Fiction
Young Reuben Land has little doubt that miracles happen all around us,
suspecting that his own father is touched by God. When his older brother
flees a controversial murder charge, Reuben, along with his older
sister and father, set off on a journey that will take them to the
Badlands and through a landscape more extraordinary than they could have
anticipated. Enger’s novel is at once a heroic quest and a haunting
meditation on the possibility of magic in the everyday world. (Taken from Amazon.com)
Peace Like a River (2001) may be my favorite novel to date. I've always believed that if a book (or movie) is mediocre but has a great ending then I would consider the entire book (or movie) to be good or maybe even great. This one, however, is so good throughout and somehow gets even better at the end (an ending of which I will never forget). Peace Like a River allows for the possibility of the miraculous as well as a glimpse of the afterlife. My brother and I love filmmaking and I have always said that if this book is never made into a movie then we would do it together one day. A must read!
After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns
to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock,
nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island,
where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and
loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one
stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat
has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. (Amazon)
The Light Between Oceans (2013) brilliantly explores the moral dilemma that takes place between people who see a certain situation through different eyes. What if something that seems wrong to one person is seen as a gift from God to another? Who's to say what is right? Not only is the storyline compelling but the fact that this book is set in Australia just made me want to read it. Heck, the cover is awesome too!
The Space Trilogy (1938-1945) by C.S. Lewis includes the books Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength. Even though I have not yet finished this series, I am going to go ahead and recommend it because it is so different and more imaginative than anything being written today. Each book takes place on a different habitable planet in which Dr. Ransom is sent by the Divine powers to carry out a specific task. Before Narnia, Lewis explored other planets; planets which may have not yet fallen like earth has.
*My wife, Liesl, also recommends: My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Non-fiction
Biography of World War II hero Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star who survived a plane crash in the Pacific theater, spent 47 days drifting on a raft, and then survived more than two and a half years as a prisoner of war in three brutal Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. (Wikipedia)
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (2010) is one of the greatest stories of our time. That this man survived everything he did is nothing short of miraculous and perhaps one in a billion chance. The book was just recently made into a decent film by director Angelina Jolie. What Jolie failed to do, however, was tell the whole story. How can you leave off the entire end of the story of which many may find to be the best part? Where did Zamperini's strength come from in order to stop his drunken outbursts and spells of PTSD? Where did he find the strength to save his marriage? And where did he find the strength to forgive the very men who tortured him in prison? This story is a must read for every person. Period. I appreciate Hillenbrand's willingness to just tell the story as it was told by Louis, whether she believed what happened was possible or not.
A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel. A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it. (Amazon)
Same Kind of Different as Me (2006) gave me hope that people can really change if you give them a chance and if God is in the details. As stated above, no one can dream this kind of story up. It inspires us to reach out and love our fellow man but gives hope even in the midst of pain and loss. This book gave me personally the courage I needed to step out in faith and help "the least of these." Each of these books in the non-fiction section will have an atheist second guessing his position on life and God. If these stories are true, then there somehow has to be Someone looking out for us.
The Yanomamo people of the Amazon- endangered children of nature or indigenous warmongers on the verge of destroying themselves? Now for the first time, a powerful Yanomamo shaman speaks for his people. Brutally riveting, the story of Jungleman is an extraordinary and powerful document. (Amazon)
Spirit of the Rainforest (1996) absolutely blew me away. We've heard stories of indigenous people who live like this but hearing a first hand account is something else entirely. I must say, this is a tough book to stomach. It is full of violence and cruelty. There are stories of murder, rape, abuse, and incest. Unimaginable living conditions and sicknesses that wipe out entire villages. This book is not for the faint of heart. So why am I recommending this book? Because even here there is a glimmer of hope in a place so completely devoid of God and ruled by evil. The author chose to tell the story just as it was told by Jungleman. The author does not claim Christianity so there is no certain angle at which he was coming from. Even to a skeptic like him and a people group immersed in the worship of evil spirits, God can still choose to reveal Himself.
*Also recommended: Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer, The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness in the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson, and Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell.
Theology/Christian Living
Timothy Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics and non-believers bring to religion. Using literature, philosophy, anthropology, pop culture, and intellectual reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one. To true believers he offers a solid platform on which to stand against the backlash toward religion spawned by the Age of Skepticism. And to skeptics, atheists, and agnostics he provides a challenging argument for pursuing the reason for God. (Amazon)
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (2008) is a powerful work for all believers and seekers. I have probably referenced and quoted this book more than any other book I've read. I have recommended it and given it as a gift more than any other as well. Not necessarily because it is the greatest book I've ever read but because it is so logical and practical. Keller says, "Belief in God is an unavoidable 'basic' belief that we cannot prove but can't not know. We know God is there. That is why even when we believe with all our minds that life is meaningless, we simply can't live that way. We know better."
