I was just reading a list of Christianity Today’s “top 10 books that have most shaped evangelicalism” and it got me thinking about what those books have been that have most shaped my spirituality and beliefs. So, here we go in no particular order (it would be too hard for me to rank them)…
10. “How to Believe Again” by Helmut Thielicke
9. “Compassion” by Nouwen, McNeill and Morrison
8. “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis
7. “The Prophetic Imagination” by Walter Brueggemann
6. “The Book of Revelation” by Richard Bauckham
5. “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount” by Martin Lloyd Jones
4. “The Great Divorce” by C.S. Lewis
3. “The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Henri Nouwen
2. “Cost of Discipleship” by Deitrich Bonhoeffer
1. “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster
Others that I really wanted to include were: “Beyond Charity” by John Perkins; “Theirs is the Kingdom” by Bob Lupton; “The Signature of Jesus” by Brennan Manning; “Resident Aliens” by Hauerwas and Willimon; and “If” by Amy Charmichael.
Others?
You definately need to add “The Challenge of Jesus” by N. T. Wright to your list. Fantastic book and amazing insights.
I may have to look into Bauckham’s book…
Soon after I posted I realized the glaring omission of N.T. Wright. He should be there for sure!
The Challenge of Jesus by N. T. Wright
Proper Confidence by Leslie Newbigin
Jaber Crow by Wendell Berry
The Jesus Creed by Scot McKnight
Les Misarable by Victor Hugo
So many books … and so much other stuff to do.
I haven’t read Proper Confidence or Jaber Crow. I will add those to the wish list!
And a definite yes for The Jesus Creed-everyone should read this book!