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On Lament and Hard Questions | David W. Jones’ Summer Reading Recommendations

David W. Jones | June 03, 2020
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As summer begins, we want to help you craft the perfect Summer Reading List. We asked Southeastern Seminary professors what books they would recommend, and we’ll share their recommendations in coming weeks.

Today, Dr. David W. Jones recommends five books for your summer reading list.

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament
By Mark Vroegop (Crossway, 2019)

Jones: Dark Clous, Deep Mercy is one of the best books I’ve read over the past few years. The idea of lament may sound depressing, but in this book pastor Mark Vroegop unfolds a winsome theology of pain and suffering and teaches readers about the biblical discipline of lament.

Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion
By Rebecca McLaughlin (Crossway, 2019)

Jones:  I highly recommend this excellent book. In Confronting Christianity, McLaughlin tackles hard questions related to Christianity and suffering, the idea of hell, the Bible and slavery, gender issues, and a host of other challenging topics.

Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith
By Michael Reeves (IVP Academic, 2012)

Jones: You need to read this short book. I put Delighting in the Trinity on my list of top 10 books I’ve ever read as a Christian. If you view the Trinity as confusing—or worse, as irrelevant—to the Christian life, then you must read this brief, winsome volume.

Mountain Rain: A New Biography of James O. Fraser
By Eileen Crossman (Paternoster Lifestyle, 2001)

Jones: I love reading missionary biographies. They are so encouraging to all believers, regardless of whether or not God had called someone to full-time missions work. Mountain Rain, Crossman’s biography of James Frasier, is one of the best.

To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson
By Courtney Anderson (Judson Press, 1987)

Jones: To the Golden Shore is another classic missionary biography. I’m re-reading this biography for my own personal edification. If you have not read this book before, do so this summer. It’s widely regarded as one of the best Christian biographies ever written.

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  • counseling
  • Summer Reading List
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David W. Jones

Dr. Jones is a Professor of Christian Ethics and serves as the Associate Dean of Theological Studies and Director of the Th.M. Program at Southeastern Seminary. He is the author of many books, including Every Good Thing, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics and is the co-author of Health, Wealth, and Happiness. He comments on the Bible over at redeemedmind.com.

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