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C.S. Lewis observed that the reading
of certain books can be "an experience so momentous that only
experiences of love, religion, or bereavement can furnish a
standard of comparison." Your whole consciousness is changed.
You have become what you were not before. You remember and savor
favorite passages. Scenes and characters from books provide
you with a sort of iconography by which you interpret or sums
up your experiences. These books will make lasting impressions...
Beloved Heroes...
"Take note of those who live according to the pattern..." Phil.
3:17
Andrew
Bonar: Diary and Life ISBN: 0-85151-432-4
Victorious
Christians You Should Know by Warren Wiersbe ISBN:0-8010-9667-7
Living
with the Giants by Warren Wiersbe ISBN:0-8010-9721-5
Delighted
In God: A Biography of George Muller by Roger Steer ISBN:0-340-202491
The
Hiding Place: The Story of Corrie tenBoom ISBN:0-553-25669-6
Through
Gates of Splendor ISBN: 0-8007-5147-7
The
Journals of Jim Elliot ISBN:0-8007-5147-7
These Strange Ashes (and everything
else written by Elisabeth Elliot) ISBN: 1-56955-096-4
The
Life and Diary of David Brainard ISBN:0-8010-0976-6
Hudson
Taylor’s Spiritual Secret ISBN: 0-8024-0029-9
A
Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael ISBN:
0-8007-1535-7
From the work of William Wilberforce,
Real Christianity: Discerning True and False Faith edited
by James M. Houston ISBN: 1-55661-832-8
Buried
Treasures..."Everything that was written in the past was
written to teach us..." Rom. 13:4
The
Letters of Samuel Rutherford (out of print) ISBN: 0-8024-4892-5
The
Imitation of Christ (Thomas a Kempis) ISBN: 07852-42473
Spurgeon’s
Morning and Evening ISBN: 0-943575-53-2
The
Best of A.W.Tozer (complied by Warren Wiersbe) ISBN:0-87509-458-9
With
Andrew Murray in the School of Prayer ISBN:0-87123-195-6
His
Thoughts Said...His Father Said (Amy Carmichael) ISBN: 0-87508-069-3
If
(Amy Carmichael) ISBN: 0-87508-429-X
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian
Life by Donald S. Whitney.
ISBN: 1-57683-027-6
Faithfulness and Holiness: The
Witness of J.C. Ryle, an appreciation by J.I. Packer ISBN:
1-58134-358-2
The Valley of Vision: A Collection
of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
Edited by Arthur Bennett ISBN: 0-85151-821-4
But
C.S. Lewis admitted that "for my own part, I tend to find the
doctrinal books often more helpful in devotion than the devotional
books, and I rather suspect that the same experience may await
many others. I believe that many who find that ‘nothing happens’
when they sit down, or kneel down, to a book of devotion, would
find that the heart sings unbidden while they are working their
way through a tough bit of theology with a pipe in their teeth
and a pencil in their hand."
Foundations
of the Christian Faith (James Montgomery Boice) ISBN: 0-87784-991-9
Knowing
God (J.I Packer) ISBN: 0-87784-770-3
Mere
Christianity (and everything else by C.S. Lewis) ISBN:0-06-065292-6
The
Cost of Discipleship (Dietrich Bonnoeffer) ISBN: 0-684-81500-1
The
Daily Light (complied by Samuel Bagister)
A
Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life
written by J.I.Packer paints a vivid portrait of Puritans---their
piety, church life, and social impulse. The Apostle Paul warns
that "comparing ourselves to ourselves is not wise." However,
we would perhaps be wise to compare ourselves to the model of
passionate holy living of this book provides. ISBN: 0-89107-819-3
Religious
Affections: A Christian’s Character Before God written
by Jonathan Edwards offers his most detailed description of
the signs of true revival, while highlighting the role truly
balance emotions play within the Christian life. Edited by Dr.
James M. Houston ISBN: 1-55661-829-8
Rediscovering Holiness written
by J.I.Packer reflects his belief that there is a need to blow
the whistle on the sidelining of personal holiness which has
been a general trend among Bible-centered Western Christians.
It is not a trend that one would have expected, since Scripture
insists so strongly that Christians are called to holiness,
that God is pleased with holiness but outraged by unholiness,
and that without holiness none will see the Lord. But the shift
of Christian interest away from the pursuit of holiness to focus
on fun and fulfillment, ego-massage and techniques for present
success, and public issues that carry no challenge to one’s
personal morals, is a sad and scandalous fact, and one that
needs to be reversed. There was a time with all Christians laid
great emphasis on the reality of God’s call to holiness and
spoke with deep insight about His enabling of us for it. Sermons
offered endless variations on the themes of what God’s holiness
requires of us, what our holiness involves for us, by what means
and through what disciplines the Holy Spirit sanctifies us,
and the ways in which holiness increases our assurance and joy
and usefulness to God. But how different it is today! To listen
to our sermons and to read the books we write, and then to watch
the zany, worldly, quarrelsome way we behave, you would never
imagine that once the highway of holiness was clearly marked
out for Bible-believers. ISBN: 1-56955-045-X
Spiritual
Maturity by J. Oswald Sanders was first published in
1962. The former consulting director of Overseas Missionary
Fellowship presents the reader with a treatise on spiritual
discernment and the character of The Three-Person God. But one
might wonder what the doctrine of the Trinity has to do with
spiritual maturity. It is not uncommon to hear Christians say
that "we need less doctrine and need to be more practical."
