A little while ago, I compiled a list of books worth reading. I’ve read some more since then, believe it or not, and figured it was time to add to that list. So, here we go.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I’m a huge fan of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In my previous post, I said to read Metaxas’ biography of Bonhoeffer. I would no longer recommend that, it’s a fairly biased take on Bonhoeffer that tries to paint him as an American evangelical instead of taking in the complexities of his context and his thought. With that said, here’s a few good books by Bonhoeffer and about Bonhoeffer.
Sanctorum Communio by Bonhoeffer: http://amzn.to/n5rhr8 Bonhoeffer’s first book. Lays out his theory of Christ-existing-as-church-community
Act and Being by Bonhoeffer: http://amzn.to/peW0dF Bonhoeffer’s second major work. Hardest book I’ve ever read. Worth it.
Creation and Fall by Bonhoeffer: http://amzn.to/q3NHA1 This is probably my favorite book by Bonhoeffer.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Reality and Resistance by Larry Rasmussen: http://amzn.to/p02OD4 A good introduction to Bonhoeffer’s ethics
Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906-1945 by Ferdinand Schlingensiepen: http://amzn.to/onF4nL A fantastic introductory biography that handles the complexity of Bonhoeffer well.
Theology
Here are a few great theological works that you should be aware of:
40 Questions about Christians and Biblical Law by Thomas Schreiner: http://bit.ly/hVCElh A great primer on what role the Old Testament law plays in believer’s lives. Really a great work.
What St. Paul Really Said by N.T. Wright: http://bit.ly/qUdHkC This is the book that made N.T. Wright a target for evangelicals. In this work, he lays out his New Perspective on Paul, and I thought it was a fantastic read.
Justification by N.T. Wright: http://bit.ly/ofQ7oT Wright’s response to Piper’s response.
Letters to a Young Calvinist by James K.A. Smith: http://bit.ly/q5FW0P I wish someone gave me this when I first began exploring Reformed Theology. A fantastic and humble approach to the Reformed tradition. Smith argues that there is much more to Reformed Theology than the five points of Calvinism.
So there’s just a few recommendations for you. Hope you find them helpful.
