5700 Rudnick Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91367 (818) 346-6968 Home > Resources > Book Recommendations > Recommendations from the Rector RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE RECTOR         Evangelical Truth by John Stott   John Stott is an Anglican priest and a thinking persons evangelical. There is such a huge range of opinion and practice in the “evangelical tradition” and Stott tries to find what Evangelicals “have in common.” If the word evangelical has had a negative connotation for you by reading this book you will at least understand where many people who call themselves evangelicals are coming from and also what terms like evangelical, fundamentalist, literalist, etc. really mean in their historic contexts. The book has an excellent section about how God reveals himself in the world and about the mystery of the Holy Spirit.   The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard   This is the best book I have read on living the Christian life. Willard who is professor of Philosophy at USC and a devout Christian argues that looking good on the outside for Christians is not what faith is about. We are not called to belief, or practice, but transformation so that we become more Christ like. He gives his description of what this transformed life looks like by developing and interpreting Jesus teachings from the sermon on the mount. Willard believes (and so do I) that Jesus wasn’t issuing pipe dreams by sharing this teaching, he knew that this life was possible. Not only did he know this life was possible but he lived it and called us to follow in that way.   Reaching for the Invisible God by Philip Yancy   Yancy (one of my favorite contemporary Christian writers) shares his doubt and faith at the mystery of grace which always has lead him from doubt to faith. He never minimizes the difficulties of faith or the pain and disappointments that we experience. He always is wrestling with God and his examples and personal honesty are refreshing for all who truly seek after “the invisible God.”   When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes   This is a tough book written by an amazing woman. Joni Eareckson was paralyzed at age 18 in an accident and this book is a reflection on her injury, her suffering, and how she has come to understand God’s intentions for us in our personal pain. It is a challenge to those who think because we are Christians everything should be okay! To the contrary Joni has concluded that God is large enough to understand suffering, wise enough to allow it, and powerful enough to use it for a greater good than we can ever imagine. After 30 years in a wheel chair I believe she is highly qualified to write on the subject.