My reading-list for 2020 (and onward)

I went to the list that I published last year about the books I want to read and decided to make a new list instead of updating it. Since many of the books on this list is Afrikaans, I will add a translation in block-brackets after each Afrikaans title (or at least a rough translation of the title).

A. Being Christian

1. Kry styl – Jesus s’n [Get style – Jesus’s style] by Stephan Joubert
2. Ek wil nie die kaarte hê nie: hoe om te oorleef sonder om te verstaan [I don’t want the cards: how to survive without understanding] by Roelf Opperman
3. The way of the warrior by Erwin Raphael McManus
4. Celebration of discipline by Richard Foster
5. Omdraai wegdraai: Koffiegesprekke oor geloof en geloofsvorming [Turning around, turning away: Coffee-chats about believing and formation of believings] by Willem Pretorius
6. Om (op)nuut te glo: Wees weer verwondered oor God [To believe (a-new): Be amazed by God again] by Ockert Meyer
7. The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus
8. Where is God when it hurts? by Philip Yancey
9. Ek kies steeds die kerk: Stories, stryd en standpunte oor die kerk en die wêreld [I still choose the church: Stories, contest/conflict and viewpoints about the church and the world] by Neels Jackson
10. Op soek na Jesus: ‘n Verslaggewer se verrassende perspektief op die lewe van Jesus [Looking for Jesus: A journalist’s surprising perspective on the life of Jesus] by Neels Jackson
11. Faith to faith by Dan Scott
12. Verstaan die gawes van die Gees [Understanding the gifts of the Spirit] by Henry & Mel Blackaby
13. Adventures in saying yes by Carl Medearis
14. Love wins by Rob Bell
15. The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
16. The renewed mind: A unique guide to becoming the kind of person you really want to be by Larry Christenson

B. Being Church

1. Vaste Rots op wie ek bou [Fixed Rock on whom I build] by Cas Vos & Dirk Human (editors) – This is a book filled with articles, which I broke down to be smaller “books”.
2. No joke: A Rabbi, an Imam and a Preacher do the unthinkable… and become friends for life by Jim Henderson and Cara Highsmith
3. Everything must change by Brian D. McLaren
4. Jim & Casper go to church by Jim Henderson & Matt Casper
5. Soul survivor by Philip Yancey
6. Deep & wide by Andy Stanley
7. Die dinamika van ‘n Christelike geloofsgemeenskap [The dinamics of a Christian community] by Coenie Burger
8. Jesus, save me from your followers by Dave Gilpin
9. Ek behoort aan die kerk [I belong to the church] by Thom S. Rainer
10. Speaking Christian by Marcus J. Borg
11. Building a church of small groups by Bill Donahue & Russ Robinson
12. Leading the congregation: Caring for yourself while serving the people by Norman Shawchuck & Roger Heuser

C. Youth ministry

1. Purpose Driven youth ministry deur Doug Fields
2. Doktor Andries Gous praat met die jeug [Doctor Andries Gous speaks to the youth] by Andries Gous
3. Sustainable youth ministry by Mark DeVries
4. A new kind of youth ministry by Chris Folmsbee
5. Your first two years in youth ministry: A personal and practical guide to starting right by Doug Fields
6. Belydenis van geloof Gespreksgids: Verrassende veelkleurige fasette van die geloof – Bely en lewe [Confessions of faith Studybook: Surprisingly colourful facets of the faith – Confess and live] by Johannes Mouton

D. Relationships

1. Life changing relationships by James T. Meeks
2. How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie

E. Prayer

1. Prayer partners by Elmer L. Towns
2. Prayer by Philip Yancey
3. Prayer by Richard Foster
4. Knowing God through fasting by Elmer L. Towns