What can the call to discipleship, the adherence to the word of Jesus, mean today to the businessman, the soldier, the laborer, or the aristocrat? What did Jesus mean to say to us? What is his will for us today? Drawing on the Sermon on the Mount, Dietrich Bonhoeffer answers these timeless questions by providing a seminal reading of the dichotomy between "cheap grace" and "costly grace." "Cheap grace," Bonhoeffer wrote, "is the grace we bestow on ourselves...grace without discipleship....Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again. (Amazon)
The Cost of Discipleship (1959) is essential reading for all believers. In his most well known work, Bonhoeffer famously states, "When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die." Following Jesus should never be taken lightly. If you have ever read a biography on the life of this man, then you understand how the above themes played out in his life. He did not just write about them. He lived them out and died for them.
We often think of doubt as the opposite of faith, but could it actually strengthen our relationship with God? According to John Ortberg, best-selling author and pastor, the very nature of faith requires the presence of uncertainty. In this refreshingly candid look at a life of faith, he traces the line between belief and unbelief: less a dividing line between hostile camps than a razor’s edge that runs through every soul. His findings point us toward the relief of being totally honest. Questions can expand our understanding, uncertainty can lead to trust, and honest faith can produce outrageous hope. Written from Ortberg’s own struggle with faith and doubt, this book will challenge, comfort, and inspire you with the truth that God wants all of us—including our doubts. (Amazon)
Faith and Doubt (2008) can help us better understand the relationship of doubts with our faith. This was a much needed book in my life as doubt has always seemed to play a part in my beliefs. It helped me to understand that I am not alone in my doubts and that we must first "believe something before we can doubt anything." This is also a very quotable book and have used it much in my teaching. Ortberg says, "I know something about how it works. I know that if you never believe, if you never trust, you will never know. Sometimes a leap of faith is the only form of transportation."
In this classic, C.S. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. Bringing together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War Two from his three previous books The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith. (Amazon)
Mere Christianity (1952) is a classic work that every Christian should read. Just do it. Even if some of the writing flies over your head, just continue to plow through it (some of his books tend to do that.) I am forever grateful to him for leaving us such an important work. Lewis says, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily...But who do you know who lives like that? (Amazon)
Radical (2010) opened my eyes to alot of things. If you're interested in comfortable Christianity then you probably shouldn't read this book. Platt gets to the heart of things by looking at passages of Scripture that many people avoid or gloss over when teaching them. If we are actually seeking to take up our crosses and follow Jesus then this may come into conflict with our pursuit of the American dream. In a Christian culture that is looking more and more like the world, we must leave our lives as consumers and become producers. If you read this book, just be prepared for anything.
*Also recommended: Crazy Love by Francis Chan The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken and The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch
That's all folks!
Peace Like a River (2001) may be my favorite novel to date. I've always believed that if a book (or movie) is mediocre but has a great ending then I would consider the entire book (or movie) to be good or maybe even great. This one, however, is so good throughout and somehow gets even better at the end (an ending of which I will never forget). Peace Like a River allows for the possibility of the miraculous as well as a glimpse of the afterlife. My brother and I love filmmaking and I have always said that if this book is never made into a movie then we would do it together one day. A must read!
The Light Between Oceans (2013) brilliantly explores the moral dilemma that takes place between people who see a certain situation through different eyes. What if something that seems wrong to one person is seen as a gift from God to another? Who's to say what is right? Not only is the storyline compelling but the fact that this book is set in Australia just made me want to read it. Heck, the cover is awesome too!
The Space Trilogy (1938-1945) by C.S. Lewis includes the books Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength. Even though I have not yet finished this series, I am going to go ahead and recommend it because it is so different and more imaginative than anything being written today. Each book takes place on a different habitable planet in which Dr. Ransom is sent by the Divine powers to carry out a specific task. Before Narnia, Lewis explored other planets; planets which may have not yet fallen like earth has.
*My wife, Liesl, also recommends: My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Non-fiction
Biography of World War II hero Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star who survived a plane crash in the Pacific theater, spent 47 days drifting on a raft, and then survived more than two and a half years as a prisoner of war in three brutal Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. (Wikipedia)
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (2010) is one of the greatest stories of our time. That this man survived everything he did is nothing short of miraculous and perhaps one in a billion chance. The book was just recently made into a decent film by director Angelina Jolie. What Jolie failed to do, however, was tell the whole story. How can you leave off the entire end of the story of which many may find to be the best part? Where did Zamperini's strength come from in order to stop his drunken outbursts and spells of PTSD? Where did he find the strength to save his marriage? And where did he find the strength to forgive the very men who tortured him in prison? This story is a must read for every person. Period. I appreciate Hillenbrand's willingness to just tell the story as it was told by Louis, whether she believed what happened was possible or not.
