Randy,
The two books that Josh highly recommends are Changes That Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud and History and Christianity by John Montgomery.
In His service,
Penny Woods
Josh McDowell Ministry
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Monday, May 30, 2005
Phillip Yancy Interview
All writers and readers should read this interview.
A Conversation with Philip Yancey
Michael Cusick probes the heart of one of Christendom's best thinkers
Copyright © 1994 Mars Hill Review 1 Founded in 1994 · Premier Issue: pgs 89-102.
I pick up the interview in the middle. The rest is here
Mars Hill: Who are you currently drawn to in your own personal reading life?
PY: Well, the most recent book I read was Lancelot by Walker Percy. Percy is one of the unusual persons who writes novels of ideas, especially something like The Thanatos Syndrome, and Second Coming; these are idea novels that aren't so much in vogue these days. They got me interested in Percy, so just last night I started a biography of Percy called Pilgrim in the Ruins, by Jay Tolson. It's a wonderful book. I'm also reading again, The Imitation of Christ, by A'Kempis. I also have about four bookshelves of books I need to get to. Some of them are science by people like Loren Eiseley, Freeman Dyson. Others of them are literature. And I try one night a week to read from the classics, either Shakespeare or one of the Russians. I've just been reading The Creators, by Daniel Boorstin, the Librarian of Congress. It's a massive book on art throughout the centuries. A huge topic and a huge book. I've got to tell you, though, the Christians stand out strong. One of the most recent chapters I read was on Dostoevsky, one of the people who really taught me theology. He's taught the world theology. He's taught people who don't believe in God theology because he is that powerful. People who would never read a book by Francis Schaeffer or Karl Barth read Dostoevsky and he's talking to them about God.
Mars Hill: Since we're talking about writers, you called Augustine, Buechner, Chesterton, T.S. Eliot, Lewis, Moltmann, MacDonald, Pascal, Sayers, Thielicke, and Williams your pastors. That doesn't seem like the traditional view of pastoring. In what sense have they pastored you?
PY: As I understand it, pastors do... more
A Conversation with Philip Yancey
Michael Cusick probes the heart of one of Christendom's best thinkers
Copyright © 1994 Mars Hill Review 1 Founded in 1994 · Premier Issue: pgs 89-102.
I pick up the interview in the middle. The rest is here
Mars Hill: Who are you currently drawn to in your own personal reading life?
PY: Well, the most recent book I read was Lancelot by Walker Percy. Percy is one of the unusual persons who writes novels of ideas, especially something like The Thanatos Syndrome, and Second Coming; these are idea novels that aren't so much in vogue these days. They got me interested in Percy, so just last night I started a biography of Percy called Pilgrim in the Ruins, by Jay Tolson. It's a wonderful book. I'm also reading again, The Imitation of Christ, by A'Kempis. I also have about four bookshelves of books I need to get to. Some of them are science by people like Loren Eiseley, Freeman Dyson. Others of them are literature. And I try one night a week to read from the classics, either Shakespeare or one of the Russians. I've just been reading The Creators, by Daniel Boorstin, the Librarian of Congress. It's a massive book on art throughout the centuries. A huge topic and a huge book. I've got to tell you, though, the Christians stand out strong. One of the most recent chapters I read was on Dostoevsky, one of the people who really taught me theology. He's taught the world theology. He's taught people who don't believe in God theology because he is that powerful. People who would never read a book by Francis Schaeffer or Karl Barth read Dostoevsky and he's talking to them about God.
Mars Hill: Since we're talking about writers, you called Augustine, Buechner, Chesterton, T.S. Eliot, Lewis, Moltmann, MacDonald, Pascal, Sayers, Thielicke, and Williams your pastors. That doesn't seem like the traditional view of pastoring. In what sense have they pastored you?
PY: As I understand it, pastors do... more
Pastor's Most Useful Books - George Barna Poll
George Barna, the Gallup of the Christian world, has posted the results of a poll his organization compiled with pastors. They were asked about the books and authors that most influenced them. Rick Warren was the big winner among pastors. For more
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
This may seem a bit strange, but you'll just have to trust me. If you have not read Mere Christianity yet, and you need to be convinced, go to the reviews on Amazon.com and you will get all the convincing you need. Outstanding reviews!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Coming Soon
It had been my intention for this site to be coming together more quickly than it has. Distractions have been the order of the day, but many of these are good distractions. Birthday parties, baby showers for grandchild #3 due any time, church picnics, baseball playoffs for our own baby (Robert - 9.)