F. Star Trek

1. Star Trek: Destiny #3 – Lost souls by David Mack
2. Star Trek: Destiny #4 – A singular destiny by Keith R.A. DeCandido
3. Star Trek: The original series – Bantam Book Episode adaptations: Star Trek 1 – Dagger of the mind by James Blish
4. Star Trek: The next generation #002 – The peacekeepers by Gene DeWeese
5. Star Trek: The original series – Bantam Book Episode adaptations: Star Trek 1 – The unreal McCoy by James Blish
6. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #002 – The siege by Peter David
7. Star Trek: The original series – Bantam Book Episode adaptations: Star Trek 1 – The naked time by James Blish
8. Star Trek: Voyager #003 – Ragnarok by Nathan Archer
9. Star Trek: The original series – Bantam Book Episode adaptations: Star Trek 1 – Miri by James Blish
10. Star Trek: Enterprise – By the book by Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch
11. Star Trek: The original series – Bantam Book Episode adaptations: Star Trek 1 – The conscience of the king by James Blish
12. Star Trek: Discovery – Drastic measures by Dayton Ward
13. Star Trek: Short stories – Sparrow Books short stories #4 – The secret empire by William Rotsler
14. Star Trek: New Frontier #02 – Into the void by Peter David
15. Star Trek: Short stories – Sparrow Books short stories #5 – Intelligence test by William Rotsler
16. Star Trek: Stargazer – Gauntlet by Michael Jan Friedman
17. Star Trek: Short stories – Sparrow Books short stories #6 – To wherever by William Rotsler
18. Star Trek: The original series – Bantam Books Episode adaptations: Star Trek 2 – Space seed by Carey Wilber
19. Star Trek: Movies – The wrath of Khan by Vonda N. McIntyre
20. Star Trek: The Original Series #084 – Assignment: Eternity by Greg Cox

G. Homosexuality

1. Homoseksualiteit en sewe klassieke Bybeltekste: Antigay of misverstaan? [Homosexuality and seven classical Bible texts: Antigay or misunderstand?] by Ernest van Eck & Ralph Barnard
2. Riglyne vir ‘n verantwoordelike Nuwe Testamentiese verstaan in die homoseksualiteitsdebat, Deel 1: ‘n Komplekse saak [Guidelines for a responsible New Testament understanding in the homosexuality-debate, Part 1: A complex case] by Gert J. Steyn
3. Riglyne vir ‘n verantwoordelike Nuwe Testamentiese verstaan in die homoseksualiteitsdebat, Deel 2: Nuwe Testamentiese tekste [Guidelines for a responsible New Testament understanding in the homosexuality-debate, Part 2: New Testament texts] by Gert J. Steyn

H. Biographies and autobiographies

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama
2. Captain in the cauldron by John Smith
3. Not without honour: Tribute to Beyers Naudé by Peter Randall
4. I write what I like by Steve Biko
5. Conversations with my sons and daughters by Mamphela Ramphele
6. ‘ … and nothing but the truth’? by Deon Gouws
7. Politically incorrect by Peter de Villiers
8. 7 men by Eric Metaxas
9. Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward
10. The President’s Keepers: Those keeping Zuma in power and out of prison by Jacques Pauw
11. My mother. Barack Obama. Donald Trump. And the angry white man by Kevin Powell

I. Fiction

1. Jake’s choice by Jim & Rachel Britts

J. Health

1. Beseer in Sy diens: God se genesing vir gelowiges wat seergekry het [Injured in His service: God’s healing for believers who got hurt] by Hennie Maartens
2. Personality type and religious leadership by Roy M. Oswald & Otto Kroeger
3. In die donker put [In the dark pit] by Johan Smith
4. Competent to counsel by Jay E. Adams
5. Depressie – simptome, oorsake en genesing [Depression – simptoms, causes and healing] by Frank Minirth & Paul Meier
6. Healing for damaged emotions by David A. Seamands
7. The Detox Manual by Suzannah Olivier
8. Eat right for your type by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo

