Reading recommendations

Book Review: The Radical Disciple by John Stott

I first read a book by John Stott nearly 25 years ago when I read his classic Issues Facing Christians Today as I began my gap year working for a church in Balham in South London. It was the first substantial theological book that I read and it opened my eyes and ears to a distinctive Christian voice on current social, political and cultural issues of the modern world. I’ve since read many books by John Stott, relishing the way he opened up the pages of the Bible to me in his books in The Bible Speaks Today series and being first made to really consider the significance of the cross in The Cross of Christ. I’ve not always agreed with all he wrote, but I’ve always been impressed by his passion for scripture and his desire to apply scriptural truth in the world in which he and his readers and listeners lived.

The Radical Disciple is John Stott’s last book. As he approaches 90 he is laying down his pen. The style is very different from the books he was writing three decades ago; this feels like a distillation of his life’s experience. It is not a difficult or weighty read but there is no lack of wisdom here.

Stott reminds us of the meaning of “radical” – this is not about breaking with the past but about returning to the root – radix in Latin. He calls us to be disciples who are deeply rooted in Christ.

There is a patchiness about this book; the section on simplicity is lifted in it’s entirety from something he wrote with Ron Sider in the 1980s and it lacked something of the distillation of wisdom I appreciated about much of the rest of the book. However, other chapters were clear, succinct and powerful in their presentation of wisdom; his reflections on Christlikeness, balance, maturity, dependence and death are those of a man reflecting on the lessons of a life lived as a rooted and faithful disciple who is comfortable with his own old age and ready to die when the time comes.

Whatever your stage of life this book deserves to be read – whether as an introduction to John Stott’s writing or as an apt farewell to this colossus of the Christian faith.

Rob Dewing

Book Review: The Enduring Melody by Michael Maine ( paperback DLT )

The Enduring Melody is a book in two parts.
In the first part , Michael Maine describes the Cantus Firmus, the firm ground, the melody of his faith over the years, shaped and refined but enduring.
The second part is his diary with reflections written with courage , honesty and humour over the last few months of his life suffering from incurable cancer. The enduring melody persists to the end.

I strongly recommend this book for the insight it gives into the authors life and faith and for the many references to other writers that have influenced Michael Maine which I shall now find and read.

Jenny Parkes

We asked the Unity Bookshop for reading recommendations (Advent 2009):

Our Christmas Number One: Shock and Awe by Ian Coffey. This £6.99 paperback from the Bible Reading Fellowship is our current bestseller – and no wonder. In a series of readings Ian Coffey reminds us just how amazing God is, how all loving and all-powerful. He starts with Abraham and takes us through to Revelation, considering what it means to be people of faith encountering God in our daily lives. The subtitle sums it up: tasting God's outrageous grace. Well worth a read! Other Advent and Christmas books from popular writers ... This Christmas Night Billy and Ruth Graham – a book of Christmas reflections £10.99 Beginnings and Endings Daily Bible readings Advent to Epiphany, Maggie Dawn £7.99 Christmas Stories of Faith This lovely little book, priced at only £5.99 contains 64 inspiring seasonal tales.	Our Unity Bookshop Top Sellers The Shack by Wm Paul Young (£7.99) This unusual book has been ‘top of our pops’ for months and has been hailed as a modern classic – why? Probably because it wrestles with that timeless question “where is God in a world so filled with pain?” Many people who would never dream of reading a ‘theological tome’ have found this book very approachable – if you haven't read it why not give it a try? And if you have, maybe you know a friend who would like it? Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer (£10.99) One of America's favourite and most practical Bible teachers helps us to overcome life’s challenges – a great book for a Christian take on those New Year resolutions! The Happiness Secret by J John (£10.99) J John’s study of the Beatitudes unpacks Jesus’ sayings and applies them for today in a way that can lead us to a fulfilled, and happy, life. Lucas on Life by Jeff Lucas (£8.99) Fearless by Max Lucado (£9.99) Max Lucado's latest book asks “can you imagine a day without fear?” whether you are concerned about the economy, terrorism, global warming this book applies Biblical principles so that we end up asking “why do I fear?!'” Secret Believers by Brother Andrew (£9.99) If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg (£6.99)
and recommended by David Castle, Churchwarden:
Joy to the World Preaching the Christmas Story by Paul Beasley-Murray - £9.99 The Perfect Gift by Philip Greenslade - £4.99 The Dome of Heaven Prayer course for Advent by Lavinia Byrne - £3.50 A Herald Voice by Martin Dudley - £4.00 The Jesse Tree Daily readings for Advent by Thom M. Shuman - £7.99 Drama out of a crisis Reflections on Advent by Tony Bower - £8.99	Jesus in the Millenium Advent reflections by Rob Frost - £3.00 Advent Hope 31 day guide by Joel Edwards - £6.99 Advent Joy 31 day guide by Elizabeth Rundle - £6.99 Joy to the World 31 days for Advent by David Coffey - £6.99 The Light of the World 31 days for Advent by Beryl Adamsbaum - £6.99 Why on Earth did Jesus come? by John Blanchard - £1.10