You ever pick up perhaps too many books at once that its kind of hard to finish them all–and also to write reviews?
And then you also feel you still don’t have time to read what you want to read?
Well that’s this summer. The riot threw things off and I’m slowly getting back on track for a few weeks now.
Then I realized I had to read more books, some related to what I’m preaching and teaching on, some relevant to things going on nationally and internationally and some since I also want to understand the side I disagree with.
So if it seems I’m not pumping out reviews each week as I use to, its not I’m not reading; its the opposite!
Lord willing I hope to pump some of the reviews out next week.
These are some of the topics of books I’m reading on:
- A Bible commentary on Genesis.
- Commentaries on Ephesians.
- A book on a Reformed doctrine.
- A theology book on shame.
- A book on economics.
- Books on prayer.
- A parenting devotional.
- A history book on railroads.
- A book on policing.
- A book on Criminal Justice Reform
- A comic book
What are you reading?
Ha! I know this ALL to well! Right now I am reading an NSBT book, I am also reading Meeting the Protestant Challenge: How to Answer 50 Biblical Objections to Catholic Beliefs courtesy of Tom. I also want to start reading The Gospel of Rome (also recommended by Tom) and some of the John Walton books I got. I am really interested in the herem, things devoted to destruction. Which Genesis commentary are you reading? I do not know what I would do if we lived in a society without books?! Do you prefer to read print copies of books or digital?!
Wow you got your hands full of books! I’m reading Boice’s commentary. Needed something light than say Walton, though I need to read him at some point. I too can’t imagine if there’s a world without books! I prefer physical books, how about yourself? Yet 30-40 percent of my readings now is digital. What percentage is your reading is digital versus physical? Do you highlight physicial books and do you take other notes?
I enjoy Boise’s writings, especially the Psalms! I prefer print books; however, I am running out of space! I have Logos so I would say I am 50/50. I have a hardback Bible but I also use Logos to supplement my readings. I am a chronic 5star 3 subject notebook note taker! I am also a chronic journaler! I am a read write learner so highlighting doesn’t really help me! Repetition is the key to learning so whether it is reading, writing, memorizing I have to do it over and over again!! Seminary taught me how to skim really, really well! It’s all,about reading and processing smarter not harder! How about you do you highlight? Are you more a listening learner, visual learner etc?!
Posted about my latest today Jim— I’m way behind
In your list, Jim, apart from the Theology related and econ books, the graphic novel is interesting. I wonder if it is still on the dark knight? What am I reading, well the time allotted for comic books has been consumed by WordPress articles; GOD has its way to ward me off from superheroes.
Yes it is the dark night! I finished another one that I will write a review of sometime. It takes me a long time to write down a review for any books. I’m glad you are reading God’s Word more than comics. You shared earlier about flash flooding not too far away; are they pretty common for you guys this time of the year?
Yes, very common, Jim, due to the southwest monsoon or Habagat as we call it. This is good as the water level of dams will increase. As expected, it is Batman. GOD bless you and your family!
Though I’m always reading a bit of this and and a bit of that, my main focus currently is on the excellent Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel: A Study in Literary Design by R. Alan Culpepper.
Wow never heard of the author nor the book. I looked him up and wow besides books he’s also an editor for Brill. Is your books published by Brill, that is the most expensive publishers if I seen any…how is the book?
It’s on Fortress Press, as part of their Foundations and Facets series. I have two or three Brill books, but I’ve been able to get them at STEEP discounts!
As someone particularly fascinated with John’s Gospel, I have probably 40 or so books related to it, and this is definitely in the top five. I should review it when I’m finished.
Relatedly, I want to give a shout-out to Sigler Press, the independent book store I purchased it from. If any book-lover here is unaware, there is a fantastic website bookfinder.com at which you can find a wide selection of books by title and/or author or ISBN (I avoid Amazon for various reasons, buying books there only from individual sellers and only if I cannot find them elsewhere). At bookfinder I found Abe Books, which is where I purchased the Culpepper book. I was so impressed with the condition of the book, the service, etc. that I looked up the company in order to send them an email, thanking them for their excellent service–and great rates!
