Understanding Four Views on the Lord’s Supper by Russell D. Moore & John H Armstrong
Recommended by Pastor Paul Gilbert: The Lord's Supper has been the central and characteristic action of the church at worship. But there are still many ways of understanding it and many questions surrounding this meal. Each contributor of this book make a case for one of the following views:
Baptist view (memorialism)
Reformed view (spiritual presence)
Lutheran view (consubstantiation)
Roman Catholic view (transubstantiation)
All contributors use Scripture to present their views, and each responds to the others' essays.
Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
Recommended by Pastor Joe Haverlock: This is a unique resource that helps recapture kingdom perspective in the mundane moments of Monday through Saturday. How often do we find ourselves lacking imagination for how we view worship in our jobs, homes, moments of loss, celebration, or even in the midst of a simple home repair. This resource has refreshed my prayer life and has given me kingdom eyes for the day-to-day. It is very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. If you need some creativity to refresh your prayer life, reach for this book. It’s not meant to be rigid, but to give a gospel awareness to your soul. Every Moment Holy has been an encouragement to focus my own heart toward God in the mundane and I pray it will be refreshing to you as well.
Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper
Recommended by Pastor Scott Stake: “About 25 years ago, a college friend (who later served overseas) enthusiastically shared with me this book, which forever changed my understanding of the Great Commission. John Piper helpfully traces God’s heart for the nations and God’s zeal for His own glory throughout the pages of Scripture, culminating in one of my favorite quotes and calls for the whole church to passionately pursue God’s mission: “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.” I pray God would stir your heart & mind as you read this helpful book!
The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing by Jonathan T. Pennington
Recommended by Pastor Paul Gilbert: The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most influential scriptures of the Bible and is the most studied and commented upon portion of the Christian Scriptures. Every Christian generation turns to it for insight and guidance. This books shows that the Sermon on the Mount offers a clear window into understanding God's work in Christ by providing a historical, theological, and literary commentary on the Sermon, and explains how this text offers insight into God's plan for human flourishing. Furthermore, it related the Sermon's theological themes to contemporary issues such as ethics, philosophy, and economics.