I love to read books in a variety of genres – theology, biography, sports, leadership, faith and work, Christian living, etc. – and am always on the lookout for new books. Here are 10 new and upcoming books you might be interested in.
2084 and the AI Revolution, Updated and Expanded Edition: How Artificial Intelligence Informs Our Future by John Lennox
From the Amazon description:
“You don’t have to be a computer scientist to have discerning conversations about artificial intelligence and technology. We all wonder where we’re headed. Even now, technological innovations and machine learning have a daily impact on our lives, and many of us see good reasons to dread the future. Are we doomed to the surveillance society imagined in George Orwell’s 1984?
Mathematician and philosopher John Lennox believes that there are credible responses to the daunting questions that AI poses, and he shows that Christianity has some very serious, sensible, evidence-based things to say about the nature of our quest for superintelligence.
This newly updated and expanded edition of 2084 will introduce you to a kaleidoscope of ideas:
- Key recent developments in technological enhancement, bioengineering, and, in particular, artificial intelligence.
- Consideration of the nature of AI systems with insights from neuroscience.
- The way AI is changing how we communicate, implications for medicine, manufacturing and the military, its use in advertising and automobiles, and education and the future of work.
- How data is used today for surveillance, thought control.
- The rise of virtual reality and the metaverse.
- The transhumanist agenda and longtermism.
- The agreements and disagreements that scientists and experts have about the future of AI.
- The urgent need for regulation and control in light of the development of large language transformers like CHATGPT.
- Key insights from Scripture about the nature of human beings, the soul, our moral sense, our future, and what separates us from machines.
In straight-forward, accessible language, you will get a better understanding of the current capacity of AI, its potential benefits and dangers, the facts, and the fiction, as well as possible future implications.
Since the questions posed by AI, daunting as they might be, affect most of us, they demand answers. 2084 and the AI Revolution, Updated and Expanded Edition has been written to challenge and ignite the curiosity of all readers. Whatever your worldview, Lennox provides clear information and credible answers that will bring you real hope for the future of humanity.”
The Power of the Gospel: A Year in Romans by R.C. Sproul
From the Amazon description:
“The book of Romans is the Bible’s most comprehensive summary of salvation by Jesus Christ. Beloved for its profound theological depths, this letter of Paul’s has captured the minds and warmed the hearts of Christians throughout history. It remains a favorite New Testament epistle for its rich presentation of the gospel, the power of God to redeem people from sin and transform them into the likeness of His Son.
This daily devotional lets you spend a year in Romans with Dr. R.C. Sproul as your guide. The fruit of deep study and decades of teaching, his sermons are presented here in a unique format with accompanying applications from each reading. Set out on this yearlong study as you seek to walk in the power of the gospel, one day at a time.”
Dion: The Rock and Roll Philosopher by Dion DiMucci and Adam Jablin
To be published January 14.
From the Amazon description:
“Dion DiMucci’s journey through rock and roll history is as legendary as his hits. As the lead singer of Dion and the Belmonts in the late 1950s, Dion captured the heart of America with chart-toppers like “Runaround Sue”, “The Wanderer”, and “A Teenager in Love.” His later solo success with the profound “Abraham, Martin, and John” in 1968 marked another high, contributing to his twelve gold records. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Dion explored folk, blues, and gospel, earning a Grammy nomination in 1985 and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 alongside icons like the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder.
In this compelling collection, Dion shares intimate conversations with close friend Adam Jablin, reflecting on his rise to fame, battles with heroin addiction, a sixty-year marriage, and the influential figures in his music career, including Hank Williams and Bob Dylan.
Featuring over 200 vibrant photos, this book captures not just the life of a music icon but six decades of rock and roll evolution.”
When Work Hurts: Building Resilience When You’re Beat Up or Burnt Out by Meryl Herr
To be published March 11.
From the Amazon description:
“We might be discouraged, disillusioned, or devastated by our work. We might experience trauma or harassment on the job, or we may have experienced work loss by getting fired. If you’ve been beat up, burnt out, or brokenhearted by work, you’re not alone.
