Wind & Waves
“Excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. Be diligent to study, being approved before God as an unashamed workman, accurately handling – cutting straight – the Word of God.” Ecclesiastes 12:12; 2 Timothy 2:15
King Solomon was not against books – he was against a devotion to books that were not dedicated to God’s Wisdom. Books of worldly wisdom will only proliferate the uselessness of man’s thinking. The Apostle Paul charged Timothy with diligent study of God’s Word so that Timothy would become skilled at accurately handling, or “cutting straight” Holy Scripture: interpreting and teaching God’s Word with God’s intended meanings and effects. The Pastor must devote himself to reading and studying prolifically, and only books which accurately support Holy Scripture and the Christian worldview. The following is a list of books that I will be reading during my five week sabbatical June 5 – July 10. Perhaps you would like to choose a book from my list and read along with me and “unite our souls and minds in study.”
The Book of Ecclesiastes (from the Bible)
Ecclesiastes: The Philippians of the Old Testament – William D. Barrick
The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes – Derek Kidner
Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions and Advice to Young Converts – Stephen J. Nichols
Borderline Personality Disorder: A Scriptural Perspective – Cathy Wiseman
The Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America – Frances Fitzgerald
Vital Issues in the Inerrancy Debate – F. David Farnell
The Making of American Liberal Theology – Gary Dorrien
Designed for Joy: How the Gospel Impacts Men and Women, Identity and Practice – Edited by Owen Strachan & Jonathan Parnell – 14 young leaders on gender identity issues from a biblical perspective
Longing for God in an Age of Discouragement: The Gospel According to Zechariah – Bryan R. Gregory
The Great Evangelical Recession: 6 Factors That Will Crash the American Church… and How to Prepare – John S. Dickerson
Old Paths, New Power: Awakening Your Church through Prayer and the Ministry of the Word – Daniel Henderson
