Sarah Bessey is currently running a series of posts on her blog called Ten Books A Day for a Week. Basically, she is looking at the 10 best books (for her) in a series of things: parenting, fiction, etc. I loved the idea and was thus quite easily captured by her Sunday, July 1 post called Ten Books That Changed my Faith. Only one hers made my list, though some of them might have made my larger list of 25 or 50 (which is much easier than choosing 10). Even though I am not a big fan of lists (especially the self-help "7 Reasons" for this or that), her posting did cause me to put together my own list (which I suspect is one of her goals). As Christine Sine said, it might be easier to list 10 authors that have influenced me because choosing one book from certain folks (C.S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen, etc.) is hard to do. However that has not stopped me from trying, though I use the word influenced rather than changed. By the way, virtually all of these came right off the top of my head without hardly even looking at my bookshelf. They are in no particular order.
* The Spirit of Democratic Capitalist, Michael Novak
For me this was the first book that put finally put theology, economics and politics together in a marvelously sensible way. Having a stated Christian Marxist for a college professor in one of my undergraduate majors (political science), Novak gave me needed ammunition! I was privileged to get to know Michael in my years living in Washington, DC, which only solidified the book's significance.
* Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, Christopher Wright
Probably no one book broke more stereotypes for me about who Jesus was -- and is. Deeply moving, and though the language in this book will be too rough for many, it is certainly one of the cleverest and funniest books I have ever read. (I embarrassed myself several times on an airplane laughing out loud when reading it.)
* The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
I am ever indebted to Kent Hill (then at Seattle Pacific University, now at World Vision) for not only urging me to read this book, but also opening my eyes to the depth of its meaning. No book deals with the problem of evil in the world better than this one. With apologies to Rob Bell, his was the first to really unpack the phrase "Love Wins!"
* The Rise of Christianity, Rodney Stark
Odd to have a sociologist on a book talking about influence on faith, but this one was a no brainer for me. Then subtitle is: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries. The brief answer (apart from the work of the Holy Spirit!) is through their affirmation of the role of women and their unafraid ministry to those with the plague. This book radicalized my view of missions.
* Mere Christianity, CS Lewis
I guess this is my answer to the question which one book from C.S. Lewis would you have to choose. Though his Space trilogy is very close, this book was the definitive apologetic foundation for me and still is.
* Christ and Culture, H. Richard Neibuhr
The classic book on Christian social ethics. As relevant (if not more) now than is what when it was first written in 1951.
* A Generous Orthodoxy, Brian McClaren.
How to really be an independent thinker in an age of polarization. As Robert Webber once said of the book, "you'll love it, you'll hate it, but you'll never think the same way again!" 'Nuff said.
* Death on a Friday Night, Richard John Neuhaus.
A Lutheran who converted to Catholicism, Richard was one of the most sharpest, most articulate people I've ever met (with apologies to George Weigel). Though his book, The Naked Public Square: Religion and Democracy in America deservedly received more public prominence, Death on a Friday Night opened doorways for me that no one had. When I was with the National Association of Evangelicals, I worked with Richard (and Chuck Colson) on the Evangelicals and Catholics Together initiative.
* A Table in the Wilderness, Watchman Nee.
As a relatively new believer, I was given this daily devotional book by JoAnn Walker (mother of the famous Walker girls) for Christmas in 1980. A selection of readings by the great Chinese writer, I probably have not lived in (and read) any book more than the Bible.
* Wounded Healer, Henry Nouwen
So many Nouwen books and too few lists. I was tempted to put The Return of the Prodigal Son, however, when it comes to real impact on my faith journey, this one tops the list. How, in our own woundedness, can we become a source of life for others?
On the edge and deserving mention:
The God Who is There (and companion books), by Francis Schaeffer, Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller, Sabbath, by Dan Allender, Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger,by Ron Sider, and Knowing God, J.I. Packer.
So what is on your list?
