What I Read in 2009

2009…well, I’ve read 39 books, which was 1 more than last year. I’m still hoping for 52 in a year…maybe 2010. My reading this year though mostly school directed did weave in a few other books. This list probably has an emphasis mostly on Ancient Near Eastern studies (ANE) and the soul/body problem. I hope that this list might provide you with at least one book that you should pick up and read.

Note the * marks highly recommended books. I don’t use this mark a lot. Some books are good for what they intend to do, but I use the * when I feel the book is exceptional and worth reading even if you’re not expressly looking to gain the intention of the book.

The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever-helpful for the nuts and bolts of doing church. Dever, a historian by training, and pastor in calling gives a practical guide to the issues church polity.

The Bible Unearthed by Finkelstein and Silberman
The New chronology introduced by Finkelstein is explained at a popular level in this book. The team challenges the understanding of much of biblical history attacking even the period of the United Monarchy.

In Search of the Soul edited by Joel Green and Stuart Palmer
This is a 4 views book that wrestles with the relationship of the soul and the body. I’m not sure if you’ll get all your questions answered here, but you’ll be sure to get a new set of complicated questions.

Africa and the Bible by Yamauchi
-A thorough historical treatment of the relationship of the continent of Africa and the Bible.

Body, Soul, and Life Everlasting by John W. Cooper
-A biblical theology of sorts dealing with the body/soul problem wrestling with passages and lexical terms

Embryo by George and Tollefsen
-Secular arguments for the sanctity of the embryo, not too difficult to follow showing logical reasons for the protection of embryo in practice and policy.

Israel in Egypt by Hoffmeier *
-An exceptional treatment of the question of the Israelites presence in Egypt. Hoffmeier, a trained Egyptologist shows remarkable evidence both textually and archaeologically for Israel’s presence in Egypt and its subsequent Exodus.

Marks of His Wounds by Felker-Jones *
-A Feministic understanding of embodiment in conversation with Augustine and Calvin.

From Human to Post Human by Waters
-A cumbersome read, requiring extensive knowledge of philosophy and post-humanism

Rethinking Human Nature by Corcoran
-a short read explaining Kevin Corcoran’s Constitution View of Christian Materialism in addressing the body/soul problem.

Theology and Down Syndrome by Yong *
-a very unique read, but truly mind-opening to the issue of biblically and lovingly caring for the “disabled” with a focus upon Yong’s personal robust theology of down syndrome.

The Way of Life by Gary Badcock
-a helpful book on the issue of vocation placing it in theological context with major theologians of the past.

The Ark Narrative by Antony F. Campbell
-one of the first treatments of the Ark Narrative of 1 & 2 Samuel in English. Campbell is great OT scholar and especially good in the books of Samuel.

The Hand of the Lord by Patrick Miller and J.J.M. Roberts
-a joint dissertation on the Ark Narratives of 1 & 2 Samuel, exegetical in nature, detailed in approach.

Linguistic Analysis of Biblical Hebrew by Sue Groom
This work places biblical Hebrew in the broader context of linguistics at an introductory level, so that students can graspit.

A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax by Arnold and Choi
-a little bit more readable than Waltke and O’Connor. This is able to be read through and then serves as a helpful reference.

Work in the Spirit: Towards a Theology of Work by Volf *
-Volf’s careful interweaving of theology, work, and the Christian. This should be essential reading for thinking Christians, who hold down a job.

A biblical history of Israel by Provan, Long, Longman
As the title suggests, this group limits their construction of Israel’s history to the biblical record. Following this model their treatment of the era of the Divided Monarchy could be improved.

A History of Ancient Israel and Judah by Miller and Hayes
A conservative approach to Israel’s history; however, more weight is given to archaeological evidence though the text is not forgotten. A very helpful work for the Christian student, who is familiar with the text but less familiar with archaeology and ANE history.

The End of Laissez Faire by John Maynard Keynes
-the late economist argues for his view of how American economics should influence foreign policy.

