Any good books?

[annafullofgrace]

Hello-I just took over our church library and I'm looking for some new additions? Any suggestions? have you read anything lately you would suggest? Movie suggestions are welcomed as well. Thank you!

 

[faroukfarouk]

John MacArcthur Junior material tends to be good.

I enjoy James White, also; I'm not Reformed as he is, but he has put out some sound material.

 

[Dakota Brother]

Take a look at these places, both on line .... Northwestern Publishing House (WELS)
and Concordia Publishing House (LCMS)... both have some of the same titles. I just bought some books from NWP as they were having a sale on them.

 

[Mediaeval]

Anything by Frederick Denison Maurice. He was an Anglican, if that makes a difference.

 

[Resha Caner]

You probably want to break it down by category: children, youth, parenting, marriage & family, theology, history, fiction, etc.

A lot of the stuff I read only seems to interest at most 2 other people in the universe, so I could mention a long list of theological books, but no one would ever read them. In terms of developing a "Lutheran" educational model I think CPH has an excellent book: Lutheran Education: From Wittenberg to the Future by Thomas Korcok.

In terms of fiction, I've been on a small mission of sorts to identify what might be considered "Lutheran" fiction. Much of what shows up in my church library seems like drivel to me. What I found is that there actually was an appetite for Lutheran literature in times past, but it has dried up. So, I ponder what structure I would put to such a story ... sorry, I'm rambling now. I guess I'm saying I don't have any good fiction recommendations for a church library.

The standards are Paul Maier's books: A Skeleton in God's Closest, The Flames of Rome, etc. He's a passable writer, but I hope Lutherans will produce better fiction someday.

 

[Resha Caner]

Anything by Frederick Denison Maurice. He was an Anglican, if that makes a difference.

Yeah, see there's stuff like The Maiden's Bequest by George MacDonald, which I consider to be a masterpiece that sets the standard for how to balance a "Christian" theme with a "realistic" world ... but his theology gets a bit strange in places.

 

[annafullofgrace]

You probably want to break it down by category: children, youth, parenting, marriage & family, theology, history, fiction, etc.

A lot of the stuff I read only seems to interest at most 2 other people in the universe, so I could mention a long list of theological books, but no one would ever read them. In terms of developing a "Lutheran" educational model I think CPH has an excellent book: Lutheran Education: From Wittenberg to the Future by Thomas Korcok.

In terms of fiction, I've been on a small mission of sorts to identify what might be considered "Lutheran" fiction. Much of what shows up in my church library seems like drivel to me. What I found is that there actually was an appetite for Lutheran literature in times past, but it has dried up. So, I ponder what structure I would put to such a story ... sorry, I'm rambling now. I guess I'm saying I don't have any good fiction recommendations for a church library.

The standards are Paul Maier's books: A Skeleton in God's Closest, The Flames of Rome, etc. He's a passable writer, but I hope Lutherans will produce better fiction someday.

Thank you! I do have everything broken up into categories-right now I'm doing out with the old and in with the new. For instance, it's time to retire all the parenting books that nobody uses that are really outdated, VHS tapes and add some new devotionals, children's materials, creation based science, etc... I'm browsing on cph now.

 

[Resha Caner]

... creation based science ...

Ooo. That's a touchy subject.

I would recommend short and sweet in that category. It's not often handled well.

- - -

As long as we're talking about subjects that often aren't handled well, I would recommend Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs for the marriage shelf. To be honest, he's a better speaker than writer, but his is the best handling of difficult marriage topics that will actually engage men that I've ever seen.

 

[annafullofgrace]

Ooo. That's a touchy subject.

I would recommend short and sweet in that category. It's not often handled well.

- - -

As long as we're talking about subjects that often aren't handled well, I would recommend Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs for the marriage shelf. To be honest, he's a better speaker than writer, but his is the best handling of difficult marriage topics that will actually engage men that I've ever seen.

I agree that it is a touchy subject, but we do teach creation and with so many youth interested in science I think it's important to have materials on hand that they can read. I just subscribed to a couple Christian magazines as well-I'm hoping they will be a hit. I've had some parents asking for materials for their kids ages 9-12-I've been filling the 12-18ish age, so now I'll work on the younger crowd.

I actually just picked up the Love and Respect book for my husband and I to read. When we're done, I'll donate it to the library.

I appreciate your suggestions.

 

[Resha Caner]

I agree that it is a touchy subject, but we do teach creation and with so many youth interested in science I think it's important to have materials on hand that they can read.

I'd be curious to know what materials you're looking at ... if you don't mind the discussion. In the end I agree with you that Lutherans should confirm creation, but I think it's important to emphasize why we land there - if it can be done age appropriately.

Some kids are also interested in drama, but I wouldn't say the church "teaches" drama. So why would the church "teach" creation?

To me it seems important churches emphasize that what we teach is Christ crucified, which means he is the Word - the fulfillment of Scripture. And the Word is one of the means of Grace. Because of this connection, just as the Word is infallible, so also Scripture is infallible. Thereby, when Genesis says that God created the world, we believe it.

I think understanding that sequence is of the utmost importance. Some will say, "The Bible isn't a science book." While that is true (the Bible certainly says nothing of hydrogen bonds in DNA), people often use that statement to mean, "It's OK if the Bible is wrong. We'll just write it off as a metaphor." I disagree with that. The creation account is a summary, but an accurate one. Others will say, "The Bible reveals to us the truth of creation." While that is true (the Bible says God created people directly), people often use that statement to mean, "The Bible reveals all the truths of creation, which means I can use the Bible for divination and my interpretation is correct while science is wrong." I disagree with that. While I may question some of the conclusions scientists make, the information they have gathered can be a challenge for Christians. I'm OK with that, but it needs to be handled very carefully.

