Mortimer J. Adler once said, “In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.”
As a missionary, books are some of my best friends. They contain the wisdom of seasoned servants who have gone before me seeking to be faithful to the Great Commission.
Books are still a constant companion, available when there’s no one to call, they are on planes with me and while I’m standing in line to get my Starbucks fix.
These are some of my favorites – so whether you’re looking for a fresh source of inspiration, biblical instruction, or just encouragement, consider checking these out. There are tons of great titles out there, but these have been especially meaningful to me.
Book 1: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J.I. Packer
If God is in control of everything, can Christians sit back and not bother to evangelize? Does active evangelism imply that God is not really sovereign at all?
J. I. Packer shows how both of these attitudes are false. In a careful review of the biblical evidence, he shows how a right understanding of God’s sovereignty is not a barrier to evangelism, but rather an empowering and exciting motivation for it.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is “While we must always remember that it is our responsibility to proclaim salvation, we must never forget that it is God who saves. It is God who brings men and women under the sound of the gospel, and it is God who brings them to faith in Christ. Our evangelistic work is the instrument that he uses for this purpose, but the power that saves is not in the instrument: it is in the hand of the One who uses the instrument. We must not at any stage forget that.” If you’d like to get it on Amazon, here’s the link.
Book 2: Speaking of Jesus, The Art of Not-Evangelism, by Carl Medearis
In Speaking of Jesus, Carl Medearis draws on his experience of international reconciliation between Muslims and Christians to remind us of the heart of the matter: Jesus. Here he gives us tools, stories, and the foundation we need to move beyond “us” and “them” and simply talk about the One who changes it all.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is “We have an unfair advantage. We know the Creator. We’re friends with the King. We know where truth is found and its name. We know what brings life and what gives life and where eternal life resides. It’s not fair. While others are explaining and defending various “isms” and “ologies,” we’re simply pointing people to our friend. The One who uncovers and disarms. The beginning and the end of the story.” The Kindle version is on sale right now for just $1.99 on Amazon! Here’s the link.
Book 3: Questioning Evangelism, Engaging People’s Hearts The Way Jesus Did, by Randy Newman
This book reflects both a deep grasp of biblical theology and penetrating compassion for people. Randy Newman brings back the lost art of listening, dialogue, and engaging people the way Jesus did – with wise probing questions. Must reading for those who want to learn how to evangelize in a biblical and relationally sensitive way.
Two of my favorite quotes from this book are, “Frustration might be the most common emotion that Christians associate with evangelism (followed closely by guilt, confusion, and despair).” and “We wonder why the topic that is so often on our minds is so seldom on our lips.” If you’d like to get it on Amazon, here’s the link.
What are some of your favorites?
I’d love to hear them — especially if you’re engaging someone in a series of discussions about Jesus.
Please leave your comments below. Thanks!
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