Church Planter - Darrin Patrick

A great book on the heart of the man who plants churches. Yes you read right 'the man' Not sure I am 100% in line with this line of men only leadership, but none the less a good book giving some good practical advice on what it means to plant a church. A good read for ministry leaders in our congregation as it reminds us of the core of who we are..

Available locally here.

Almost Christian

A powerful book outlining the state of Christian faith in young people in the US. It is based upon research done in a major national study. The picture painted is a scary one in many ways and bear relevance to where South Africa is heading....a heads up for ministry leaders.

It's available locally here.

Death by Love - Mark Driscoll

Driscoll is a great preacher and he is also a great writer. In this very readable book Driscoll outlines, using pastoral situations, the Bible's great theological themes: Justification, redemption, expiation and propitiation are all unpacked in a way that the average Christian will be able to follow. Well worth the buy!

What to do on the worst day of your life - Brian Zahnd

This is a fantastic book to give to someone who has to face grief or disaster. It avoids pithy feel good nothings and instead gives a helpful and practical guide to dealing with grief and trouble using David returning to the destroyed Ziklag in 1 Samuel.

This is a great little book worth having on the shelf for those moments when life sux!

The Prodigal God - Tim Keller

Keller is one of the giants of the faith and he is worth reading. Keller unpacks possibly the most well known of all Jesus parables - the prodigal and the result is an insightful and meaningful book that will challenge many of our preconceived ideas about the parable, and about ourselves.

3 Crucial Questions about Spiritual Warfare - Clinton E Arnold

Spiritual warfare is one of those things that is often abused or ignored within the church. Often it as abused by those who seek the devil behind every bush and those who ignore the issue do so at their peril as we fight not against flesh and blood Paul writes. In this well written and accessible book Arnold puts together some good material on demons including the complex question of whether a Christian can be possessed.

Its a good book theologically solid and worth reading if only to dispel some of the myths that pervade the church.

Desiring God - John Piper

Pretty much everything by Piper is brilliant and worth a read and this classic of his is worth having and rereading every year. His basic tagline is that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Basically our enjoying God through Christ is the highest form of worship we can give him.

...buy it!

As we forgive - Catherine Claire Larson

This is a powerful, emotional and faith stretching book - a brilliant read!

It is the true stories of seven survivors of the Rwandan genocide. The key issue is the reconciliation between victom and offender. Many of these offenders where neighbours to these people and landed up killing their families and children in the most gruesome ways.

The challenge is the message and example of Christian forgiveness presented in the book by these seven people who became followers of Jesus. I found myself hugely challenged and I'd highly recommend this read.

Praying with the church - Scott mcKnight

An outstanding read outlining for us the long history of prayer in the church. Not the loose modern prayer but the formal liturgical prayer of Jesus and the early church. Set prayers, prayers that are prayed by thousands of others across the world every day. McKnight really wants to help us dicsover the wonder of praying with the church ratehr than on our own.

A really challenging read that will push you to rediscover this ancient tool to develop our love for Jesus.

Why men hate going to church - David Morrow

A really interesting read on how the church has softened Jesus message and how this has alienated men from church. 'Jesus is my boyfriend' songs have not helped. This book is a really interesting read and a must for anyone involved in public worship.

Jesus Driven Ministry by Ajith Fernando

"If I could afford to buy only one book on Christian leadership - this would be it." Ian Coffey

Ajith Fernando has been Director for Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka since 1976. In addition, he runs a drug rehabiliation ministry. Very crucially, he exhorts this generation of leaders to be godly-models for the next - by following the example of Jesus.

Available from www.loot.co.za for about R165
Paperback, 255 pages, ISBN-13: 978-1-58134-851-4
Published by Crossway Books 2007

Does it matter what I believe? - Millard J Erickson

What the Bible Teaches and Why We Should Believe It

by Millard J. Erickson

If Jesus is the Lord of our faith, then believing what he teaches does matter - a lot!

The basics of Christian faith are carefully presented and applied . To make the summary more useful as a group study guide, there are study questions and suggestions for each chapter.

Published in 1992 but still worth it if you can get hold of it.

Two Hundred and Eighty Titles and Symbols of Christ by James Large

“Right thoughts of the Lord Jesus Christ lie at the very root of all Christian religion.”

