By Pastor Stephen Hess –
A recent survey conducted by journalist Tony Reinke found that Christians are reading fewer and fewer books than in previous decades. One of the reasons for this seems to be that our culture is more distracted than ever before. An endless list of activities fills our lives and when we do have free time we often spend it with more distraction in front of a screen—whether that be a television, tablet, or smartphone. In fact, Reinke’s study found that smartphone use in particular has had a negative impact on the number of books we read.
Why should this concern us? One way of answering that question would be to listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” We are called to continually renew our minds, and I would argue that we cannot renew our minds if we are not actively filling our minds with edifying content. This begins, of course, with God’s word. We must first and foremost read our Bibles daily if we expect to experience spiritual renewal. But it also involves reading solid Christian literature that will challenge us, teach us, and help us to grow spiritually.
In light of this, I want to challenge you to spend some time “renewing your mind” this summer. Below are five book recommendations that address relevant topics from a Christian perspective. Whether it’s one of these titles or something else, I encourage you to fight back against the cultural trends by reading—your spiritual growth may depend on it!
- On Technology – 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke. “Tony Reinke identifies twelve potent ways our smartphones have changed us—for good and bad. Reinke calls us to cultivate wise thinking and healthy habits in the digital age, encouraging us to maximize the many blessings, avoid the various pitfalls, and wisely wield the most powerful gadget of human connection ever unleased.”
- On Prayer – Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney. “All Christians know they should pray, but sometimes it’s hard to know how. Donald Whitney outlines a simple, time-tested method that can help transform our prayer lives: praying the words of the Bible. Praying the Bible shows readers how to pray through portions of Scripture one line at a time, helping us stay focused by allowing God’s Word itself to direct our thoughts and words.”
- On Marriage – The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller. This book shows everyone the vision of what marriage should be according to the Bible. Timothy Keller, with insights from Kathy, his wife of thirty-seven years, shows marriage to be a glorious relationship that is also misunderstood and mysterious. This book offers instruction on how to have a successful marriage, and is essential reading for anyone who wants to know God and love more deeply in this life.”
- On Parenting – Parenting by God’s Promises by Joel Beeke. “This book offers gems of practical wisdom for parents on topics such as instituting and leading family worship, teaching children, modeling faithful Christian living, and exercising discipline. Beeke carefully puts parental responsibilities in their proper perspective and guides mothers and fathers to lean not on their own abilities but to trust more fully in the God who knits children together in the first place.”
- On Apologetics – Tactics by Greg Koukl. “In a world indifferent or even opposed to Christian truth, followers of Christ must be better equipped to communicate the timeless truths of the Christian faith. But how do you have a conversation with someone who is intent on proving you wrong and won’t accept the Bible as a source of authority? Koukl demonstrates how to artfully regain control of conversations, keeping them moving forward in constructive ways through thoughtful diplomacy. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to get people thinking about Jesus.”