Books for Every Christian

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>.