Essential Christian reading

[iseeksalvation]

Apart from the Bible, what would you recommend for a seeker?

 

[seebs]

These days? Real Live Preacher, some of the more interesting C. S. Lewis (I love me some Screwtape Letters), things like that.

 

[desert_island_1]

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

Kristy

 

[mark-y-b]

it might be a tad out dated for some readers but C.S lewis i think is awesome, especially: Mere Christianity, Screwtape Letters, The Great Devorce.
Maybe a good paraphrase of the bible: i would recomend The street bible/Word on the street

 

[Jon7284]

Check out my topic for good suggestions.

http://www.christianforums.com/t4916921-books-for-and-against-god.html

I recently read a bit of The Case for Faith. I thought it was very good. Gave me some new ideas on certain subjects. I'm now reading Mere Christianity, which is also quite good.

 

[Rafael]

There are many good ones out there, today,but I'm not so sure how essential they might be. A hungry seeking soul may be the only thng that might be needed.
"Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis was one of my first good reads.
My favorite recent book that has opened my eyes to many things that connect the Old and New Testaments into a final solid understanding is "Who Is Israel" by Batya Wooten.
Lee Strobel's book "A Case For Faith" is a interesting book for the person seeking a bit more reasoning with questions posed by the non-believer.

 

[rocklife]

yes, Bible first and most important. I have also found books of christian history, including the persecutions, have been very eye-opening also, like "Tortured for Christ" by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand (imprisoned for 14 years for evangelism, can find at www.persecution.com), and Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

I am so encouraged by bible, like on walkmen tapes and bible movies, that I just have to emphasize that so much also, unfortunately I have seen a lack of bible reading among many churchgoers, which is sad and should not be, but Jesus warns many will say on judgment day "many will say "Lord, Lord" and He will say get away from me, evildoers, I never knew you". I really appreciate bible tapes, they are very convenient to take anywhere really.

 

[Sketcher]

"Mere Christianity" is good.

"Case for Christ" and "Case for Faith" are for those of a more skeptical mind.

 

[scraparcs]

Catechism of the Catholic Church
Rome Sweet Home - Scott Hahn
Surprised by Truth (any of them) - Patrick Madrid

Just a few of my thoughts offhand.

 

[heron]

Feel free to let us know what types of books you like -- I would recommend different things depending on what you tend to gain from.

There are some shorter readings online, too, if you're not a book hound. rbc.org has a few daily devotionals... when I was new to Christianity I really liked Bob Mumford.

Charles Stanley has some good devotionals... this is a link to the archives because I suspect the daily url continually changes.
http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2316001/k.E5C9/Devotional_Archives.htm

There's some fun fiction out there too -- The Personifid Project gives a strong sense of what Christian character and ideals are all about, without being dogmatic.

 

[KarrieTex]

Apart from the Bible, what would you recommend for a seeker?

Purpose Driven Life, as pointed out A Case for Christ, Experiencing God by Blackby...to name a few.

 

[reverend B]

anything by phillip yancey. anything.

 

[CFfosterANGEL4]

Not seen The Case For A Creator mentioned, yet another by Lee Strobel, compelling and highly readable.

 

[Stinker]

I have to agree that Lee Strobel's work from a Reporter's view of reporting the then and now news on Jesus Christ, are extremely helpful.

From a true Genius' view, I have to also agree that C. S. Lewis' book Mere Christianity is very, very good. Those of us that are not Geniuses have to read his work very slow. He was so amazing! It is such a short book (191 pages) that I keep it in the top drawer here at my computer desk so I can reach for it quickly.

 

[WashedClean]

All good ideas so far.

I would suggest anything by Max Lucado, my favorite is In the Grip of Grace.

 

[talitha]

hmm, it would depend upon what you're wanting......

If you're intellectually oriented, I think the CS Lewis books that have been suggested are good.

More than a Carpenter is good. It's what we gave people in Siberia who were raised as atheists/communists (yes, it was translated into Russian). They seemed to enjoy it, and it gave their inquiring minds something to chew on.

For scientific/medical types, I like In His Image and Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, by Philip Yancey. Interesting.

For those who want to know about real people's experiences, I think things like "Tortured for Christ" (mentioned above) would be good. Jackie Pullinger's Chasing the Dragon and Bruchko and other missions-type books are good too, and The Cross and the Switchblade.

blessings
tal

 

[hlaltimus]

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Any book considered to be the second most published in history must surely have some good reason for it's popularity.

 

[Aceybee]

I'd echo the Phillip Yancey suggestion. He is a very honest author and isn't afraid to call something for what it is, point out the tricky bits and struggle through them. Something that can help you grow and honestly discover what it means to have faith in todays world