Faith Today - July/August 2013

ning. Chambers knows how to get at the heart of God in the heart of the Scriptures. This devotional is not for the faint of heart, as the challenge to think and dig deeply is on every page. Happy reading and may it transform you as well as transport you.

Willem Fietje, president Associated Gospel Churches

this summer I won’t be reading at the dock as much as I will be reading amid a sea of boxes. I am relocating from Ontario to Saskatchewan and transitioning from pastor to college president. Here are three key books I am digesting: The first is Marcus Buckingham’s Stand Out (Thomas Nelson, 2011). It offers insights for leaders in understanding their own leadership style and the style of their teams. While there is a plethora of assessment tools on bringing out the best in your team, Buckingham provides some fresh and simple observations. One of my objectives as a leader is to help my colleagues become the very best at what God has called them to do.

A second book is Engaging the Culture, Changing the World by Philip W. Eaton (IVP Academic, 2011). This book is written for those involved in Christian higher education, and sets out a number of aspir-ational challenges which are stirring me. I recognize the present generation of young people wants an education that will result in employment, but I also understand students want their work to make a difference. While Canada needs competent professionals, Canada needs professionals who reflect values and who provide value. I take seriously the stewarding of helping the next generation serve their world as Christians who want to leave an imprint for the character and mission of Jesus.

A third book I plan on reading is the classic Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer (Harper, 2009 [1961]. Nothing gives greater perspective in the ongoing recali-bration of our lives.

Michael B. Pawelke, president Briercrest College and Seminary

two of the 12 books I have on my agenda
for July and August are: Discovering Christian
Holiness by Diane
LeClerc (2010, Bea-
con Hill Press) and

this summer I’ll be finishing up Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey (Eerdmans, 1983). I decided to read this after reading Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes (InterVarsity Press, 2008) by the same author. Then, I’m on to Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians (InterVarsity Press, 2011). I absolutely have loved what I’ve read so far. Some books aren’t easy reads but they are valuable reads. Kenneth Bailey brings his forty years of experience living and teaching the New Testament in the Middle East to help us wipe the dust of the ages off of the Gospels so “…that we might hear, ponder and respond as did the first audience.” There’s a lot of dust built up over those ages too! These books serve to wipe that dust off well.

Eric Stolte, president The Navigators of Canada

I actually will be reading on a dock at Shaw-nigan Lake, Vancouver Island, this summer. I am part way through two books and am about to crack open two more. The first is Alister McGrath’s C. S. Lewis: A Life (Tyndale,

2013). It contains an interesting and helpful revisiting of Lewis’ conversion experience. Complementing that, I am reading The Lion’s World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia by Rowan Williams (Oxford, 2013), which has some very sympathetic, theological and imaginative observations. McGrath quotes Williams with respect.

I have been trying for a couple of years now to get to N. T. Wright’s Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (Harper,

2008) – this is the summer to do it. Finally, I have on reserve at my local bookstore Edward Rutherfurd’s historical narrative Paris (Doubleday, 2013). His work is a great complement to the other books. My reading hobby is biography so this summer is a little different. From my dock to yours, happy reading! May the Holy Spirit fire your imagination.

Jeremy Bell, executive minister Canadian Baptists of Western Canada

Jeremy Bell sent a video clip with this article. View it at www.faithtoday.ca/summer2013page33.

Whenever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleball by R.A. Dickey (Blue Rider, 2012). This book documents his incredible and sometimes agonizing journey through baseball to make the majors. More importantly, it’s about his coming to faith and then growing up in his faith. Willing to speak candidly about his regrets as well as his triumphs. It’s going to be a great read!

Leonardo and The Last Supper by Ross King (Bond Street, 2012). This is an in-depth look at the life of Leonardo da Vinci as well as the context in which he lived that produced his masterpiece The Last Supper. It’s a special delight to read the research and point of view on each of the disciples in the painting.