16 Jun Morgan’s Top 10 Summer Reading List
What began a couple of years ago has taken on a life of its own…so it’s back! A curated, summer reading list for those interested in picking up one or more of these, or taking a look at what I’ve been reading (for those who care about such things).
With all sincerity, as you are a Christian person commanded to love God with all your mind, please read a book! Not only a magazine (those are great), a news article (also glad for those) or another few hundred TikToks (the jury is still out on the lasting value of those!), but a real, honest-to-goodness, book. You’ll be glad you did! And so will your pastor. 🙂
Here is my Top 10 Summer Reading List:
- Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics by Ross Douthat
Douthat is a New York Times columnist, great Christian thinker, and brilliant writer; seriously, he is a master of language. He unpacks the great challenge facing our culture: not that we have too much Christianity, but too much bad Christianity, full of uniquely American heresies that weaken the strength that historic, orthodox Christianity has brought to this nation. It reads as a manifesto for great churches to be great in their cities, and will help you understand the times in which we live. I couldn’t put it down.
- The Moral Vision of the New Testament by Richard B. Hays
If you wanted to pick up one book on theology that will: a.) challenge you b.) stick with you and c.) make you want to love Jesus and faithfully obey his word better, this is it. Written in the late 90s, it’s become a modern classic. Pick it up for the introduction and first chapter alone–it will help you discern bad theology and faulty thinking around you.
- Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel by Eric Mason
Unapologetically (pun intended) pro-Gospel and anti-racism, Mason presides over a number of black Christian authors addressing current issues within black culture. Not for the faint of heart, but it is presented in the best of the black prophetic tradition, while staying Christ-centered at all times.
- Dune by Frank Herbert
While I may have a bias for non-fiction, this is one of the best fiction books I’ve picked up. Plus, you know, it’s a thing at the box office this year. There’s a reason this has sold millions of copies over the decades: it’s a bold and deeply world-building tale that interweaves politics, religion and giant battles. Herbert weaves in lots of Muslim (and slight) Christian influence, most of which is (understandably) dropped from the recent big screen version. I would recommend watching the movie then reading the book.
- The Mission of God’s People by Chris Wright
Never has one person made me feel so blessedly small. Chris Wright’s genius primer on Christian mission will help you understand quite a lot about why and how we do mission at Mosaic (one of our core values!). He makes a great case for why Christian mission includes, but is not limited to, the “Great Commission” in Matthew 28.
- Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity by Lilliana Mason
Mason’s brief book traces the history of how and why political parties exercise so much influence over American lives, and it explains how our current “mega-parties” leave little to no room for independent thought. Written in 2018, it is eerily predictive of the events of January 6, 2021, the attack on our nation’s capital. It will make you want to be loyal to Christ first and foremost.
- Whose Religion is Christianity? By Lamin Sanneh
I recommend this one all the time. Sanneh, until his recent passing, was a Ghanian scholar at Yale Divinity, and a fierce defender of the truth that the Christian Scriptures are not a product of a Eurocentric culture. This book is a recorded conversation between him and his students, in which he lays out why the Christian faith is the most ethnically inclusive faith the world has ever known.
- Triumph of the City by Edward Glaeser
I had to sneak this one in. If you like writers like Malcolm Gladwell or books like Freakonomics, you’ll love this fascinating take on why cities are great. Going around the world from Lagos to London, from Rio to Detroit, Glaeser is a Brit who makes urban planning as fun-sounding as playing with Legos, and I’m not kidding. He concludes by laying out a case for why Texas, of all places, is great, and why Houston in particular, is a kind of city of the future, despite the sprawl. You’ll never look at skyscrapers the same.
- Discovering an Evangelical Heritage by Donald Dayton
Dayton’s quick survey of why evangelicals had such an outsized, positive impact on justice for minorities and women in the nineteenth century, and why some of these influences faded and crashed. One part cautionary tale, two parts inspiration for what the church in America can become again.
- Jesus, Love and Tacos by Carrie Stephens
You knew I had to include it! Published last fall, this is the best Christian living book I’ve read over the past year, and while I’m biased, I’m also blessed to have read it. Carrie puts a fun and spicy take on our core values at Mosaic: worship, community and mission, and makes you feel all the feels while doing great Biblical and personal storytelling. You’ll gain a greater understanding of our local church and how we all made it through the past few years.
That’s it! Happy reading!
Morgan
P.S. Our church offices are closed today, Friday, June 16, in honor of Juneteenth.
This Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18, Mosaic Students will not have student services. All middle and high school students are encouraged to attend the main worship service with their families.
May you safely and joyfully celebrate this weekend.