Two things will help in my efforts. We added another laptop to the family, so I won't have to stand in line as often, and our new wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling bookcase is supposed to be complete this weekend, allowing me to get my books off the floor and into some kind of order.
Two things you can do to help. Send me lists of your favorites and reviews of your favorites. The more you contribute, the more this resource will bless you and others.
Two things will help in my efforts. We added another laptop to the family, so I won't have to stand in line as often, and our new wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling bookcase is supposed to be complete this weekend, allowing me to get my books off the floor and into some kind of order.
Two things you can do to help. Send me lists of your favorites and reviews of your favorites. The more you contribute, the more this resource will bless you and others.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Dr. James C. Dobson Offers His Thoughts
FAVORITE BOOKS AND AUTHORS OF DR. DOBSON
The following is a quote from Dr. James C. Dobson in which he cites those books and authors which have impacted his life. (c) 1987 Focus on the Family
Rather than select three or more books which exceed all others in their impact on my life, I prefer to commend the authors whose collection of writings are most highly prized. This is an easier assignment because the best writers require several books to state their cases and leave their mark. Toward that end, I'll mention three individuals who stand together at the top of the heap.
First, I admire the memory of Dr. Francis Schaeffer and the anthology he left to us. He clearly perceived the significant moral issues of our time and articulated the evils that infect the fabric of our society. Even when dying of cancer, he found time and energy to counsel with pregnant young women in front of abortion clinics. Yet he never forgot who he was. Recently, our organization wanted to write a cover story about Dr. Schaeffer for our monthly magazine. We found that it was impossible to obtain an in-studio photograph of this great man. He had no time for such vanity.
Second, I have great appreciation for the writings of Chuck Colson. This man endured one of the most dramatic descents from power in American history. At his zenith, he worked next door to the President of the United States. A few weeks later, he was assigned to a tiny, stinking cell in a federal prison for his role in the Watergate scandal. But the measure of the man became clear when he was released. He could easily have returned to his former life with a six-figure income, a yacht and a New York law practice. Instead, he chose to minister to the prisoners he had learned to love...to the down and outers who were so incredibly needy. This is the man, I recall, whose "Christianity" was mocked and doubted by the media. They no longer scoff. Chuck Colson's best book, I believe, is LOVING GOD. His life is a demonstration of its theme.
Third, for the sheer enjoyment of reading, I would rather spend a weekend with William Manchester than any other writer. He is a master of historical chronology, making people and events come alive. Being a history buff, I especially appreciated DEATH OF A PRESIDENT, AMERICAN CAESAR, and THE LAST LION.
It is difficult to select three writers who stand out above the rest, especially in regards to Christian authors. To choose from among the many men and women whom God has uniquely blessed and gifted is hard, but Dr. Francis Schaeffer and Mr. Chuck Colson certainly deserve to be among the giants.
The following is a quote from Dr. James C. Dobson in which he cites those books and authors which have impacted his life. (c) 1987 Focus on the Family
Rather than select three or more books which exceed all others in their impact on my life, I prefer to commend the authors whose collection of writings are most highly prized. This is an easier assignment because the best writers require several books to state their cases and leave their mark. Toward that end, I'll mention three individuals who stand together at the top of the heap.
First, I admire the memory of Dr. Francis Schaeffer and the anthology he left to us. He clearly perceived the significant moral issues of our time and articulated the evils that infect the fabric of our society. Even when dying of cancer, he found time and energy to counsel with pregnant young women in front of abortion clinics. Yet he never forgot who he was. Recently, our organization wanted to write a cover story about Dr. Schaeffer for our monthly magazine. We found that it was impossible to obtain an in-studio photograph of this great man. He had no time for such vanity.