K. Articles in the book “Vaste Rots op wie ek bou” [“Solid Rock on whom I build”] by Cas Vos and Dirk Human (editors)

1. Proloog [Prologue] by Cas Vos
2. Die reformatoriese kerklike landskap [The reformatory church-landscape] by Hennie Pieterse
3. Die uitdagings van Bybellees [The challenges in reading the Bible] by Dirk Human
4. “Op hierdie rots sal Ek my kerk bou” [“On this rock I will build my church”] by Conrad Wethmar
5. Die lang pad van Skrifuitleg [The long road to understanding the Scriptures] by Jurie le Roux
6. Tekste en hulle kontekste [Texts and their contexts] by Jurie le Roux
7. Mitologiese taal: verduistering of verheldering? – Jona as illustrasie [Mithological language: eclipsing or brightening?] by Dirk Human
8. Metaforiese vonke en mitologiese taal [Metaphorical sparks and mythological language] by Ernest van Eck
9. Messiaanse tekste in die Ou Testament [Messianic texts in the Old Testament] by Alphonso Groenewald
10. Messiaanse tekste in die Nuwe Testament [Messianic texts in the New Testament] by Gert Steyn
11. Feesgedig [Festival poem] by NP van Wyk Louw
12. Die maagdelike verwekking [The virgin begetting] by Ernest van Eck
13. Kruiseling [Crossling {I’m not really sure how to translate this any better}] by Cas Vos
14. Oor ons gekruisigde God, nakend en vol bloed About our crucified God, naked and full of blood] by Johanna de Lange
15. “Christ of the burnt men” by Sheila Cussons
16. Jesus-afdruk [Jesus-print] by I.L. de Villiers
17. Versoening in die Ou Testament [Reconciliation in the Old Testament] by Pieter Venter
18. Versoening in die Evangelies [Reconciliation in the gospels] by Hermie van Zyl
19. Paulus en die Korintiërs: wantroue en versoening [Paul and the Corinthians: distrust and reconciliation] by Kobus Myburgh
20. Opstanding [Resurrection] by Cas Vos
21. Opstanding in die sinoptiese Evangelies [Resurrection in the synoptic Gospels] by Gert Steyn
22. Opstanding in die Evangelie volgens Johannes [Resurrection in the Gospel according to John] by Dirk van der Merwe
23. Opstanding by Paulus [Resurrection according to Paul] by Kobus Kok
24. Opstanding in die apokaliptiek by Pieter Venter
25. Opstanding en simboliek in die vroeg-Christelike kuns [Resurrection and symbolism in the early-Christian art] by Hennie Stander
26. Redelike geloof? [Reasonable belief?] by Gerrit Brand
27. Lex orandi, lex credenda [This is a Latin phrase: The law of prayer is the law of belief] by Vincent Brümmer
28. “Soms mis ek God” … oor die kortsluiting tussen geloof en ervaring [“Sometimes I miss God” … regarding the short circuit between belief and experience] by Daniël Veldsman
29. Oor hoe geloof my dra [Regarding how belief carries me] by Elna Mouton
30. Epiloog [Epilogue] by Cas Vos

L. Politics

1. How not to get shot. And other advice from white people by D.L. Hughley
2. Afrikanerskap in Bybelse lig [Being Afrikaner in a Biblical light] by Prof J.L. Helberg
3. Geestelike weerbaarheid teen ideologiese terrorisme [Spiritual resilience against ideological terrorism] by S.G. Roos

M. Romans-study

1. Romans by David L. Bartlett
2. Paul’s letter to the Romans: A commentary by Arland J. Hultgren
3. Romans & the people of God by Sven K. Soderlund & N.T. Wright
4. The letter to the Romans: Salvation as justice and the deconstruction of law by Herman C. Waetjen
5. Reading Romans in context: Paul and second Temple Judaism by Ben C. Blackwell, John K. Goodrich & Jason Maston (editors)
6. Paul’s new perspective: Charting a Soteriological journey by Garwood P. Anderson
7. The Political Theology of Paul by Jacob Taubes

N. Hobbies

1. The world encyclopedia of coffee: The definitive guide to coffee, from simple bean to irresistible beverage by Mary Banks, Christine McFadden and Catherine Atkinson
2. Bonsai gardening secrets by Eric A. Olsen
3. Advancing your photography: A handbook for creating photo’s you’ll love by Marc Silber
4. Wit, Afrikaanse man [White, Afrikaans man] by Neels Jackson

My reading list for 2018 and onward

At the beginning of this year (2018), I compiled a list of books I want to read throughout the year (and in 2019 and beyond).

