Books for any Christmas list

“What do you want for Christmas?”

It’s an annual question that I generally dread. I can think of many things that I want, or would like for Christmas, but some of them are not very practical as a gift. I believe this is a problem for many men. I think we men fall into three categories at Christmas, some easy to buy for, some a little more expensive, and some impossible.

Joy has the responsibility of helping the kids pick gifts for me, and for giving ideas to the extended family. But I’m really not impossible to buy for, because books make a great gift! And the added bonus is that they are so easy to wrap, even I can do it.

So if you’re having trouble giving people ideas for Christmas gifts, here are some books you might want to put on your list. I must admit, however, that I haven’t read most of these (yet). I’ve seen reviews of them from people whose opinions I trust, and many of them are on my list for this year.

Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller. Actually the full title is Counterfeit Gods: The False Promises of Money, Power, and Sex—and the Only Promise That Matters. I listened to a talk Tim gave on this subject at a conference earlier this year, and it was one of the best things I heard all year. I’m looking forward to reading this one.

Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. I mentioned the phenomenon of “Unchurched Christians” the last time I preached. This book should provide some good reasons for all of us not to fall into that category.

If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn. This question isn’t just what our unbelieving friends ask, it’s what we struggle with as well.

The Reason For Sports: A Christian Fanifesto by Ted Kluck. Ted makes his second appearance on the list! He’s written for espn.com, and this book is for all the men who are still angry at Bill Belichick.

Knowing God by J.I. Packer. This book defined the term “Modern Classic”. It can be a little dense at times, but it’s well worth it. After all, the most important thing in the Christian life is that we would know God.

John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, Doxology edited by Burk Parsons. The 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth was this year, so many books about him were published. I’m currently reading this one. If your perception of Calvin is of a cold, humorless man with a strange theology, this book will open your eyes to a person very different from the stereotype.

Holy Ground: Walking with Jesus As a Former Catholic
by Christopher Castaldo. Do you want to speak gospel words to your Catholic friends and relatives? This book will help you understand what everyday Catholics believe (as opposed to what they are taught) so you can communicate the gospel to them clearly.

Posted by David Fenton on Nov 17, 11:09 PM