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Books
Christian
Classics
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Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. It is now over three hundred
years since Pilgrim’s Progress was written by the puritan
preacher who had been a tinker. Imprisoned intermittently through
1660-1672 Bunyan was thus enabled to produce his masterpiece and
other writings. Pilgrims Progress has always been a favourite
with both children and adults, and virtually all Christians since it
was first published. From his thorough study of Scripture, the King
James’ Version, Bunyan acquired remarkable literary skills. Whether
writing theology, narrative, or allegory he showed himself to be a
master of simple, homely English style. Spurgeon read this classic
over 100 times, and every Christian should read it at least several
times. It is the Gospel in parable, and is full of encouragement and
guidance for the pilgrim who has left the city of destruction for
the celestial city. Its characters such as Christian, Hopeful,
Faithful, Apollyon, Giant Despair and a hundred others will always
be cherished for their masterly delineation of the privileges and
perils of the Christian way.
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The
Imitation of Christ. This book by the German mystic Thomas Á
Kempis is a manual of devotion that has gone through more than two
thousand editions and printings. While the authorship has been
contested, most give the credit to this priest of the Augustinian
convent of Mount Saint Agnes near Zwolle. Most of his adult life was
spent at this convent, part of the time as subprior. In his work as
a copier, he copied the whole Bible at least four times. He was much
in demand as a guide of the spiritual life, and all his writings are
of a devotional nature. The Imitation of Christ gives its
supreme emphasis to the Saviour, and the importance of fellowship
with him. It has brought blessings to millions since its first
appearance over 500 years ago.
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Pensées by Blaise Pascal. This may be the most profound book
that has ever been written apart from holy Scripture. Its author was
a supreme genius who has never been matched over the 400 years since
his death. He was a mathematical prodigy, an inventor, a physicist,
a religious thinker, and a literary stylist. His father was a
lawyer, and Pascal inherited the mind of a lawyer par excellence.
(Pensées
or Thoughts) is probably the greatest work of Christian
Apologetics ever written. And yet it is not really a book, but a
collection of fragments. The writer intended later to enlarge it and
build it into a comprehensive work, but his early death at the end
of his thirties, after a carriage accident, prevented the fulfilment
of that plan.
No
intelligent person can read this book for five minutes without being
stimulated and blessed. It is a remarkable analysis of human nature
and human life. In a wonderful way it shows the appropriateness of
Scripture for all who have ever inquired as to the meaning of
existence.
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Hudson Taylor (volume 1, The Story of the Growth of the Soul;
volume 2, Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission) by his
son Howard Taylor. This classic missionary biography is an excellent
introduction to all such works. Its first chapter is somewhat
tedious as it deals with such matters as Taylor’s ancestry in the
fashion of the time when the book was written early last century.
But after that, every chapter is fascinating, and full of
encouragement for the Christian reader as it delineates the way of
faith and God’s unceasing faithfulness. Primarily because of the
work of Hudson Taylor, there are now about sixty million Christians
in China. His work really laid the foundation for what has blossomed
and flowered since the communist takeover of the great land of
China. No seeking soul can read this work without finding their own
spiritual life greatly enriched.
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The
Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith. This
book has been through many editions since it first appeared in the
nineteenth century. It was written by one of the best known women
speakers of that era, who was known as "the angel of the churches".
Of Quaker background, Hannah Whitall Smith and her husband led out
in Christian seminars at many centres of the western world. The book
deals with the many practical problems of the Christian life, and
does it so simply, and with such charm, that every reader will thank
God for the Providence that placed the book in his or her hands. The
same writer wrote another little volume called Everyday Religion
and yet another called The God of all Comfort which are also
splendid. The books are not erudite, but they are intensely
practical and spiritual.
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History of the Reformation by Jean Henri Merle D’Aubigné. To
read this five volume work is to become informed on what transpired
through Martin Luther and his associates in the Protestant
reformation. Many Roman Catholic scholars of our time have also
found much to approve in this work. Its main emphasis has to do with
the rediscovery of grace in the sixteenth century, and the
Providence of God in drawing attention to that all absorbing theme
of the New Testament.
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Life
of Christ by Frederic William Farrar. There were numerous lives
of Christ written in the nineteenth century but, for many readers,
this one heads the list. Farrar was the dean of Canterbury who had
been born in India of missionary parents. He had a tremendous
influence on Victorian religious and cultural life. His Life of
Christ, true to Scripture, presents our Lord as a winsome but
all-inspiring figure. Farrar’s insights into the Gospel accounts are
rewarding for all readers.
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Christ in all the Scriptures by A. M. Hodgkin. Here is another
slight but invaluable volume that has been through many editions.
Every book of the Bible is touched upon, and its revelation of the
Saviour expanded. It reflects many of the spiritual insights of the
Plymouth Brethren movement. Like the contemporary work Typology
by Ada Habershon, this book delights in illustrating Luke 24:27,45.
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The
Doctrine of Justification by James Buchanan. Not all will be
able to read this book. It is for giraffes. But it is the classic on
the topic of justification written by a Scottish theologian midway
through the nineteenth century. This book is probably the most
thorough and exhaustive work in print on justification. In recent
years, Roman Catholic theologians have joined with Protestants in
researching this topic of central importance for the Christian life.