I recently handed in my mini-dissertation, and it was approved to be sent to the external examiner. Thus, as far as my hopes go, I am finished with my studies. For now at least. And that gives me more time to read.

This list is long. This is because I really want to try and make a type of short-list of books I want to read over the next 12-36 months. There might be books that get onto the list and becomes a bigger priority to read that the titles that are currently on the list. I will update this list regularly. I will also update the list of books that I read regularly, as I finish some of the books. I will try to keep that list current by year. I will also try to keep this specific list to 45-50 titles.

I will post the books I have read in 2018 soon (maybe even later today).

A. Churchlife and Christianity

1. Everything must change by Brian D. McLaren
2. Celebration of discipline by Richard Foster
3. The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus
4. Jim & Casper go to church by Jim Henderson & Matt Casper
5. Where is God when it hurts? by Philip Yancey
6. Soul survivor by Philip Yancey
7. Deep & wide by Andy Stanley
8. Life changing relationships by James T. Meeks
9. Die dinamika van ‘n Christelike geloofsgemeenskap by Coenie Burger [This is an Afrikaans book; in English, the title would be something like “The dinamics of a Christian (religious) community”]
10. Jesus, save me from your followers by Dave Gilpin
11. Ek behoort aan die kerk by Thom S. Rainer [This is an Afrikaans book; in English, the title would be “I belong to the church”]
12. Speaking Christian by Marcus J. Borg
13. Faith to faith by Dan Scott
14. Verstaan die gawes van die Gees by Henry & Mel Blackaby [This is an Afrikaans book; in English, the title would be “Understand the gifts of the Spirit”]
15. Adventures in saying yes by Carl Medearis
16. Love wins by Rob Bell
17. The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
18. Doktor Andries Gous praat met die jeug by Andries Gous [This is an Afrikaans book; in English, the title would be “Doctor Andries Gous speaking to the youth”]

B. Youth ministry

1. Purpose Driven youth ministry by Doug Fields

C. Prayer

1. Prayer partners by Elmer L. Towns
2. Prayer by Philip Yancey
3. Knowing God through fasting by Elmer L. Towns

D. Star Trek

1. Star Trek: The next generation – Ghost ship by Diane Carey
2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – The siege by Peter David
3. Star Trek: Voyager – The escape by Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch
4. Star Trek: New Frontier – Into the void by Peter David
5. Star Trek: The Eugenics Wars, Volume 2 – The rise and fall of Khan Noonien Singh, Volume 2 by Greg Cox
6. Star Trek: The original series – Bantam Books Episode adaptations: Star Trek 2 – Space seed by Carey Wilber
7. Star Trek: The original series – To reign in hell: The exile of Khan Noonien Singh by Greg Cox
8. Star Trek: Movies – The wrath of Khan by Vonda N. McIntyre
9. Star Trek: The Original Series – Assignment: Eternity by Greg Cox
10. Star Trek: The aliens are coming! by Dayton Ward
11. Star Trek: Destiny – Gods of night by David Mack

E. Biographies and autobiographies

1. Captain in the cauldron by John Smit
2. Not without honour: Tribute to Beyers Naudé by Peter Randall
3. I write what I like by Steve Biko
4. Conversations with my sons and daughters by Mamphela Ramphele
5. ‘ … and nothing but the truth’? by Deon Gouws
6. Politically incorrect by Peter de Villiers
7. 7 men by Eric Metaxas
8. Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward
9. The President’s Keepers: Those keeping Zuma in power and out of prison by Jacques Pauw
10. My mother. Barack Obama. Donald Trump. And the angry white man by Kevin Powell

F. Fiction

1. Jake’s choice by Jim & Rachel Britts

G. Health

1. Personality type and religious leadership by Roy M. Oswald & Otto Kroeger
2. In die donker put by Johan Smith [This is an Afrikaans book; in English, the title would be “In the dark pit”]
3. Deperessie – simptome, oorsake en genesing by Frank Minirth & Paul Meier [This is an Afrikaans book; in English, the title would be “Depression – simptoms, causes and healing”]
4. Healing for damaged emotions by David A. Seamands
5. The Detox Manual by Suzannah Olivier
6. Eat right for your type by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo

