Anxious to hear your favorites!
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| Celtic Radio Community > Kirk and Chapel > Books On Christianity |
| Posted by: CelticRose 31-Jan-2004, 04:56 PM |
| I have some very favorite authors that I would like to share. Josh MacDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict and others of his books. I also like Hank Hanegraft, Philip Yancy, John Ankerberg, Robert Lightener and Lee Strobel. Most of these are theology books, if you like that sort of thing. My favorite devotional book is "More Precious Than Silver" by Joni Erickson Tada. Anxious to hear your favorites! |
| Posted by: maggiemahone1 31-Jan-2004, 08:06 PM |
The best one so far is the King James version of The Bible. It's the greatest love story that has ever been told.  maggiemahone1 |
| Posted by: CelticRose 31-Jan-2004, 08:10 PM |
| yeah, hear what you are saying Maggie! love the New American Standard. That is my favorite! |
| Posted by: Cailiosa 31-Jan-2004, 11:07 PM |
| I'm also an NAS girl. All those thees and thous are just not my cup of tea, though I'm glad you enjoy it, Maggie. As for Christian authors, I really love Elizabeth Elliot . . . what an amazing Christian woman! I've also heard that John Piper is excellant if you enjoy a challenging read. I also like C.S. Lewis -- highly recommend Mere Christianity-- and Lee Strobel's Case for Christ is great as well. One of my roommates has a book called Systematic Theology which answers many theological questions one might have. Rebecca Manley Pippert's Out of the Saltshaker is a great book on evangelism. Happy reading to you all! |
| Posted by: CelticRose 31-Jan-2004, 11:25 PM |
Ooh! I have The Case for Christ in my book shelf. Just bought it a few weeks ago. Embarrassed to say I have not read it yet!  Thanks for sharing! |
| Posted by: andylucy 02-Feb-2004, 02:47 AM |
| I am a fan of the Jerusalem Bible, personally. I also enjoy the Douay-Rheims version for that pre-King James flavor, with all the thees and thous. I enjoy reading any of the theological works of St Alphonsus Liguori, especially The Holy Eucharist and Victories of the Martyrs. I also enjoy any of the works by Joan Carroll Cruz. She has an accessible way of writing about spiritual subjects without making them seem banal. I especially enjoyed Eucharistic Miracles and The Incorruptibles. Of course, anything by Hillaire Belloc, Scott Hahn, Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, or Canon Francis Ripley. Excellent writers and their theology is as orthodox as it comes. I have also started reading some of the private locutions of Anne Catherine Emmerich. Mel Gibson based some of his imagery on his upcoming film The Passion of the Christ on her writings. Very spiritual and extremely intriguing.  Just my tuppence. Andy |
| Posted by: CelticRose 02-Feb-2004, 04:55 AM |
| Thanks for sharing Andy! I am very much looking forward to seeing Mel Gibson' s The Passion of the Christ, aren't you? I heard he was a very strong Catholic! |
| Posted by: andylucy 02-Feb-2004, 05:02 AM | ||
Yes, he is a very traditional Catholic. His father, Hutton Gibson, is a real staunch advocate of the Latin mass, as is his son, but the father also has some really "out there" views. He has been excoriated by some of the press lately, in an apparent attempt to tie his views in with his son's and to apply it to the movie. Mel Gibson isn't as heterodox as his father, and I feel that this movie will be interesting and probably spiritually uplifting, as well as very sobering. I started a thread on the Religion forum about it tonight. And I plan on going, just not on Ash Wednesday, though. Just my tuppence. Andy |
| Posted by: CelticRose 02-Feb-2004, 05:52 AM |
| Oh thank you for telling me you started a thread in the religion forum on it. I would be very interested in that. Very anxious to see the film thoughl. |
| Posted by: RavenWing 02-Feb-2004, 03:00 PM |
| The most interesting Christian book I ever read was City of God. Actually, I tried to read it, but could never get through all 3 books? 4 books? I don't remember now. Anyway, interesting read. |
| Posted by: CelticRose 02-Feb-2004, 03:16 PM |
| Never heard of that series, RW. Thanks! Will have to check into that. |
| Posted by: andylucy 03-Feb-2004, 02:20 AM | ||
Are you referring to City of God by St. Augustine of Hippo? If so, it is a true classic of western philosophy, spirituality and theology. Excellent book. It can be found online http://www.ccel.org/fathers/NPNF1-02/ The Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas is also excellent, if we are looking at medieval writings. The Summa can be found online http://www.ccel.org/a/aquinas/summa/home.html Just my tuppence. Andy |
| Posted by: RavenWing 03-Feb-2004, 09:21 AM | ||
yep |
| Posted by: RavenWing 03-Feb-2004, 09:22 AM |
Andy - you may know this. Isn't there another set of City of God books writtern by Sister Faustina (whatever the rest of her name is)? Or am I just getting all my Catholic church/school education jumbled? It has been a while since I used it.  |
| Posted by: CelticRose 03-Feb-2004, 12:31 PM |
| I just started reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. So far so good! |
| Posted by: Siusaidh Blues 03-Feb-2004, 01:54 PM | ||
