12 Books of Christmas — Continued, Continued

We are just days away from the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Some are spending more time away from work and around family. Others are busy preparing for the crash of family gatherings and an infinite supply of destroyed wrapping paper. It is my hope that some are found with a good book in hand, as the Lord continues to transform our minds.

Here is another selection of readings that have really challenged my heart and revealed things I had previously skimmed over.

Seventh (book number if you’ve counted along with us):

Prioritizing the Church in Missions by John Folmar & Scott Logsdon

If any book on my list of the twelve should be read by every person in the church, let this one take that place. Unfortunately, many in the church have come to see missions as anything you do with a passport in hand in another place—from work projects, to kids’ songs, and even humanitarian aid events.

When Paul understood missionary journeys, he planted churches. This book brings us back to that understanding: missions is a work meant to see churches planted as people are discipled for Christ. A poor understanding of ecclesiology (church doctrine) within the church has encouraged many to forget the church as the end goal of “going.” A read through this book will grow your heart for the church and lead you to pray that more churches will be planted among those who are least reached or unreached with the gospel.

Eighth:

Evangelical Pharisees by Michael Reeves

This is a good read for every person. This short book peels away layers of deception in our own hearts to reveal whether we have drifted into living as modern-day Pharisees—doing all the right works (Bible reading, church attendance, etc.) while having a heart that is cold toward Christ.

What is the cure? A deep love for Christ as we grow in trusting Him and knowing the gospel. If you feel a coldness in your heart toward the person and work of Christ, read this book. Again and again.

Ninth:

Clash of Visions: Populism and Elitism in New Testament Theology by Robert Yarbrough

This is a niche book for those who follow academic trends in theological circles and seminaries. Yarbrough compares populism (the authority and reliability of Scripture) and elitism (skeptical scholarship with endless methodologies) in both academia and everyday life.

For over 200 years, a modern push has sought to skeptically study God’s Word—removing supernatural events, allegorizing biblical accounts, and claiming some canonical books as departures from Jesus’ words. This mindset often gets labeled “liberal theology,” but it primarily circulates within university settings. These environments shape the minds and hearts of pastors and can lead to a departure from historical Christianity and God’s Word toward pragmatism, social justice, and a myriad of other issues.

Though only a few may be interested in the subject matter, I found this book incredibly reflective. The populists are often those seeing many come to faith, dying for the faith (up to 90,000 martyrs a year), and growing in their trust of God. Elites, meanwhile, debate obscure truth claims, reinterpret historical truths, and make a living undermining the faith.

What are you reading?I would love to see how God is shaping your heart through other written works. Email me at: johnr@rainbowforest.com

-Pastor John Richardson