U of C IVCF > Recommended Books

Recommended Books

15 minutes/day = 15 books a year!

Wondering what to read? Here are some recommendations from Winterfest 2003. Note that the "years" don't refer to your year in school, but to the sequence in which to read the books. Within each year, you can read the books in any order; but it's a good idea to finish the "year one" books before starting on "year two." Descriptive material taken from InterVarsity Press, unless otherwise noted.

year one

The Fight, by John White: "a guide through the basic areas of Christian living we wrestle with throughout our lives: faith, prayer, temptation, evangelism, guidance, Bible study, fellowship, work." If you only read one book on this list, read this one. [Christian Beliefs]
Too Busy Not to Pray, by Bill Hybels. Completely swamped with a huge to-do list? Thinking you have too much on your plate to "waste time" in prayer? Think again: you are too busy not to pray. Hybels, the pastor of Willow Creek Church, shows you how to slow down, listen to (and speak with) God, and deal with obstacles to prayer--whether dryness or distractions. [Discipleship]
True Love in a World of False Hope, by Robbie Castleman. When I first picked up this book, I thought Robbie was nuts. "Emotional fornication? What's that?" But as I read the chapter, I was convinced--and convicted. Find out for yourself. [Relationships/Sexuality]
More than Equals, by Spencer Perkins and Chris Rice. "living proof that white and black Christians can live together." It wasn't easy for Perkins and Rice to be "yokefellows," and it may not be easy for you. But God does not call us to a life of ease, but a life in Christ. An incredibly relevant book for us at the U of C. [Multiethnicity/Missions]
Know Why You Believe, by Paul Little. Over 30 years ago Paul Little, a staffworker, wrote a small book dealing with 12 questions about he encountered in campus evangelism. It's still an classic in apologetics. [Evangelism]

year two

Out of the Saltshaker by Rebecca Manley Pippert or How to Give Away Your Faith, by Paul Little. "Christians and non-Christians have something in common," writes Rebecca Pippert. "We're all uptight about evangelism." There's a story on practically every page (one of my favorites is "The Desk") that make this book and Little's helpful, relevant, and engaging. [Evangelism]
Basic Christianity, by John Stott or Hope Has its Reasons by Rebecca Pippert. Stott examines what Jesus did, what made Him do it, and what it means for us. Pippert answers the question, "why are Christians so hopeful?" Both are good reads. [Christian Beliefs]
Transforming Bible Study, by Bob Grahmann. There was always a point in my class reading when the text seemed dry as dust, my mind kept wandering, and I wondered what was the point of all of it. Don't let that happen to you with God's Word--instead, allow it to come alive and transform you. [Bible Study]
Eros Defiled, by John White. Erotic love is part of God's creation, but since the Fall we have abused and perverted it. "Today the results of the Fall are evident in premartial sex, extramartial sex, masturbation, homosexuality, and various forms of twisted sex. John White speaks with understanding and compassion about each of these sexual sins." (If you read this, also check out Eros Redeemed, White's sequel volume.) [Relationships/Sexuality]
A book on your ethnic identity: Good choices include Being White, Following Jesus Without Dishonoring Your Parents (for Asians and Asian-Americans), Black Man's Religion, or Being Latino in Christ. [Multiethnicity/Missions]

year three

Daring to Draw Near, by John White. Learn how, when, and why to pray--by examining the prayers of Abraham, Moses, David, Hannah, Paul, and others. [Discipleship]
Kingdom Come, by Allen Wakabayashi. "Christianity is not merely about isolated individuals going to heaven. It's about God transforming the entire world and making things right. Sicknesses will be healed, sins will be forgiven, injustice will be eradicated, and all creation will be redeemed. But this is not merely a distant future. It's happening now through what Jesus came to establish--the kingdom of God." Allen is staff at Northwestern, but despite that he's a really cool guy. Read his book! [Christian Beliefs]
Temptations Men Face, by Tom Eisenmann or Temptations Women Face, by Mary Ellen Ashcroft. Men and women are different. (Obviously, you say.) But our differences also make us particularly suspectible to certain sins: power, lust, and insenstivity for men, and jealously, food, and anger for women. [Relationships/Sexuality]
A Beginner's Guide to Crossing Cultures, by Patty Lane. It means more than venturing west of Washington Park or south of the Midway. Learn about God's love for all nations, and how to be a faithful participant in His vision. [Multiethnicity/Missions]
Disciplemaker's Handbook, edited by Alice Fryling. Are you "making disciples?" If you want to help others grow in Christ, read this book--it's full of helpful tips and suggestions from experienced disciplemakers. [Discipleship]

year four

How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. Get more out of your Bible study! Learn about the different literary genres of the Bible, applying historical messages to contemporary life, and more. [Bible Study]
Where the Nations Meet, by Stephen Rhodes. The world is multicultural--"a crazy quilt of skin colors and a ceaseless array of cultural histories." The church also should be multicultural: where the nations meet. Stephen Rhodes shows us how. [Multiethnicity/Missions]
Knowing God, by J.I. Packer. A theological classic--although there's a reason it's in Year Four... [Christian Beliefs]
Evangelism and the Sovereignity of God, by J.I. Packer. Did you notice that Packer's books don't show up until the end? Anyway, don't let that scare you. If you've ever wrestled with the necessity of evangelism in the context of God's predestination, read this book. Far from opposites, J.I. Packer will show how God's sovereignity "is not so much a barrier to evangelism as an incentive and powerful support for it." [Evangelism]
The Universe Next Door, by James Sire. How does Christianity compare and contrast with postmodernism, Marxism, naturalism, nihilism and the other worldviews we encounter in the Core? [Christian Beliefs]

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