It’s time for my annual “Favorite Five” books of 2020. This year, I added my “Favorite Six” podcast episodes as well. Admittedly, I’m a pastor (and something of a nerdy one at that), so what interests me may or may not interest you (except the Lincoln book, that’s for everyone).
My Five Favorite Books in 2020
1. Justin Witmel Early, The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose For An Age of Distraction
This is a really excellent book on habits and spiritual formation. Self-imposed limits, like a tomato trellis, actually lead to more life, not less. I was especially helped by Early’s constant reminder that these habits are for the purpose of greater love for God and neighbor; they are not primarily for my own self-improvement or better life management.
2. John Mark Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Ironically, I finished this book in February, and then got lots of practice in not hurrying as COVID hit. Burnt out, mega-church pastor John Mark realized something in his life needed to change, and so he show us what journey for slowing down looked like. He has some really good cultural, historical, theological, biblical, and practical insight on our pace of life.
3. Eugene H. Peterson, Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity
This book “framed” the beginning months of the pandemic for me. Peterson’s three angles are three forms of attention to God: 1) Scripture (paying attention to God’s work in history), 2) prayer (paying attention to God’s work in ME) and 3) spiritual direction (paying attention to God’s work in YOU). In an era where lots demands our attention, this was a much-needed message.
4. Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave
Frederick Douglass is a fascinating figure, a runaway slave who eventually gains an audience with President Lincoln. The short book is mostly about his time and mentality as a slave. Most troubling of all is his scathing analysis of southern “Christianity” and it’s glaring hypocrisy at so many levels.
5. Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President—and Why It Failed
This riveting read takes us through a lesser known assassination attempt on President Lincoln right before his inauguration. A team of detectives, including the first female detective, must go undercover to try and determine where, when, and how this assassination will happen, and how they can stop it.
My Six Favorite Podcasts Episodes
The Theopolis Podcast, Episode 318: Paths to Human Maturity & the Way of the Cross, with Dr. David Field and Peter Leithart
What hath Freud to do with discipleship? Perhaps more than we think, argues Dr. David Field. Sometimes psychology and theology are pitted as enemies. But this fascinating discussion with Leithart and Field shows us how paying attention to the deeper reasons behind why we do what we do is a vital part of becoming more like Christ.
2. History Extra Podcast, Tom Holland on Christianity’s Enduring Legacy
Historian Tom Holland, not necessarily a Christian, shows us how so many of the values that we westerners share, arise out of the soil of Christianity. Everything from the freedom of the individual, the obligation to help the needy, the sanctity of sex (like rape = wrong), even the secular/sacred distinction, these are all direct products of Christianity’s influence on the world. Provocatively, his argument is that all of us, even non-believers and atheists, have deeply internalized so many of Christianity’s values without even knowing.
3. Unbelievable? God, Gay Christians, and the Church-Brandon Robertson and David Bennett
This is a great discussion between two Christians on whether or not the traditional, historical sexual ethic is good for everyone, and how the church can be more loving towards everyone. Although the two men have significant disagreements, notice the graciousness and wisdom that comes particularly from David Bennett on this very personal issue for so many people.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMsv6ZBK8SE
4. Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast, Q&A with Patrick Lencioni: What’s Your Motivation?
I need to start reading this Lencioni guy. He’s such a helpful leadership coach, and in this episode with Craig Groeschel, he highlights the five uncomfortable things that we leaders need to do, even though we don’t want to: like having difficult conversations, leading great meetings, managing direct reports, building a healthy team, and repeating yourself constantly. In my spheres of influence, if I don’t do these things, I’m failing as a leader.
https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/q-a-with-patrick-lencioni-whats-your-motivation/
5. The Bible Project, 193. Apocalypse Please—Apocalyptic E1
Are we nearing the “end of the world?” Our fascination and fear with the question has contributed to the rising interest in the apocalyptic, from inside and outside the church. But on the Bible Project, Tim and John show us that apocalypse doesn’t mean “the end of the world” but rather an uncovering or revealing, a better understanding of what’s already happening.
https://thebibleproject.simplecast.com/episodes/apocalypse-please-apocalyptic-e1-9uELnOXG
6. The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, Tim Keller on How to Bring the Gospel to Post-Christian America, How’d Preach Today if He was Starting Over Again, Why Founders Get Addicted to Their Churches, and Why He Left Redeemer
I try to read and listen to most of Tim Keller’s stuff, but this interview was one of my favorites. Keller seems to be a humble, thoughtful, and faithful minister. I especially enjoyed his analysis of how the culture how changed since he’s been a pastor. His parents’ generation was motivated by duty, guilt, responsibility, his kids’ generation motivated by personal freedom, his grandkids’ generation, by person “identity.” The gospel message never changes by the way we present it to each culture will.
https://careynieuwhof.com/episode339/
Thanks for reading! What were some of your favorite books and episodes of 2020?
-Pastor Tyler
