Read any good books lately?
Read any good books lately? This is a question I'm often asked in the church library. Members that visit our church library read for various purposes. Some want devotional literature, others read to increase their knowledge or refresh their knowledge. Many read for entertainment. When reading for entertainment I find a good book will allow me to read two or three chapters before bed and keep my interest so that I can't wait to pick it up again at the next opportunity. A great book, on the other hand, will not allow me to stop and I find myself reading way past my normal bedtime.
One of my favorite genres is historical fiction. Historical fiction allows you to be entertained and at the same time gain knowledge. Many of these fall into the ‘good' book category. Want to know about the culture and lifestyle of 1st century Palestine to better understand the world of Jesus? Paul Maier's book Pontius Pilate will fit the bill nicely. Or maybe you're interested in the cultural background of Paul's world in spreading the gospel, you will find Maier's book The Flames of Rome interesting and informative.
Read any good books lately? Well yes. I recently finished The Cross and Christian Ministry, Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians by D.A. Carson. In the preface, Dr. Carson writes, "Of course, no Christian would want to minimize the centrality of the cross in God's redemptive purposes. But if we view it as the means of our salvation and nothing more, we shall overlook many of its functions in the New Testament....the cross stands as the test and the standard of all vital Christian ministry." Carson proves these statements by examining Paul's letter to the church at Corinth.
How about you? Read any good books lately?