The Starbucks Experience by Joseph Michelli
-A good eye-full of what has made Starbucks successful and how this can be transferable to other businesses. As a place I love to visit, this book helped materialize my understanding of why the concept of a 3rd place is important for culture. I just would like it to be the church instead.

Oxford History of Ancient Egypt
-a historical intro. to the periods of ancient Egypt. Helpful, a bit dry at points, uneven in the specificity and readability of each chapter.

Revolution by George Barna
-Barna’s detailing of the “revolutionary” Christians, who are doing the Christian life often outside of the context of the church. It explains why they do it, how they do it, and what will happen if churches don’t get with the program. What it lacked in biblical treatment and sympathy for the apostolic model, it made up for in over-stated idealistic triumphalism for the so-called “revolutionary” Christians.

The Immigration Crisis by Hoffmeier
-the hot button issue of immigration is dealt with by an actual immigrant, who happens to be well-trained in OT and Ancient Near Eastern Studies. This allows him to clearly explain, who the strangers and aliens are in the OT Scriptures, and what bearing this information has on the church’s action toward immigrants and the socio-political consciences of Christians.

Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson
-the pop-christian-talking head gives his 2 cents on the topic. I’m sure he’s a great Dad, but this book isn’t well founded. It is basically the ramblings of a Dad shooting off on what next comes to mind. Don’t buy the book, just give your own Dad a call (or another Christian father you respect).

Life in Biblical Israel by King and Stager
-a very helpful guide to everything you wanted to know about life in biblical Israel. Archaeological data is incorporated throughout along with the biblical text to illuminate passages and giving a panorama view of what living like an Israelite was like.

Sticky Church by Larry Osborne
-this west coast pastor gives his view of small groups that has been effective for his large ministry. He sees small groups as addressing the problem of the backdoor by providing a means of connectedness. This is a sensitive and practical guide that ought to be considered by those utilizing sermon-based small groups.

Ragamuffin Gospel by Manning
-a celebration of grace through the creative word-smith of Brennan Manning. His extensive references to literature and real life provide ample glimpses of how amazing grace is. If you haven’t reveled in God’s grace lately, you need to read this one.

The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoffer *
-a classic on the costly life of following Jesus. No cheap grace here. It was costly. If you follow Jesus you are being ask to follow and die to yourself.

The Testament by John Grisham
-one of his best as this work abuts the selfless life a missionary with the selfish and depraved lives of the rich and those who are lovers of money. Indeed the maxim he who dies with the most toys still dies is the moral, but seen through the eyes of the protagonist you see the struggle to learn it.

Treasuring God in our Traditions by Noel Piper
-I read it for my wife. It is helpful though in pondering how to live the Christian life in the context of the family. How do I communicate in traditions how much I love Jesus and why certain things are special. A good starting point for the conversation with your family.

The City of Ugarit by Yon
-an archaeological guide to the finds at Ras Shamra. The Bronze Age marvel provides tons of information on Canaanite life during and prior to the Israelite conquest.

Untold Stories by Mark S. Smith
-a survey of the study of Ugaritic emphasizing scholars, works, and schools. This gives one a doorway into the field of Ugaritics.

War Against the Idols by Eire
-a keen historian dealing with the Reformational issue of iconoclasm. He argues on the basis of historical evidence iconoclasm was a political arm of the religious movement.

The Republic by Plato
-classic philosophy that I hadn’t read ‘til this year. Helpful categories and important for political foundations.

Calvin: Origins and Developments of His Religious thought by Wendel
-a short biography begins the work and then an introduction to Calvin’s theology (though be on the look out for Wendel’s Neo Orthodoxy to show).

Creative Community by Andy Stanley
-a case for community groups from a successful programming master. Some tips on what works and some good suggestions on how to lead.

Ugaritic Narrative Poetry ed. By Simon Parker
-A SBL compilation that includes many significant translations of Ugaritic texts including the Kirta Epic, Ahqat, and the Ba’al Cycle.

A Primer on Ugaritic by Schniewind and Hunt
-A grammar for the student of Ugaritic that teaches through the genre corpuses: letters, administrative texts, legal texts, epic, and poetry.