I've recently finished the following books:
- The Pleasures of God, by John Piper. Excellent book. The first half is heady, the second half is hearty. Excellent chapter 7.
- Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, also by John Piper. Short, but good. Some chapters were terribly worded (and wordy) and confusing. Others were outstanding. Overall, worth the time.
- The Religious Affections, by Jonathan Edwards. [FINALLY!] Absolutely amazing work. Most impacting to me was his take on what the "witness of the Holy Spirit" is and is not--it's not a whisper. This is obviously a more reformed view of the Spirit's leading in the life of a believer--and I am almost convinced of its scriptural accuracy. (more below)
- The Doctrine of Scripture (In Defense of the Faith Volume 1), by Cornelius Van Til (still working through the Appendices). A difficult read, though thought provoking. As one not very familiar with all the issues, it was hard to get through. I'm not yet convinced of the presuppositional apologetic method.
- Passion and Purity, by Elisabeth Elliot. [re-read]. I am amazed at the depth and determination with which they both not only studied, but understood and applied, scripture to their decision-making process. Perhaps this is a perfect application of the *new* view of discerning God's will a la Edwards and Friesen. Regardless, it was an amazing read (again).

I'm now working my way through Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic work, The Cost of Discipleship, and plan to tackle Piper's Future Grace next. I also agreed to go through Gary Friesen's Decision Making and the Will of God with Joe (which I came across this evening while looking for Elisabeth Elliot's The Journals of Jim Elliot, which will be coming up soon on the list). I thumbed through Friesen's book, which contrasts the "Traditional View" of discerning the will of God for one's life. It was basically a defense of the view I discovered in Edwards. So I found that interesting, and I look forward to going through it. My main concern, however, is that his conclusions might be based upon a foundation of cessationalism; which is a red flag for me. My calvinism seems to be seeping outside the bounds of my soteriology; should it do battle with my charismata, there'll be sparks.

Sarah bought me a copy of Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe, which I'm also looking forward to getting through. Some other hopefuls: Bonhoeffer's Ethics, Life Together, and Creation and the Fall & Temptation.

In the past week, I've purchased a few more books (just what I need):
- A Severe Mercy, by Sheldon Vanauken (8.20)
- Through Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot (8.31)
- God's Guidance: A Slow and Certain Light, by Elisabeth Elliot (9.1)
- Decision Making and the Will of God, by Garry Friesen (9.1)
- A Christian Manifesto, by Francis Schaeffer (9.1)

Holy smokes: I think I suffer from a serious and nearly blinding case of booklust.