I've seen the church drive people away over this issue, and while the church must stand firm on what it teaches, it must also demonstrate grace and mercy.

Anyway, getting off my soapbox, I'd be curious to know what materials you're looking at.

 

[annafullofgrace]

I'd be curious to know what materials you're looking at ... if you don't mind the discussion. In the end I agree with you that Lutherans should confirm creation, but I think it's important to emphasize why we land there - if it can be done age appropriately.

Some kids are also interested in drama, but I wouldn't say the church "teaches" drama. So why would the church "teach" creation?

To me it seems important churches emphasize that what we teach is Christ crucified, which means he is the Word - the fulfillment of Scripture. And the Word is one of the means of Grace. Because of this connection, just as the Word is infallible, so also Scripture is infallible. Thereby, when Genesis says that God created the world, we believe it.

I think understanding that sequence is of the utmost importance. Some will say, "The Bible isn't a science book." While that is true (the Bible certainly says nothing of hydrogen bonds in DNA), people often use that statement to mean, "It's OK if the Bible is wrong. We'll just write it off as a metaphor." I disagree with that. The creation account is a summary, but an accurate one. Others will say, "The Bible reveals to us the truth of creation." While that is true (the Bible says God created people directly), people often use that statement to mean, "The Bible reveals all the truths of creation, which means I can use the Bible for divination and my interpretation is correct while science is wrong." I disagree with that. While I may question some of the conclusions scientists make, the information they have gathered can be a challenge for Christians. I'm OK with that, but it needs to be handled very carefully.

I've seen the church drive people away over this issue, and while the church must stand firm on what it teaches, it must also demonstrate grace and mercy.

Anyway, getting off my soapbox, I'd be curious to know what materials you're looking at.

I do not mind the discussion.

When I say teach I'm speaking from a Sunday school teachers standpoint. Even as young as third grade as soon as we do the story of creation these kids are questioning it. As soon as we read the words 'and it was so' most of them object. They are being taught in school the very opposite of what we are teaching in Sunday school. My goal is to teach them the word and that it is the absolute truth. That they can trust that God is who he says he is and that he always keeps his promises. Some of the older kids have never even heard there was such a thing as a creation scientist. Some of them have told us in youth group that in order to be a scientist, you must believe in evolution. So, my goal is to have materials available if they want to further read a particular area of interest. Especially, since in my classroom we are not doing science lessons, my job and goal is to teach the word of God.

I see how it gets tricky for them because they are in school all week long and Sunday school teachers get them for one hour a week. And not all students show up every week. It's not so much an issue with the younger kids as it is with the older ones, especially high school age. So, I'm seeing it like this-they are going to go looking for the information anyway, and I see it as a positive thing if we can have resources available if they want to further educate themselves from a biblical perspective. I hope that makes sense.

I'm still looking into reading materials. I know answers in genesis has a wealth of knowledge in scientific books and I'm browsing cph.

 

[Resha Caner]

My goal is to teach them the word and that it is the absolute truth. That they can trust that God is who he says he is and that he always keeps his promises. Some of the older kids have never even heard there was such a thing as a creation scientist. Some of them have told us in youth group that in order to be a scientist, you must believe in evolution. So, my goal is to have materials available if they want to further read a particular area of interest. Especially, since in my classroom we are not doing science lessons, my job and goal is to teach the word of God.

All good things, but I'll be honest: the "creation science" label makes me cringe. I just see too much misinformation promoted under that label. Actually, I see too much misinformation coming from all sides. That's what makes it tough. IMO most of the creationist organizations have become stuck in a socio-political battle that has compromised their integrity.

There seems to be this attitude that everything an evolutionary biologist says is wrong and everything a creationist scientists says is right ... and that's just not true.

I'm still looking into reading materials. I know answers in genesis has a wealth of knowledge in scientific books and I'm browsing cph.

What pains me here is that I'd like to do so much more in this area, but I'm years away from being able to provide actual materials to someone like yourself. I'm in the middle of a post-graduate program where I'm focusing on some of these topics, but I'll need to complete that work first.

 

[annafullofgrace]

All good things, but I'll be honest: the "creation science" label makes me cringe. I just see too much misinformation promoted under that label. Actually, I see too much misinformation coming from all sides. That's what makes it tough. IMO most of the creationist organizations have become stuck in a socio-political battle that has compromised their integrity.

There seems to be this attitude that everything an evolutionary biologist says is wrong and everything a creationist scientists says is right ... and that's just not true.


What pains me here is that I'd like to do so much more in this area, but I'm years away from being able to provide actual materials to someone like yourself. I'm in the middle of a post-graduate program where I'm focusing on some of these topics, but I'll need to complete that work first.

See, most research I've done on both sides each side seems to agree that they are all reading the same information, just coming to different conclusions on origins. I'll admit that this is not an area of extreme interest for me, but I do enjoy reading new information as it comes out. I have also seen both sides get carried away and lose focus on the points they are trying to make, but we are all human. I've seen more evolution believing scientist state that if you believe in intelligent design than you are no scientist. Each side certainly has flaws.

I'll be happy to post any materials I find.

I thank you for the conversation.

 

[Resha Caner]

I'll be happy to post any materials I find.

Thanks.

I thank you for the conversation.

np.

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

The Spirituality of the Cross by Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Jr. CPH.

Broken: Seven Christian Rules that Every Christian Ought to Break As Often as Possible by Pr. Jonathan Fisk

IMO, two absolute essentials for any Lutheran church library.....


Thank you!


Pax


- Josiah






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