"I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us... We need the books that affect us like a disaster, that grieve us deeply, like the death of someone we loved more than ourselves, like being banished into forests far from everyone, like a suicide. A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us."
Franz Kafka, in a private letter, January 1904
Tested by Time:
books every Christian should know about
Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan
The most important Christian book written in the English language- Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's progress while in prison for preaching the gospel, and as a result he reached more people with his book than he ever did speaking to crowds in empty pastures. Reading this book is almost a necessity.
With Christ in the School of Prayer, by Andrew Murray
An undeniable classic on prayer, this book has earned its reputation! Every chapter takes on a different question or difficulty, and each should be read slowly and thoughtfully, giving plenty of time between to let it sink in.
My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
There is probably not a single devotional which is more well known than this one. Taken from his sermons, these vignettes are so profound that you can barely call them "devotionals". Many books like this touch frequently upon the obvious or common. This is one of the few which goes deeper.
How Should We Then Live?, by Francis Schaeffer
An overview of religious and cultural ideas from ancient Roman times to the end of the Twentieth century. Art, music and philosophy all come together in this broad perspective of the influence of Christ and the gradual abandonment of faith.
1 comment:
hi, josh - I haven't heard from you since 2008, but I've read some your stuff so I thought it was time to say hello - I'm not even sure you're blogging anymore as I see the date on this entry of yours is 2009 - nevertheless, you might find this comment some day and say hey - I was re-reading your thoughts about your church's new stained glass window (new in 2007/2008 anyway) - I wonder what's up with you and your congregation these days? In any case, a strong and helpful quote from Kafka - thank you for bringing it to our attention.
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