“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” – Charlie Jones
By Tanwin Tanoto
2021 has been a strange year for me. It marked the end of an era for me and my family and also marked the beginning of something beautiful. At the beginning of 2021, we decided to answer God’s call to be a full-time minister at Hurstville and the journey has been great!
Also, like many of you, 2021 felt like a repeat of 2020 – with COVID outbreaks and lockdowns. But I am still grateful to God that He is faithful. I have seen churches shift and were thriving despite lockdowns. I’ve even encountered many lives touched by God because of lockdown.
So, with those two events in mind, I reflected on the new people that I met and the books that I’ve read that have helped me shape today. I can’t give you the list of the top 10 people I’ve met in 2021, but I can give you the list of top 10 books that I’ve read in 2021 (in no particular order). I hope this list is helpful.
Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible by E. Randolph Richards & Brandon J. O’Brien
Truth on Fire: Gazing at God until Your Heart Sings by Adam Ramsey
Humbled: Welcoming the Uncomfortable Work of God by David Mathis
Mere Evangelism: 10 Insights From CS Lewis to Help You Share Your Faith by Randy Newman
Christ Crucified: The Once-For-All Sacrifice by Stephen Charnock
The Bible: A Story that Makes Sense of Life by Andrew Ollerton
Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners: Loving Others As God Loves Us by Michael R. Emlet
Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims by Darby A. Strickland
A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness by Gene Edwards
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution by Carl R. Trueman
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