The Pursuit of God - A. W. Tozer

God is the Gospel - John Piper

A women's discipleship group I'm in is going through this book, and we're not quite halfway through, but I can already say it's an excellent book that has really refined my views of salvation and the gospel. His premise is that the gospel is not the means by which we get to heaven, but is that which brings us into a relationship with God. Or one could say, that which removes the hindrances between us and God.

This didn't seem such an important differentiation at first glance, but the more I think about it, the more essential I think it is to understand. It moves the focus off me and what I'm getting out of it and places it squarely on Jehovah.

In terms of evangelism, I think this is one of the main areas where Christianity differs from other religions. Viewing the gospel as a means to save us from hell and get us into heaven makes Christianity into another fear-based religion - you must this and that or you'll suffer eternal damnation. And while I affirm that those who die apart from Christ will live eternally apart from Him (and thus all that is good), I think it much safer to focus on God and the joy that comes from fixing our eyes on Him alone.

Dragonflight - Anne McCaffrey

Biblical Hebrew - R. K. Harrison.

The Hero and the Crown - Robin McKinley