Here is a list of recently published books recommended by an astute judge of evangelical and cross cultural books at the Harvest Logos Bookstore in Seattle, Washington, USA.

THE CHURCH OUTSIDE THE USA

PRISONERS OF HOPE: THE STORY OF OUR CAPTIVITY & FREEDOM IN AFGHANISTAN by Dayna Curry & Heather Mercer, $19.95 on sale at $14.99. Dayna & Heather were both students of Miriam Adeney, author of **DAUGHTERS OF ISLAM: BUILDING BRIDGES TO MUSLIM WOMEN. Miriam will be part of our August 30 author party.

Jan Karon's new novel IN THIS MOUNTAIN. Dorothy tells me this is her best book.

CHAIRMAN MAO MEETS THE APOSTLE PAUL: CHRISTIANITY, COMMUNISM & THE HOPE OF CHINA by K.K. Yeo. Compares Maoism with ancient Chinese theology, Marxism & Pauline theology, $29.99 on sale for $22.50 with discount card.

THE QUEST FOR FREEDOM & DIGNITY: CASTE, CONVERSION & CULTURAL REVOLUTION by Vishal Mangalwadi. Forward is written by Ram Raj, an Indian Buddhist politician from an Untouchable (Dalit) background. Ram Raj states,"Mangalwadi expertly diagnoses our Indian disease, evaluates alternative treatments, and boldly prescribes a remedy." Vishal himself was once jailed for coming to the defence of a Dalit Medical officer falsely jailed for rape. One chapter explores 3 alternatives to Hinduism- secular humanism, Buddhism and Christianity. He uses powerful stories- true and fictional, to illustrate the problem and Christian responses.

LEWIS & DARWIN

THE QUESTION OF GOD: C.S. LEWIS & SIGMUND FREUD DEBATE GOD, LOVE, SEX, & THE MEANING OF LIFE by Dr. Armand Nicholi. For 25 years, Nicholi has taught a popular course at Harvard that compares the world views of these two men. He allows these 2 men to speak for themselves from both published and unpublished writings. $25.

POETRY & THE ARTS

THE GREEN EARTH: POEMS OF CREATION by Luci Shaw. Luci will be here for a poetry reading August 30. Walter Wangerin states "Luci Shaw picks delicate living things and holds them in hands so formed to the things themselves that nothing is bruised or damaged."

Republished recently THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER: STORY AS TRUTH by Madeleine L'Engle (Luci Shaw is her editor & friend).

POETRY OF PIETY: AN ANNOTATED ANTHOLOGY OF CHRISTIAN POETRY. Covers 28 poets in chronological order from Sir Walter Raleigh and John Donne to John Updike (his powerful poem on the necessity of the physical resurrection) and Peter Kocan. Includes Herbert, Watts, Newton, Blake, Hopkins, T.S. Eliot, Lewis and Wilbur. Each poem is surrounded by information about the poet, the poetry and the piety.

CHRISTIAN LIVING/SPIRITUALITY

A RENEWED SPIRITUALITY: FINDING FRESH PATHS AT MIDLIFE, IVP. Lynne Baab is on the pastoral staff of Bethany Presbyterian Church on Queen Anne. As Becky Pippert states: "She explores the significance of the importance of Sabbath-keeping, embracing mystery, contemplative prayer, and Celtic & Benedictine spiritualities...I have found great comfort in these ways of stepping back from the frantic pressures each day brings." Lynn will be at our author party August 30 (the Friday evening of Labor Day weekend).

THE MENTORED LIFE: FROM INDIVIDUALISM TO PERSONHOOD by James Houston, founding principal of Regent College. Praised by Dallas Willard and J.I. Packer. NavPress

DARE TO DESIRE: AN INVITATION TO FULFILL YOUR DEEPEST DREAMS by John Eldredge. $14.99. A gift book with 4 color photos. "Desire is the essence of the human soul, the secret of our existence. Absolutely nothing of human greatness can be accomplished without it." SACRED ROMANCE($8.99), JOURNEY OF DESIRE($8.99) & WILD AT HEART($14.99) are all on sale $5 off retail..

WILD AT HEART FIELD MANUAL: A PERSONAL GUIDE TO DISCOVER THE SECRET OF YOUR MASCULINE SOUL, $16.99 by John Eldredge. Filled with probing questions, creative exercises, and space to record personal field notes.

SELF-ESTEEM: THE CROSS & CHRISTIAN CONFIDENCE by Joanna & Alister McGrath. Decries our attemps to "rescue" people from low self-esteem using approaches that dilute the reality of sin or distort the biblical demand for humility. How do we properly recognize our self-worth without falling into self-worship? Alister is professor of Historical Theology at Oxford. Joanna is a clinical psychologist. Alister also wrote **GLIMPSING THE FACE OF GOD: THE SEARCH FOR MEANING IN THE UNIVERSE. This book is written for the seeker with four color photography.

If you are Barbara Johnson and you have brain surgery, you write a book titled PLANT A GERANIUM IN YOUR CRANIUM: SPROUTING SEEDS OF JOY IN THE MANURE OF LIFE.

THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT: C. S. LEWIS'S JOURNEY TO FAITH, IVP. Chronicles his spiritual journey from his childhood to his conversion just before his 33rd birthday. Talks about the conversion of his imagination (1916), his intellect (1929) and his will (1931).

CURATE OF GLASTON by George MacDonald is 3 novels (around 600 pages for $12.99). This is my favorite trilogy of MacDonald historical novels. CURATE'S AWAKENING, LADY'S CONFESSION & BARON'S APPRENTICESHIP.

Just out by George MacDonald is THE POET & THE PAUPER, $12.99. It includes 2 novels: THE BARONET'S SONG (Originally titled SIR GIBBIE) Sir Gibbie is a seemingly destitute orphan, whose life--though he is unable to speak--communicates truth, innocent love & goodness. THE SHEPHERDS CASTLE tells the story of Sir Gibbie's best friend in a classic tale of unexpected love, dark secrets, & true Christian character.

GOD AT WORK IN THE USA NO RANDOM ACT: BEHIND THE MURDER OF RICKY BYRDSONG by Dave & Neta Jackson

CHURCHES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE: REACHING YOUR COMMUNITY WITH GOOD NEWS & GOOD WORKS by Ron Sider & others. Tony Campolo states "show how churches with vision, courage, and a biblically informed theology can be major players in transforming cities." Includes concrete models and step-by-step guidance. $19.99 less 25% for discount club holders.

SURPRISING INSIGHTS FROM THE UNCHURCHED: & PROVEN WAYS TO REACH THEM by Thom Rainer. 59% of America are unchurched. This book surveys folk who were unchurched but recently have joined a church. Lee Stobel states "it is pastoral malpractice to ignore this book." Surprise: women were more likely to go to church without an invitation from a friend or aquaintance. Men are more reluctant to go to a church where they know no one.

SCIENCE & FAITH

Discovery Institute is involved in 2 fascinating videos. ICONS OF EVOLUTION was recently premiered at SPU with the author of the book by that name and a high school biology teacher providing interesting feedback. It critiques a number of commonly used defenses of traditional evolutionary theory. $19.95

UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF LIFE: THE SCIENTIFIC CASE FOR INTELLIGENT DESIGN is perhaps of even greater value, because it is building a theory rather than just poking holes in traditional Darwinism. $19.95

Booklist provided by Michael Adeney, manager of HARVEST LOGOS BOOKSTORE. Call, email, write or walk in if you wish to order:

Michael Adeney
Harvest Logos Bookstore
115 N. 85th St. #100
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 781-8725
madeney@aol.com