Nothing could be further from the truth. Spiritual maturity
does not come by reading how-to-be-spiritually-mature books!
True spiritual maturity produces not so much a sense of having
attained as a passionate purpose to "go on to maturity." This
book is for those who want to "go on"---to move on from an elementary
interest in Divine truth to a full and deep experience of God
in Christ. Satisfaction for every aspiration after a closer
walk with God may be found only in correct adjustment to the
three members of the Holy Trinity.
And
thus, the doctrinal teaching in this book becomes extremely
practical. From the pages of His word, the reader will be awed
by the holiness of God and His antipathy to sin; realize anew
the beneficence of His providence and the discernment of His
disciplines. The reader will be humbled by His infinite patience
in perfecting in Christian character and the promise of His
strengthening presence in the midst of trial. Such a view of
God is calculated to beget a holy reverence, a restful confidence,
and a comforting assurance that He is ordering our lives with
infinite care and skill. The author will enable the reader to
glimpse the glory and majesty of Jesus, the sublimity of His
life and the triumphs of His death. The reader will see Him
impaled on a cross and seated high on a throne; hear His stringent
conditions of discipleship and envision the possibility of a
life of kingly reigning through Him and finally, bow at His
feet in worship and self-surrender. Some of the supremely important
ministries of the Holy Spirit will be reviewed: His inspiring
and transforming power, His purging and cleansing activity,
His irresistible dynamic and missionary passion, that He is
one with Father and Son in their purpose to lead us on to maturity.
"That life alone is spiritually mature which yields without
reserve to the sanctifying influences of the Blessed Three."
ISBN: 0-8024-6797-0
The
Incomparable Christ by J.Oswald Sanders. This volume
does not purport to be a theological treatise, but rather a
devotional and doctrinal treatment of the great facts of the
person and work of Christ, in a form suited to the average reader
unversed in theology. For those who appreciate poetry, selections
have been made to match the theme of each chapter. ISBN 0-8024-4081-9
A Call to Spiritual Reformation:
Priorities from Paul and His Prayers written by D.A.
Carson. The sheer prayerlessness that characterizes so much
of the Western church is depressing, because it frequently coexists
with abounding Christian activity that somehow seems hollow,
frivolous, and superficial. Scarcely less disturbing is the
enthusiastic praying in some circles that overflows with emotional
release but is utterly uncontrolled by any thoughtful reflection
on the prayers of Scripture. Just as God’s Word must reform
our theology, our ethics, and our practices, so also it must
reform our praying. At the heart of all our praying must be
a biblical vision. That vision embraces who God is, what He
has done, who we are, where we are going, what we must value
and cherish. That vision must shape our prayers, so that the
things that most concern us in prayer are those that concern
the heart of God. Prayerlessness is often an index to our ignorance
of God. Real and vital knowledge of God not only teaches us
what to pray, but gives us powerful incentive to pray. Prayer
is not like a good recipe: simply follow a set of mechanical
directions and everything turns out right in the end. Effective
prayer is the fruit of a relationship with God and this book
stresses the relationship we must nurture as we pray to the
living God. ISBN: 0-8010-2569-9
The
Problem of Pain written by C.S. Lewis explores the age
old question: "If God is good and all-powerful, why does He
allow His creatures to suffer pain." With insight that so characterizes
his writings, Lewis offers some encouraging thoughts and helpful
answers to the questions regarding the origin of evil, the reasons
for suffering, and the doctrine of hell---all in light of the
sovereignty and goodness of God. ISBN: 0-065296-9
Once
Upon a Time...
"Fiction
is not the opposite of truth---indeed, sometimes its the most
persuasive vehicle for it."
This
is especially true of the fictional works of George MacDonald.
There are those who voice concern about the spiritual implications
of fiction, thinking that the novel is somehow less "real" than
a more didactic book. The reality of fiction, however, lies
on a deeper plane than mere "factness." Reality is a function
of truth. And truth---however conveyed---is real. There
is, therefore a reality prevading the novels of George MacDonald,
because the situations and characters point toward truth, and
toward the One in whom is contained all truth. He was the favorite
author of C.S.Lewis who said of MacDonald, "I never wrote a
book in which I did not quote him." Several of MacDonald's novels
have been edited for today's reader by Michael Phillips and
are published by Bethany House Publishers. The two-part story
of Malcom is a good place to begin: The Fisherman's Lady
and The Marquis' Secret. Also, available in one
volume: The Maiden's Bequest, The Minister's
Restoration, and The Laird's Inheritance:
ISBN: 0-7642-2148-5
The
Best Things in Life written by Peter Kreeft is a quite
cleverly done apologetic. What is the purpose of education?
