June 21, 2021
On recommending, reading, receiving books
“Problem-solve it.” This has become a new phrase with one of my children who is quick—very quick, too quick—to ask for help. I’m all for giving help, of course. There’s no need to struggle unnecessarily. And at the same time, I know that too much help is disabling. Too much immediate helps would spare this child the good, difficult work of thinking for himself.
It would spare him growth.
I hope you’ll forgive the crude analogy—but you, dear readers, are in some ways like my own children. I labor to see Christ formed in you. As you read my words, I’m always hoping that you’ll find them helpful. At the same time, I know whatever help I offer doesn’t spare you the good and often difficult work of thinking for yourselves.
That work is means to your growth.
You’ll know that I’ve had my nose in the book of Proverbs recently. One thing I’ve found particularly fascinating is the kind of reader response the wisdom literature of the Bible calls for. The Biblical books of wisdom (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) demand the participation of an active, engaged listener. They presuppose the listener doesn’t want to be spoonfed ready-made truth, packaged like the squeezable applesauce babies eat today. They presume the listener is better off with a bowl, a spoon, a bushel of apples, and maybe even a little maple syrup.
My goal, in writing, isn’t to give readers applesauce but apples. I think there is merit to this approach—but I understand there is also limitation.
Today is the day you’re expecting a long list of book titles from me. As I’ve been considering my own path of wisdom, I’ve realized it might be most helpful for me to highlight one or two books I can heartily recommend alongside other books I’m reading and also receiving from publishers. I feel these may be these helpful distinctions.
To be clear, a book recommendation from me might signal any number of things:
· Read this because it’s true!
· Read this because it’s beautiful!
· Read this because it enlarges your imagination for what it means to be human!
· Read this because it enlarges your vision of God and God’s work in the world!
To clarify further, a book recommendation from me never signals this:
· I’ve read and can endorse every word this person has ever published!
· This author is worthy of imitation!
· This author holds every theological position I do!
I’ll do my part to offer a little more help to you as readers by more carefully making these distinctions. But you, dear friends, are still going to have to do your own good thinking to determine what books will be helpful for you.
Recommended:
Jeffrey Bilbro’s Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News. Bilbro’s book is published by IVP Academic. This isn’t to say it’s dense and inaccessible, but it is to say that it’s thoughtful and substantive. Here was my endorsement, which I couldn’t have more heartily offered. I really do love this book and will likely reread it as soon as I can!
“Jeffrey Bilbro's Reading the Times makes a compelling sweep of material, technological, and philosophical history, helping Christians ask pressing contemporary questions: How do we attend faithfully to the news? To what political, moral, social and spiritual ends do we scroll Twitter, check Facebook, and scan the morning headlines? Attention deficit, hyper-partisan divisions, and misinformation are familiar problems in our current media landscape, but Bilbro goes beyond standard diagnoses of media consumption. In the Augustinian tradition, he examines media appetite. I find his work both practical and prophetic: one foot in kronos, one in kairos, Bilbro begs us to fight for better media habits and rightly ordered media loves. I hope people will gather around these pages together and attend to them slowly, prayerfully, resolutely.”
Reading:
A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold
Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner
Paul: A Biography by N.T. Wright
The Bedrock of Christianity: The Unalterable Facts of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection by Justin W. Bass
Still by Lauren Winner
Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship by John Swinton
Received:
The Message of the Psalms: Premier Journaling Edition
Finding your YES: Living a Life that’s Open to God’s Invitation by Christine E. Wagoner
What God Has to Say About Our Bodies: How the Gospel is Good News for our Physical Selves by Sam Allberry
And just because:
I got the loveliest compliment from a reader about A Habit Called Faith. He writes:
“As a result of the 40-day habit of faith exercise, I have done better at other “habits” in my life such as resuming regular early morning walks and upping my fitbit goals back to 10,000 steps a day. In fact, I now listen to the podcast of Bible in One Year on my morning walks which has the benefit of reinforcing both habits. Habits as a way of life may be a fad today, but it’s actually as old as the Ten Commandments. Guess there’s a reason why Jordan Peterson is so popular.”
Thanks as always for receiving, reading—and even sometimes recommending Post Script.
Jen