Get that thang off the shelf and READ it, girlfriend!!! Because when you're done, you're going to want to read 'The Case for Faith' - it is the coolest thing. And I thought I was going to have to do all that research by myself; nope, cause Strobel has done it and tells you where it came from too. He's cool, and a good 'read' too. He's got the best explanation of Darwinism and evolution theories I've ever read. My mom just gave me 'The Traveler's Gift' (by Andy Andrews, I think) just last night and I turned to a random page this morning only to feel like it was written specifically for me - it hit me like a punch in the stomach. It was exactly what I needed to see, to start off this day with some courage! Guess I'd better go read the |
| Posted by: andylucy 03-Feb-2004, 11:46 PM | ||
I think you are thinking of The Mystical City of God by the Venerable Mary of Agreda. It is a 4 volume set about her mystical vision of the life of Our Lady. It is pretty good, as it gives insight into the personal life of Our Lord and Our Lady and St. Joseph. Just keep in mind that it was written by a 17th century nun, and it is a good theological read, especially if you are into mystical locutions. See this website for information on http://www.theworkofgod.org/Saints/Lives/Agreda.htm. St. Mary Faustina Kowalska wrote Divine Mercy In My Soul, which was a diary of her mystical visions of Christ and Our Lady, prior to her death in 1938. She is frequently pictured alongside an image of Our Lord with what looks like a prismatic rainbow emanating from his heart. It is the foundation for most of the devotions to the Divine Mercy. She was canonized in 2000 by John Paul II. See this website for information on http://saint-faustina.net/. Just my tuppence. Andy |
| Posted by: Elspeth 04-Feb-2004, 07:47 AM |
| Here are two I have liked. Everybody's Normal Til You Get to Know Them - by John Ortberg And The Journey of Desire by John Eldredge I haven't read it all yet, but add in The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris and I want to read some by Annie Dillard. |
| Posted by: RavenWing 04-Feb-2004, 10:31 AM | ||
Thanks for straightening it all out for me. It starts to run together after a while. I have read some if that, and it was fascinating. My dad always had the Divine Mercy Novena thingsaround, so I guess that is where I got Sister Faustina's name. |
| Posted by: CelticRose 04-Feb-2004, 02:59 PM |
| Has anyone read "The Creative Call" by Janice Elsheimer? It says in the back: "Many of us long to live more fully in our creativity but don't know how to find or renew that artisitic passion. It is a very good book that I would highly recommend for any writer or artist. |
| Posted by: andylucy 09-Feb-2004, 02:29 AM | ||||
I totally understand things running together. There are times when I wish there was really a Pensieve, like in the Harry Potter series, so we could put some of our thoughts in there when our heads get too full. 
I have a strong devotion to the Divine Mercy, myself. I pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Friday, in addition to the rosary. Just my tuppence. Andy |
| Posted by: truk77 10-Feb-2004, 11:04 AM |
| Hearty second to C.S. Lewis. Mere Christianity was excellent, and would likely be the first book I'd give a young believer. I have Screwtape and "The Great Divorce" on my "to read" list. Currently, I'm reading John Piper's "Desiring God". Excellent and eye opening book. Really the best book I've read on really understanding the heart of God. For the record, my favorite translations are the NASB and the ESV. |
| Posted by: RavenWing 10-Feb-2004, 01:25 PM | ||
I will be the first in line if they start handing those out. |
| Posted by: Raven 16-Feb-2004, 10:27 AM | ||
I too like Josh McDowell and have read Evidence that demands a Verdict both 1 & 2, I like the KJV(King James Version), NKJV, NAS and have read other translations as well but I tend to use the NKJV or the KJV for most reference purposes as I have no problem with the archaic language of the KJV and I enjoy poetic nature of this translation. I also have enjoyed "The Fingerprint of God" By Astro Physicist, Hugh Ross. And a number of works from the Institute for Creation Research by Dr Henry M Morris (a lot of good information but heavily biased towards a very young universe with no real scientific evidence or substance to back it up). I like much of CS Lewis including Mere Christianity and another very interesting work is Grudens "Systematic Theology" I enjoy Hank Hanegraff, Philip Yancy and John Ankerberg also. |
| Posted by: CelticRose 16-Feb-2004, 12:12 PM |
| Raven, have you heard Hank Hanegraff's radio show,The Bible Answer Man? I love that show but where I live now I cannot get it. I used to learn so much from that radio program! I met Hank Hanegraff at a seminar he gave in Atlanta one time. He was so nice and a very humble man. |
| Posted by: Raven 16-Feb-2004, 12:59 PM |
| I used to listen to it all the time when I was a truck driver. I also had some pretty interesting tapes by Chuck Misler I.E. Science and Christianity apologetics type themes. Very thought provoking. I have found Hank to be mostly very balanced and reasonable in his answers on his radio program which has garnered some heat for him from time to time by certain mainstreamers. |
| Posted by: Siusaidh Blues 16-Feb-2004, 02:17 PM | ||
That is a terrific book, isn't it... one of my all-time favorites. My father recently discovered C.S. and commented to me that C.S. seemed to be 'talking above his head' some of the time! Dad asked me what it was about Lewis' writings that appealed to me so much and I replied that it was his point of view I found fascinating: a former atheist turned Christian. He has an outlook on Christ that seems so refreshing to me; having grown up attending a Protestant church, the lingo that church people use to talk about salvation and Christ gets tiresome to me sometimes... Lewis' account of how he became a believer is cool too. Have you read of it? |
