I thought the most readable and timely book, considering this years economic downturn, and the discussion of prosperity after passing of Oral Roberts, is Will Jesus Buy Me A Double-Wide (‘Cause I need more room for my plasma TV) by Karen Spears Zacarias. Its also a hilarious read and has the best cover art. By far!!!
The book I read most often was Justification: God’s plan and Paul’s Vision by Tom Wright. See my review here. Reading this book as part of this interesting theological discussion is better than following a good TV serial. I read it 3 times.
The most fascinating book was Merton and Sufism: The Untold Story, but the book was published many years ago so it probably doesn’t count. However, considering the challenge of our response to Islam that becoming such a big issue, this book has some fascinating insights.
The most frustrating book was The Next Evangelicalism by Soong-Chan Rah which made me feel bad about our itinerant lifestyle, as though “geographical fluidity” was a life-style choice of the rich and white, rather than an intentional ministry decision. In fact, it t has led us to be downwardly mobile in a huge way, rather than upwardly. And of course the unfortunate chapter on emerging church in which all the color was removed and placed in other chapters in the book. I appreciated Julie Clawson’s take on the book which articulated some of my concerns and relieved me from responding myself. Good chapter on the church growth movement, however and the need for postcolonial thinking in American churches.
I started reading The Next Evangelicalism, but had to put it down. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one frustrated by it.
I agree – Karen’s book is awesome!
I took ‘The Next Evangelicalism’ as a personally-needed spanking in some areas, but I’m glad you can clarify what is & isn’t happening on a global scene.
I’ll have to check out ‘Merton & Sufism.’ I’ve been grooving on the poetry of Hafiz lately & just loving it…