As you might know, I am an avid reader. And every few months or so, I like to make a basic list of books I would like to get through. I call this my “seasonal reading plan.” With the Fall season kicking off, I’m in the process of making a reading plan for this Fall. This reading plan will basically span from September through November.
The following is my reading plan for this Fall. You will notice that I have listed each book by genre, and I have also included a brief description of each. I am not sure what order in which I will read through this list, but I hope to get through them all at some point over the next three months. I may write reviews of some of these books as well. Enjoy!
SCRIPTURE
- The Gospel of John
- Ephesians
- Habakkuk
- 2 Samuel
- Psalms 60-90
THEOLOGY
The New Matthew Henry Commentary (Martin Manser, ed.)
Matthew Henry is one of my favorite Puritan writers. His work consists of precise biblical exegesis and thoughtful, penetrating meditation on God’s Word. The New Matthew Henry Commentary is a survey commentary which covers every book of the Bible. I will be reading through the sections that correspond to the books of Scripture (above) I will be studying this Fall.
Salvation Accomplished by the Son (Robert A. Peterson)
As the title suggests, Robert Peterson has written a dense, thorough volume focusing on the saving life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of particular interest to me is Peterson’s exposition of Jesus'”nine saving events” which are as follows: incarnation, sinless life, death, resurrection, ascension, session, Pentecost, intercession, and second coming. This book comes highly recommended by several pastors and theologians whom I respect, and I look forward to reading it.
HISTORY
God of Liberty: A religious history of the American revolution (Thomas Kidd)
This is a fascinating book, and I have already read part of the way through it. Thomas Kidd, a history professor at Baylor University, explores how the rise of evangelical Christianity in 18th century colonial America served as a basis for much of the American colonists’ aspirations to revolt against the English monarchy. Kidd himself is an evangelical, which allows him to offer perspective on the implications of the revolutionary era for the foundation of the American republic and the growth of the church on American soil. Can’t wait to jump back into this one!
BIOGRAPHY
The Reagan Diaries (Douglas Brinkley, ed.)
Here’s another volume that I’ve already started and hope to finish this Fall. Douglas Brinkley has collected a compilation of diary entries of former president Ronald Reagan. The compilation consists of short diary entries from almost every day of Reagan’s presidency. This makes for a fascinating biographical sketch of Reagan’s presidency in his own words! From what I have read so far, this volume is filled with humorous anecdotes and interesting reflections on the daily life and work of a sitting president. It’s definitely a fun and interesting read.
By Any Means Necessary (George Breitman, ed.)
This one is way overdue. I have been interested in learning more about Malcolm X for quite a while, but I have not yet gotten around to doing any reading about him. By Any Means Necessary is a collection of speeches and interviews by Malcolm X. This volume has come to be understood as Malcolm X’s biography and political manifesto. Malcolm X was a key leader in the emergence of the Nation of Islam, which led much of the more radical wing of the Black civil rights movement in the 1950’s and 60’s. Not only was Malcolm X a key figure for his time, but his ideas have also continued to inspire sociopolitical movements that persist today, such as the Black Panther Party.
CULTURE
American Grace: How religion divides and unites us (Robert Putnam and David Campbell)
In this book, Putnam and Campbell approach religion in America from a variety of perspectives and discuss how religion has shaped social and political life in a pluralistic nation. Specifically, the authors explore ways in which religious devotion (or lack thereof) serves as either a basis for unity or polarization. This seems like an interesting sociological look at religious life in the United States, and I look forward to exploring it.
Culture and Conflict in the Middle East (Philip Salzman)
This book is an anthropological study of agricultural and economic trends throughout the Middle East and how they shape political, tribal, and demographic realities. Though I have only skimmed the introduction and the first chapter, this seems like an interesting, informative study, and I’m looking forward to reading it.
LIFE & GROWTH
The Peacemaker (Ken Sande)
Ken Sande has written a very helpful book about applying truths in God’s Word to effectively minimize and resolve conflict. I am currently reading this book, and I am about two-thirds of the way through. This book has been both convicting and instructive as I work to grow in faithfully applying the gospel in order to consistently resolve conflict in a manner which reflects the faith I profess. I’m thankful for Sande’s wisdom in this volume.
FREE INDEED 