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!
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