The Bible tells us that work will be difficult—filled with thorns and thistles—but no one prepares us for the pain we experience on the job. In When Work Hurts Meryl Herr
- Explores the emotional, relational, and vocational pain that work causes and helps us rebound and build resilience so we can fully participate with God in his mission,
- Walks through the biblical story of the Israelites’ journey of exile, return, and rebuilding as a framework for spiritual and practical resources for navigating work loss, and
- Shows that we can take comfort in the fact that God is at work in the midst of our work to bring healing and hope.”
The Charismatic Leader: 21 Skills to Connect with People by John Maxwell
To be published March 18.
From the Amazon description:
“The Charismatic Leader: 21 Skills for Connecting with People unveils John Maxwell’s roadmap to more impactful leadership through the power of charisma. But is charisma essential for every leader? Absolutely, because at its core, leadership is about influence—nothing more, nothing less. This reality underscores the importance of engaging effectively with others.
The Charismatic Leader highlights the indispensable role of cultivating positive relationships adapted from his acclaimed 25 Ways to Win with People and applied to leadership. The book offers twenty-one actionable skills to cultivate charisma by positively engaging with people across three transformative phases:
- Becoming Interested in Others: The foundation of charisma starts with showing genuine interest in the people around you.
- Becoming Invested in Others: Learn the art of adding value to others’ lives, setting the stage for deeper relationships and collaboration.
- Becoming Interesting to Others: Discover how to present yourself in ways that captivate and engage, completing the charismatic transformation.
Charisma begins with a focus outward, not inward. By caring for and about others, you naturally become more interesting and engaging. Through dedication to these practices, you’ll not only attract more people but also open doors to new opportunities for leading effectively and fostering collective success.
Embark on this transformational leadership voyage with John Maxwell. Dedicate yourself to practicing these approaches daily, and watch as people naturally gravitate towards you, ready to join in on the path to shared achievements.”
Together We Roared: Alongside Tiger for His Epic Twelve-Year, Thirteen-Majors Run by Steve Williams and Evin Priest
To be published April 1.
From the Amazon description:
“When Tiger Woods went on an extraordinary majors run between 1999 and 2008, one man stood at his side: his caddie Steve Williams. Together Steve and Tiger dominated the PGA Tour and won an astonishing 13 major championships, their sights set on breaking Jack Nicklaus’s record 18 majors. Before they could overtake Nicklaus, however, their partnership ended abruptly, and a 12-year period without talking began. Years later, the two reconnected.
Steve, with PGA Tour journalist Evin Priest, reflects fondly on his years as Tiger’s caddie and their relentless pursuit of greatness. He revisits all their best moments, from Tiger’s iconic shot on the 16th hole at the 2005 Masters to the famed Tiger Slam of 2000 and 2001, to his against-the-odds victory on a broken leg at the 2008 US Open. Steve goes behind the scenes of their on-course success and shows their friendship off the course, like Tiger caddying for Steve on his wedding day and Tiger giving a heartfelt best man speech. Steve also shares fascinating, never-before-seen photos and ephemera.
Together We Roared offers an inside look at what it is like to ride alongside greatness and is a heartfelt ode to the friendship that produced one of the winningest duos in golf history.”
Why Your Work Matters: How God Uses Our Everyday Vocations to Transform Us, Our Neighbors, and the World by Tom Nelson
To be published April 8.
From the Amazon description:
“Americans spend a majority of their waking hours working, whether paid or unpaid. Due to a global pandemic, rapidly advancing technology, shifts in the economy, and more, the working world has become an increasingly complex place to navigate.
In this newly expanded and updated version of his 2011 book, Work Matters, author and pastor Tom Nelson wrestles with the latest trends and dynamics of work, including remote work, work-life balance, technology, the meaning of Sabbath, and working for the common good.
Nelson explores the grand story of work in the Bible, revealing that all work matters in God’s economy and that Christians can love and serve their neighbors no matter what they do for their daily vocation. He helps readers discover that their work matters deeply–not just now but for eternity.
Why Your Work Matters contains 70% new material and has been updated throughout. It includes six new chapters and a new introduction.”
Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Matt Smethurst
To be published April 15:
From the Amazon description:
“Pastor and author Timothy Keller (1950–2023) built a lasting legacy in Christian ministry, planting Redeemer Presbyterian Church and cofounding the Gospel Coalition. With sharp biblical insight that has shaped countless church leaders, along with counsel on the Christian life that has stirred and strengthened audiences worldwide, Keller’s teaching promises to influence generations to come.
