Martin's insightful book list
This is a summary of recent books read by Martin Davie, compiling his evaluations and the commendations of others.
In this edition:
Ultimate Engineering by Stuart Burgess.
A book that works brilliantly on two levels. It shows the brilliantly sophisticated design to be found in the natural world, and in the human body in particular. It thereby debunks the claim that the bad design in nature shows that the natural world developed by chance.
Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life by Grace Hamman
The vices and virtues described so vividly by medieval Christians are exactly the same vices and virtues that Christians today are called to combat and cultivate, and Hamman uses her scholarship to show how careful study of what medieval Christians had to say about them helps us to think better about our engagement in that combat and cultivation. Highly recommended.
Jesus through Medieval Eyes: Beholding Christ with the Artists, Mystics, and Theologians of the Middle Ages by Grace Hamman
Re-visiting medieval images of Jesus via Hamman’s book challenges our familiarity. They force us to think in new ways about the reality of Jesus’ person and work and so help us to come to understand and love him more deeply. An important piece of applied scholarship which any Christian who wants to know Jesus better will benefit from reading.
What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience by Tish Harrison Warren
An important resource which draws on the wisdom of the ages about how we can keep going in that unexciting middle of the Christian life where walking with God can seem like a long slog that is going nowhere. A book to buy, to ponder, to learn from and to share with others who are walking the long road with us.
The Vision of Ephesians: The Task of the Church and the Glory of God by Tom Wright
A very valuable study that introduces its readers to the clear and coherent message that runs through Ephesians. It also shows how this message is firmly rooted in the teaching of the Old Testament. This is a book that is based on first rate biblical scholarship, but accessible to any reasonably well-educated Christian, even if they have no background in biblical studies. Highly recommended.
To read the full reviews click here.
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