The 2011 Book List

"A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone. That is why I read books." - Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones)

Here's a list of the books I've read in 2011 along with a short commentary on a few of them. NT Wright and Kelley Varner had a huge influence on me this year. I can't recommend their books enough. It's my hope that you'll find something on this list to read. A number of these books can be found free online.

1. Freedom from 12 Deadly Sins - Kelley Varner // Excellent book on the "isms" that have invaded the Christian world.

2. Journey to Significance - Tony Miller

3. For Love's Sake - Jessica Davis

4. NT Principle of Kingdom Stewardship - Stephen Everett

5. Let Us Draw Near - Judson Cornwall // This book details the lives and thoughts of Moses and his contemporaries as they followed God's instructions to build the Tabernacle. Loved it.

6. Justification - NT Wright

7. Washed By the Blood - Brian Head Welch // Found this on my Father's bookshelf. Glad to see it there.

8. Secrets of the Ascended Life - Kelley Varner // Wow!

9. Principles of Present Truth: Ex - Deut - Kelley Varner // KV's Principles of Present Truth series are simply amazing. Every serious Bible student should own this set.

10. Jesus Among Other Gods - Ravi Zacharias

11. Manifesting God's Love Through Miracles, Signs, and Wonders - Jerame Nelson

12. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad // A classic.

13. Anointing for Exploits - David Oyedepo

14. The Believer's Authority - Kenneth Hagin

15. The Law of Recognition - Mike Murdock

16. Principles of Present Truth: 1,2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles - Kelley Varner

17. With Christ in the School of Prayer - Andrew Murray // Amazing book!

18. Churched - Matthew Paul Turner

19. Moral Revolution - Kris Vallotton

20. Monganga Paul - Lois Carlson // The Congo Ministry and Martyrdom of Covenant missionary Dr. Paul Carlson.

21. The Blood Speaks - Larry Huggins

22. Let the Nations Be Glad - John Piper // Another classic. Should be read by all.

23. Principles of Present Truth: 1,2 Kings, 2 Chronicles - Kelley Varner

24. Alfred Buxton of Abyssinia and Congo - Norman Grubb // Tracked down this rare book online. A gem. NG is the author of Rees Howells Intercessor. Amazing author.

25. Furious Pursuit - Tim King, Frank Martin

26. Christ in Congo Forests - Norman Grubb // Another amazing book on the history of missions in the Congo.

27. Rest in the Day of Trouble - Kelley Varner

28. Principles of Present Truth: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther - Kelley Varner

29. Love Wins - Rob Bell // :)

30. Promise of the Third Day - Bruce Allen

31. Century of the Holy Spirit - Vinson Synan // Great book on the history of the Pentecostal Church in the 20th century.

32. Principles of Present Truth: Job - Kelley Varner

33. The Revelation of Jesus Christ - Lynn Hiles // One of my favorite books. This is a look at the book of Revelation from the lens of the finished work. Brother Hiles is another huge influence in my life.

34. Apostles: The Fathering Servant - Bill Scheidler // Thankful for this book.

35. King James Version // Call me old school but it's still my favorite translation. :)

36. Traveling Mercies - Anne Lamott // Marin native. Read a lot of books in front of her house as she's on one of the routes I deliver.

37. Blue Like Jazz - Don Miller

38. The Local Church Today - Bill Scheidler // Another great book.

39. The Making of a Leader - Frank Damazio // Excellent. Should be read by all desiring to go into the ministry.

40. The Church That is Left Behind - Kobus Swart // You can get this and other titles for free at www.thekingdomplatform.com. I recommend downloading everything from this site.

41. Prophet on Wheels: The Life Story of Bill Britton // Huge influence on Kelley Varner and others.

42. The Incomplete Church - Sid Roth

43. Let the Good Times Roll - Mark Hankins

44. The Sound That Changed Everything - Stephen Everett

45. Global Reformation - Robert Munien // Pastor Munien from Durban, SA has preached at Shiloh Christian Fellowship in Oakland many times over the years. Great book.

46. Jesus Wants to Save Christians - Rob Bell // Really liked this one.

47. The Source - James Michener // Took a couple of weeks to read. My dad gave me his copy and a couple of days later a book I was reading mentioned it. Glad I read it.

48. These Women Are Two Covenants - Jeff Moales

49. From Tent to Temple - George Warnock // One of my favorite authors. He gives away all his books free of charge. Huge influence.

