Sunshine, salty air and waves crashing – we’re diving into summer! Here’s a list of books we’ve reviewed over the past year you could read on those lazy days by the water (or hot afternoons hiding inside with air conditioning!).
Subjects and Citizens: The politics of the gospel by Michael Jensen
We are urged to live distinctly through loving others by radical selflessness, hospitality, respect and peace. It is an alternative to self-actualisation, the lust for power and materialism in the kingdom of this world. (Karin Sowada)
The End of Men? by Simon Smart
The book is an attempt to offer some recommendations for the way men can be better men, and in a way that will help boys want to be those men… It’s the kind of short, sharp injection of thought that could well boost the dialogue of an ongoing relationship among friends and family. (David Hohne)
The Trials of Jesus: Evidence, Conclusions, and Aftermath by Paul Barnett
A valuable tool for the preacher, an informative volume for every Christian, and an engaging read for the unbeliever, who may be unsure of the historicity of Jesus’ death or of its significance. (Glenn Davies)
The Meaning of Singleness: Retrieving an Eschatological Vision for the Contemporary Church by Dani Treweek
In our church culture and our Christian culture, we are enslaved to a number of false narratives about singleness and about relationships in general. But, in this book, Dani Treweek... gives back to us both a biblical picture and a historical account, really, of how singleness was honoured in the church, and of how single and married people can respect each other’s vocations and work together differently. It’ll help you if you’re single, it’ll help you if you’re married and it’ll help us as a church. (Andrew Cameron)
Australian Evangelical Perspectives on Youth Ministry, edited by Ruth Lukabyo
The papers [in this book] have been collated around the themes of identity, church, culture and discipleship. Many of the questions we face in ministry are explored through these themes, such as what stories are we allowing to shape our view of our children and young people… do we believe they are passive, or active agents, consumers or contributors? How do we help young people shape their identity, interact with the culture around them, and live wisely in the world? (Naomi de Vries)
About Love by David Mansfield
Reading About Love is like going on a journey with Jesus, as well as a journey with David – who has seen the hardest things and sees relatable illustrations everywhere. He has walked and swum in the text of John’s Gospel for many years and, in this book, it is the person of Jesus who shines most brightly. (Andrew Barry)
Double Minded: How Sex is Dividing the Australian Church by Mark Durie
It begins by showing how sexual identity has become the beating heart of how most Westerners understand themselves and their place in our world. This helps explain why our culture has clashed with the traditional teaching of the church on sex. Yet, not all Christians agree on how to respond to this strange new world, and often there are clashes even within the same church. (Jodie McNeill)
His Workmanship: Reflections on Living with Christ by Professor John Clark
His Workmanship would likely most benefit the person who has some experience of church but doesn't understand God's big picture. Bible quotes are copious and well-linked to the argument of each chapter, but you need to at least have some idea of the Bible as authoritative for it to make an impact. (Russell Powell)
I Am What I Do by Andrew Laird
I Am What I Do came out of Laird’s own reflections, the speaking and teaching he has done over the years with City Bible Forum and the recognition that he was not the only person wrestling with this problem. This prompted him to put his thoughts on paper with a desire to help others understand the issue before they also fell over the edge into burnout. (Judy Adamson)