A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel. A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it. (Amazon)
Same Kind of Different as Me (2006) gave me hope that people can really change if you give them a chance and if God is in the details. As stated above, no one can dream this kind of story up. It inspires us to reach out and love our fellow man but gives hope even in the midst of pain and loss. This book gave me personally the courage I needed to step out in faith and help "the least of these." Each of these books in the non-fiction section will have an atheist second guessing his position on life and God. If these stories are true, then there somehow has to be Someone looking out for us.
The Yanomamo people of the Amazon- endangered children of nature or indigenous warmongers on the verge of destroying themselves? Now for the first time, a powerful Yanomamo shaman speaks for his people. Brutally riveting, the story of Jungleman is an extraordinary and powerful document. (Amazon)
*Also recommended: Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer, The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness in the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson, and Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell.
Theology/Christian Living
Timothy Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics and non-believers bring to religion. Using literature, philosophy, anthropology, pop culture, and intellectual reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one. To true believers he offers a solid platform on which to stand against the backlash toward religion spawned by the Age of Skepticism. And to skeptics, atheists, and agnostics he provides a challenging argument for pursuing the reason for God. (Amazon)
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (2008) is a powerful work for all believers and seekers. I have probably referenced and quoted this book more than any other book I've read. I have recommended it and given it as a gift more than any other as well. Not necessarily because it is the greatest book I've ever read but because it is so logical and practical. Keller says, "Belief in God is an unavoidable 'basic' belief that we cannot prove but can't not know. We know God is there. That is why even when we believe with all our minds that life is meaningless, we simply can't live that way. We know better."
What can the call to discipleship, the adherence to the word of Jesus, mean today to the businessman, the soldier, the laborer, or the aristocrat? What did Jesus mean to say to us? What is his will for us today? Drawing on the Sermon on the Mount, Dietrich Bonhoeffer answers these timeless questions by providing a seminal reading of the dichotomy between "cheap grace" and "costly grace." "Cheap grace," Bonhoeffer wrote, "is the grace we bestow on ourselves...grace without discipleship....Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again. (Amazon)
The Cost of Discipleship (1959) is essential reading for all believers. In his most well known work, Bonhoeffer famously states, "When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die." Following Jesus should never be taken lightly. If you have ever read a biography on the life of this man, then you understand how the above themes played out in his life. He did not just write about them. He lived them out and died for them.
We often think of doubt as the opposite of faith, but could it actually strengthen our relationship with God? According to John Ortberg, best-selling author and pastor, the very nature of faith requires the presence of uncertainty. In this refreshingly candid look at a life of faith, he traces the line between belief and unbelief: less a dividing line between hostile camps than a razor’s edge that runs through every soul. His findings point us toward the relief of being totally honest. Questions can expand our understanding, uncertainty can lead to trust, and honest faith can produce outrageous hope. Written from Ortberg’s own struggle with faith and doubt, this book will challenge, comfort, and inspire you with the truth that God wants all of us—including our doubts. (Amazon)
Faith and Doubt (2008) can help us better understand the relationship of doubts with our faith. This was a much needed book in my life as doubt has always seemed to play a part in my beliefs. It helped me to understand that I am not alone in my doubts and that we must first "believe something before we can doubt anything." This is also a very quotable book and have used it much in my teaching. Ortberg says, "I know something about how it works. I know that if you never believe, if you never trust, you will never know. Sometimes a leap of faith is the only form of transportation."
In this classic, C.S. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. Bringing together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War Two from his three previous books The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith. (Amazon)
Mere Christianity (1952) is a classic work that every Christian should read. Just do it. Even if some of the writing flies over your head, just continue to plow through it (some of his books tend to do that.) I am forever grateful to him for leaving us such an important work. Lewis says, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily...But who do you know who lives like that? (Amazon)
Radical (2010) opened my eyes to alot of things. If you're interested in comfortable Christianity then you probably shouldn't read this book. Platt gets to the heart of things by looking at passages of Scripture that many people avoid or gloss over when teaching them. If we are actually seeking to take up our crosses and follow Jesus then this may come into conflict with our pursuit of the American dream. In a Christian culture that is looking more and more like the world, we must leave our lives as consumers and become producers. If you read this book, just be prepared for anything.
*Also recommended: Crazy Love by Francis Chan The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken and The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch
That's all folks!
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