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I attended a class at church Tuesday night. As with most classes I attend at church, I came away with a variety of thoughts about how the laity might be served in their participation in the life of the Trinity. One way: book suggestions.
It is a regular occurrence that I want to read about a topic and do not immediately know what book to start with. Fortunately, I've had some helpful training in research, so I can usually make some sort of progress. However, I can well remember times, especially prior to seminary, when I cast about, frustrated, looking for the right book on a topic of interest. Bookstores (Christian and otherwise) are RARELY helpful (thank God for the exceptions) and will usually put one on a false scent.
It is the Church's job to teach the people of God. One aspect of that instruction is pointing people to books that will benefit them. God bless the clergy who serve their people in this regard.
I'd like to offer book recommendations from time to time, especially tailored to lay people who are trying to learn the faith and sometimes feel lost when trying to find the right book. I'm going to start by pointing you to a series of Bible-study books by
Bishop NT (Tom) Wright, the Canon Theologian of the Church of England. The series is the
"For Everyone" series, as in "Matthew for Everyone," "Paul for Everyone," "Acts for Everyone." You will be able to order these books from anyone. Why not find a local bookstore where you can possibly influence what they put on the shelves? There's also
a subscription service with a discount and free shipping that I am considering for myself.
Bp. Wright writes to both academics and laity. When he writes academically, he usually publishes as NT Wright. When he writes for laity, he usually publishes as Tom Wright. An example of his academic writing would be "Jesus and the Victory of God." An example of his popular/lay-oriented writing is "Simply Christian."
I have benefited greatly from Bp Wright. I read "Jesus and the Victory of God" in a Christology class and was able to attend a conference in Memphis where he spoke. I was with a small group of students who joined him for breakfast at Denny's before one of his lectures. When I was participating in a study of Romans this past spring, Bp Wright's material was the most helpful I found. I'll link to those materials in a separate post.
"ALMIGHTY God, our Heavenly Father, who hast committed to thy Holy Church the care and nurture of thy children; Enlighten with thy wisdom those who teach and those who learn; that, rejoicing in the knowledge of thy truth, they may worship thee and serve thee from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Labels: Books for Laity