This book is a unique compilation and exposition of the types and symbols of our Lord. An invaluable tool in the study of Scripture and gives an insight of how God has revealed His Son through His inspired word, the Bible.

ISBN 978-0-89957-201-7
AMG Publishers

The Hiding Place - Corrie Ten Boom

How do you help those around you who are in need? Read this inspiring true story told by Corrie ten Boom of the Dutch family in Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II. It will move you deeply and inspire you to consider what you can do in these times in South Africa. Available as a book or film.

Read more about the background to the story:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrie_ten_Boom
http://www.amazon.com/Hiding-Place-Corrie-Ten-Boom/dp/0553256696

Available from www.loot.co.za
Paperback, 221 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0-340-86353-4
Published by Hodder & Stoughton Religious

Andrew Murray on Prayer - 7 books in one

Combining seven of Andrew Murray's most well-known works on prayer, this book will give you biblical guidelines for effective, vital communication with God. Discover the essential keys to developing a vital prayer life, and begin to reap the benefits of true prayer.

Through Andrew Murray's writings, readers find out how their devotions can be transformed so that they can realize the fullness of God's love, peace, and divine power in their life. Lovingly explained, the principles presented here can permanently alter readers' prayer life.

Publisher: Whitaker House
Paperback, 656 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0-88368-528-0
Available from www.loot.co.za for R260

101 Most Powerful Prayers in the Bible - Claire Cloninger

The Bible is the ultimate textbook on prayer. Claire Cloninger selects 101 prayers from the Bible and brings them to life with her practical experience and commentary.
The book is easy to read, like a fireside chat with a good friend. It will help us to open our hearts to God by showing us how earlier saints and sinners prayed.

Available from www.loot.co.za for R211.00

Praying the Psalms by Dr. Elmer Towns

The psalms as personal prayers

This book shows us is a different way of looking at the psalms. Instead of just reading the psalms from your Bible, Elmer Towns converts them into personal prayers to enable you to use the psalms to talk to God. Like many good Christian books, it will encourage you to read your Bible more often and then open your eyes and ears to see and hear God as you pray to Him through the example of the psalms.

R167 from www.loot.co.za

User’s Guide to Christian Belief by Mark Stibbe

Clear and accessible introduction to Christian belief

Mark Stibble writes well and his readable book (only 140 pages) introduces us to the central ideas and themes behind our Christian faith. For example, doctrines like revelation, creation, the fall, the cross and the significance of concepts like the resurrection and the Holy Spirit are accurately explained. “Great buildings depend on strong foundations. This is equally true of great systems of faith; they too depend on strong foundations. On what, therefore, do Christians base their beliefs?”
Available from Scripture Union Bookstore in Rondebosch (021-689-8334) or online at www.loot.co.za for about R110.00

The Jesus I never Knew - Philip Yancey

This is another of Yanceys outstanding works.

In an accesible and well researches way, Yancey rediscovers the first century Jesus, his profound teaching, his anti-establishment message and his promise of a kingdom not of this world. This is a journey back in time to help us see Jesus in relation to the culture of his day. We have at points become so comfortable with what we have read about Jesus, that we forget just what a radical he was - this book will help you to understand more of our Lord that you have before.

This is a good read that will challenge you to rediscover the real Jesus who is able to change lives in powerful ways. Yancey hits the nail on the head with this one and I would highly recommend it.

Everymans Talmud - Abraham Cohen

The talmudic writing where the collected wisdom of the Rabbis over many generations as they sought to interpret the Word of God for their context. This book is a handy tool where the distilled wisdom of the Talmud is put into an accessible form by Cohen. It's not the kind of book you pick up and read from cover to cover, but is a helpful reference work to better understand the culture of Jesus time. 

