Christian Books

[quietbloke]

There are so many wonderful Christian books to read and enjoy! What are you enjoying reading?

 

[Aussie Pete]

There are so many wonderful Christian books to read and enjoy! What are you enjoying reading?

Anything by Watchman Nee. Recently I've reread "The Cry of the Human Heart" by Juan Carlos Ortiz. It's a life changer for those who receive its message.

 

[Mayflower1]

I havent got into many books other then the Bible and books for my kids.

But Max Luxado just writes some wonderful devotionals for both adults and kids. Punchinello is very moving and applies to adults also.

 

[Mark Quayle]

There are so many wonderful Christian books to read and enjoy! What are you enjoying reading?

Anything by CS Lewis or John Owen.

 

[Magnanimity]

Currently reading the Divine Names by Pseudo-Dionysius. I have rarely come across such depth and profundity in Christian writing. It feels like a transcendent experience, just in the reading of it. Wonderful stuff.

 

[quietbloke]

Anything by Watchman Nee. Recently I've reread "The Cry of the Human Heart" by Juan Carlos Ortiz. It's a life changer for those who receive its message.

Thanks 'Aussie Pete'. I read 'Normal Christian Life' and Normal Christian Worker' and 'Sit,Walk and Stand',by Watchman Nee. Will look out for 'The Cry of the Human Heart', by Juan Carlos Ortiz

 

[quietbloke]

I havent got into many books other then the Bible and books for my kids.

But Max Luxado just writes some wonderful devotionals for both adults and kids. Punchinello is very moving and applies to adults also.

Thankyou 'Mayflower. Will check this out for our grandchildren. Looks interesting!

 

[quietbloke]

Anything by CS Lewis or John Owen.

Read 'Surprised by Joy' by CS Lewis. Will look up John Owen

 

[quietbloke]

Currently reading the Divine Names by Pseudo-Dionysius. I have rarely come across such depth and profundity in Christian writing. It feels like a transcendent experience, just in the reading of it. Wonderful stuff.

Is this a Christian or pagan work?

 

[bèlla]

The Four Laws of Love by Jimmy Evans. An excellent book for married couples and those desiring to marry.

He has a 4 series sermon you can listen to.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

 

[quietbloke]

The Four Laws of Love by Jimmy Evans. An excellent book for married couples and those desiring to marry.

He has a 4 series sermon you can listen to.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

Sounds helpful! Thank you,'bella

 

[Magnanimity]

Is this a Christian or pagan work?

Ah, definitely Christian! But, I understand that many are not familiar with this author. Although I had seen various Christian authors quote from Pseudo-Dionysius over the years (e.g., Aquinas) I had not until fairly recently attempted to read any of this primary source. But, I am so glad that I did! The writings of Pseudo-Dionysius came highly recommended from a Christian polymath that I very much admire and also read from--David Bentley Hart.

I am an absolute sucker for spiritual writings that stretch my mind& heart to the utter brink of what they're capable of. And for me, Pseudo-Dionysius is one such author. He (or she?) is called "pseudo" because little is known of this author who took up a pseudonym to write under (see Acts 17:34 for the biblical reference to "Dionysius the Areopagite"). Psuedo-Dionysius is from 5th or 6th century, according to recent scholarship. Apparently, this author has had wide influence on all of Christendom - Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and the Reformers.

Here is a little taste of the writing that a person can find from this author's works,

"Let us therefore look as far upward as the light of sacred scripture will allow, and, in our reverent awe of what is divine, let us be drawn together toward the divine splendor. For, if we may trust the superlative wisdom and truth of scripture, the things of God are revealed to each mind in proportion to its capacities; and the divine goodness is such that, out of concern for our salvation, it deals out the immeasurable and infinite in limited measures. Just as the senses can neither grasp nor perceive the things of the mind, just as the representation and shape cannot take in the simple and the shapeless, just as the corporal form cannot lay hold of the intangible and incorporeal, by the same standard of truth beings are surpassed by the infinity beyond being, intelligences by that oneness which is beyond intelligence. Indeed the inscrutable One is out of the reach of every rational process. Nor can any words come up to the inexpressible Good, this One, this Source of all unity, this supra-existent Being. Mind beyond mind, word beyond speech, it is gathered up by no discourse, by no intuition, by no name. It is and it is as no other being is. Cause of all existence, and therefore itself transcending existence, it alone could give an authoritative account of what it really is." The Divine Names (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1987), pp 49-50.​

 

[quietbloke]

Ah, definitely Christian! But, I understand that many are not familiar with this author. Although I had seen various Christian authors quote from Pseudo-Dionysius over the years (e.g., Aquinas) I had not until fairly recently attempted to read any of this primary source. But, I am so glad that I did! The writings of Pseudo-Dionysius came highly recommended from a Christian polymath that I very much admire and also read from--David Bentley Hart.

