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The Best Books of 2018

None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us, Jen Wilkin

Alex Lewis, Associate Campus Director

I’ve heard and read a lot about the attributes of God, but I’ve never spent much time reading or studying specifically about how God is different from me. It may seem obvious, but Wilkin walks through 11 of God’s attributes and focuses on how different they are from human attributes and abilities. I think we unknowingly (and sometimes knowingly) try to play god, so coming face to face with the immensity to which his character contrasts mine freed me up to trust him more deeply. He is God and I am not—and this book helped me see more clearly how worthy he is of my obedience and total faith.

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West, Stephen Ambrose

John Muller, Campus Pastor

I love history and I love the American West. A friend of mine had just finished the book and recommended it to me. I wanted to learn about leadership, going into unfamiliar places, leading a team through unknown challenges, and accomplishing a common goal together. This book promised, and delivered, all of that. How did this Corps of Discovery do what they did, survive and help change the landscape of a nation? That’s what I found out. Meriwether Lewis, though very young, was a man of undaunted courage. That is a key quality in leadership.

Crime and PunishmentFyodor Dostoevsky

Chris Pappalardo, Editor

Mark Twain once said that a classic book is one that everyone wants to have read and no one wants to read. I’ve read plenty of books like that, but Dostoevsky’s masterpiece isn’t among them. Known for being a deep dive into the psychology of guilt (which it is), Crime and Punishment is also a murder mystery with surprises all along the way. Re-reading this book has cemented Dostoevsky as my favorite Russian author—and quite possibly one of my favorite authors, period.

A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting WorldPaul Miller

Sarah Perkins, Administrative Associate

Miller is transparent and disarming, reminding the reader that we all have a weak prayer life. He warmly invites us to be upfront with our heavenly Father, since he delights in hearing our prayers. Probably the greatest praise I can give A Praying Life is that it has actually changed the way I live and pray!

C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy

Daniel Simmons, Executive Pastor, Campuses

If you decide to read something by C.S. Lewis this year, let it be his Space Trilogy. While Lewis may be most remembered for creating the magical world of Narniahis Space Trilogy offers his epic adventure storytelling, yet does so with more depth and nuance. Not to be mistaken for children’s stories, the three books Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength dive into the themes of man’s nature, God’s character, the battle between the forces of good and evil, and how to live wisely in this world.

12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You, Tony Reinke

Wes Smith, College Discipleship Pastor

There are few things we give more attention to throughout the day than our phones. This book does a wonderful job pointing out how our phones are changing the way we see God, ourselves and others. Reinke helps show us that even though our phones can help us in many ways, they are not toys. In order to follow Jesus and disciple others well in today’s society, we must think critically about how our phones are impacting us—and this book is a great start!

This article originally appeared here.