If “doing theology” is a good thing, how about reading some good theology books in 2016? Below is a list of books I plan to tackle, hopefully in conversation with others. It’s a pretty aggressive schedule, and some of these books are difficult reading. You’ll notice authors from different Christian traditions—no one will agree with everything each author says, but the readings are meant to get you thinking about aspects of theology that should be important to the broader Church. One pastor friend told me, “What I like about your list: it’s so entirely focused on personhood in relationship with God.” So, maybe you’ll only use this list for ideas for your own personal reading, or maybe you’ll want to join the (mostly) monthly conversations about what we’ve read together. (If so, let me know and I’ll keep you posted about the meeting schedule.) Either way, I hope it’s helpful to you!
January 2016 – In One Body Through The Cross: The Princeton Proposal For Christian Unity, edited by Carl Braaten & Robert Jenson
February – Holiness, by John Webster
March – Worship, Community, & The Triune God Of Grace, by J. B. Torrance
April – Life In The Trinity: An Introduction To Theology With The Help Of The Church Fathers, by Donald Fairbairn
May – For The Life Of The World: Sacraments And Orthodoxy, by Alexander Schmemann
(June off)
July – Being As Communion: Studies In Personhood And The Church, by John Zizioulas
(August off)
September – Incarnation: The Person And Life Of Christ, by T. F. Torrance
October – The Promise Of Trinitarian Theology, by Colin Gunton
November – Man And Woman He Created Them: A Theology Of The Body, by John Paul II (or the “Plain Language” version here)
(December off)
