As I look back at the books I read in 2019, several stand out as my favorites. If the topics of the books are of interest to you, check them out!
One of my overall favorites this year was John C. Peckham’s Theodicy of Love. I’ve read a lot about the problem of evil for belief in the Christian God over the years, and always felt that something important was missing. Peckham’s discussion of the role of love, as well as cosmic conflict, in dealing with the problem of evil is excellent.
Another standout from the past year is Paul Gould’s Cultural Apologetics. I’ve been thinking more about the connections between goodness, truth, beauty, and an authentic Christian faith. This excellent book dives deeply into these issues. It is not only thought-provoking, but read in the right way can be spiritually formative as well.
In the fiction category, I thoroughly enjoyed the last book in Tom Morris’s wonderful series of novels, The Ancient Scroll: A Journey of Destiny. A fitting conclusion to a series of books that are entertaining, full of practical wisdom, and fast-paced. They deserve a wide reading.
Given my work this past year, wrapping up my own book due out in May, God and Guns in America, I continued to read a good amount of literature on guns. My favorite from the year is highly recommended for anyone interested in public policy, ethics, and the current state of the gun debate in the United States. Firmin DeBrabander’s book, Do Guns Make Us Free?, should be required reading for those following the substance of the gun debate. In my book, I summarize one of his key points as follows:
“The ubiquitous presence of guns can signify a lack of freedom, because it signifies a lack of security. If I cannot feel safe walking down the street, going to church, going to a movie, or going out to eat without a gun on my person, how free am I? If the rule of law is this powerless, then society looks more like the war of all against all than it does a civil, democratic, or law-governed society.”
I enjoyed this discussion of Stoic philosophy. This book, aimed at a general audience, was a good read. I’ve heard his subsequent work closes the deal, insofar as it gives some practical advice for applications to life.
A good book, would be helpful for coaches of any high school sport, not just soccer. It reminded me once again that while winning is important, what matters the most is that my players have a significant experience as a part of our soccer team.
Alex
Interesting quote about the rule of law. I actually hate living in a society where I feel like I need a gun to be safe. I think about that often. Unfortunately the rule of law is not so good at pre-emptively protecting me from someone who has decided that they’re going to break it.
Michael W. Austin
I understand what you mean about safety. If we can figure out ways to strengthen the rule of law, foster better character and create better conditions for human flourishing, then perhaps more wouldn’t feel the need to have a gun to be safe. But those are tall orders.