November Reading Report

Here's what I have read and am reading this month.

Breaking the Islam Code: Understanding the Soul Questions on Every Muslim, by J.D. Greear. I've enjoyed Greear's writngs in his blog and internet journals, but this was the first of his books I've read. Greear lived among Muslims for many years and knows both Islamic and Christian theology.  The book is designed to help Christians understand the deep longings in the hearts of many Muslims, and to address those longings with the message of the Gospel.  I think he accomplished his mission - Good book! Trevin Wax has an extensive review of the book here.

Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God, by John Piper.  The goal of this new Piper book is that "thinking is essential in coming to know God; and mature thinking is needed in order to know God maturely" (page 143), and to "encourage serious, faithful, humble thinking that leads to the true knowledge of God, which leads to loving him, which over flows in loving others" (page 154). Guess what - This book made me think! (You never would have guessed that from the title, would you?)

First Family: Abigail & John Adams, by Joseph Ellis.  John Adams is my favorite member of the pantheon of American Founding Fathers. His tremendous contributions to the foundations of American constitutional theory and diplomacy have been relatively under appreciated, despite the popular HBO mini series and the David McCullough book. This book focuses on the role the wonderful and unique relationship between Adams and his wife Abigail played in his accomplishments as a diplomat and statesman. I'm enjoying it.