Week 7 Wrap-up: Book-of-the-Year (So far...)

Weekly Reading Wrap-Up: Theology, Critique, and a Must-Read

Last week was a deep dive into the world of faith, culture, and the complexities of modern Christianity with Death to Deconstruction by Joshua Porter and The Violent Take It By Force by Matthew Taylor. Both books tackled big issues, but one stood out as an absolute must-read.

The Violent Take It By Force by Matthew Taylor ★★★★

Taylor’s book was a fascinating (and sometimes unsettling) examination of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and the more extreme fringes of evangelicalism. If you’ve ever side-eyed some of the more out-there movements within the American church, this book helps connect the dots.

Taylor presents a well-researched and thoughtful critique of how certain theological trends have shaped modern evangelicalism, often in ways that are more cultural than biblical. It’s a great resource for any Christian wanting to better understand the problems plaguing the church today. A solid 4-star read.

Death to Deconstruction by Joshua Porter ★★★★★ (wish I could give it 6)

I don’t even remember how I found this book, but I’m really glad I did. I’ve been a fan of Joshua Porter’s band, Showbread, since their debut album, and they’ve always had a way of pushing boundaries and making listeners think. That same creativity and thoughtfulness carry over into his writing.

In Death to Deconstruction, Porter—now a pastor—challenges both conservative and progressive Christians to examine their faith through the lens of Christ rather than cultural ideology. He makes some sharp, unflinching points: conservatives may not like what God has to say about immigrants, and progressives may not like what He says about sexuality, but the fact remains—God has spoken on both.

This book resonated with me on a deep level. It’s accessible, well-written, and forces readers to think critically about their faith. Whether or not you’re familiar with Porter’s artistic work, this is an absolute must-read. Hands down, the best book I’ve read this year.

(Side note: If you want to take the experience even deeper, Showbread’s recent album, Our Fathers Were Models for God, pairs perfectly with the book.)

Final Thoughts

Both books tackle modern Christianity’s struggles, but Death to Deconstruction left the biggest impact. If you’re looking for something that will challenge and inspire you, it belongs at the top of your list.