| Posted by: CelticRose 16-Feb-2004, 02:22 PM |
| Oh Raven! I love Hank Hanegraff! I gained even more respect for him when I met him at the seminar I attended of his in Atlanta. He appears to be a very wonderful Christian and humble man who has the brain capacity of Bible knowledge of the size of the planet, but doesn't throw it in your face! He knows his stuff, no doubt about it. |
| Posted by: Raven 17-Feb-2004, 10:43 AM | ||
No Siob I have not read his account. But having grown well in to adult hood a none Christian I still share your chagrin at the lingo that is often used by the church (or at least the people in it) and the whole subculture that has spawned this dialect. I think that if more Christians concentrated on their relationship instead of their religion that the world view of Christians in general would be quite different. (just my opinion valid or not  )That is one thing that I too enjoy about Lewis is his perspective and his sublte turn of a phrase in his fictional words that speak the truth but do not bowl you over with it. |
| Posted by: Siobhan Blues 17-Feb-2004, 03:30 PM | ||
Good point. The lingo almost sounds like some kind of secret language that only "the saved" know... I'm not comfortable with it. Even some of the phrases like 'washed in the blood' sound so negative, so violent that I don't like using them even though I understand what the phrase is referring to: the bloody death of Christ was what removed my own sin... You know what, though, the Christianity I've been exposed to through my Protestant denomination is very well intentioned in trying to share its beliefs with other people; they sincerely believe what they have found is so great, they want everyone to join in with them and find the peace that they've found. But unfortunately many of them vigorously condemn what others believe without realizing that there may be crucial tenants shared... |
| Posted by: Raven 17-Feb-2004, 04:08 PM | ||
I absolutely agree, sometimes this is lost in the translation and it does come across condemning. I think most of this attitude comes from the Church organization and a lack of individual opinion for fear of being ostracized. I don't even think that most of them realize how much of what they hear from the pulpit is actualy based on opinion as opposed to the Bible. I know when I read the Bible for myself the first time I was quite suprised by what it said as opposed to what I had heard in church. I would say that it should be required reading for all Christians. Peace mikel |
| Posted by: Cailiosa 20-Feb-2004, 12:53 PM | ||
C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite Christian authors. I like his straightforward, tell it like it is style, which is especially evident in Mere Christianity. I haven't read anything by Piper, but I've heard wonderful things about his works, as he's one of my roommate's favorite authors. Someday when I have more time to read I am going to read one of his books. Any recommendations? Currently reading The God You Can Know and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the nature of God. I am on the third chapter, which discusses the perfections of God. |
| Posted by: CelticRose 20-Feb-2004, 04:23 PM | ||
Raven! My Pastor always used to say to not take his word for it, but for us to read the Bible for ourselves. I always thought that was very humble of him to say that. |
| Posted by: truk77 24-Feb-2004, 08:14 AM | ||
Piper's flagship work is "Desiring God", so that seems as good a starting point as any. "The Pleasures of God" is also highly recommended (though I've not read it yet). |
| Posted by: Siobhan Blues 24-Feb-2004, 10:54 AM |
| I have never heard of Piper, but will look for 'Desiring God' the next time I'm in a bookstore. Thanks for the recommendations, everyone. Siobhan B |
| Posted by: Crowned1 17-Apr-2004, 10:32 AM |
| C.S. Lewis is brilliant!!! Everyone should read Mere Christianity, whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Agnostic, or Athesist, or anything else.... Just read it to find out what Christianity is really all about. The logic in that book is astounding, and Lewis is so fun to read! I love British authors!! |
| Posted by: Haggishead 20-Nov-2007, 02:53 PM |
| Two of my favourites (besides the Bible) are: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster & Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli |
| Posted by: dundee 20-Nov-2007, 04:01 PM |
| has anybody read "the Normal Christian Life" by Watchman Nee? I have it on PDF if anyone is interested. his writing were done all before 1952 when he was imprisoned in China. Watchman Nee became a Christian in mainland China in 1920 at the age of seventeen and began writing in the same year. Throughout the nearly thirty years of his ministry, Watchman Nee was clearly manifested as a unique gift from the Lord to His Body for His move in this age. In 1952 he was imprisoned for his faith; he remained in prison until his death in 1972. His words remain an abundant source of spiritual revelation and supply to Christians throughout the world. Excerpt from Watchman Nee's final letter written on the day of his death -- '...in my sickness I still remain joyful at heart.'   |