Shelf Life
This edition of Shelf Life first appeared in the March 2005 edition of In Touch Magazine. For reprint permission contact the Director of Public Relations at 1-800-251-6227.
Recommended Reading from Valerie Rempel. Valerie is Assistant Professor of History and Theology at MB Biblical Seminary.
The Good Life: Genuine Christianity for the Middle Class by David Matzko McCarthy (Brazos Press, 2004). As part of The Christian Practice of Everyday Life series, McCarthy pushes his readers to redefine what it means to live a good life by thinking about what it means to be a part of the kingdom of God. I like McCarthy’s emphasis on God’s love for the world and the way he invites readers to transform their relationship to people, places, things, and especially to God.
Leadership and Self-deception: Getting Out of the Box by the Arbinger Institute (Berrett-Koehler Pub., 2002). Written in the form of a story, this easy read suggests that when problems arise, leaders usually look for solutions outside of themselves, and then fail because they cannot see that they are often a part of the problem. Even if you don’t think you need to read this – read this!
God & Violence: Biblical Resources for Living in a Small World, by Patricia M. McDonald (Herald Press, 2004). This book is a serious study of Biblical texts and the ambiguity of violence and peace-making in the Bible. Much of the focus of McDonald’s work is on the Old Testament, and I am intrigued by her attempt to show how different perspectives on the text can offer us ways to move beyond violence as a solution to problems.
Godly Women: Fundamentalism & Female Power by Brenda E. Brasher (Rutgers Univ. Press, 1998). If you’re interested in understanding how women can thrive spiritually within conservative religious environments, this is worth the read. Brasher explores how women’s ministries can form a powerful parallel world within the church.
Trial and Testimony of the Early Church (Vision Video, 1994). My fifth recommendation is actually a video series. It explores the first three centuries of Christian history in six half-hour episodes. This is a great introduction to the people and events that helped shape the Christian tradition. It is affordable and comes with a leader’s guide and other resources for small group use. A good resource for any church library.