Why do we make love? What good is money? Can computers think
like people? Is there a difference between Capitalism and Communism?
What is the greatest good? Is belief in God like belief in Santa
Claus? Questions like this boggle our minds. But they don’t
boggle Socrates. The indomitable old Greek brings his unending
questions to Desperate State University and dialogues with Peter
Pragma and Felicia Flake. ISBN: 0-87784-922-6
Lord Foulgrin’s Letters
written by Randy Alcorn. C.S.Lewis fans might be tempted to
think how dare anyone think they can improve on the Screwtape
classic. But Lewis himself wrote that "our business is to present
that which is timeless in the particular language of our own
age" and this book does just that! The reader will "hear" echoes
of the solid theology, insightful psychology, and literary creativity
of C.S.Lewis. References to the Internet replaces references
to the war and is just one example of how the "teaching [of
this book is] timeless at its heart and [yet wears] a modern
dress. This book includes a human story line and exposes the
modern day tactics of the angel of light. But the focus of the
book is not on the human sludgebags and Lord Foulgrin is not
the main character. At a time when interest in spiritual warfare
is popular and bookshelves are full of supernatural themes,
this book correctly portrays all things, whether things in heaven,
on earth, or under the earth, in relation to the Main Character:
The Tyrant, The Carpenter, and The Ghost. Book: ISBN 1-57673-679-2
Cassette Tapes: 1-57673-715-2 www.foulgrin.com
Stepping
Heavenward (Elisabeth Prentiss) ISBN: 1-57748-342-1
Hinds
Feet on High Places (Hannah Hurnard) ISBN:0-8423-1429-6
The
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
"The
term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this
is the morning. And as He spoke He no longer looked to them
like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that
were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for
us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly
say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it
was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in
this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been
the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning
Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read:
which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than
the on before."
And we’ll all live happily ever after.
Pastors are shaped by what they read
(2Tim 2:15). To develop in a healthy way, that reading needs
to be selected with discernment. Not all books at the Christian
bookstore deserve to be read, and some are neglected that should
be required. A pastor's reading needs to be diversified across
disciplines. Interdisciplinary reading develops intellectual
and pastoral agility. The following reading list is not intended
to be exhaustive but we believe these books will serve well
as useful entry points into The Great Conversation, and as welcome
companions on the long road of ministry. Reading
List: Pastors
But careful reading is not just the pastor's
task. In fact, the members of Christian churches are charged
with the responsibility of discerning error in their pastors'
teaching, and of choosing teachers who will not simply tickle
their ears (Gal 1:6-9; 2Tim 4:3). Reading solid books is a great
way to develop your appetite for theology and your ability to
discern truth and error. These are not lofty books - but they
are deep. Again, this is not an exhaustive list. But it will
serve you well as a launching point for future growth and usefulness
in the local church. Layman's
Reading List
General
reviews: Leaders are readers. But what do they read?
Even leaders can drown under the recent flood of church literature,
and can be pulled out to sea by the undertow of subtly unbiblical
ideas. We want to help local church leaders keep an eye on the
biblical shoreline with thoughtful critiques of today's most
influential books on church life and leadership.
Guidance
reviews: "How do I know God's will for my life?"
This has become one of the most vexing questions in popular
Evangelicalism today - and the answers given by leading authors
are often intriguing. We've critically reviewed some of the
most popular and influential guidance books on the shelf. You
might be surprised by what we found.
Evangelical
reviews: We're all looking for help on how to do evangelism.
So what's out there? Are all evangelistic tools equal? We critiqued
and compared six of today's most popular evangelism courses
to see which ones were most Biblically sound and practically
useful. Go ahead - take 'em for a test drive.
Choosing Books that will
Change Your Life by Dr. Rosalie de Rosset
How do you discern what to read? What
if I don’t like to read? The issue of reading is a matter of
life and death. I don’t mean, obviously our physical life. But
because what we take in affects our entire lives therefore what
you read, even for pleasure, had better be good because it will
affect your attitudes. Good is fun. But we have equated fun
with light and easy reading. Great writing doesn’t have to be
"christian." All truth is from God wherever you find
it. Great writing infects us with a love for language, for great
story and give us something to entertain ourselves instead of
being idle. In this way we feed our intellect, our minds and
imagination and the rewards are substantial.
What constitutes good reading material
and what doesn’t? A great book asks why does something happen.
It builds character. It does not ask what is going to happen.
It’s not as plot driven. A lot of popular level books all you
remember is the plot. We’re just tearing to the end to see what’s
going to happen. In a great book you see the development of
character, the choices they make, why they made them. You remember
the character. If you cannot remember the character very well
from a book, that’s because there is not much to him/her.
---These comments were made by Dr. Rosalie
de Rosset, professor of English literature and Homiletics at
Moody Bible Institute. She, along with Midday Connection host
Anita Lustrea invite you to be a part of a monthly book club
via the radio. Study questions are provided and archived programs
are available on-line, as is Dr. de Rosset's suggested
reading list for adults and for children.
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