Reality Ministry Conference Book List | 2009
Books about…
Assessing Culture (and we need to!)
UnChristian by David Kinnman
A candid and genuine assessment of how not-yet-Christians view so called Christians and why they we think of us as very UnChristian. Full of crushing facts we must face up to.
The Culturally Savvy Christian by Dick Staub
A cutting commentary on the shallowness of popular culture and how the church has both imitated sadly adopted its shallowness. The work then suggests how we can navigate toward a richer church and culture centered around a theology of worship.
Issues Facing Christians Today by John Stott
From war to environmentalism, disease to sexuality and abortion to euthanasia, Christians need to know how to think biblically and respond compassionately. The trusted voice of John Stott helps us to navigate through some of today’s most difficult issues.
Christ & Culture Revisited by D. A. Carson
How do we as Christians interact with culture? Do we separate, pursue syncretism, or try to dominate? Carson wonderfully explores this topic with helpful clarity by using biblical theology and redemptive history. This book helps shape and reshape the Christian worldview.
Being on Mission (and you should be!)
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Learn to live for something and Someone bigger than yourself.
Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem
One of the great temptations is to think that commerce and business are purely secular affairs that do not involve God. Grudem counters this claim by reminding us that God not only cares about every aspect of life, but He is also to be glorified and put on display through every aspect of our business dealings from commercial
transaction to partnerships.
Art for God's Sake by Phil Ryken
Phil Ryken gives a fresh, insightful and encouraging look at the Arts and the role of the artist as things that not only give glory to God but are also to be used in furthering the mission of the God in and through the church.
Being in Ministry (and you are!)
Ministry in the Image of God: The Trinitarian Shape of Christian Service by Stephen Seamands
This is one of our all-time favorite books on the theology and heart of ministry. An absolute must read.
Ministries of Mercy by Tim Keller
What is mercy ministry? Why should I care? Who is my neighbor and how do I love them? Tim Keller will rip your heart out and throw it in the streets.
Brothers We Are Not Professionals by John Piper
Communicated directly from a pastor’s heart and years of experience John Piper expresses his concern for leaders in the church to be passionate for God, faithful to His Word, and loving toward people in a way that does not conform to the consumerist mindset of the modern world. The strength of this book is the wide variety of topics it covers from personal holiness to modern issues that the church faces today.
Church (and you’re part of it!)
The Living Church by John Stott
Written from a lifetime of faithful ministry, the legendary pastor reveals the way he thinks church ought to be… and we agree with him… mostly.
Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
In a day when experimentation dominates the mindset of those who write books on the church, Chester and Timmins remind us of what a Gospel-Centered Church community looks like according to the Scriptures. What is surprising and refreshing in this little volume is not what is "new" but what is simple and Biblical and how it applies to everyday life on mission for God.
Theology (and you love it!)
The Gospel is God by John Piper
Much of American Christianity has made God a means to attain certain goals: Our happiness, our comfort, our fulfillment, our well-being, our eternal state, etc. Piper recalls that God Himself is the prize and goal of the Gospel and all of life. This book is a necessary corrective to our many perversions of the Gospel.
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
An amazing modern apologetic that will help you answer the questions the world is asking and communicate the truths the world is needing.
The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World by John Piper and Justin Taylor
Living and proclaiming the eternal truth of Jesus can be difficult in a world that has a truth problem. This book, based on a conference that the contributors taught at, gives practical help on the problem of postmodernism and refreshes us with the powerful truth of the supremacy of Christ.
Getting Relationships Right (and it’s about time we did!)
Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? by Gary Thomas
This is the best book I've read on marriage. It kicks your butt without leaving you feeling like a chump or helpless to do something about your marriage. It made me want to be more of a servant and actually look forward to it. Equally applicable to husbands and wives, new couples and seasoned pros, the author paints a spiritual picture of marriage that doesn't skip over the mundane or deep issues of marriage. It has the perfect amount of theoretical and practical, super easy to read, and is full of real life examples. The only way you would feel like a chump in this case is if you don't read it..... (Kate Merrick)
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ by Piper and Taylor
Sexuality is not only one of the hottest topics of our culture but has also been on of the most divisive topics in the church today. If there was ever a time when the church needs to have a biblical view of sexuality it is now. All the contributing authors provide us with an abundance of scriptural insight and thought that will help us navigate this multi-layered topic with biblical faithfulness and compassion.
Ps-We have many other books available for you in our bookstore. The above are ones that have influenced us lately that we though we would suggest to you this year. Please note, perhaps the most valuable books we would recommend to you are ones that will cause you to pray more. You will find some of these in our bookstore as well, and we commend them to you. Happy reading to the Glory of God!
Disclaimer: The only book we agree with 100% is the Bible. Every other book must come in subjection to and be evaluated in light of Scripture. The responsibility is yours to be discerning and read these books with your Bible open. Reality does not agree with or endorse every perspective in the books above, but we have learned from all of them and do appreciate all the authors for their unique contributions to our pursuit of Jesus.
