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The name of the book I have just finished is "90 minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper..

Excellent book, a real inspiration to me I recommend this as a book to read..

I'm currently reading In Parables: The Challenge of the Historical Jesus by John Dominic Crossan. It's a fantastic analysis of the parables of Jesus and how the reveal the coming of the Kingdom. I would recommend it highly.

My middle one and I are reading through "A Light in the Attic" by shel silverstein (Poetry that is really funny) I'll post up one of the poems we read last night later today when he gets home from school...Actually we sit as a family and take turns reading it's rather fun!

I read this when I was his age and it got me interested in poetry!

I just finished reading "Blessed Child" by Ted Dekker WOW

I'm now reading Saint by the same author. Now theres a man who can paint a picture with his words.

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Jennifer Dent
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I've been reading Gene Getz's The Measure of a Man, a practical and purposeful look at the 20 characteristics and qualities of maturity set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The book proceeds from the recognition that these "measures" demonstrate spiritual maturity that should be the goal of all Christians. Each chapter ends with personal projects designed to help the reader grow in specific ways. While it overtly targets men, the volume is equally appropriate for women. Maturity is maturity. In fact, married men are encouraged to read it together with their wives. Among other things, the author looks at some fundamental differences between men and women with a view toward their mutual support of one another. Husbands and wives should find it helpful in recognizing how they can help their mates be men and women of God. Good for young and older Christians, alike, married or single. I think I'm going to use it with the younger men I'm mentoring.

John Owen - my favourite Puritan. Volume 3 in the Complete Works on the Holy Spirit is a treasure.

I just read 2 books 1 is bill weise 23 minutes in hell #2 is a book by Mary Baker Both talk of their experience in hell. I know we're not supposed to get personal revelations from God but what do all of you think out there?

Life and Fate - Vassily Grossman - he was a combat correspondent during WW2 and was from Ukraine (Berdichev, a Jewish community). Pretty fascinating writing about human drama in war time. Apparently such a dangerous book in the Soviet Union that they tried destroying all the mss. But Grossman hid one and this is how it got to be published. Somewhat on the dark, unsettling, poignant side, as with much Russian literature, but I enjoy it that way...

Christian Theology - Millard Erickson

Psalms

Not very much for me. I usually have about 6 books going at once. I'm trying to decide on a full book study to do next in the Bible and like Schreiner's commentary on Romans for that. but still undecided on that front.

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For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NIV

After I get done with 23 minutes in hell I'll check this out.

I am currently reading Dekker's Infidel and my Bible , of course (or will as soon as I unpack, really hungering for James).

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I am just finishing up "Holiness of God" by R.C. Sproul, and am looking to start a VERY old book I found in a used bookstore;

"Abundant Grace" by W. P. Mackay. There is no publishing date, but there is a stamp from the "Hotel Kronenhof" dated 10 DEZ. 1910. Also there is a note that it was given to a previous owner of the book in 1949 by the owners of the hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Gredig.

Anyway, looks like a promissing book, and should be interesting.

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Yours in Christ Jesus,

Don

Just finished Brian McLaren's, "The Secret Message of Jesus", and he finally (sort of) tells us what the "secret" is near the end of the book. It is really just about BEING a Christian and DOING the things Jesus did. Simple as that. The quote from his book that has really stuck with me is one where he quotes philosopher Soren Kirkegaard:

"The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if i do that my whole life will be ruined..."

For me, that was the crux of the whole book. Other than that, i didn't get a whole lot out of the 200+ pages, though there were some different ideas in there to consider.

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in Christ,

bp

Amazing. That qoute is kind of what I've been feeling lately. Over examining of the bible seems to have made some people I knew forget what the purpose is. Instead of reading and applying they read and say to others. Instead of doing deeds they read and tell others they should do deeds. Essentially ignoring the point for themselves. I almost fell into this hole of digging too far into a rather simple message for no reason other then trivial notes. Then I came across James 2:17 purely by accident. It speaks a mountain in a mere sentence.

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aye, and i know it speaks directly to me! especially James 2:24, and the whole passage in there as well...

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in Christ,

bp

I don't think enough emphasize is put on the book of James. Not that I ever avoided it but I was never really directed to it. I'm hooked and can't wait to get my bible unpacked!

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i think his main problem with James was that James did not agree with Luther's newer theologies (namely, faith alone, see 2:24). how dare St. James disagree with Luther! (ha!)

i LOVE James...he is so direct and to the point on what he writes. sort of the opposite of Paul...not to take anything away from Paul, but GENERALLY (though not always) it seems Paul kind of takes awhile to make a point, James just nails it.

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in Christ,

bp

barpardre wrote:



Salvation by faith alone wasn't created by Luther as you imply. It is stated clearly in the Bible in verses such as this:

"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works so that no one can boast" (Eph. 2:8, NIV).

The verses in James that speak of faith and works show us that works are the outcome of faith, not a way of earning salvation, and to state otherwise is to misinterpret the passages. I think Luther's discomfort with James came from the fact that the RC misunderstood and taught it incorrectly. He was at the point where he wished the book hadn't been accepted into the canon at all becaue it's hard for people to "unlearn" misinformation. But that, of course, is a topic for another thread so I will let the matter drop in this one.

As to what I am reading, I have been making my way through William Craig Lane's Reasonable Faith. It's a good book for anyone interested in apologetics.