Books that have most impacted me
(in order of their impact)
#1: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Ivp Classics) by J.I. Packer
Demolished the tired arguments about reformed people not caring about the salvation of the lost and clinched my self-identification as Reformed
#2: The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller
Absolutely wrecked me, realizing how much like the older brother I am (Luke 15:11-32). Read it through once, had beef with it. Read it again about a week later and boom. Every Christian should read this to guard against being the older brother. Every non-Christian should read this and long to know the Father who welcomes even the most wayward back into the family.
Key Quotes
Careful obedience to God’s law may serve as a strategy for rebelling against God. (Page 37)
If, like the elder brother, you seek to control God through your obedience, then all your morality is just a way to use God to make him give you the things in life you really want. (Page 39)
If we say “I believe in Jesus” but it doesn’t affect the way we live, the answer is not that now we need to add hard work to our faith so much as that we haven’t truly understood or believed in Jesus at all. (Page 124)
#3: The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
Has revolutionized how I understand the role of the church and church leaders in ministering to and discipling the congregation. It’s not about programs, it’s about people. So much in common with Soma Communities, which is a very good thing.
Key Quotes
We must also see disciple-making as our central task in our homes and neighborhoods and churches. (Page 13)
It is very striking that Paul calls upon ordinary believers in Corinth to be imitators of him, as he is of Christ. And this imitating is not in some general sense, but in actively seeking the salvation of others. (1 Cor 10:33) (Page 51)
The call to discipleship is thus a call to confess our allegiance to Jesus in the face of a hostile world: to serve him and his mission, whatever the cost (Luke 9:60) (Page 42)
We must be willing to lose people from our own congregation if that is better for the growth of the gospel … A commitment to the growth of the gospel will mean that we train people towards maturity not for the benefit of our own churches or fellowships but for the benefit of Christ’s kingdom. (Page 83)
There are not two classes of disciples – we are all both disciples and disciple-makers. (Page 138)