Worth having if you like to get some information of the Jewish context in which Jesus lives. If you like trashy novels - this is NOT the book for you.  If you are really interested in understanding the Bible and the context of the Bible this is a great little number. Available at Loot.co.za for R190

No holds barred: Wrestling with God in prayer - Mark D Roberts

Mark Roberts is a Presbyterian minister who writes a number of papers and books. In this excellent work he helps us understand some of the dynamics of prayer. Using mostly the psalms, Roberts unpacks what it means to wrestle with God in prayer - from prayers of thanksgiving and praise to the cry for help and the begging for mercy prayers that where part of Davids life. It is a book that will help you slow down and re-connect with Jesus

A good read! And this book is available at loot.co.za for R130

What do Jewish People Think about Jesus? by Michael L. Brown

... and other questions Christians ask about Jewish beliefs, practices and history.
Author Michael L. Brown Ph.D.
www.icnministries.org

This is a wonderful guide for those who have Jewish friends or want to understand the Jews. Michael Brown is the best scholar amongst Messianic Jews today. He answers the most common 60 questions which he has heard Christians pose of Jewish beliefs about Jesus, Judaism, Jewish practice, the Jewish people, their history, the Law of Moses and contemporary Christians, Rabbi Yeshua (Jesus to us!) and gives us insights help us understand our Jewish boss, Jesus, better.

Available from Scripture Union Bookshop, Rondebosch 021-689-8334 for about R170.00

Prayer - Does it make any difference? - by Philip Yancey

Do you struggle with prayer? So do others....
Philip Yancey probes the very heartbeat—the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect—of our relationship with God: prayer. What is prayer? Does it change God’s mind or ours—or both? This book is an invitation to communicate with God the Father who invites us into an eternal partnership through prayer.
Visit his website: www.philipyancey.com

Sermon on the Mount - Lloyd-Jones

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

I have many favourite books... but this is very close to the top as it is a study of my own favourite passages of the Bible. (Gary)

This is what others say about this book:
A spiritual classic, this detailed and comprehensive study by one of the greatest expository preachers of our time explains Christ's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and incisively applies it to the Christian life. With characteristic vigor and emotional vitality Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents a brilliant and detailed exposition of one of the best known but most frequently misunderstood passages of Scripture. Here is a comprehensive and exhaustive study of our Lord's words as recorded in Matthew chapters five, six and seven.

This beautiful portion of the Sermon on the Mount is carefully analyzed, its contents outlined and thoughtfully arranged, and vastly rich and abundant truths are gleaned for your spiritual nurture. The author brought a wealth of devoted study as well as a profound spiritual appreciation to the work of interpreting this greatest address of our delightful experience in meditation. It presents depth of thought in simple language and beauty of style and contains a veritable thesaurus of spiritual truths drawn from the entire Bible.

ESV study Bible

All Christians need a bible, sadly not all seem to have one. Further to that most Christians should have a quality study bible with a lot of additional infromation that makes reading the bible more interesting and informative. 

Most of the english translations are pretty good and most people these days in South Africa anyhow will use the NIV translation. The ESV (English Standard Version) is a good literal translation of the Bible and now there is a new study version of it that is very highly regarded by some really good scholars. 

You can view information and some some sample pages from it at http://www.esvstudybible.org/#features. When you purchase the print version you also get access to an online version with further information. The ESV Study Bible is availble in South Africa from Loot.co.za. If you are looking for a good quality study bible and are prepared to try a different translation, this one is highly recommended.

40 Facinating Conversion Stories - compiled by Samuel Fisk

All believers have a story to tell, a story of forgiveness and grace, a story of how God's provision in Jesus Christ met the deepest needs of a human heart.

Conversion is "a radical change, a transformation, a turning around, . . . . a conscious act, not an event passively experienced. For the Christian, the changed life of the converted is the outward expression of a changed hear." (from The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church).

The stories in this compilation by Samuel Fisk portray the personal, life-changing experiences behind the definition.

For many of the persons presented in this volume, conversion was only the beginning of many years of dedicated Christian service and, for some, widespread fame and recognition by their contemporaries. The focus of Forty Fascinating Conversion Stories, however, is upon the actual circumstances and decisions that resulted in a changed heart.

Included in this collection are the dramatic conversion stories of evangelist "Gypsy" Smith, African missionary David Livingstone, American evangelist and Bible school founder Dwight L. Moody, the author of Pilgrim's Progress John Bunyan, founder of the Navigators Dawson Trotman and many others.

A real joy.

