News Archive
Open book: Mark Elder
What book are you reading at the moment? Is God past his sell-by date? by John Blanchard. I'm reading it because I received it as a freebie when John recently came to speak at Poynton. It's an excellent apologetic of a range of issues that come up in conversations with unbelievers, with chapters broken into two sections: the first looking at the theory and the second the experience of a personal testimony. He is a clear writer (and speaker) explaining helpfully the differences in belief between the two brands of agnostic and the three brands of atheist. Other helpful chapters on science and evolution are good, but the best is on the ongoing dilemma of suffering entitled, 'Where was God on September 11?' A cracking book to pass on to either believers who want to know how to be more effective in their witness, or atheistic or agnostic friends who are open-minded.
What are the books that have had the biggest impact on you? David Bosch's Transforming Mission is an outstanding book that unpacks why all the different strands of the church practice mission as they do. An absolute must read for anyone remotely interested in mission. An easier read, and it's years since I read it, is John Wimber's Power Evangelism. I'm a real fan of Wimber - thought he was a breath of fresh air to the church - and this book really helpfully introduces the dynamic of signs and wonders in the context of mission.
What do you plan to read next? I've got a little book in front of me by Rob Jones entitled You will receive power. And the reason I'll pay it some attention this week, as well as another read of Acts 2, is because I'm preaching this coming Sunday on Pentecost.