Synthesizing Keller’s work topic by topic, each chapter of this book highlights a key aspect of the Christian life―covering his views on prayer, suffering, friendship, vocation, intimacy with God, and more. Written by pastor Matt Smethurst, Tim Keller on the Christian Life draws from Keller’s nearly 50 years of sermons, conference messages, and books to share practical theological insight that will galvanize leaders and laypeople alike.
A Look Back at Tim Keller’s Prolific Ministry: Draws from four decades of sermons and 30-plus books, as well as dozens of conference messages and published interviews
- Explores Key Theological Topics: Features Keller’s insightful instruction on idolatry, grace, justice, prayer, suffering, and more.
- Accessible: Channels Keller’s clear, compelling communication style
- Great Gift and Study Resource: Valuable for Christian leaders who hope to learn from Keller’s methods, as well as laypeople who want biblical help for everyday life.”
Five Mere Christians: Binge-Worthy Biographies That Show You How to Glorify God in Your Work by Jordan Raynor
To be published May 6.
From the Amazon description:
“Do you ever wonder what it means to truly glorify God in your work if you’re not a pastor, missionary, or religious professional?
Rather than offering theological exposition to answer that question, Jordan Raynor and Kaleigh Cox use vivid, fast-paced storytelling to present the captivating lives of five “mere Christians” who will show you what it looks like to follow Christ wherever you live and work:
Fred Rogers, the TV host from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, demonstrates how your selfless service of others can reveal glimpses of heaven on earth.
Fannie Lou Hamer, the courageous civil rights activist, models how to pursue justice without hating the unjust.
Ole Kirk Christiansen, the founder of LEGO, shows how to persevere through life’s most difficult trials and find God’s purpose in play.
Hannah More, the audacious poet largely credited for abolishing slavery throughout the British Empire, exemplifies how to change the world through culture and not just politics.
C.S. Lewis, the literature professor and bestselling author of The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity, invites you to embrace your unique opportunities to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples.
Unlike typical biographies that get bogged down in boring detail, each story in this collection is mercifully short, extremely entertaining, and profoundly helpful—providing clear takeaways for modern-day mere Christians looking to glorify God in their own everyday work.”
From the Rising of the Sun: A Journey of Worship Around the World by Tim Challies and Tim Keesee
To be published August 19.
From the Amazon description:
“Every Sunday Christians across the globe gather to worship Jesus, their risen Lord. Together, as a worldwide community of worshippers, they obey God’s command that, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3). Christians rise, then gather together to praise God in song, to call out to him in prayer, and to hear from him through his Word.
As services in Fiji draw near to a close, Australians begin to sing their own calls to worship, as do Christians in Japan and Korea. Next, millions of Chinese believers add their voices, as do Filipinos and Indonesians. By now nearly a quarter of the earth is resounding with the sound of Christian worship. And so it goes as the sun follows its course across Europe and Africa, then South America and North America. By the time it sets again far out over the Pacific, the whole earth has given praise to God. The diversity and unity of the Church in this worship is a stunning demonstration that the Gospel of the one and only Savior crosses every kind of barrier.
In From the Rising of the Sun, you’ll explore eleven locations spanning the globe, witnessing different expressions of Christian worship that are consistent with Scripture but faithful to the local language, customs, and culture. Each chapter begins with a travelogue narrative that unfolds the experience of worship in a country or region and concludes with a biblical study on a particular aspect of worship or cross-cultural engagement, showing how each worship service is unique yet distinctly biblical.
“Follow the sun” through a day of worship, beginning in Fiji and ending in the Aleutian Islands. Join in with worship in the remote jungles of Cambodia, the bustling metropolises of Korea and Australia, the plains of Zambia, the Andean heights of Chile, and many other places. Meet fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and experience how they worship and serve God in the places he has ordained for them. This is a taste of Revelation 5:9 as we, along with our brothers and sisters worldwide, worship the One who by His blood has “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Includes a code to access streaming video of the travelogue documentary!”
I hope you will find something to your liking among these 10 new and upcoming books.
