Rev. Dr. Stephanie Black recommends Chasing the Eastern Star by Mark Allan Powell. “Although the book pushes the envelope of evangelical hermeneutics, it’s an entertaining and fascinating example of current trends in narrative studies of the gospels. The content is academic but the writing style is so lively, I find myself laughing out loud as I read it.”

Dr. Robert Carlson, Professor at NEGST, recommends Plastic Glasses and Church Fathers by David B. Kronenfeld, saying, “Biblical exegetes, conditioned (as we all are) by their culture, sometimes expect words—such as human, God, body—to hold the same meanings universally. Kronenfeld’s work on comparative semantics in anthropology raises interesting issues as we think our way towards truly enculturated theological categories.”

Dr Bill Black, lecturer in Theology and Christian History recommends Jesus and the Victory of God by N.T. Wright.  “N.T. Wright succeeds in rescuing the Jesus found in the New Testament from the confusion of many critical studies of the New Testament in general and of the gospels in particular. Wright puts Jesus in his proper first century Jewish context in a manner that transforms the usual ways these texts have been understood and applied.”

“The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian, helps us appreciate that children are blessings from God. As parents, we are challenged to depend on God for the proper upbringing of our children. The book gives us practical ways of praying for our children during their stages of growth.” Mrs. Mungathia Florence, lecturer and coordinator of undergraduate programmes

“Renovations of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ, by Dallas Willard, is a good book for personal reading. The author believes that our common problems of sin are deeply rooted in our heart condition. As Christian individuals and as communities, we need to continue to renovate our hearts to grow in the essential nature of God: divinely shared love. Willard’s profound analysis of the condition of the human heart has touched my soul unfathomably.”  Caleb Kim, Lecturer, Islamic Studies and Anthropology

“Pressure’s Off by Larry Crabb is a good book for personal reading, helping us understand that our main goal is to love God and give ourselves fully to him despite the pressures of this life.” Dr Henry Mutua, Head of Missions Department.

“The Reformed Pastor, (1656) is the most influential work on pastoral ministry produced in the English language. Baxter’s ministry transformed Kidderminster in England, and his bracing, breathless exhortation to his fellow ministers electrified the churches of his day. God used Baxter to challenge and convict me, and I would be surprised if your experience were different.” Dr Bill Black, Lecturer in Theological Studies and Pastoral Ministry

“When communities are denied education, or when education is manipulated to maintain the status quo of poverty and silence, it becomes a tool for oppression. However, when education becomes a means of wealth creation for all, and when it is used to arouse the critical consciousness that emancipates people for God’s glory, it becomes transformative and redemptive. Freire’s thoughts may not be evangelical, but his methods are worth emulating. I have used his methods to transform communities to the glory of God. His book, Pedagogy of the Oppressed has been valuable to me in this venture.”

Dr. Jusu, Lecturer, Educational Studies

Steve Nicolle, NEGST translation lecturer, recommends Information Structure and Sentence Form by Knud Lambrecht. “Lambrecht’s book is great for translators or translation advisers who want to translate the Bible so it sounds clear and natural in their own language. The book is comprehensive, clear and ground-breaking while keeping continuity with prior studies. “

Institute for the Study of African Realities (ISAR) director George Renner recommends Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope by Brian D. McLaren

At ISAR we believe that Christ is the answer in a revolutionary sense. We recommend Brian McLaren’s book, Everything Must Change, which presents a compelling case that shatters the dualistic thinking that tries to separate reality into “sacred” vs. “secular” domains and to render Jesus irrelevant in matters which are not typically classified as spiritual. McLaren’s cultural analysis and exegetical work help us see Jesus’ core message, which can infuse us with purpose and passion to address the economic, environmental, military, political and social dysfunction that have overtaken our world.