Second, I have great appreciation for the writings of Chuck Colson. This man endured one of the most dramatic descents from power in American history. At his zenith, he worked next door to the President of the United States. A few weeks later, he was assigned to a tiny, stinking cell in a federal prison for his role in the Watergate scandal. But the measure of the man became clear when he was released. He could easily have returned to his former life with a six-figure income, a yacht and a New York law practice. Instead, he chose to minister to the prisoners he had learned to love...to the down and outers who were so incredibly needy. This is the man, I recall, whose "Christianity" was mocked and doubted by the media. They no longer scoff. Chuck Colson's best book, I believe, is LOVING GOD. His life is a demonstration of its theme.
Third, for the sheer enjoyment of reading, I would rather spend a weekend with William Manchester than any other writer. He is a master of historical chronology, making people and events come alive. Being a history buff, I especially appreciated DEATH OF A PRESIDENT, AMERICAN CAESAR, and THE LAST LION.
It is difficult to select three writers who stand out above the rest, especially in regards to Christian authors. To choose from among the many men and women whom God has uniquely blessed and gifted is hard, but Dr. Francis Schaeffer and Mr. Chuck Colson certainly deserve to be among the giants.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Chuck Colson's Favorites
Chuck Colson's Favorite Books
The following are books identified by Chuck Colson as having been critical to his intellectual and spiritual development.
* C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (and anything else by Lewis, especially The Abolition of Man)
* Francis Schaeffer. How Should We Then Live?
* Francis Schaeffer. The God Who Is There.
* Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. The Gulag Archipelago.
* G. K. Chesterton. The Everlasting Man.
* Paul Johnson. Modern Times.
* Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Cost of Discipleship.
* Fyodor Dostoevsky. The Brothers Karamazov.
* John Bunyan. The Pilgrim's Progress.
* Jerry Bridges. The Pursuit of Holiness.
Chuck also recommends
* Richard John Neuhaus. The Naked Public Square.
The following are books identified by Chuck Colson as having been critical to his intellectual and spiritual development.
* C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (and anything else by Lewis, especially The Abolition of Man)
* Francis Schaeffer. How Should We Then Live?
* Francis Schaeffer. The God Who Is There.
* Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. The Gulag Archipelago.
* G. K. Chesterton. The Everlasting Man.
* Paul Johnson. Modern Times.
* Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Cost of Discipleship.
* Fyodor Dostoevsky. The Brothers Karamazov.
* John Bunyan. The Pilgrim's Progress.
* Jerry Bridges. The Pursuit of Holiness.
Chuck also recommends
* Richard John Neuhaus. The Naked Public Square.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
My List - Part 1
Contemplating my own list of the best Christian books of the past 105 years, I am first drawn to the standards such as Mere Christianity, Spirit of the Disciplines, and such. But the book which may have most influenced my life is Bill Hybel's Descending Into Greatness. He was able to fully explain the futility of "things" in a way I have not seen or heard, before or since. I actually took steps to reduce my material goals in favor of relational ones. Look for a review here or at The Truth About Everything later this month.
Maybe another major influence would be J. Vernon McGee's Thru the Bible. It took two years to read what J. Vernon tells on the radio in 5 years of daily broadcasts. It was worth every minute.
Already reviewed (see side bar) is the best book ever on marriage. Ed Wheat's work, Love Life for Every Married Couple is a triumph for those who are in any stage of marriage. But it goes beyond the self-help style to define love. The Bible is the greatest book on love ever, but Wheat touched me in a special way with his explanation that love is not an emotion, its a choice. If that is a new idea to you, or if you are unclear at all how it plays out, the paperback is usually under $5.
Come back to this space for more tops on my list, more best of lists from Christian leaders, and hopefully lots of suggestions from you, dear reader.
Maybe another major influence would be J. Vernon McGee's Thru the Bible. It took two years to read what J. Vernon tells on the radio in 5 years of daily broadcasts. It was worth every minute.
Already reviewed (see side bar) is the best book ever on marriage. Ed Wheat's work, Love Life for Every Married Couple is a triumph for those who are in any stage of marriage. But it goes beyond the self-help style to define love. The Bible is the greatest book on love ever, but Wheat touched me in a special way with his explanation that love is not an emotion, its a choice. If that is a new idea to you, or if you are unclear at all how it plays out, the paperback is usually under $5.
