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good books and good conversation - Jeff Richardson
where possible, links are given to the actual text of the referenced work
OR Try The Bruderhof OnLine Books for some other great reading Mere Christianity Written by C. S. Lewis as a series of radio addresses delivered on the BBC circa 1950, the book deals with the fundamental truths of the Christian faith and the basic apologetic approaches used to establish the reasonableness of Christianity. The God Who Is There Written by Francis Schaeffer in the 1960s, this work catalogues and describes the process of epistemological change in society. He traces modern Western thought from its inception in Renaissance art through philosophy, music, drama and religion and forms a powerful polemic against the existentialism prevalent in today's culture. The Pilgrim's Progress Written by John Bunyan while imprisoned, this work is an analogy for the Christian's journey through life. The book follows its central character, Christian, throughout his journey giving account of the various temptations along the way. The Pursuit of God Writen by A. W. Tozer in the 1950s, The Pursuit of God was meant to be a wake-up call to Christians in Tozer's time who had forgotten what it meant to desire God above all things. The Imitation of Christ Written by Thomas a Kempis centuries ago, this work is the most widely read text in all of history with the exception of the Bible. A series of thoughts, encouragements and admonitions, it focuses on the inward life of the Christian and its outward effects. Orthodoxy Written by British novelist and journalist Gilbert Keith (G. K.) Chesterton around the turn of the century, Orthodoxy is a sequel to Chesterton's earlier work, Heretics. The book is basically a following of Chesterton's thought and growth from lapsed-Catholic atheist back to orthodox Christianity. The Great Divorce Another work by C. S. Lewis, The Great Divorce is "a fanciful bus ride to hell and heaven and back". Lewis uses allegorical and metaphorical devices to make some amazing insights into the working of the human psyche, the working of sin, and the position of the spiritual and temporal realms. Idols For Destruction This work by Herbert W. Schlossberg is a veritable tour de force of sociology, economics, political science, philosophy, science, history and theology. Schlossberg establishes the critical thinkers whose works form the basis for modern Western culture. He then, with surgical precision, establishes the presence of idolatry in basically every realm of Western thought and how the Christian faith must confront it. The Son of Laughter By Frederick Buechner, The Son of Laughter is perhaps the most imaginative prose I have read amongst twentieth century authors (with the exception of Umberto Eco's works). Buechner takes the biblical story of Jacob, son of Isaac (Isaac is Hebrew for "he laughs"), and tells it with such clarity, skill and precision that it might need to be added to the canon of Scripture! Paradise Lost Milton's classic story of the fall of Satan and the sin of Adam and Eve is a timeless classic. See also Milton's Paradise Regained. The Divine Comedy Written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and 1321, the Divine Comedy is an epic poem. Its main theme is life after death, and Dante himself is the chief character. The Divine Comedy is divided into the Inferno (Hell); the Purgatorio (Purgatory); and the Paradiso (Paradise). Dante called the work simply Commedia (Comedy) because it ended happily. Later generations added the word Divine. The Confessions of St. Augustine In The Confessions, Saint Augustine addressed himself eloquently and passionately to the enduring spiritual questions that have stirred the minds and hearts of thoughtful men since time began. Written A.D. 397, The Confessions are a history of the young Augustine's fierce struggle to overcome his profligate ways and achieve a life of spiritual grace. The Dialogues of Plato Read it. Learn it. I don't think you can live it, but it might help. Til We Have Faces C. S. Lewis' retelling of the classic myth of Psyche and Cupid. Excellent. The Lord of the Rings J. R. R. Tolkien's incredible story of Middle Earth and battle there between the forces of light and darkness. There are few works of genius in recent literature. This is one. The Practice of the Presence of God Brother Lawrence' timeless classic of meditation, reflection and "centering down" on the activity of God in our daily lives. Crime and Punishment Dostoyevsky always tackled the tough issues of life. Here he grapples with the basis for morality - how do we know what is good and right? The Divine Conspiracy Dallas Willard sets out a challenge and a course in Christlikeness. He returns anew to the mission of Jesus and points out that we may have missed the point entirely. A must-read text for those followers of Christ who take seriously the call to discipleship. Godric After reading Buechner's The Son of Laughter, I sought out his works and stumbled across the Pulitzer prize-nominated novel he wrote decades ago. Fantastic language and imagination. The Brothers Karamozov Fyodor Dostoyevsky's classic novel dealing with the fundamental issues of human existence. |