What Are You Reading?

by Stephen Altrogge on January 8, 2009

In recent days I’ve been absolutely loving (can I use the phrase “lovin’ on”?) the book A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent.

This book is a short, rich, gospel-saturated book that is intended to help the Christian rehearse and remember the gospel every day. A single paragraph in this book is enough to encourage and build my soul.

Listen to this rich quote:

There is simply no other way to compete with the forebodings of my conscience, the condemnings of my heart, and the lies of the world and the Devil than to overwhelm such things with daily rehearsings of the gospel.

Doesn’t that quote absolutely blow your socks/stockings/liederhosen right off? This is a great book, well worth the few bucks it costs.

A few other books I’ve been reading or read over Christmas:

Making It All Work – David Allen (recommend)

Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA - Tim Weiner (recommend)

Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile - Rob Bell (do not recommend)

Tribes – Seth Godin (blah)

Talent Is Overrated - Geoff Colvin (recommend)

Okay, now I want to hear from you. What’s on your reading list? Or on your “to read” list?

{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }

Zach Nielsen January 8, 2009 at 10:17 pm

1. Calvin’s Institutes
2. Galatians Commentary – Stott
3. Galatians Commentary – Ryken

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Sarah D. January 8, 2009 at 10:53 pm

My book list is far too long to include here. My currently reading list:
1. Humility, by Andrew Murray
2. How to Worship Jesus Christ, by Joseph Carroll
3. Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotionals, compiled by Arthur Bennett

Up-and-coming:
1. Hudson Taylor: The Growth of a Soul

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YellerDaisies January 8, 2009 at 10:55 pm

Can I just say that it’s fantastic that you read a bunch of books at the same time!

1. Suffering and the Sovereignty of God (John Piper & Justin Taylor)
2. Because He Loves Me (Elyse Fizpatrick)
3. The Message of the New Testament: 1 Thessalonians (Mark Dever)
4. Wives & Daughters (Elisabeth Gaskell)
5. Infindel (Ted Dekker)

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YellerDaisies January 8, 2009 at 10:58 pm

My favorite Vincent quote (excellent book, btw!!!).

Doing right is not always easy, but it is never more easy than when one is breathing deeply the atmosphere of the gospel

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J Kinnard January 8, 2009 at 11:43 pm

Heroes – Paul Johnson
Byzantium – Stephen Lawhead
The Expansion of Evangelicalism – John Wolffe
Get Known Before the Book Deal – Christina Katz
Tribes – Seth Godin

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Steven Tran January 8, 2009 at 11:59 pm

Vince Flynn – Separation of Power (this boy can spin a good story)

Learn to read New Testament Greek by David Alan Black. Actually…I’ve read chapter 1 three times…does this count as a ‘currently reading’ or a ‘to read’?

To Read:
What is a healthy Church? Mark Dever.

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Gary Boal January 9, 2009 at 6:59 am

My socks blew off indeed! Thanks for posting this!

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Paul January 9, 2009 at 7:31 am

A good deal of my bookpile is becuse of current teching or possible furture teaching/ small group material:
Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare (Anderson and Warner)
Worldliness (CJ Mahaney, et al)
Facinating Stories of Forgotten Lives (Swindoll)
Sinner (Dekker)
What In The World Is Going On (David Jeremiah)
Crazy Love (Francis Chan)

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Wendy January 9, 2009 at 8:01 am

It makes me crazy to read that many books at the same time- I am currently reading Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges and it is excellent. On my “to read” list-

Running Scared by Edward Welch
A Gospel Primer
Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley

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Emily January 9, 2009 at 9:01 am

just finished:
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God: Piper and Taylor
Death by Love: Driscoll and Brashears
Transforming Grace: Jerry Bridges
Night of Weeping Morning of Joy: Horatius Bonar

currently reading:
Trusting God: Jerry Bridges
The Character of God: RC Sproul
On Asking God Why: Elisabeth Elliot
Morning and Evening: Spurgeon
Valley of Vision

next on the list:
Knowing God: JI Packer
The Normal Christian Life: Watchman Nee
The Hidden Smile of God: John Piper
The Cross of Christ: John Stott

my whole list would be way too long to post here. :)

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Ron Reffett January 9, 2009 at 9:41 am

Hey there Stephen,
I just finished a book by S.J. Hill, “Enjoying God” interesting book, kind of went along with Pleasures Evermore by Sam Storms, which I’m almost finished with that one.
I just started reading The Prodigal God by Tim Keller, great book on the parable of the prodigal son, very convicting read. I’m getting ready to start reading The Atonement by Leon Morris, and my worship team is going through Worship Matters by Bo Kaufflin. I’m so thankful for the books that the Lord uses in our lives, books are a great gift that He has given to us.
On the stack:
Spurgeon by Arnold Dallimore
Spectacular Sins by John Piper
The Cross of Christ by Stott
Engaging with God by David Peterson
Blessings
Ron Reffett

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Robbie Schmidtberger January 9, 2009 at 10:30 am

Too many books. Here are the highlights.
The Prodigal God by Tim Keller (excellent)
What’s So Great about Christianity by Dinesh D’Souza

I am looking for recommendations in the church history arena.

