Reading good books is one of the spiritual disciplines that most feeds my soul.  Here are a few reads that nourished me most in 2009.  In no particular order . . .

Theology/philosophy: Knowing Christ Today by Dallas Willard.

As always, Dallas Willard is brilliant in this latest book.  Unlike most of his books, spiritual formation occupies only one (very good) chapter, while the bulk of this volume deals with the more philosophical question of spiritual knowledge.  Willard is responding to the pervasive assumption in society and the academy that when it comes to religious faith, a person can believe whatever they want because we can’t really know anything about God (if he even exists).  So what does it matter what one believes?  Religious faith is treated as an optional extra (either cute or sinister, depending on one’s perspective) some might entertain, but not regarded seriously as actual knowledge.  Faith is equated with opinion.

Willard, however, argues that in the same way one can have knowledge of anything which exists in reality, if God does exist then there can be actual knowledge about him.  Such knowledge may not be comprehensive, but one may evaluate their beliefs to see whether or not they are tied to actual knowledge.  And Willard’s exhortations to pastors, as having the important calling of imparting knowledge of God to others, was deeply stirring.

Spiritual life: Tell it Slant by Eugene Peterson.

Eugene Peterson is one of those mentors-from-a-distance for me.  His depth, insight, and amazing mastery of language always feeds my soul and informs how I live, pastor, and write.  This fourth book in his spiritual theology series, exploring the parables and prayers of Jesus, is every bit as good as the ones that came before it.

Ministry: Deep Church by Jim Belcher.

Most observers would probably consider the church I lead an “emerging church” – a designation that causes joy in some and concern in others.  While that label probably fits, I’d like to think that the church is in some sense a “bridge” between the emerging and traditional worlds.  In this book, Jim Belcher explicitly lays out a bridge position, a third way between emerging and traditional.  His book is full of careful research, thoughtful critique, and helpful wisdom for those who would want to live in this third way.  Must reading for practitioners who value orthodox, historical Christianity yet want to be methodologically innovative as missionaries in our culture.

Reference: Stories with Intent by Klyne Snodgrass.

For my fellow parable junkies, this definitive volume is a must-read.  The first section on the nature of parables and their interpretation is excellent, and the thorough treatment of each of Jesus’ stories, including Jewish and Hellenistic background for each, is incredibly helpful.

Biography: Longing for God by Richard Foster and Gayle Beebe.

Think of this book as spiritual biography.  This volume looks at seven different pathways/frameworks that the church has historically used in understanding the shape of the spiritual life.  For each pathway three or four historical figures are featured, each among the great names in Christian spirituality throughout the centuries.  Gayle Beebe begins each chapter with an analysis of that particular figure’s thought and practice, and each chapter ends with a shorter reflection by Richard Foster, who brings a deep familiarity and experience to each figure’s work.

Devotional: Celtic Daily Prayer by The Northumbria Community.

Several years ago I began praying the hours now and then using Phyllis Tickle’s wonderful Divine Hours as a guide.  It’s a great discipline, and one of several ways that Christians through the centuries have sought to keep the command to “pray without ceasing.”  This prayer book also leads one into fixed hour prayer, though in a little different way.  The prayers and blessings are beautiful and heartfelt, thoroughly Trinitarian, and have a certain lightness and hope to them that makes the prayer times very refreshing.

Family life: Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas.

Having two little beauties at home, much of my energy, prayer, and thought goes to becoming the parent God would have me be.  This book is not a how-to like most of the parenting books I read, but an exploration of how God might be using parenting to spiritually form me!  Profound and moving – I had many set-the-book-down-and-think-about-it moments as I read.  More than any other parenting book I’ve read, this book changed me.

Tim Morey (D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary) is founding and lead pastor at Life Covenant Church in Torrance, California, and the author of Embodying Our Faith (InterVarsity Press).