Pay close attention to the title. This is not a list of books I think every Christian should read but books that changed me personally. These volumes challenged my thinking, moved me in the deep bowels of my soul and delivered huge payloads of revelation to my spirit. They changed the gait and pace – and at times direction – of my walk in Christ.
You’ll notice titles like Lewis’ Mere Christianity and Packer’s Knowing God are missing. And Augustine’s Confessions. Plus almost anything by Keller.
While these and a host of others deserve their own billing, I wanted to offer you a glimpse into the reason I am me. I am significantly made better by welcoming these books into my heart.
But remember, these 21 – as good as they each are – are all trumped by the holy scriptures, of course.
Just needed that out in the open.
So, that said, here’s my group, in no particular order of importance:
- God’s Smuggler
- The Normal Christian Life
- A Tale of Three Kings
- Where Is God When It Hurts
- Redeeming Love
- The Gospel of the Kingdom
- Make Haste, My Beloved
- They Found the Secret
- The Practice of the Presence of God
- The Word and Power Church
- Shepherding a Child’s Heart
- Waking the Dead
- The Applause of Heaven
- Rees Howells: Intercessor
- Improving Your Serve
- A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
- The Normal Christian Birth
- Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts
- Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
- The Bush Is Still Burning
- Studies In the Sermon on the Mount
Brother Andrew
Watchman Nee
Gene Edwards
Philip Yancey
Francine Rivers
George Eldon Ladd
Frances J. Roberts
V. Raymond Edman
Brother Lawrence
Doug Banister
Ted Tripp
John Eldredge
Max Lucado
Norman Grubb
Chuck Swindoll
W. Phillip Keller
David Pawson
Jerry Bridges
Jim Cymbala
Lloyd John Ogilvie
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
I think it’s obvious what I’d like from you. I’ll make this easy: how about one, two or even three books that have challenged and changed you? I assure you, you’ll want to keep adding. My blog started as five, then ten, expanded to twenty and needed one final flourish.
See the box below?
Tell me some titles!
1. More than a Carpenter – Josh McDowwell
2. Wild at Heart – John Eldredge
3. Through Gates of Splendor – Elisabeth Elliot
4. Evangelism and Sovereignty of God – J.I. Packer
5. Hot Tub Religion – J.I. Packer
6. A biography on C.T. Stud
On book I started to read – “The Shack”, I quickly put down when I realized the author was putting words in God’s mouth. Others around me where quickly taken this as inspired. Very dangerous book, in my opinion.
Excellent list, Sam. Studd is one of the most intriguing biographies I’ve read. The others are classics for sure.
I read the Shack, uneasy in parts, wasn’t moved by it except for a single picture of the flower garden. I thought that part was well done.
“A Voice in the Wind” (Mark of the Lion series) Francine Rivers, almost tied with “Redeeming Love” as favorite Novel.
Couldn’t agree more, Kelly. Pretty much any book by her. Totally forgot about And the Shofar Blew, another of her great works, deserving a place on my list!
Two of the more classic books stand out to me. I read them in college and they gave me a fresh view of God:
The Pursuit of God by Tozer
Knowing God by Packer
But these books have shaped me in the past 20 years and led me out of a denominational, confining church existence and eventually landed me in Denver in a very missional, Kingdom oriented, fulfilling ministry:
Visioneering by Andy Stanley was a book that spoke to the lack of fulfillment I was experiencing in ministry and gave me hope that something greater was possible.
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne gave me a picture of what the gospel looks like outside the context of my own church experience. It was a very freeing look at Jesus and let me realize I had a very narrow of the gospel.
Myth of the Christian Nation by Gregory Boyd aided my exodus out of the empire and into the Kingdom.
The Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus is a beautiful look at the church and church planting.
In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase both by Mark Batterson came along at just the right time to give me the faith to believe that God had greater things in store for me and gave me the courage to move.
This author might get me in trouble but Rob Bell’s God Wants To Save Christians planted some seeds of truth that have come to fruition and have been very helpful in our ministry in Denver.
I have also loved Don Miller’s Blue Like Jazz and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.
Excellent list and commentary on each, Ray. It’s obvious how your life’s been shaped and challenged by each. As to the Rob Bell reference, that same book sits on my shelf too. Interesting sidebit about him: though I have strong reservations about his more recent work, I recommend his writing style to many I know who wish to communicate in written word. “Write like him,” I say. He engages. He connects.
Thanks for adding value to this post, brother. God’s tides of grace and peace to you!