The Seven Festivals of The Messiah by Edward Chumney

Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Weeks, Trumpets, Atonement, Booths

One of the most fascinating and yet probably one of the least understood topics in the Bible is that of the feasts found in Leviticus 23. This book, step by step, examines each festival for the foundational truths God wants us to learn through them. These festivals prophetically speak of the first and second comings of Jesus (Yeshua), as well as to provide tremendous insight into the Christian life and our personal relationship with God. This book will even answer the question for Jews, "Is Jesus (Yeshua) the long awaited Messiah (Mashiach) of Israel?"

The Throne, The Lamb and The Dragon by Paul Spilsbury

A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation

Paul Spilsbury has studied Revelation in the company of its best interpreters, those who have taken the time to enter the minds of the first-century Christians for whom it was originally written. And what has he found? Within the central images of a throne, a lamb and a dragon lies the answer. The gospel clearly proclaimed. The glory of God awesomely illumined. The work of Christ memorably embodied. The nature of evil hauntingly disclosed.

Here is a guide that will help us hear Revelation speak, once again inspiring grateful worship and calling us to costly discipleship.

Easy reading, deep subject - 150 page paperback. Available from Scripture Union Bookshop 021-689-8334

NT Wright - Surprised by Hope

Bishop Wright is an outstanding and highly regarded New Testament scholar who is well renowned for his books. This book is no exception. 

It is an brilliant work on the nature of Christian hope. He rethinks heaven, resurrection and the church's mission. Effectively he argues that there are two common models of looking at life:

1. All is going to pot and we're waiting for heaven

2. Human progress will make all things better and heaven is here

Wright pushes for a third, biblical option that there is a combination of both models inherent in the minds of the writers of the New Testament. This model is a 'now' and 'then' interpretation of our hope. Our hope is that Jesus is working here and now for the good of this world and he is working towards the new heaven and earth as spoken of in Revelation. 

It is an easy read for a theology work, it is firmly grounded in a solid interpretation of Scripture and is profoundly Christ centered. A really good read.

Rob Bell - Velvet Elvis

Rob Bell is one of the leading voices in the emerging church movement altough he would never label himself as such. This book is worth reading and is quite challenging at a number of levels. There is a challenge to narrow simplistic doctrine and instead Rob emraces a broader more flexible doctrine. Whilst I understand where he comes from I fear that the door may be opened to doctrinal laxness leading to errors in the faith of the church. 

I enjoyed the book. It is written in

Rob's

broken

style.

It is in fact more oratory in style. Don't expect deep theology, but rather a challenging, enjoyable and worthwile read.

Mark Driscoll - Confessions of a reformission rev.

Mark Driscoll is the senior pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle (not to be confused with Rob Bells church of the same name in Grand Rapids Michigan)

In this book Mark Driscoll outlines the start of this fledgling church and some of the challenges that he faces as a young and very inexperienced minister. The book is interesting, and at points hilarious. Mark's arrogance is evident most of the way through the book, but that aside it is an interesting read into the lilfe of a pastor in a unique context.

Worth reading for those going into ministry in some form.

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

Something to complement the sermon series by Brent…
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. This book brings together Lewis’s legendary broadcast talks of the war years, talks in which he set out simply to ‘explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times’.
It is a collection of scintillating brilliance which remains strikingly fresh for the modern reader; and confirms C.S. Lewis’s reputation as one of the leading Christian writers and thinkers of our age.
You will find it at a Christian bookstore or Exclusive Books.

Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur

What to read...
Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur.
How God shaped women of the Bible and what He wants to do with you. You will be challenged and motivated by this personal look into the lives of some of the Bible’s most faithful women. Celebrated for their courage, vision, hospitality and spiritual giftedness, it’s no wonder women were so important to God’s plan revealed in the Old and New Testaments.
Gary Bonney has a copy of this book. Interested? Talk to him.

The Counselor (The Holy Spirit) by A. W. Tozer

What to read…
The Counselor (The Holy Spirit) by A.W. Tozer.

About A.W. Tozer “ A 20th century prophet” they called him, even in his own lifetime. This short 165 page book records 10 of his sermons on the Holy Spirit.

Straight talk and very relevant today.

“If a sermon can be compared to light, then A.W. Tozer released a laser beam from the pulpit, a beam that penetrated your heart.”
Jacques Jansen has the PVFC copy of this book. Interested? Talk to him.

Our church -

Protea Valley Family Church

www.pvfc.org.za