This may sound like a trivial request when compared to some of the other serious issues on this site. But I am faced with a task for which I am largely unqualified. I need to find.... a book.
And not just any book. This book is to be a loving Christmas gift for a wonderful family member. Here's the catch: I'm atheistic, he is a devout Christian. Most all of his favorite books speak to questions of faith.
Can you, Christian Kossacks, recommend an excellent book or two?
Some background and details, offered in the hope of stirring ideas:
The recipient is a young (early 30s) man who does charity / social justice work full-time. He is "socially liberal" on the Christian scale, and left-of-center vs the general population. He is recently engaged for the first time and plans to get married next year. He is an avid reader, and loves books that challenge him with new (primarily Christian)ideas. He happens to live in Hawaii, so any books with a local angle would be particularly good.
I am a heathen - what some would call a devout atheist. I would like to pick out a book or two that would be relevant to my cousin's faith-based world, but I can't tell the gems from the dreck. I am not out to deconvert him (this year)... just trying to find a title or two that my family member (and friend) would enjoy.
What favorites of yours would you recommend?