Come back to this space for more tops on my list, more best of lists from Christian leaders, and hopefully lots of suggestions from you, dear reader.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Free Christian Classics
You've heard about various groups who are posting libraries on the web. Here's one that is posting various Christian classics a bit older than the ones this blog is concentrating on. However, they are free to download for the most part. Some require a membership. Worth a visit. Maybe a few.
Many Missing Titles
I'm enjoying putting this site together as much as anyone. However, I want to thank readers for their words of encouragement at this early stage.
If you look over the lists below, you'll see there are many missing titles. We need you to help out by adding your list. Send it to Randy@Kirks4Jesus.
Please also note that I have listed a few book reviews on the right. Many, many more to follow. I hope to write 50 of my own in the next 90 days. Plus I will be scouring the web for good ones that already exist. Then, of course, I'm hoping some of your readers will review your favorite(s). It is perfectly ok to have more than one review of a book.
My personal goal is to have over 100 reviews by then end of Summer. And these 100 will represent the "must read" list for Christians who read. Help with the effort, PLEASE!
If you look over the lists below, you'll see there are many missing titles. We need you to help out by adding your list. Send it to Randy@Kirks4Jesus.
Please also note that I have listed a few book reviews on the right. Many, many more to follow. I hope to write 50 of my own in the next 90 days. Plus I will be scouring the web for good ones that already exist. Then, of course, I'm hoping some of your readers will review your favorite(s). It is perfectly ok to have more than one review of a book.
My personal goal is to have over 100 reviews by then end of Summer. And these 100 will represent the "must read" list for Christians who read. Help with the effort, PLEASE!
Friday, May 06, 2005
Rick Warren's List of Purpose Books
Rick Warren has listed books that will help to broaden your understanding of the purposes of the Church as he outlined them in Purpose Driven Church and Purpose Driven Life. They are listed below
Books on the Purposes
Worship
Blended Worship: Achieving Substance and Relevance in Worship– Robert E. Webber
Desiring God – John Piper
Experiencing God – Henry Blackaby
Worship Is a Verb: Eight Principles for Transforming Worship – Robert E. Webber Worship Old & New: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Introduction – Robert E. Webber
Worship; Rediscovering the Missing Jewel – Ronald Allen, Gordon Boror
Fellowship
Body Life – Ray Stedman Connecting (on relationships) – Larry Crabb
Connecting (on mentoring) – Paul Stanley and Bobby Clinton
The Nature of the Church – Earl Radmacher
Discipleship
How People Grow; What the Bible reveals about personal growth. - Cloud
Celebration and Discipline – Foster
Working the Angels – Eugene Peterson
The Spirit of Discipline – Dallas Willard
Pursuit of Holiness – Jerry Bridges
Conservative Prayer – Rosalyn Rinkler
The Life You’ve Always Wanted to Live – John Ortberg
Ministry
What You Do Best – Bruce Bugbee
Please Understand Me – David Kiersey and Marilyn Bates
The Spiritual Gifts Handbook – Bruce W. Black
Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts – Charles V. Bryant
Unleashing the Church – Frank Tillapaugh
The New Reformation – Greg Ogden
The Body – Chuck Colson
Improving Your Serve – Charles Swindoll
Evangelism
Out of the Saltshaker – Rebecca Pippert
The Master Plan of Evangelism – Robert E. Coleman
How to Give Away Your Faith – Paul Little
The Case for Christ – Lee Strobel
Evidence that Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell
Lifestyle Evangelism – Joe Aldrich
Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
Mobilizing for Compassion – Robert E. Logan and Larry Short
One-Sided Christianity – Ron J. Sider Conspiracy of Kindness – Steve Sjogren
Books on the Purposes
Worship
Blended Worship: Achieving Substance and Relevance in Worship– Robert E. Webber
Desiring God – John Piper
Experiencing God – Henry Blackaby
Worship Is a Verb: Eight Principles for Transforming Worship – Robert E. Webber Worship Old & New: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Introduction – Robert E. Webber
Worship; Rediscovering the Missing Jewel – Ronald Allen, Gordon Boror
Fellowship
Body Life – Ray Stedman Connecting (on relationships) – Larry Crabb
Connecting (on mentoring) – Paul Stanley and Bobby Clinton
The Nature of the Church – Earl Radmacher
Discipleship
How People Grow; What the Bible reveals about personal growth. - Cloud
Celebration and Discipline – Foster
