John Wesley: An Album of Portraits and Engravings collected by Kenneth Cain Kinghorn. A deeply valued friend of Good News, Kinghorn is the recently deceased professor of history from Asbury Theological Seminary. Like Kinghorn’s other books, this will be of lasting value to all Christians, especially the innumerable heirs to Wesley’s theology and ministry. This book is the definitive collection of his portraits and engravings.

 

 

Empathy for the Devil: Finding Ourselves in the Villains of the Bible by JR Forasteros (IVP). Finally, someone has creatively profiled notorious Bible bad guys (and girls) such as Cain, Delilah, Jezebel, Herod the Great, Herodias, Judas, and Satan. Go ahead and ask the big question: Why does evil exist? But then follow that up with the more important question: Why does evil exist in me?

 

 

 

Bob Dylan: A Spiritual Life by Scott M. Marshall (WND Books). Marshall has marvelously drawn a bead on the enigmatic artistic and spiritual journey, most recently the winner of 2016 Nobel Prize in literature. This volume is faithful to the task in honestly tracking Dylan’s pursuit of redemption. Also, keep your eye out for Trouble No More – The Bootleg Series Vol. 13/ 1979-1981, an exploration of Dylan’s “gospel years” and the three resulting albums: Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love.

 

 

 

Seven Women: And the Secret of their Greatness by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson). Metaxas profiles seven fascinating women who shaped the course of history through their faith and character. Everyone can benefit from learning about the lives of Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Sister Maria of Paris, Corrie ten Boom, Rosa Parks, and Mother Teresa. All of these remarkable women followed God’s call upon their lives and made a profound difference with their discipleship.

 

 

 

Jackie Robinson: A Spiritual Biography. The Faith of a Boundary Breaking Hero by Michael G. Long and Chris Lamb (WJK Press). The rock-solid faith of Jackie Robinson, a Methodist, was tested and challenged at every facet of his remarkable life as a beloved and tormented athlete who shattered racial barriers in major league baseball. 

 

 

The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship Through Transformational Community by Kevin M. Watson and Scott T. Kisker (Seedbed). If your church is needing to rethink your small group approach with an eye toward tapping into the richness of the early Methodist tradition of spiritual formation, Watson and Kisker have provided a perfect blueprint. This volume helps lay and clergy alike to understand John Wesley’s approach to discipleship.