If you know me, you probably know my love of books. When looking at the prospect of moving across the world, what was going to happen to my library was the number one question on my mind (as far as material possessions go). When my wife asked what “comfort items” I’d want to bring for our new home, books were my first thought. The only problem with that is that they are heavy. And space and weight is a premium in air travel. Many failed to make the cut but many did make it with me. If you are curious which, ponder no longer!
The Renovare Spiritual Formation Study Bible: This is the best study Bible I’ve used (and I’ve had quite a few). I love the little devotional excerpts from people like Dallas Willard and Walter Brueggemann and the focus on spiritual formation above knowledge collection. It’s my primary devotional Bible now.
The Green Bible: The problem with the study Bible is that it is BIG (exasperated by the fact that it includes the apocrypha). This Bible is small and thin and is the perfect companion to take out and about.
The Politics of Discipleship by Graham Ward: I’m on my second reading of this and thoroughly enjoyed reading number one. I think it’s my favorite of the Church and Postmodern Culture series so far. It’s broken into two section: Discipleship and the world and Discipleship and the church. Highly recommended.
Linux Administration Handbook: Great little (well, quite big actually) handbook for all things system administration. Good to have on hand for those times you might need it.
The Coming of the Son of Man by Andrew Perriman: I used to never want to study eschatology. I found it creepy and somewhat nonsensical (from the, “how could we ever know?” sense). George Eldon Ladd got me interested in it and this book got me excited about it. Expands upon the partial preterism of someone like NT Wright and is a wonderful tour through the Biblical Apocalyptic.
Transforming Mission by David Bosch: The definitive missiology text. Plus, it’s written by a South African. You can’t go wrong in any respects.
From Eternity to Here by Frank Viola: This is another one I’d already read but just love. It opens you up to the beauty of the Biblical narrative and you can’t help but be changed by that.
Binding the Strong Man by Ched Myers: This is an important commentary on the book of Mark. I was in the middle of reading this when we left (still am actually) and decided to go ahead and bring it.
Reimagining Church by Frank Viola: Another by Viola, this one looking at ones ecclesiology. It follows hot on the heels of his Pagan Christianity and is much more accessible look at how we can do church in our modern era.
The Myth of Religious Violence by William Cavanaugh: This is one I need to read, hopefully soon. Cavanaugh is a favorite author of mine, and the concept of the book (dealing with religious violence) is intriguing. Hopefully it’ll be as good as it looks.
Surprised by Hope by NT Wright: This is a wonderful and accessible book I’d share with any one. NT Wright within it looks at heaven and the afterlife and everything involved in that. It is well worth your time to read.
The Justice Project: This one is a mixed bag of essays by various people dealing with “Justice” issues. I keep meaning to read more of it and give it a proper review but that has yet to happen.
ReJesus by Micheal Frost and Alan Hirsch: This is a Christology book for the missional church. I actually didn’t bring it on this trip; I brought it in May and left it with Floyd McClung to read as he didn’t yet have a copy. Got it back with notes and all so it’ll be an extra good read!
Torture and Eucharist by William Cavanaugh: This is an incredible look at theopolitical method. It traces the church under the dictatorship of Pinochet in Chile, juxtaposing the liturgy of the church, which centers on the Eucharist, with the liturgy of the state, torture. Excellent history and excellent thoughts. This may be the best book on this list (after the Bible of course).
Batman:Dark Victory: What can I say? This is my favorite of the Batman graphic novels. Sometimes you just need a relaxing no brainer read.
Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein: An examination of “disaster capitalism” and all things neoliberal. Loved No Logo and this one too.
Anarchy and Christianity by Jacques Ellul: This is a classic of Christian anarchist literature, in the vein of Tolstoy’s The Kingdom of God is Within You. It’s thin and I wanted to read it on the plane.
I get to bring another round back with me this summer. We’ll see what makes that cut!