Working the Angels – Eugene Peterson
The Spirit of Discipline – Dallas Willard
Pursuit of Holiness – Jerry Bridges
Conservative Prayer – Rosalyn Rinkler
The Life You’ve Always Wanted to Live – John Ortberg
Ministry
What You Do Best – Bruce Bugbee
Please Understand Me – David Kiersey and Marilyn Bates
The Spiritual Gifts Handbook – Bruce W. Black
Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts – Charles V. Bryant
Unleashing the Church – Frank Tillapaugh
The New Reformation – Greg Ogden
The Body – Chuck Colson
Improving Your Serve – Charles Swindoll
Evangelism
Out of the Saltshaker – Rebecca Pippert
The Master Plan of Evangelism – Robert E. Coleman
How to Give Away Your Faith – Paul Little
The Case for Christ – Lee Strobel
Evidence that Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell
Lifestyle Evangelism – Joe Aldrich
Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
Mobilizing for Compassion – Robert E. Logan and Larry Short
One-Sided Christianity – Ron J. Sider Conspiracy of Kindness – Steve Sjogren
Gold Medalian Awards
You can visit the site of the Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association to see who they think is writing the very best stuff right now. See last years winners, and the top sellers, too.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Randy Alcorn's Favorites
With permission, we reprint Randy Alcorn's favorite books of all types and stripes.
Favorite Novels: (with apologies to Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Dickens, Hemingway, and Steinbeck)
1. The Chronicles of Narnia (7), C. S. Lewis
2. The Lord of the Rings (3), J. R. R. Tolkien
3. Perelandra, C. S. Lewis (closely followed by the other two in the space trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet and That Hideous Strength)
4. The Singer trilogy (including The Song and The Finale), Calvin Miller
5. The Odyssey and The Iliad, Homer
6. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
7. Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe
8. The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
9. The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis
10. The Chosen, Chaim Potok
11. In His Steps, Charles Sheldon
12. Pontius Pilate, Paul Maier
13. Paul, Walter Wangerin
14. The Book of God, Walter Wangarin
15. Ben Hur, Lew Wallace
Honorable mention:
The Birth, Gene Edwards;
The Mantle (name later changed to Elijah), William H. Stephens
The First Book I Fell in Love With:
Stadium Beyond the Stars, Milton Lesser (juvenile science fiction I read as a third grader and reread several times in subsequent years; not a great book by anyone's standards, but as Lewis said of George MacDonald's Phantastes, "it baptized my imgination")
Short fiction: short stories, plays or poetry:
Several short stories by Flannery O'Connor, names of which escape me; "Beyond the Horizon," Eugene O'Neill; poetry, "O God, I love thee," by Francis Xaviar.
Booklet: My Heart Christ's Home, Robert Boyd Munger.
Novels I wish were on my list but I've never finished them:
Everything by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Novels that are secretly on my list but I won't admit it:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (and sequels), Douglas Adams
Nonfiction, after the Bible:
1. The Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer
2. Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis
3. Knowing God, J. I. Packer
4. Desiring God, John Piper
5. He is There and He is Not Silent, Francis Schaeffer
6. Loving God, Chuck Colson
7. Through Gates of Splendor, Elizabeth Elliot
8. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Eugene Peterson
9. Your God is Too Small, J.B. Phillips
10. Tortured for Christ, God's Smuggler, ŒFoxes Book of Martyrs (three books on the suffering church that greatly impacted me many years ago)
Okay, I couldn't stop, so here's the 2nd team nonfiction:
11. Peace Child, Don Richardson
12. The Everlasting Man, G.K. Chesterton
13. Principles of Spiritual Growth, Miles Stanford
14. The Calvary Road, Roy Hession
15. Biography of George Mueller (don't recall author)
16. The Church at the End of the 20th Century, Francis Schaeffer
17. Where is God When it Hurts, Phil Yancey
18. The Joy of Fearing God, Jerry Bridges
19. Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster
20. Cost of Discipleship, Bonhoeffer
21. Disciple, Juan Carlos Ortiz
22. Kingdoms in Conflict, Chuck Colson
23. No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, Max Lucado
Short nonfiction (essays, sermons, etc):
"The Weight of Glory" and "The World's Last Night," C. S. Lewis; "Our Unclaimed Riches," "The Art of True Worship" and "The World to Come," by A. W. Tozer; "Tyranny of the Urgent," Robert Hummel.
