Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures - Gibbs and Bolger
For those fairly new to the "Emerging conversation" -as it is often coined- this book is a helpful introduction to the movement. This book also describes how various Emerging Churches tend to arise- often over time, gradually- from within rather than from above. For an overview of what is going on in postmodern Christian circles this book from Gobbs and Bolger is a helpful resource.
The Secret Message of Jesus- Brian McLaren
In various circles Brian McLaren has said that in many ways all his previous books lead to this one. In many ways this is a manifesto for a new, or perhaps better said- refocused, revitalized, Christianity. Playing on the gnostic craze of late a little bit, the title makes the point that the core of Jesus' message has often gone unreported in contemporary Western Christian circles and in the society at large.
Walking on Water : Reflections on Faith and Art- Madeleine L'Engle
Some times a book will "emerge" that is well ahead of its time. Madeleine L'Engle's Walking on Water is just such a book. At a time when views of Christianity, art, and mystery seemed like mutually exclusive categories, L'Engle reminded us that beauty, including divine beauty, often cloaks itself in the unknowable and undefined. In other words, in the realm of art.
The Cloud of Unknowing (and The Book of Privy Counseling) - Anonymous
This incredible book is not only mysterious in its subject matter- but also in terms of authoriship. This anonymous work describes the author's experiences where a way to enlightenment comes through a total loss of the self and a surrended consciousness to God. William Johnston offers an introduction that demonstrates how this book has served as a landmark work in various communities and eras since it was first written. Be warned- this is some heavy treading!
