What’s on Joel Muddamalle’s Bookshelf? Top 10 Books

1. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society, by Eugene Peterson

We live in a world obsessed with speed and immediacy. But the Christian life is slow growth and focused on cultivation. Eugene Peterson reminds us of the beauty of patience and masterfully walks us through the Psalms of Ascent as we are reminded that obedience to the way of Christ over a lifetime will form us into the image of Christ as we arrive closer to our destination.

2. The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible, by Michael Heiser

When things get weird or uncomfortable in the Bible, we tend to skip it. But there are no throw-away sentences, stories, or chapters in the Bible. This includes the supernatural parts of Scripture. In The Unseen Realm, we get the theological background to the supernatural realm which will bring coherence to the story of Scripture. It’s honestly a must read.

3. The Day the Revolution Began, by N. T. Wright

N. T. Wrights’s ability to bring the context of the cross to the forefront of our understanding of Jesus and what actually happened when he was crucified is so helpful. The best part of this book is that is both substantive in theology and accessible in readability.

4. A Burning in My Bones, by Winn Collier

This biography of the life of Eugene Peterson is something every pastor and ministry leader should read. It reminds us of the necessity of congruency of heart. We want our intellectual understanding of God to run congruently with our heart’s affection for Jesus. Humility is the superpower of believers, and Eugene Peterson put it on display throughout his life. The honesty is so refreshing, and there is so much to learn from his life and ministry.

5. Dignity and Destiny: Humanity in the Image of God, by John F. Kilner

Kilner helps us understand the image of God in a way that brings honor and dignity to the reality of disability and suffering in the world caused by sin. It’s a refreshing and helpful unpacking of the doctrine of the image of God.

6. We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry, by G. K. Beale

Beale unpacks idolatry and its consequences in a powerful way. We are reminded of the severity of idolatry and why it is so important to stay in true worship of the One God of heaven and earth. One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from this book: “We become what we revere, either to our ruin or restoration.”

7. Knowing God, by J. I. Packer

Packer’s book may be the first book any Christian should commit to reading after their Bible. It gives the foundations of theology so we can rightly think God’s thoughts after him.

8. Weakness Is the Way: Life with Christ Our Strength, by J. I. Packer

Packer in a short and concise book reminds us that weakness is not something to be despised. Rather, it is a gift to receive and accept as we learn to rely on the power and ability of God.

9. Paul: A Biography, by N. T. Wright

Wright’s scholarship of the apostle Paul gives the reader much-needed background to this apostle who plays a significant role in the New Testament. Reading this biography will help you read the letters of Paul in context, giving you insights and nuances that would otherwise be missed.

10. The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis

Lewis brings the schemes and strategy of the enemy of God and his people to light brilliantly and creatively. This short work is written to give us insight, but leaves us with confidence and courage in the finished work of Christ. This is a must-read for all believers as we live in a culture that seems so unaware of the tactics of the enemy.

Note: This title is only available to purchase as part of a larger collection.