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Bob January 9, 2009 at 10:53 am

Here is a partial list;

Game Day for the Glory of God
Wordliness – C J Mahaney
Humility – C J Mahaney (read a part of it every day)
How People Change – Paul Tripp
Instrument in The Redeemer’s Hand – Paul Tripp
This Momentary Marriage – John Piper

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Jenn January 9, 2009 at 11:48 am

Right now, I am reading:
Disciplines of a Godly Woman (Barbara Hughes)
The Discipline of Grace (Jerry Bridges)

And on my to-read list:
The Great Exchange (Jerry Bridges)
Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis)
Desiring God (John Piper)
Respectable Sins (Jerry Bridges)
Vintage Jesus (Mark Driscoll)
Humility (CJ Mahaney)
Death by Love (Mark Driscoll)
The Excellent Wife (Martha Peace)
Damsels in Distress (Martha Peace)

And so many more. I am working on reading a book a month :)

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Chelsea January 9, 2009 at 11:49 am

I tend to read several books at one time!

1. Blink (Ted Dekker)
2. Worship Matters (Bob Kauflin)
3. Running Scared (Ed Welch)
4 Radical Womanhood (Carolyn McCulley)

and my “to read” list is always never-ending (such a good feeling)!!!

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Matt Wolfgang January 9, 2009 at 12:11 pm

This has been a great break for reading:

1. Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman (Really Good)
2. Cry of the Soul by Allender and Longman (Just started and really good so far)
3. The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zecharias (okay)
4. The Three Musketeers by Dumas (This is my novel for light reading as is pretty awesome)

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Michael Ochoa January 9, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Reading:
Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin
Grace Like a River by Christopher Parkening and Kathy Tyers
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
What is a Healthy Church Member by Thabiti Anyabwile
The Rangers Apprentice – Book 2 by John Flanagan

To Read:
When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey
Death By Love by Mark Driscoll
Worldliness by CJ Mahaney and Others
The Rangers Apprentice – Book 3 by John Flanagan

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Marshall | bondChristian January 9, 2009 at 7:46 pm

Wow, big questions…

- finish Awaken the Giant Within (Anthony Robbins)
- reread Handbook for Servants (Gayle Erwin)
- read War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy)
- read Confessions (St. Augustine)

I’m enjoy seeing what everyone else is into and snagging some ideas. Thanks everyone.

On a different note, you’ve been tagged, Stephen.

http://bondchristian.com/seven-random-weird-facts-about-marshall-and-others/

Check it out…

Marshall Jones, Jr.

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Ralph January 10, 2009 at 11:13 am

On my Reading List:
1. Fatelessness by Imre Kertesz
2. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
3. Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken
4. 12 Ordinary Men by John Macarthur
5. The Abolition of Man by CS Lewis

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NP January 10, 2009 at 5:00 pm

1. Marco Polo – Laurence Bergreen
2. Saved By Grace – Herman Bavnick
3. We Become What we Worship – G.K. Beale
4. Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment – Jerimiah Burroughs

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Elaine January 10, 2009 at 10:51 pm

Fear Factor by Wayne and Joshua Mack
Valley of Vision

Next up: Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

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Bob M. January 10, 2009 at 11:43 pm

My reading list for 2009:
-Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life – Don Whitney
-The Holy Spirit: His Gifts and Power – John Owen
-When I Don’t Desire God – John Piper
-A Word for the Day – J.D. Watson
-Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God – J.I. Packer
-The Sound Mind Investing Handbook – Prior / Burkett

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Mark January 11, 2009 at 6:18 pm

I am currently reading Reason to Believe by RC Sproul. I’ve set a goal of reading a book every two weeks this year. I don’t know if I’ll get it done.

Ten off the top of my list:
The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter
Revival’s Golden Key by Ray Comfort
God’s Lesser Glory by Bruce Ware
Youth Culture 101 by Walter Mueller
A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson
The Great Exchange by Jerry Bridges & Bob Bevington
The Peacemaking Pastor by Alfred Porier
Pierced for Our Transgressions by Steve Jeffery, Michael Ovey and Andrew Sach
The King James Only Controversy by James White – (already finished, I know out of order, but I had to finish it for a class)
War of Words by Paul Tripp

I have a complete list posted at my site.

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Thomas Clay January 12, 2009 at 6:31 pm

George Whitefield Vol. 1 by Dallimore

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