Over the last year or so my reading has been more limited than in the past, making it more and more difficult to choose what to read. I hope to have more time to read (and thus review) in the coming year. However, I did want to feature three books that I have spent some quality time with (and still working through). I should note that all three of these titles are published by IVP (IVP Books & IVP Academic). Increasingly, IVP has impressed me with the focus and quality of their material. Here is a brief look:
“Our Father’s World: Mobilizing the Church to Care for Creation”, by Edward R. Brown
Laying a solid Biblical foundation for our responsibility as God’s people to care for Creation, Brown leads readers into a very practical way of life that responds to the inevitable implications of this shift in thinking. Linking Creation care with the overall mission of God (an aspect of the Gospel I have found far under explored in Evangelicalism), it is pulled off the sidelines of activism and casual stewardship and returned to its place with God’s purposes as it was always intended to be. This book is an excellent starting for any individual or community to begin to engage these issues.
“Subverting Global Myths: Theology and the Public Issues Shaping Our World”, by Vinoth Ramachandra
As an academic title, this book is still taking me some time, though time well spent. Exploring (and exposing) six areas of global discourse where myths still command great power, Ramachandra reveals that, even in the sophisticate worlds of politicians, media moguls and intellectual elites, myths are still embraced. The six areas are: Terrorism; Religious Violence; Human Rights; Multiculturalism; Science; and Postcolonialism. Again, this is heavy stuff that is stretching my thinking, but I think it is important to wrestle through. Anyone else read this and care to comment?
“Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels”, by Kenneth E. Bailey
Also an academic title (and the longest of the three books), this title has been of greatest interest to me. It is a book I will be reading (and rereading) for some time, but well worth the time and effort. Bailey takes readers through the life of Christ, giving particular attention to Jesus’ masterful engagement with Middle Eastern culture. Giving special attention to such things as His relationship to women, His use of parables or the dramatic acts of His ministry, challenges so many casually held Western interpretations of Christ that have robbed us of a deeper understanding of Jesus and His teachings. If you are up for the work, this title is a must read.
