Suggested Readings

The Michael Eric Dyson Reader

by M.E. Dyson

New York: Basic Civitas Books, 2004.

The Michael Eric Dyson Reader is a collection of essays, book reviews, chapters from other books, debates, magazine articles, speeches, as well as original chapters written by Dr. Dyson himself. This book is both interesting and powerful reading. It helps you get insight into the person, his belief system, his understanding of race and gender, and his constant defense and explication of African American culture and behavior in a society that seems to understand neither. Michael Eric Dyson reveals much about himself, and presents rationale for positions he takes—many of which are controversial. The author does not offer many solutions. Instead, he puts the issues on the table, presents the facts, analyzes and critiques them, and leaves his findings to be dealt with by the public at large. Dr. Dyson says, “The role of the black intellectual is to discover, uncover, and recover truth, as best we can, and to subject our efforts to healthy debate and examination.” The Michael Eric Dyson Reader is a great book to read and digest, and motivate the reader to take action.

A Critical Reader

by Cornel West

Edited by George Yancy. Blackwell Publishers 2001. (380 pages—paperback).

This book is a collection of eighteen contributors’ essays that attempt to critically analyze and summarize the writings of Cornell West. The text is divided into four parts that covers the general range of West’s intellectual areas: pragmatism, philosophy of religion, political philosophy, and cultural studies. In spite of West’s status and intellectual reputation, each contributor critically and honestly analyzed and critiqued his work. This book honors the work of Cornel West. No part of it is mean-spirited. Rather, the contributors’ dialogue on West’s writings made his intellectual obscurity less murky to the lay reader. Nevertheless, this book may be best appreciated by the academia.

Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married

by Dr. Gary D. Chapman

Northfield Publishing, Chicago, IL. 20010 (166 pages-paperback).

This book is not only to be read, but experienced. It provided a blueprint on moving from singleness to marriage, for the individual not in a dating relationship with no immediate prospects of marriage, as well as helps the couple who is dating but not yet engaged. For the engaged couple it will help you examine the foundation and learn the skills that are necessary for building a Godly marriage. An excellent resource, strong in a variety of references, for Christians and couples!

Jesus—The Only Way to God

by John Piper

Baker Books (A Division of Baker Publishing Group), Grand Rapids, MI., 20010 (123 pages—paperback).

Piper asked the question, “Is Jesus the only way to salvation”? He feels that in today’s world, many have dropped the belief that Jesus is the way to God. If you believe this and try to promote this belief, you are arrogant and uninformed. He makes a plea for believers to be aggressive in their quest to evangelize the world. Other religions are winning the race to tell and teach that the belief in Jesus as the only way to salvation is hateful and despicable. The urgency to tell of God’s love and plan of salvation is eminent.

This book is easy to read (123 pages) and it will make you think and move as God’s people are required. If you believe, you are nudged to action and not content to sit by idly. This book is a must read for those who are timid about pursuing God’s redemptive plan for his people.

Katie’s Cannon...Womanism and the Soul of the Black Community

by Katie Geneva Cannon

The Continuum International Publishing Group, New York, New York, 2008 (191 pages—paperback)

Through a series of essays, Dr. Cannon takes the reader from the degrading system of slavery and the white church’s complicity in justifying it through “Jim Crowism”, the northern migration and the Black Liberation Movements of the l960’s and l970’s. At every level the Black community drew strength from within by passing on its rules for survival using moral values and oral traditions. She specifically address the challenges of the Black Woman who faces race, gender and class discrimination and the role of the Black Woman writer to both chronicle the challenges and highlight the creativity displayed in overcoming them. An intellectually stimulating and sensitive read.

The Goodness of God

by Randy Alcorn

(Assurance of God in the Midst of Suffering)

“The Goodness of God” by Randy Alcorn is an inspirational book to encourage Christians as they journey through life experiencing personal suffering and the suffering of family members. Secondly, he suggests when dealing with the evils of the world, remember what Jesus sacrificed so that we may life. Not only does he put in perspective what we experience daily in our Christ walk, but how we can deal with the suffering and evil we constantly confront on our journey. Finally, the author encourages us to learn the importance of perspective, persistence, and prayer especially in times of discouragement and doubt.

Lord, Help Me Grow Spiritually Strong in 28 Days

by Kay and David Arthur

Harvest House Publishers, 2009 Eugene, Oregon 97402, (277 pages-paperback).

Does life sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed, confused, worn out and empty? Do you want to grow closer to God but just don’t know how? The good news is, God has a plan to give you a more abundant life. More than anything, you can be spiritually strong. This book gives you a practical study of truths and promises from God’s Word that will build your spiritual muscles showing you how to (1) Know God better; (2) Pray effectively; (3) Get over the past; (4) Live morally; and (5) Experience life to the fullest.

Journey to the Well

by Bishop Vasti M. McKenzie

Penquin Putman, Inc., New York, NY, l984, (Hardback)

Within this 240 page “treasure”, McKenzie challenges women to examine their lives through the lens of the transformed Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the Well in John 4:4-30, 39. She engages us in dynamic conversations and meditations that force us to wrestle with “well” transformations that will inevitably embolden us t live our best lives.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

by Joanna Weaver

Perhaps there is a little of Mary and Martha in each of us; Mary who wants to sit at the feet of Jesus and Martha who is worried about many things. What do we do having a Mary’s heart in a Martha’s world? Joanna Weaver helps us to learn how to balance both worlds; how to take time to be with Jesus and how to fulfill our responsibilities within a busy world. This book explores and engages us to be sincere in our commitment to the Lord and reminds us that we must make the Lord a priority in our lives no matter how busy we may become.