Required Reading for Moderates...

MrJim · Oct 29, 2007

...along with the Holy Writ what would you have on the list?

A couple favorites...

Athene · Oct 29, 2007

I'm currently reading A Generous Orthodoxy, it's really good.

I would recommend The Jesus I never knew by Phillip Yancey.

Adammi · Oct 29, 2007

Very similar to WWMC's reading list.

MrJim · Oct 29, 2007

Athene said:
I'm currently reading A Generous Orthodoxy, it's really good.

I would recommend The Jesus I never knew by Phillip Yancey.

Have you read much Yancey?

chaoschristian · Oct 29, 2007

A subscription to Sojourners would be appropriate I think.

Joykins · Oct 29, 2007

Yancey is so awesome.

I vote also for Speaking My Mind by Campolo

DailyBlessings · Oct 29, 2007

Particularly for our American members, The Culture of Disbelief might be a good one.

And I'll throw in The Cost of Discipleship, just in case someone hasn't gotten around to reading it yet.

Tenebrae · Oct 29, 2007

Adammi said:
Very similar to WWMC's reading list.

More proof of the evil liberal agenda

Under the Overpass, By Mike Yankoski.

Good read

Izdaari Eristikon · Oct 30, 2007

Everything C.S. Lewis ever wrote, but especially Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Problem of Pain and The Great Divorce.

Athene · Oct 30, 2007

MrJim said:
Have you read much Yancey?

I've read a few books by him, What's so amazing about Grace, Reaching for the Invisible God, The Bible Jesus Read and of course The Jesus I never knew. He is one of my favorite Christian authors largely due to the fact that his books are quite personal and he admits to struggling and to doubting, it makes a huge change from the rest who claim to have never had any problems and God has always answered prayers. I tend to feel very inadequate reading books from the latter but with Yancey there's a feeling of relief that I'm not alone.

Speculative · Oct 30, 2007

Those of you who tend toward the more conservative end of the moderate spectrum might want to try The Mosaic of Christian Beliefs: Twenty Centuries of Unity and Diversity by Roger Olson. It's a good overview of what Olson believes to be the "Great Tradition" of Christianity. He explores the various views within orthodoxy and defines non-essentials on which Christians need not divide. Then he contrasts those with heterodox theologies that he would define as being outside this "Great Tradition".

A little too conservative for me, but I think it might appeal to a lot of the people here--and, as it is a far-reaching, yet concise and accessible overview, I think it deserves serious consideration on any Christians "required reading" list.

SumTinWong · Oct 30, 2007

MrJim said:
Have you read much Yancey?

What is so amazing about grace is my favorite book by him and Where is God when it hurts is also a good one that i have just started.

SumTinWong · Oct 30, 2007

Izdaari said:
Everything C.S. Lewis ever wrote, but especially Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Problem of Pain and The Great Divorce.

I know a lot of people like Lewis and I suppose if I was smarter i would to, but I tend to feel as if he is over my head on most subjects. But from what I understand try reading the problem of pain and a grief observed one right after the other to get theory and practice as one was written about a subject and the other was written during.

Joykins · Oct 30, 2007

Lewis, definitely. I also like N.T. Wright who seems similar theologically, but I haven't read a sort of general-type book of his, most of them ones I've read have been specific (like the one on Paul). I find his take on covenant very illumninating.

Izdaari Eristikon · Oct 30, 2007

Uncle Bud said:
I know a lot of people like Lewis and I suppose if I was smarter i would to, but I tend to feel as if he is over my head on most subjects. But from what I understand try reading the problem of pain and a grief observed one right after the other to get theory and practice as one was written about a subject and the other was written during.

Yes, or the reverse order; I think either has its points.

I don't find Lewis to be an especially difficult writer. Indeed, I would say far less so than most modern theologians, since he is a "perfectly ordinary layman of the Church of England" writing for other laymen. OTOH, he was an Englishman from a more educated time, who expected his readers to be familiar with a lot of things that aren't taught in school anymore, and for that reason, I sometimes have to look up his references.

The Problem of Pain might be one to avoid if you tend to find Lewis over your head. But Mere Christianity is a transcribed series of radio talks for a popular audience, and would be one of his most accessible. And The Great Divorce is an easy read... the thought it provokes may be challenging, but it's a simple travel narrative. The Chronicles of Narnia are children's books... but I still enjoy reading them as an adult.

Joykins · Oct 30, 2007

I find Lewis easy going but Tolkien very hard going. I expect there are a number of people who find it the other way around though

BelindaP · Oct 30, 2007

Izdaari said:
Everything C.S. Lewis ever wrote, but especially Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Problem of Pain and The Great Divorce.

Rats, you beat me to it. ^_^

MrJim · Oct 30, 2007

Athene said:
I've read a few books by him, What's so amazing about Grace, Reaching for the Invisible God, The Bible Jesus Read and of course The Jesus I never knew. He is one of my favorite Christian authors largely due to the fact that his books are quite personal and he admits to struggling and to doubting, it makes a huge change from the rest who claim to have never had any problems and God has always answered prayers. I tend to feel very inadequate reading books from the latter but with Yancey there's a feeling of relief that I'm not alone.

Yeah, exactly~nearly everything I've read of Yancey comes off as a guy just kinda hammerin' his way through an issue, maybe not exactly sure about stuff, but still has great insight. His books seem to almost be written in a minor key (so to speak), Disappointment with God is due for another read. Sometimes I kinda feel sorry for the guy when reading his books...just comes across, as you say, as genuine, not a know-it-all.

Gee, glad I'm not the only one that thinks this way

MrJim · Oct 30, 2007

Joykins said:
I find Lewis easy going but Tolkien very hard going. I expect there are a number of people who find it the other way around though

Yeah, I'd be one of those opposites~has to read Mere Christianity in a class at church some years ago, thought it was pretty good, but never read anything else by him except The Screwtape Letters...might be time to revisit?

Criada · Oct 30, 2007

Where is God when it Hurts? is excellent - haven't read anything else by him...
and Lewis is one of my favourites. As is Andrew Murray.

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