Chip M. Anderson's Top Ten

1.

Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An Evangelical Theology of Renewal by Richard F. Lovelace.  Intervarsity Press (September 1979). Used from $10.51

This book was one of the first to reveal that my sanctification is part of a larger, grander scheme than my private, personal spirituality.  Dynamics reaches back into Church history and outlines the spirit’s work through men and events, culminating in a premise for renewal that is bigger than “I.”

2.

AMERICAN HOUR: A Time of Reckoning and the Once and Future Role of Faith by Os Guinness.  Free Press  (May 30, 1993). $21.95 at Amazon.com.

This book put my faith under judgment: does my faith lead to transforming the culture that surrounds me, or does it add to the culture’s corruption?  Guinness pinned me against the wall of my self-centeredness and privatized faith and challenged me on how well my faith interacts, reacts, and enlightens my time, my moment in history—and how well my faith is open to God’s work of revival and renewal.

3.

Jesus and the Old Testament by R. T. France.  Regent College Publishing (May 1, 1992).  $20.27 at Amazon.com.

More than anything, this book revealed that my hermeneutical method would be well informed and molded if I patterned it after the only, truly revealed hermeneutic the church has—Jesus’ life, teachings, and especially His use of Old Testament Scripture.  If one wonders who gave the New Testament writers their hermeneutic principles, who taught them how to use, interpret, and apply Old Testament revelation—it was Jesus.  It is pretty academic.  But worth it for the serious student of the Word.

4.

The Gravedigger File: Papers on the Subversion of the Modern Church by OS Guinness.  Intervarsity Press (July 1983). Used from $2.49.

Guinness here put me on guard as to how much my faith is modified by my culture rather than the other way around.  Written somewhat like CS Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, Guinness gives us subversive letters and communiqués from the enemy Directorate.  It is a great conspiracy story—and way too true to real life (the life of the church).

5.

Called and Committed: World Changing Discipleship by David Watson.  Shaw (March 7, 2000). Used from $3.25.

Discipleship is not just about memorizing verses, praying with a prayer partner, or participating in every church event scheduled by your church.  Watson pointed me toward true life-affecting discipleship—both rare and shunned by modern Christians.

6.

Paul and the New Perspective : Second Thoughts on the Origin of Paul's Gospel by Seyoon Kim.  Coronet Books (June 1984). $18.50 from Amazon.com.

With this one—start with the summaries and then read the chapter.  Hard stuff.  Kim’s book was foundational for me because it showed me (convincingly) that Paul’s Damascus road event shaped his theology, Christian faith, and writings.  I wish there was something like this on the lay-level (Ah, a future book project for me!), but there isn’t.  The closest is Richard Gaffin’s book, Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul's Soteriology: A Study in Paul's Soteriology (P&R Press, 1993).  Kim's book helped form my exegetical method, while showing me how Paul developed his.

7.

Radical Renewal: The Problem of Wineskins Today by Howard A. Snyder.  Touch Outreach Ministries (September 1996). $16.28 from Amazon.com.

I got in trouble for reading this book, and for passing it on to others.  This book is a revision of Snyder's 1975 The Problem of Wineskins.  I read the original one.  It was radical then and it’s radical now.  I handed them out back then.  In fact, a church board member of one of the first churches I belonged to in the 80’s carried one into a board meeting only to be greeted by the Pastor, “You’ve been hanging around Chip again, haven’t you?”  Worth reading again—whether the older version or the new.  It will help you think “out of the box” with regard to your faith, church-life, and community.

8.

Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching by Walter C. Kaiser.  Baker Book House (July 1998). $15.39 at Amazon.com.

No other book helped me to become better at studying the Bible and preaching.  Should be required reading for all pastors, missionaries, and anyone who stands before others and says, “This is what the Bible says.”  If I had a million dollars, I’d buy a copy for every pastor in American.  Don’t hesitate—Get it, read it, follow it!

9.

Idols for Destruction: The Conflict of Christian Faith and American Culture by Herbert Schlossberg.  Crossway Books (July 1993).  $20.00 from Amazon.com.

A bit heady, but worth it.  Schlossberg writes as a Christian and systematically goes through the 20th century influences on Western thought and compares them with a traditional Judeo-Christian worldview.  This is a thinking book—and will cause you to think past your “in the box” notions about our faith.  As the author quotes, “He who marries the spirit of an age, soon finds himself a widower.”

10.

The Naked Public Square: Religion and Democracy in America by Richard John Neuhaus.  Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (May 1996). various used $$ at Amazon.com.

This book put my faith to the test: Can I be in the world, but not of it?  Neuhaus’ “naked public square” refers to the public spaces in American life, which are naked or empty because religion and religious values have been systematically excluded from the public arena and from determination of public policy.  This book should be given to every politician—does anyone have a few hundred thousand dollars so we can do that?  Get the book and learn how you can clothe the naked public square.