Nonfiction honorable mention:
These are books which I will likely never reread, but which had great impact when I read them. Mainly because at that particular time of life I really needed what they offered. (I see the providence of God in what books He leads me to at what time.):
* Let Justice Roll Down, John Perkins;
* Basic Christianity, John Stott;
* Battle for the Bible, Harold Lindsel;
* The Cross and the Switchblade, David Wilkerson;
* Run, Baby, Run, Nicky Cruz;
* Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell;
* Countdown, J.B. Hardy;
* Competent to Counsel, Jay Adams;
* The Gospel According to Jesus, John MacArthur;
* The Life of an American Slave, Frederick Douglas;
* Open Windows, Phil Yancey;
* Between Heaven and Hell, Peter Kreeft;
* When I Relax I Feel Guilty, Tim Hansel;
* Roaring Lambs, Bob Briner;
* Jesus the Revolutionary, H. S. Vigevino;
* The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer;
* The God Who Is There, Francis Schaeffer;
* The Content of our Character, Shelby Steele;
* The Nazi Doctors, Robert Jay Lifton;
* When People Are Big and God is Small, Edward Welch;
* From Jerusalem to Iryan Jaya, Ruth Tucker;
* The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges;
Most powerful books I've read (for first time) in last year:
* The Legacy of Sovereign Joy, John Piper
* The Hidden Smile of God, John Piper
* The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith, Lee Strobel
* How Now Shall We Live?, Chuck Colson
A cool artsy book:
Beyond Words, Ron DiCianni
Authors on a Desert Island:
If I had to go on a desert island and could have only 1) my Bible and 2) any and all books written by only fifteen modern authors and ten historical authors, whose books I would take with me?
15 Modern authors:
1. C. S. Lewis
2. A.W. Tozer
3. Francis Schaeffer
4. John Piper
5. J. R. R. Tolkien
6. Eugene Petersen
7. Chuck Colson
8. Max Lucado
9. Phil Yancey
10. Calvin Miller
11. Elisabeth Elliot
12. J. I. Packer
13. John R. W. Stott
14. John McArthur
15. Peter Kreeft
10 Authors from Church history:
1. Charles Spurgeon
2. Jonathan Edwards
3. Martin Luther
4. John Calvin
5. John Wesley
6. Augustine
7. Thomas Aquinas
8. John Bunyan
9. Blaise Pascal
10. Tertullian
One Theology Book:
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
Other reference books:
Vine's Expository Dictionary
New Compact Topical Bible
The IVP New Testament Background Commentary, Craig Keener
Favorite Novels: (with apologies to Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Dickens, Hemingway, and Steinbeck)
1. The Chronicles of Narnia (7), C. S. Lewis
2. The Lord of the Rings (3), J. R. R. Tolkien
3. Perelandra, C. S. Lewis (closely followed by the other two in the space trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet and That Hideous Strength)
4. The Singer trilogy (including The Song and The Finale), Calvin Miller
5. The Odyssey and The Iliad, Homer
6. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
7. Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe
8. The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
9. The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis
10. The Chosen, Chaim Potok
11. In His Steps, Charles Sheldon
12. Pontius Pilate, Paul Maier
13. Paul, Walter Wangerin
14. The Book of God, Walter Wangarin
15. Ben Hur, Lew Wallace
Honorable mention:
The Birth, Gene Edwards;
The Mantle (name later changed to Elijah), William H. Stephens
The First Book I Fell in Love With:
Stadium Beyond the Stars, Milton Lesser (juvenile science fiction I read as a third grader and reread several times in subsequent years; not a great book by anyone's standards, but as Lewis said of George MacDonald's Phantastes, "it baptized my imgination")
Short fiction: short stories, plays or poetry:
Several short stories by Flannery O'Connor, names of which escape me; "Beyond the Horizon," Eugene O'Neill; poetry, "O God, I love thee," by Francis Xaviar.
Booklet: My Heart Christ's Home, Robert Boyd Munger.