The book by Carl Ferdinand Walther, The Proper Distinction
Between Law and Gospel, should be read at the same time. But
remember Spurgeon’s comment. "The harder the shell, the sweeter the
nut."
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Apologia Pro Vita Sua by John Henry Newman. This book will be of
particular interest to those familiar with the religious polemic
between Protestantism and Catholicism in the nineteenth century. It
is a model of Christian courtesy and openness, and was a response to
attacks made upon the author by well-known Protestants. The
Christian spirit of the work has much to teach all who enter the
theological arena. Newman’s influence on the Church of England and
Roman Catholic Church was immense, because he was a deeply spiritual
man whose guiding star was always duty. His book The Idea of a
University has also much to teach all Christian educationist
regardless of whether they be Protestant or Catholic.
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Explore the Book by J. Sidlow Baxter. Originally a work of
several volumes, the whole has now been put within the covers of a
single book. It is an excellent survey of the Bible, book by book,
from a strongly evangelical viewpoint. Like the much smaller
classic, The Outlined Bible, by Robert Lee, prominent early
last century, this book makes the Gospel pre-eminent throughout. It
is a product of tremendous research, and offers a mine of
information to those who wish to know the scriptures well.
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Holiness by J. C. Ryle. Here is another classic on the Christian
life, dealing in this instance with many of the knotty problems
surrounding the area of Christian growth. To many reviewers this
book seems to have succeeded in avoiding the pitfalls that abound in
the many discussions of Christian holiness. The author was a man of
deep erudition and spirituality. Originally he was intended for a
career in politics despite his superior performance in athletics.
After his conversion, he chose the ministry and was ultimately the
Bishop of Liverpool. While a prodigious writer, Holiness is
probably his best theological work.
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The
Early Years and The Full Harvest. This two-volume set on
the life of Spurgeon, put together by his widow, is a treasure
trove. It shows the miraculous working of God in the nineteenth
century through a man who had no theological training and who never
accepted ordination. Spurgeon influenced millions around the world,
and his sermons were translated into many languages. He is still the
most read of all Christian Preachers.
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Systematic Theology by Augustus Strong. No one believes
everything in this famous old classic. But it is a compendium of
wonderful quotations from theologians and preachers. It is a
splendid resource for all sorts of Biblical topics. To some degree,
it is a library within the covers of one book.
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The
Progress of Doctrine in the New Testament by Thomas D. Bernard.
The title of this volume sounds as dull as dust, but it is actually
an exciting apologetic. It is one of the greatest works on the New
Testament written in the last two centuries. It will never grow old,
and will never be out dated. No one can read it without receiving
the conviction that the New Testament, as we have it, is a
miraculous, inspired, supernatural document. The book points out the
architectonic structure of the New Testament, how each book is in
its perfect position, complementing what precedes it and
anticipating what follows it.
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The
Cross by John Stott. All of John Stott’s book are worthy of
close study, but this one summarises his views on the greatest of
all Christian themes. It is a summary of evangelical theology on the
Atonement.
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The
Life of David by Arthur Pink. This two-volume set is also a
classic as it shows how the life of Israel’s most famous king
anticipated many features of the life of Christ. The work is
spiritually uplifting as well as informative.
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Christ’s Glorious Achievements by C. H. Spurgeon. This tiny book
packs a mighty spiritual wallop. It gives the concentrated essence
of what Spurgeon said over four decades of ministry.
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In
Step with the Spirit by James Packer. For those
particularly
interested in the charismatic scene, this book is a must. The book
is exegetically sound but insightfully charitable to those who
cherish positions with which it disagrees. Issues like glossolalia
are dealt with splendidly. The book is way in advance of most other
volumes on charismatic themes. A better known work by Packer is his
Knowing God, a devotional gem.
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The
Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. This work,
which can be read in a quarter of an hour, is centuries old but ever
new. It tells of the truth discovered by a kitchen servant in a
medieval monastery, a truth that transfigures all of life. |
This partial
list of recommended books reflects the view of just one reader. Christian
lawyers should counsel with those they respect of all faiths and discover
the names of other classics that have blessed multitudes. But one name
should not be omitted, one who has followers in every church group. That
name is C. S. Lewis, the Oxford and Cambridge don. Many will remember that
he described himself as the most reluctant convert in England who was
dragged into the Church kicking and screaming. The fact is, of course, that
he had had decades of experience, longings, and desires for which the world
seemed to have no fulfilment. The writings of George MacDonald helped
prepare him for the Christian faith, and many other writers as well. I would
recommend to all the treasure trove of his books, including those apparently
for children - for children under the age of 110! But the book Mere
Christianity probably has the broadest possible appeal as it sets forth
those centralities of the Christian faith almost universally agreed upon.
His own favourite book was Till We Have Faces, but not all would be
able to follow it as easily as they can Mere Christianity. The best
introduction to Lewis, of course, is The Screwtape Letters which is
filled with fun and seriousness at the same time. Even the Space trilogy has
been recognised by many as being particularly pertinent for this
technological age with all its dangers.
Dr Desmond Ford
Ph.D (Michigan State University, USA)
Ph.D (Manchester University, England)
These and other
books are available on 14 day loans from the
Christian Lawyers Society
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