50. Praying the Bible: The Pathway to Spirituality - Wesley and Stacey Campbell

51. Understanding the Seasons of God - Robert Munien

52. God Without Religion - Andrew Farley // Excellent. His commentary on communion and predestination were worth the price of the book. I also recommend his book The Naked Gospel.

53. The Great Escape - David Levister

54. Dating the Book of Revelation - Frans Du Plessis // Free at The Kingdom Platform website. Very thankful for this brother. His teachings on Apostolic Eschatology are priceless.

55. Apostles, Apostolic People, and Churches - Robert Munien

56. Relationship: The Key to Fulfillment In the Song of Solomon - Violet Kiteley // Another big influence in my life. Very blessed by the Kiteley family.

57. Shake Hands With the Devil - Romeo Dallaire // Powerful book about the Rwandan genocide and the failure of humanity to stop it.

58. The Three Prejudices - Kelley Varner

59. Right or Reconciled? - Joseph Garlington

60. Prevail - Kelley Varner

61. You've Already Got It - Andrew Wommack

62. Liberty Defined - Ron Paul

63. Held in the Heavens Until - Earl Paulk // I actually really like his books. Unfortunately he lived a double life. Sad story.

64. English Standard Version // Loved this translation.

65. Driving Change - Brewster/Dalzell // The authorized biography of UPS. Proud to be a part of this organization for over 7 years now. My grandfather was also a UPSer in San Francisco.

66. Legacy Now - Phil Munsey // Amazing preacher. Great book.

67. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy - Eric Metaxas // Got a number of Bonhoeffer books after reading this. Can't wait to read them.

68. Surprised by Hope - NT Wright // The best book I read this year. Please do yourself a favor and read this.

69. Chosen For Greatness - Kelley Varner // AWESOME.

70. The Tenth Parallel - Eliza Griswold

71. Decision Points - George Bush

72. It's Really All About God - Samir Selmanovic

73. Allah: A Christian Response - Miroslav Volf

74. Simply Christian - NT Wright

75. Sex God - Rob Bell // Much better than Moral Revolution. Not what you're thinking.

76. God Is Not a Christian, Nor A Jew, Muslim, Hindu... - Carlton Pearson // Another sad story here.

77. Jesus Manifesto - Frank Viola, Leonard Sweet // Loved it.

78. The Rebbe: The Life and Afterlife of Menachem Mendel Schneerson - Samuel Heilman, Menachem Friedman // Read this after learning that many Lubavitcher believe him to be the Messiah.

79. A Continent for the Taking - Howard French // Great book about Africa.

80. A New Kind of Christianity - Brian McLaren // Thank you for making me think.

81. Whose Right It Is - Kelley Varner // Another very important book. Please get a copy of this.

82. In Southern Light - Alex Shoumatoff

83. They Fight Like Soldiers They Die Like Children - Romeo Dallaire // Important book about child soldiers and what is being done to help them.

84. Consuming the Congo - Peter Eichstaedt // Helps you better understand the Congo's conflict mineral situation.

85. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller

86. The Laws of Prosperity - Bernard E Jordan // Surprised at how many regard him as a true Christian. He's more along the lines of New Thought like Carlton Pearson. I actually really liked his book The Laws of Thinking.

87. Evil and the Justice of God - NT Wright // Great book.

88. The River Congo - Peter Forbath // Learned more about the history of the Congo in this book than any other. Really good.

89. Dead Aid - Dambisa Moyo // Why aid isn't working in Africa.

90. Dancing In the Glory of Monsters - Jason Stearns // Really important book in understanding the Congo conflict.

91. The Israel of God - Frans Du Plessis // Another free book at The Kingdom Platform.

92. Unconditional - Brian Zahnd // A new favorite author of mine. Follow him on Twitter. Started reading his book Beauty Will Save the World a few days ago. Have a feeling it's going to be on my favorite list.

93. Dark Star Safari - Paul Theroux

94. Supernatural Destiny - Don Nori

95. Congo, My Country - Patrice Lumumba

96. The Enlightened Church: Satan Who? - Karl Barden // Really liked this one. Hard to find but should be read by all Bible teachers.

97. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy - John Julius Norwich // Dry at times but learned a lot.

98. The Lord and His Prayer - N.T. Wright

99. Offspring - Earl Paulk

100. The Fear - Peter Godwin // Amazing book on Robert Mugabe and the martyrdom of Zimbabwe.

In 2012 I'm focusing on quality as opposed to quantity. If you have any recommendations feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

Special thanks to Destiny Image for supplying me with a number of free books this year.