Novels I wish were on my list but I've never finished them:
Everything by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Novels that are secretly on my list but I won't admit it:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (and sequels), Douglas Adams
Nonfiction, after the Bible:
1. The Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer
2. Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis
3. Knowing God, J. I. Packer
4. Desiring God, John Piper
5. He is There and He is Not Silent, Francis Schaeffer
6. Loving God, Chuck Colson
7. Through Gates of Splendor, Elizabeth Elliot
8. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Eugene Peterson
9. Your God is Too Small, J.B. Phillips
10. Tortured for Christ, God's Smuggler, ŒFoxes Book of Martyrs (three books on the suffering church that greatly impacted me many years ago)
Okay, I couldn't stop, so here's the 2nd team nonfiction:
11. Peace Child, Don Richardson
12. The Everlasting Man, G.K. Chesterton
13. Principles of Spiritual Growth, Miles Stanford
14. The Calvary Road, Roy Hession
15. Biography of George Mueller (don't recall author)
16. The Church at the End of the 20th Century, Francis Schaeffer
17. Where is God When it Hurts, Phil Yancey
18. The Joy of Fearing God, Jerry Bridges
19. Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster
20. Cost of Discipleship, Bonhoeffer
21. Disciple, Juan Carlos Ortiz
22. Kingdoms in Conflict, Chuck Colson
23. No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, Max Lucado
Short nonfiction (essays, sermons, etc):
"The Weight of Glory" and "The World's Last Night," C. S. Lewis; "Our Unclaimed Riches," "The Art of True Worship" and "The World to Come," by A. W. Tozer; "Tyranny of the Urgent," Robert Hummel.
Nonfiction honorable mention:
These are books which I will likely never reread, but which had great impact when I read them. Mainly because at that particular time of life I really needed what they offered. (I see the providence of God in what books He leads me to at what time.):
* Let Justice Roll Down, John Perkins;
* Basic Christianity, John Stott;
* Battle for the Bible, Harold Lindsel;
* The Cross and the Switchblade, David Wilkerson;
* Run, Baby, Run, Nicky Cruz;
* Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell;
* Countdown, J.B. Hardy;
* Competent to Counsel, Jay Adams;
* The Gospel According to Jesus, John MacArthur;
* The Life of an American Slave, Frederick Douglas;
* Open Windows, Phil Yancey;
* Between Heaven and Hell, Peter Kreeft;
* When I Relax I Feel Guilty, Tim Hansel;
* Roaring Lambs, Bob Briner;
* Jesus the Revolutionary, H. S. Vigevino;
* The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer;
* The God Who Is There, Francis Schaeffer;
* The Content of our Character, Shelby Steele;
* The Nazi Doctors, Robert Jay Lifton;
* When People Are Big and God is Small, Edward Welch;
* From Jerusalem to Iryan Jaya, Ruth Tucker;
* The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges;
Most powerful books I've read (for first time) in last year:
* The Legacy of Sovereign Joy, John Piper
* The Hidden Smile of God, John Piper
* The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith, Lee Strobel
* How Now Shall We Live?, Chuck Colson
A cool artsy book:
Beyond Words, Ron DiCianni
Authors on a Desert Island:
If I had to go on a desert island and could have only 1) my Bible and 2) any and all books written by only fifteen modern authors and ten historical authors, whose books I would take with me?
15 Modern authors:
1. C. S. Lewis
2. A.W. Tozer
3. Francis Schaeffer
4. John Piper
5. J. R. R. Tolkien
6. Eugene Petersen
7. Chuck Colson
8. Max Lucado
9. Phil Yancey
10. Calvin Miller
11. Elisabeth Elliot
12. J. I. Packer
13. John R. W. Stott
14. John McArthur
15. Peter Kreeft
10 Authors from Church history:
1. Charles Spurgeon
2. Jonathan Edwards
3. Martin Luther
4. John Calvin
5. John Wesley
6. Augustine
7. Thomas Aquinas
8. John Bunyan
9. Blaise Pascal
10. Tertullian
One Theology Book:
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
Other reference books:
Vine's Expository Dictionary
New Compact Topical Bible
The IVP New Testament Background Commentary, Craig Keener
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
