First Baptist Church

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of reading more than 50 books on various topics and issues. The books I have read have ranged from mediocre to outstanding. There are a few I would say don’t waste your time reading, but others I would say, please do not miss! I have narrowed my list down to my top 5 books of 2008.

First, let me begin by giving you a quick list of some great books which did not make my top 5. They are well worth your time to read, but did not quite make the cut. These include: Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth by: Albert Mohler, Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness by: John MacArthur, Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You by: John MacArthur, God and the Oval Office: The Religious Faith of our 43 Presidents by: John McCollister, and The Death of the Grown-Up: How America’s Arrested Development is Bringing Down Western Civilization by Diana West.

And Here are my top 5…

# 5. Hard to Believe: The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus by: John MacArthur

The Gospel in our day and time has become increasingly watered-down with the intent of making it more popular and palatable to a modern audience. MacArthur warns this trend may well be leading audiences down a path to eternal punishment. Meeting the whims and desires of the culture is not the responsibility of churches or pastors, but rather an unflinching proclamation of the timeless message of Jesus Christ. Jesus died a brutal, painful death to pay the penalty for sinners. He demands faith in Him. The Gospel is wonderfully simple and straightforward, but the trend today is to hide much of the timeless truth. MacArthur writes, “Too many people just want a Madison Avenue Jesus to make them well, make them happy, and make them prosperous. But Jesus isn’t a personal genie. He is the Savior. He died in agony to satisfy the wrath of a holy God and to forgive the sins of humankind.”

# 4. The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception by: John MacArthur

The very concept of “Truth” is under severe attack today. Truth does not leave room for a “middle ground.” The battle cry of postmodernism is “tolerance,” and in this postmodern age, Biblical Truth is often relegated to just another opinion in a sea of conflicting ideas and positions. Even an alarming number of those who classify themselves as born-again Christians do not believe in “absolute truth.” No longer do believers merely have to defend truth claims against this culture, but the very concept of “truth” itself.

# 3. Preaching to a Postmodern World: A Guide to Reaching Twenty-First Century Listeners by: Graham Johnston

You may look at this title and say this has nothing to say to me because I am not a preacher. I understand your concern, but this book is much more about “postmodernism” than it is about preaching. This book is one of the best illustrated books I have ever read. Johnston uses example after example of how modern listeners parallel characters in popular TV shows, movies, etc. This is a book that caused many lights to click on for me, even though I felt I already understood postmodernism and the challenges of reaching this generation. I believe this book is valuable for anyone who deals with people. It would be great for school teachers, students, people in church work of any type, or even those who work in secular fields. In order to understand the Buster and Millennial generations, and how they think and operate, this book is enlightening and essential.

# 2. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney

In 2008, I read through this book for the second time. I also taught through the book on Wednesday Nights at the church I pastor over the summer months. With a warm, inviting style of writing, Donald Whitney proclaims the steps necessary for believers to grow and even thrive in their walks with God. He addresses chapter by chapter the spiritual disciplines you are already aware of with fresh perspective, but also addresses some other elements which are not so widely discussed. If you were to put into practice only a few of the things Whitney suggests you would grow immensely in your walk with God. Every believer needs to own a copy of this book and read through it periodically.

#1. One Nation Under God: Ten Things Every Christian Should Know about the Founding of America by David C. Gibbs

You think you know your American History right? Well there are a lot of things that are overlooked these days in secular textbooks. You have probably noticed how different our country’s history has become just since you were a kid! That is because it is now being distorted to propagate a secular world view which heavily de-emphasizes the role of God and Christianity in the America’s colonies, the founding of the nation, and the early decades after its birth. There seems to be tremendous shame about our roots to the point a concerted effort is well underway to erase God even from our memories. It is not “history” but instead “distortery.” Gibbs quotes extensively from a wide array of documents which under-gird and reinforce what we have traditionally been taught concerning Christianity’s role in the early days of our nation blowing away secular arguments which seem to desire a distancing from the historic facts. Every believer, every parent, every grandparent needs to read this book. You need to have this as a reference in your home as secularism surges again with its ugly attacks.

Happy Reading!

In Christ,

Pastor Allen Raynor