I am an absolute sucker for spiritual writings that stretch my mind& heart to the utter brink of what they're capable of. And for me, Pseudo-Dionysius is one such author. He (or she?) is called "pseudo" because little is known of this author who took up a pseudonym to write under (see Acts 17:34 for the biblical reference to "Dionysius the Areopagite"). Psuedo-Dionysius is from 5th or 6th century, according to recent scholarship. Apparently, this author has had wide influence on all of Christendom - Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and the Reformers.

Here is a little taste of the writing that a person can find from this author's works,

"Let us therefore look as far upward as the light of sacred scripture will allow, and, in our reverent awe of what is divine, let us be drawn together toward the divine splendor. For, if we may trust the superlative wisdom and truth of scripture, the things of God are revealed to each mind in proportion to its capacities; and the divine goodness is such that, out of concern for our salvation, it deals out the immeasurable and infinite in limited measures. Just as the senses can neither grasp nor perceive the things of the mind, just as the representation and shape cannot take in the simple and the shapeless, just as the corporal form cannot lay hold of the intangible and incorporeal, by the same standard of truth beings are surpassed by the infinity beyond being, intelligences by that oneness which is beyond intelligence. Indeed the inscrutable One is out of the reach of every rational process. Nor can any words come up to the inexpressible Good, this One, this Source of all unity, this supra-existent Being. Mind beyond mind, word beyond speech, it is gathered up by no discourse, by no intuition, by no name. It is and it is as no other being is. Cause of all existence, and therefore itself transcending existence, it alone could give an authoritative account of what it really is." The Divine Names (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1987), pp 49-50.​

Thank you

 

[bèlla]

Sounds helpful! Thank you,'bella

My pleasure. The Lord led me to his ministry years ago. His marriage teachings are no nonsense and relatable. Especially for men.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

 

[Mark Quayle]

Read 'Surprised by Joy' by CS Lewis. Will look up John Owen

John Owen was one of those who could put a whole thought on page without a word processor, if you know what I mean. His isn't easy reading --it takes time and sometimes reading two or three times just to follow his meaning-- but it is well worth it. It isn't really hard, but deep and good for the soul. VERY satisfying. If you obtain just one of his, get 'The Mortification of Sin". or "The Death of Death, in the Death of Christ".

C.S. Lewis has so many worth reading I feel like a mosquito in a nudist camp trying to tell you what to read next, of his. They are all powerful, and thoughtful, but maybe his space trilogy is the most entertaining for an adult. It (the space trilogy) does not lack theological content, however --far from it.

 

[tturt]

Agree with Bella. Jimmy Evans ministry including Marriage Today would benefit almost anyone.

Reading "God's Prescription Book" again by Dr Avery Jackson, a neurosurgeon and a Christian. He elaborates on how applying Scriptures impacts us. An example is from the chapter on laughter - Says our bodies can't tell the difference between an authentic laugh or when we make ourselves laugh. But no matter "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine..." (Pro 17:22). Helps our immune system. (youtube can aid). Laughter, joy, and exercise affect the same receptors that pain does. So we may think God isnt doing anything yet Him and His Word are impacting us in numerous ways.

Still amazed at how God created us.

 

[quietbloke]

'Operation World' (Johnstone) is a wonderful resource for prayer,including every country of the world

 

[jacks]

I just finished Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, it was very worthwhile and thought provoking.

 

[Anthony2019]

I have a nice selection of books, mostly Anglo Catholic ones, but I do like to dip into other authors from time to time. I'm one of those people who finds it difficult to read an entire text from beginning to end. It's probably the reason why most of my efforts at self-assembling furniture have turned out to be a disaster!

 

[musicalpilgrim]

I have a nice selection of books, mostly Anglo Catholic ones, but I do like to dip into other authors from time to time. I'm one of those people who finds it difficult to read an entire text from beginning to end. It's probably the reason why most of my efforts at self-assembling furniture have turned out to be a disaster!

Thinking about it, I tend to just take a chapter or even a paragraph from a book and think and pray about it, and then move on to the next bit, I am reading Tozer at the moment. The reprints are larger type which is easier for me. I tend to follow ideas from book to book,
'Born after Midnight' by Tozer is very good.