H. Politics

1. How not to get shot. And other advice from white people by D.L. Hughley
2. Rising out of hatred: The awakening of a former white Nationalist by Eli Saslow
3. Afrikanerskap in Bybelse lig by Prof J.L. Helberg [This is an Afrikaans book; in English, the title would be something like “Being an Afrikaner in light of the Bible”]
4. Geestelike weerbaarheid teen ideologiese terrorisme by S.G. Roos [This is an Afrikaans book; in English, the title would be “Spiritual defensibility/resiliency against ideological terrorism”]

E-Kerk and Emerging Church

I am a big fan of E-Kerk. I receive their letters every no and then, and I visit the E-Kerk (E-Church) whenever I get the chance. When I read that Pastor Stephan Joubert wrote something about E-Kerk and the emerging Church, I couldn’t help to go there and read it. You are welcome to read what he wrote. It is Afrikaans originally. I translated it, and the English translation is given after the Afrikaanse part in Italics.

I wanted to share it hear as well. Here is what he wrote, then:

“Dit het ‘n nuwe kerklike mode geword om enigeen van wie jy verskil te klassifiseer as deel van die “emerging church.” Om een of ander rede is hierdie etiket bedoel as ‘n teologiese skeldwoord. As jy deesdae enigiemand vanaf Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, Ron Martoia, tot by Doug Pagitt of Tony Jones se boeke op jou rak het of dalk iemand ken wat hulle ken, is jy outomaties melaats. Hierdie is die nuwe sonde van “guilty by association.” (Terloops, dan moet diegene wat so dink summier ophou om Paulus te lees wat ‘n keer of wat nie-gelowige Griekse digters aanhaal, of die Judasbrief, wat aanhaal uit geskrifte soos die Testament van Moses en 1 Henog, wat nie deel van die kanon is nie.)

It has become fashionable in the church to classify anyone that you do not agree with as being part of the “emerging church”. For some or other reason this label are meant as a theological curse-word. Nowadays, if you have the books of anyone from Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, Ron Martoia, to Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones, on your shelves, or maybe know someone who does have their books on their shelves, you are automatically treated as having leprosy. This is the new sin called “guilty by association”. (By the way, those who think this way should also stop reading Paul, who quoted non-religious Greek poets at times, or the Jude-letter, who quotes from writings such as the Testament of Moses or 1 Enoch, which is not part of the canon.)

In boeke, webblaaie en artikels word kerklikes deesdae met etikette van “emerging church” beplak en voorgehou as verdraaiers van die Waarheid, of as skeppers van ‘n nuwe, afgewaterde evangelie. Ook in Suid Afrika is dit die geval. Helaas het hierdie verdagmakery ontaard in moddergooiery en sub-standaard karakteraanvalle wat deurspek is van foutiewelike aanhalings en ongegronde uitsprake oor mense wat nie behoorlik gelees of uitgehoor is nie. (Ek bloos namens die klipgooiers!)

In books, websites and articles, church people are getting stuck by “emerging church” labels, and are held up as twisting the Truth, or as creators of a new, watered-down gospel. This is also the case in South Africa. This suspicions have grown into mudslinging and sub-standard character-attacks, which are full of faulthy quotes or unsubstansiated statements about people who weren’t read properly or who haven’t been listened to thoroughly. (I am ashamed on behalf of the rock-pitchers/-throwers!)

In die lig van bogenoemde reaksies kan daar eintlik geen goeie debat wees oor die sg. “emerging church” nie (lees egter die volgende artikel wat ‘n goeie oorsig bied oor die beweging: http://www.pomofaith.com/the-emerging-church/). Maar vir die rekord- dit is interessant dat bekendes wat hierdie term aanvanklik gebruik het, soos Erwin McManus en Dan Kimball, glad nie meer aan sg. emerging gesprekke deelneem nie. Op sy beurt het Leonard Sweet, wat die term “emergent” geskep het, in die Amerikaanse tydskrif RELEVANT (21; Julie/Aug 2006) homself hiervan gedistansieër in ‘n debat met McLaren en Jones. Sy ondubbelsinnige woorde was: “Count me out!” So voel ek ook. Trouens, ek wil saam met Leonard Sweet (Answering my Critics- A Response”) oor die “emerging church” die volgende beaam:

