I read books, tons of them! Mainly theological in nature with the occasional biography or novel thrown in (think I should have shares in Wesley Owen if they ever issued them...)
Of these a number have been very good. I would recommend Bonhoeffer's "Cost of Discipleship", and "The Heavenly Man" (Brother Yun/Paul Hattaway) as 2 of the most important. There are others that you know will be good; most things by John Piper or Wayne Grudem. J I Packer is another whom I find very helpful for thinking through things. But recently I've read a particular book that has simply blown me away.
It is "Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E Bailey. This book is manna. It's like my reading of scripture where the events and parables are being explained culturally has gone from 2D to 3D. Many parts of Luke's Gospel are now vivid in my mind and, hopefully, my understanding is growing.
For example; until I read it I didn't grasp (and am still trying to ponder on) the full implications of the parable of the Good Samaritan, both for those who ignored and the Samaritan who helped as well as thedeep theology contained in a "story" . And to see the Hebrew structure behind the "Gentile" gospel gives me a sense of almost hearing the words being passed onto Luke, by the first disciples, as he compiled his writing.
Quite simply, you need this book buy it; read it and read it again.
No comments:
Post a Comment