Top 5 Books for Christmas

With Christmas around the corner I thought I would give some suggestions for books you can give to friends, family, etc. this year. Steve will do the same later.

1. Pleasures of God by John Piper. I love John Piper. He has a way of characterizing God in a way that seems truer than most other characterizations: huge, glorified, awesome. I would recommend any of the his books for Christmas, but this one, by far, is my favorite. He'll answer for you the question, "Is God for us or himself?" (which I might blog on at a later date). The chapter on prayer is worth the price of the book.

2. The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out Without Selling Out by Mark Driscoll. Yes, Driscoll pastors a church in Seattle. But no, that is not why I love him. Other than Piper, he is my most influential "I have never met him" mentor and has affected my ministry, family and life in untold ways. A man's man, he preaches and teaches hard, direct truth to a city that, as he says, "has more dogs than Christians."

3. The Rise of Christianity by Rodeny Stark. As far as I know, Stark is not a Christian. But for some reason he has made it his work (at least in the last 10 years or so) to defend Christianity, making the claim that its presence has been for the good of the world, not the bad. His sociological look at history is provocative, illuminating and highly interesting. This is his first book.

4. God's Passion for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards by John Piper. Ok. Only half of this book is by Piper. John Piper says all of the time that he says nothing new. He just repackages what older theologians have already said. And when I say old, I mean it. The first half of the book is a short biography of Johnathan Edwards, the 18th century pastor and theologian. Most historians call him the greatest American theologian ever (some call him the best, period). Piper paints his story well, a that life is both fascinating and tragic. The second half of the book is by Edwards himself, called "The End For Which God Created the World." Edwards is notoriously hard to read. However, Piper took the time to write out fabulous, informative footnotes to help. His book "The Pleasures of God" is based largely on Edwards'. I should say that the bio is an easy read, but the Edwards section is not for the faint of heart. But for those who are game, I guarantee that it will be rewarding.

5. Atlantis Found! by Clive Cussler. Dirk Pitt found me in the middle of Rome, Italy and accompanied me during many of our "siestas" (=taking breaks from looking at art). It was such a release to read something so easy and exciting after 8 years of college/grad school (yes, 8). I want to be Dirk Pitt someday.

Please post your suggestions, too.