Last October I spoke at a Christian book store, and as a thank-you they gave me a bag of books, all of which looked great! … I just came across that bag at our family summer home…
There seems to be so little time for reading that I find myself sticking to audio books that I can listen to while I’m cooking, cleaning, etc. “Defying Jihad” by Esther Amahd is one I finished recently, and it’s excellent. (It is the true story of an answer to my daily prayers over the last fifteen years, so yeah, that’s probably one reason I loved it. 😉 )
Wow an answered prayer for the last 15 years?! Is your prayers for the conversion of jihadists? What is the book about, what a title!
Yes, yes, and this woman was someone who loved Islam and was heading for training in how to be a suicide bomber. But she is now a Christian, writer, speaker, and (I assume) an evangelist and apologist to Muslims. (She is also much hated, obviously, so please pray for her.)
Oops, that’s Esther Ahmad.
Jim, you might find this other answered prayer interesting, to say the least…
Do not read much as have oldie eye problems. Love in Christ.
Bonnie, I personally have come to love audio books, not because of eye problems, but because I rarely have time to sit down with a book any more. I love to listen while I cook, clean, etc. Have you tried audiobooks?
I was just finishing up a short story about eye problems that will be posted on my blog one of these Fridays. 😊
I would have to wear ear phones(no buds) but thank you.
Hmmm … “The Joys and the Hopes: An American Evangelical Discovers Catholic Social Teaching” by my friend Erick Schenkel. I’ve known Erick for over 50 years now. He most recently served as Executive Director of the Jesus Film Project. He has 4 degrees from Harvard including a Ph. D. in American religious history. Great read!
“Evangelical Protestantism’s” lack of discernment these days is stunning.
What is stunning is your willingness to judge evangelicals you don’t know. I’ve known this brother for over 50 years. He loves Jesus. He has gone to very dangerous places to witness for Jesus. He has brought many to Jesus. He has discipled them. He has suffered and been persecuted.
How dare you judge him. Seriously, how dare you. God is our judge, not you. Your hatred for evangelicals who love Jesus and happen to love catholics as well doesn’t serve our mission well.
Being an ex-Catholic and then studying the RCC extensively after trusting in Christ by faith alone (a belief formally condemned by the RCC), I am amazed by the ongoing betrayal of the genuine Gospel by accommodating and compromising so-called “evangelical Protestants” such as yourself and your PhD. friend. You don’t love Catholics. Your accommodating, ecumenism-driven acknowledgement of the RCC as a valid Christian entity deprives Roman Catholics of the genuine Gospel they so desperately need to hear. That’s not love. Shame on you.
I’d rather be a sheep than a goat? What distinguishes them?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A31-46&version=CSB
I don’t know if you’re a sheep or a goat, but if you’re a sheep, you’re definitely an accommodator and compromiser with deadly Roman Catholic error. I can’t imagine a faithful evangelical recommending a book that acknowledges the RCC as a Christian entity and touting Roman Catholicism’s social gospel agenda. So wrong.
At least the quote isn’t from Eugene Peterson’s terrible “The Message” which you frequently use.
Right now I am reading a book on discipleship, Amusing Ourselves to Death, and a Christian counseling book. I just finished The Third Option about improving race relations, The Death of Expertise, and Christ and the Coronavirus. Also just ordered A Brave New World and 1984 to read for fun before school starts back up.
Which counseling book did you read? Always looking for counseling resources
The book is called Solution Focused Pastoral Counseling by Charles Allan Kollar.
Book nerds unite! Interesting queue of books! I have four reviews waiting to be published:
WWII female cryptographers
Costi Hinn’s book
JMac’s book on worship
Fraudulent Silicon Valley high tech company
Reading – The Plot Against America – fictional account, Charles Lindbergh elected president in 1940
In the queue:
Biography of fundamentalist Jack Hyles
Free will a Slave – Spurgeon
Counterfeit Miracles – Warfield
Christian Nationalism
Evangelical ecumenism
Geisler’s 2nd book about Catholicism
Revert Catholic
Old Testament types
Effective Prayer – Spurgeon
Opioid epidemic
Wow you have your plates full! What is the title for the women cryptographers?
The title is “Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II” and it’s written by Liza Mundy. It’s a good book although the author grinds her pro-feminism ax here and there.
I can definitely relate to being behind on your reading.
Awesome! Any particular books you reading?
Not at the moment (apart from the Bible and the driving handbook), due to how long it takes me to get through books.
I must admit that my reading has been limited to my Bible, devotions, and local newspaper. I need to prioritize time each day for reading one of many books.