Some Good Books

Here are a few books I read this summer and recommend.

* John Updike's new novel called "Terrorist" is a wonderful read. Its full of fascinating insight into Islam, Christianity and human nature. His critique of Christianity is both powerful and kind. The musings of a tired insomniac guidance counselor who reflects on his life as "an extended blunder" in the middle of the night made me laugh out loud. Updike knows the ennui of approaching age and the kind of continuing grief for lost opportunities and misdirected energies that characterizes middle aged American manhood.
* The Places in Between by Rory Stewart is another fascinating book. Stewart, a former British Soldier and diplomat walked across Afghanistan (from Herat to Kabul) about 2 weeks after the fall of the Taliban. Its a great adventure and is full of historical and cultural insight.
* Following Jesus, by N.T. Wright is a wonderful sermon series that stimulates fresh thinking on Christian discipleship. I used his approach as a launching pad for a "companion series" at Temple Baptist.
* Donald Carson, in his Becoming Conversant with the Emergent Church has provided a helpful and insightful analysis of postmodernism and its influence in the church.