(In the light of the above-mentioned reactions, there can really be no good debate about the so-called “emerging church” (you can read the following article, though, which gives a good oversight about the movement: http://www.pomofaith.com/the-emerging-church/). For the record, though – it is interesting that well-known people who used this term at first, like Erwin McManus and Dan Kimball, doesn’t participate anymore in the so-called emerging discussion at all. Leonard Sweet, who created the term “emergent”, distanced himself from it in an American magazine RELEVANT (21; Julie/Aug 2006) in a debate with McLaren and Jones. His unambiguous words were: “Count me out!” That is the way I feel as well. I want to repeat the following statements by Leonard Sweet (Answering my Critics- A Response”) with regards to the “emerging church” (this was written in English, thus I do not have to translate it here):

“1. It is prone to cause political ruckus when it should be rocking the world for Christ;

2. It is missing a hunger and longing for the salvation of others, a passion for others to fall in love with Jesus and the sense that there are things at stake here that have both earthly and eternal consequences . . .

3. It appears more and more to be a new evangelical form of the old 70s liberation theology

4. It makes the mistake of separating the Person of Jesus from His teachings

5. It deconstructs everything, including the historic creeds of the church and the divine inspiration of the entire biblical canon

6. It revels in spreading doubt more than faith.”

NOU- VIR DAARDIE HOOFLETTER-VRAE (this part was written in Afrikaans, so I will be translating it again; NOW- FOR THAT CAPITAL-LETTER QUESTIONS):

IS EKERK ‘N “EMERGENTE KERK,” soos een geleerde vir my gesê het? Genugtig, nee!

ARE EKERK AN “EMERGING CHURCH”, as one scholar told me? Absolutely, no!

IS EKERK UITVERKOOP AAN CHRISTUS? Ja, Hy is die Een, die enigste Een! Hy IS en bly die regte roete Godwaarts!

ARE EKERK SOLD OUT TO CHRIST? Yes, He is the One, the only One! He IS and remains the true access to God!

IS DIE EKERK SE VOETE OP DIE ROETE VAN DIE BYBEL? Flou vraag! Loshande, en met alles in ons.

ARE THE EKERK’S FEET ON THE ROAD OF THE BIBLE? Weak question! Without a doubt, and with everything within us.

IS ONS TEEN DIE TRADISIONELE KERK? Wat? Gedoriewaar, nee! Ons is deel van die liggaam van Christus op aarde! Ons verabsoluteer net nie kerklike omhulsels ten koste van verhoudings nie!

ARE WE AGAINST THE TRADISIONAL CHURCH? What? Honestly, no! We are part of the body of Christ on earth! We just don’t elevate churchly encosures above relationships!

IS ONS TEEN DOGMA EN LEERSTELLINGS? Op dees aarde nie! Jesus is ons belydenis en belewenis. Ons bely ons geloof agter die 12 Artikels aan en beleef dit daagliks in ons harte en gedagtes, al die pad tot by ons vingerpunte en voetsole. Teologie is egter nie net klaskamersake nie. So ook is kerk nie net vir Sondae alleen bedoel nie. Ekerk is daarom die wêreld vol- hier, daar en doer. Bokse en etikette- asseblief tog net nie. Ons leef, werk, speel en leef tussen lyne en spasies vir Jesus! Dis daar en doer waar ons wil wees!”

ARE WE AGAINST DOGMA AND DOCTRINES? No! Jesus is our confession and experience. We confess our faith after the 12 Articles, and experiences it daily in our hearts and minds, and all the way into our fingerprints and footprints. Theology isn’t just classroombound, though. In the same way church isn’t meant for Sundays alone. Ekerk is thus all over the world – here, there, and everywhere. Boxes and labels – please not! We live, work and play between the lines and spaces for Jesus. It is there that we want to be!