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Erica Steffen's avatar

I read The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt. It was very insightful in understanding from a very sociological perspective how our society got to be how it is today. While not written from a Christian perspective, it has very good points to make and helpful for parents who are raising children in a very unhealthy social environment and how we can be "counter-cultural" families. Jonathan Haidt is also the author of the very popular The Anxious Generation which I also plan to read for the challenge to get the "book written by the same author!"

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Sheila's avatar

I read Sacrifice or Penalty by Keith Crider, and though I agree in the main with his refutation of the penal substitutionary theory of atonement, I was surprised by how much I disagreed with.

I would love to see some of my women friends venture less guiltily into doctrinal reading. A book on a controversial subject which I recommend would be "All You Want to Know About Hell" by Steve Gregg. This came to me recommended by an older Anabaptist woman in a horse-and-buggy church. I love Gregg's balanced views--I appreciate how he doesn't throw his support behind any one theory, but thoroughly explores the various ways that Christians have looked at this aspect of eschatology down through the centuries, and perhaps especially today in this increasingly volatile area of speculation. Nor does he get as cynical toward other camps as some writers like David Bentley Hart or others. Even when we find much to disagree with, it is good to know the reasoning behind how others view their beliefs, as it can go a long way toward seeing them as humans.

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Brighter Winter's avatar

"I would love to see some of my women friends venture less guiltily into doctrinal reading." YES, we agree!

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Annette J's avatar

These are great thoughts. I do enjoy doctrinal issues, but instead of just listening to an echo chamber, I like to hear other views explained clearly. It helps me strengthen my own beliefs. Thank you for the book recommendations! I'm definitely looking into these.

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Eva Toews's avatar

I was wishing I hadn't read Really Very Crunchy towards the end of last year. I wanted to read it for this challenge, but will need to find something else. It's an easy read, by the way!

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Emma Miller's avatar

I'm reading Unreasonable Hospitality.

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Theresa O'Connell's avatar

I read "Trash Talk" by Lillian Gotlieb. My big focus this reading season is consumerism and all the waste it generates.

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Brighter Winter's avatar

Sounds like an intriguing focus!

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Linette Horst's avatar

I read Mental Health and your church.

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Roseanne Wiebe's avatar

I have started listening to The Vaccine Friendly Plan by Paul Thomas, MD. I want to learn more about childhood vaccinations by just hearing facts. So far I love the book!

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Brighter Winter's avatar

Vaccines are certainly controversial!

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Ida's avatar

I am nearly done reading Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry. Jackie shares her miraculous story of how the Lord called her out of a gay relationship and lifestyle. Excellent reading!

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Rhonda Nolt's avatar

I listened to the audio version of Unplanned by Abby Johnson. Abortion is definitely a hot topic in today's world, and I really appreciated Abby's view of both sides. One quote from the beginning of the book that really stood out to me was, "Because planned parenthood... listened without judging, shaming, or condemning, women came to their clinics when they needed help. Where else could they go for that?" Ouch! Can we as believers do better at reaching women in crisis? TBH, I almost quit right at the beginning when she described the ultrasound guided abortion that was her turning point. My first baby is only 8 months old, and the ultrasounds are still so fresh in my mind that I could hardly bear to keep going!

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Denise Bontrager's avatar

I am reading the Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse. It is a very easy read and thought provoking as well. I am enjoying it and I don’t usually enjoy reading books like this.

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Alexa Miller's avatar

The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt. The effect of screen time on the brain, especially in children, can be a very controversial topic, and as a schoolteacher seeing the effects, I want to learn more.

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Janet's avatar

I just finished Consumed by Hate Redeemed by Love. A racist man consumed with hate tells his story of how he was radicalized and then later found deliverance through the transformation of Christ.

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Janelle Winters's avatar

I’m choosing to read about the most recent 100 years of the Arab-Israeli conflict in a book called Enemies and Neighbors. I haven’t started it yet (finishing a few others first) but am excited to learn more about this hot topic, as I don’t really understand it and the information I’ve gotten up to this point is usually from news outlets (which I’ve learned are all biased in some form).

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Lonita Wise's avatar

I am reading Five Lies of our Anti - Christian Age by Rosaria Butterfield. In this book she addresses both the gender issues and feminism. I just started listening to this book and am curious how it will impact me.

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janelle.hurst's avatar

This is a great read! Definitely heavier than her other books but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Crystal's avatar

If my library hold is ready in time I want to read This Is your Brain on Birth Control

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April Parrish's avatar

I read Live Your Truth and Other Lies by Alisa Childers. She didn’t mince her words, but gave a good biblical perspective to many of the common phrases/mantras being touted these days. It was an excellent read!

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