Who’s Reading What? is a monthly feature at Lifeway Pastors. We survey a few pastors, business leaders, theologians, professors, writers, and other culture shapers with these four questions:
What are you currently reading?
Who is the author?
Which genre is it?
Why are you reading it?
No reviews. No summaries. It is a quick list to help expand the borders of your intake.
Enjoy!
Eric Geiger, vice-president Resources Division, Lifeway Christian Resources
What: Basic Christianity
Who: John Stott
Which: Christian Living
Why: A classic work I have not read and have enjoyed reading as I start a new year.
Barnabas Piper, author
What: Playing God
Who: Andy Crouch
Which: Christian Living/Theology
Why: Andy Crouch is one of the most incisive, clear Christian thinkers and always seems to help create paradigms of truth and right perspective that help me in various areas of life.
What: The Underground Railroad
Who: Colson Whitehead
Which: Historical Fiction
Why: I’ve seen great reviews and I love effective novelization of history, and this is a part of American history that needs its story told.
Mary Wiley, marketing and communications, B&H Publishing Group
What: The Curious Christian
Who: Barnabas Piper
Which: Christian Living
Why: To learn to be good at asking questions with a childlike wonder of the people, places, and ideas that I come into contact with each day.
What: On Writing
Who: Stephen King
Which: Reference/Writing
Why: Being in publishing has made me focus on the actions that happen around a book, but less often the act of writing. I love to read and feel like I communicate most clearly in words, so I’m always looking to expand that skill.
Todd Gaddis, senior pastor, FBC LaFayette, GA
What: Happiness
Who: Randy Alcorn
Which: Non-fiction/Christian Inspiration
Why: As Christians, we should be happier. Alcorn, a truly great voice in evangelical circles, provides a thorough, biblical perspective on the subject.
What: Black Widow
Who: Daniel Silva
Which: Fiction/Spy Thriller
Why: I enjoy spy books for an escape now and then. Silva’s mail character Gabriel Allon is one of the greats in this genre. I also appreciate that Silva’s books are pro-Israel.
Chad Keck, pastor of FBC Kettering, OH, adjunct professor at Cedarville University
What: The Wright Brothers
Who: David McCollough
Which: History
Why: The Wright Brothers were from Dayton, OH and I pastor in Dayton. Their influence on the city and culture is still very present today. I am being challenged by their ingenuity and persistence.
Shane Burchfiel, farmer
What: The Bride(Zilla) of Christ
Who: Ted Kluck & Ronnie Martin
Which: Christian Living
Why: Ted and Ronnie along with Barnabas Piper host a fantastic podcast, The Happy Rant. Since the first time I read a TK book, I’ve gravitated towards anything that has his name on it.
What: Then Tweets My Soul: The Best of the Church Curmudgeon
Who: David Reiger
Which: Humor
Why: Because it’s funny. Because in today’s era of ginned up controversies, manufactured hysteria, and all around fake news,the church and her people perhaps as much as ever need to laugh way more often.
Christie Garrett, reviewer for Lifeway Pastors, home school teacher, mom, pastor’s wife
What: It’s Just a Phase—So Don’t Miss It
Who: Reggie Joiner & Kristen Ivy
Which: Religion/Ministry
Why: So I will be better equipped to engage children at every phase of their life and effectively reach them for Christ.
Marty Duren, executive editor, Lifeway Pastors
What: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Who: Barbara Kingsolver with Steven L. Hopp and Camille Kingsolver
Which: Farm Life/Country Life/Agriculture
Why: Part of my ongoing effort to understand local food cultures and how industrialization affects theology.
What: Christian Beliefs
Who: Wayne Grudem & Elliot Grudem
Which: Theology
Why: Required reading for my church’s pastoral staff.