Books about…
Assessing Culture (and we need to!)
UnChristian by David Kinnman
A candid and genuine assessment of how not-yet-Christians view so called Christians and why they we think of us as very UnChristian. Full of crushing facts we must face up to.
The Culturally Savvy Christian by Dick Staub
A cutting commentary on the shallowness of popular culture and how the church has both imitated sadly adopted its shallowness. The work then suggests how we can navigate toward a richer church and culture centered around a theology of worship.
Issues Facing Christians Today by John Stott
From war to environmentalism, disease to sexuality and abortion to euthanasia, Christians need to know how to think biblically and respond compassionately. The trusted voice of John Stott helps us to navigate through some of today’s most difficult issues.
Christ & Culture Revisited by D. A. Carson
How do we as Christians interact with culture? Do we separate, pursue syncretism, or try to dominate? Carson wonderfully explores this topic with helpful clarity by using biblical theology and redemptive history. This book helps shape and reshape the Christian worldview.
Being on Mission (and you should be!)
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Learn to live for something and Someone bigger than yourself.
Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem
One of the great temptations is to think that commerce and business are purely secular affairs that do not involve God. Grudem counters this claim by reminding us that God not only cares about every aspect of life, but He is also to be glorified and put on display through every aspect of our business dealings from commercial
transaction to partnerships.
Art for God's Sake by Phil Ryken
Phil Ryken gives a fresh, insightful and encouraging look at the Arts and the role of the artist as things that not only give glory to God but are also to be used in furthering the mission of the God in and through the church.
Being in Ministry (and you are!)
Ministry in the Image of God: The Trinitarian Shape of Christian Service by Stephen Seamands
This is one of our all-time favorite books on the theology and heart of ministry. An absolute must read.
Ministries of Mercy by Tim Keller
What is mercy ministry? Why should I care? Who is my neighbor and how do I love them? Tim Keller will rip your heart out and throw it in the streets.
Brothers We Are Not Professionals by John Piper
Communicated directly from a pastor’s heart and years of experience John Piper expresses his concern for leaders in the church to be passionate for God, faithful to His Word, and loving toward people in a way that does not conform to the consumerist mindset of the modern world. The strength of this book is the wide variety of topics it covers from personal holiness to modern issues that the church faces today.
Church (and you’re part of it!)
The Living Church by John Stott
Written from a lifetime of faithful ministry, the legendary pastor reveals the way he thinks church ought to be… and we agree with him… mostly.
Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
In a day when experimentation dominates the mindset of those who write books on the church, Chester and Timmins remind us of what a Gospel-Centered Church community looks like according to the Scriptures. What is surprising and refreshing in this little volume is not what is "new" but what is simple and Biblical and how it applies to everyday life on mission for God.
Theology (and you love it!)
The Gospel is God by John Piper
Much of American Christianity has made God a means to attain certain goals: Our happiness, our comfort, our fulfillment, our well-being, our eternal state, etc. Piper recalls that God Himself is the prize and goal of the Gospel and all of life. This book is a necessary corrective to our many perversions of the Gospel.
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
An amazing modern apologetic that will help you answer the questions the world is asking and communicate the truths the world is needing.
The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World by John Piper and Justin Taylor
Living and proclaiming the eternal truth of Jesus can be difficult in a world that has a truth problem. This book, based on a conference that the contributors taught at, gives practical help on the problem of postmodernism and refreshes us with the powerful truth of the supremacy of Christ.
Getting Relationships Right (and it’s about time we did!)
Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? by Gary Thomas
This is the best book I've read on marriage. It kicks your butt without leaving you feeling like a chump or helpless to do something about your marriage. It made me want to be more of a servant and actually look forward to it. Equally applicable to husbands and wives, new couples and seasoned pros, the author paints a spiritual picture of marriage that doesn't skip over the mundane or deep issues of marriage. It has the perfect amount of theoretical and practical, super easy to read, and is full of real life examples. The only way you would feel like a chump in this case is if you don't read it..... (Kate Merrick)
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ by Piper and Taylor
Sexuality is not only one of the hottest topics of our culture but has also been on of the most divisive topics in the church today. If there was ever a time when the church needs to have a biblical view of sexuality it is now. All the contributing authors provide us with an abundance of scriptural insight and thought that will help us navigate this multi-layered topic with biblical faithfulness and compassion.
Ps-We have many other books available for you in our bookstore. The above are ones that have influenced us lately that we though we would suggest to you this year. Please note, perhaps the most valuable books we would recommend to you are ones that will cause you to pray more. You will find some of these in our bookstore as well, and we commend them to you. Happy reading to the Glory of God!
Disclaimer: The only book we agree with 100% is the Bible. Every other book must come in subjection to and be evaluated in light of Scripture. The responsibility is yours to be discerning and read these books with your Bible open. Reality does not agree with or endorse every perspective in the books above, but we have learned from all of them and do appreciate all the authors for their unique contributions to our pursuit of Jesus.