I included more very good reads from Alan Hirsch in terms of re-imagining how we live out being the church, the community of Christ.
Women and the Church
- Beyond Sex Roles (Gilbert Bilezikian)
- Good News for Women (Rebecca Merrill Groothuis)
- I Suffer Not a Woman (Richard and Catherine Clark Kroeger)
- Discovering Biblical Equality (Ronald W Pierce, editor)
- Women and Men in the Light of Eden (Bruce Fleming)
- Familiar Leadership Heresies Uncovered (Bruce Fleming)
- Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (Aimee Byrd)
If you’re dealing with spiritual darkness
- The Bondage Breaker and Victory Over the Darkness (Neil Anderson)
- People of the Lie (Scott Peck)
- 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (John Fischer)
If you like devotionals, but are getting tired of same old-same old
The Book of Mysteries (Jonathan Cahn)
Stories that changed me
- The Heavenly Man (Christian Brother Yun)
- Killing Christians (Tom Doyle)
- Created for Commitment (A Wetherell Johnson)
- Christ in the Passover (Ceil and Moishe Rosen)
- Pretty much every Francine Rivers book
Commentary written for real people
- Anything written by Nijay Gupta
- Anything written by Walt Kaiser
- Anything written by Ray Stedman
- My great great grandfather, Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, wrote a lot of books and they’re still in print! They’re written for real people.
- My very favorite commentator is Alfred Edersheim, I go to his books all the time, and he includes those fascinating details about culture and archaeology that many commentators skip over.
