25 Books Every
Christian Should Read
25 Books Every Christian Should Read’s editor Julia L.
Roller presented readers with much information about these books. In each
chapter a brief background was given about a book’s author. What followed
was a summary of each book’s major themes.
To help readers there was further guidance, and a key to excerpts
selected from each selection. At the end of every chapter there was a
study guide with questions.
It
was recognized the Bible couldn’t be supplanted as a
premiere text. So it wasn’t included as
one of the books to be read. Excluded too, were works of living authors.
This book was a compilation of a reflection of over 2,000 years, of
saints, poets, and thinkers. It provided
a profound look about faith, showcased the cost of discipleship, and was meant
to be a devotional for the contemplative.
There
were benefits to reading such a work. Readers would experience a renewal
of the soul that would lead to a transformative life. Each book’s
material was challenging, and should be read, and reread. This would certainly
lead to a greater intimacy with God. People
would also be blessed in their lifelong quest in knowing their Creator.
Books
that stood out in the 25 entries were: Confessions - St.
Augustine was noted as the first Christian spiritual autobiography; The
Imitation of Christ - Thomas à Kempis offered instructions
about Christian living; Dark Night of the Soul -
St. John of the Cross commented on the journey of purification; The Cost of
Discipleship - Dietrich Bonhoeffer elaborated on submitting to
the yoke of Christ; Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis puts
controversies of the moment in proper perspective; and The Return of the Prodigal
Son - Henri J.M. Nouwen demonstrated what is meant to have an affirmation
of love.
These
selected works that were presented chronologically were not a list of the best
Christian classics. They represented various literary genres including:
poetry, fiction, and biography. The contributing authors dug deep in the subject
matter. These books are available free on the website of Christian
Classics Ethereal Library: <www.ccel.org>.
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