Classics Of Christian Faith

Knowing God by J. I. Packer (1973 InterVarsity Press) from Amazon.com:  A lifelong pursuit of knowing God should embody the Christian's existence. According to eminent theologian J.I. Packer, however, Christians have become enchanted by modern skepticism and have joined the "gigantic conspiracy of misdirection" by failing to put first things first. Knowing Godaims to redirect our attention to the simple, deep truth that to know God is to love His Word. What began as a number of consecutive articles angled for "honest, no-nonsense readers who were fed up with facile Christian verbiage" in 1973, Knowing God has become a contemporary classic by creating "small studies out of great subjects." Each chapter is so specific in focus (covering topics such as the trinity, election, God's wrath, and God's sovereignty), that each succeeding chapter's theology seems to rival the next, until one's mind is so expanded that one's entire view of God has changed. Author Elizabeth Eliot wrote that amid the lofty content Packer "puts the hay where the sheep can reach it--plainly shows us ordinary folks what it means to know God." Having rescued us from the individual hunches of our ultra-tolerant theological age, Packer points the reader to the true character of God with his theological competence and compassionate heart. The lazy and faint-hearted should be warned about this timeless work--God is magnified, the sinner is humbled, and the saint encouraged. --Jill Heatherly

Basic Christianity by John Stott From the preface of the book: "'Hostile to the church, friendly to Jesus Christ.' These words describe large numbers of people, especially young people, today. They are opposed to anything which savours of institutionalism. They detest the establishment and its entrenched privileges. And they reject the church - not without some justification- because they regard it as impossibly corrupted by such evils. Yet what they have rejected is the contemporary church, not Jesus Christ himself. It is precisely because they see a contradiction between the founder of Christianity and the current state of the church he founded that they are so critical and aloof... The Christian claim is that we can find God in Jesus Christ. It should be a help to us in examining this claim if we realize both that God is himself seeking us and that we must ourselves seek God."

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis (1942). One of Lewis’ most well known writings which featured a "behind the scenes" look at some correspondence between two demons. The elder demon "Screwtape" training the younger "Wormwood" in the best ways to tempt his assigned human patient. 31 short but amazing chapters that unveil the strategies of demons and the vulnerabilities of humankind to temptation.

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis (1952). Originally delivered as a series of radio talks between 1942 and 1944 over England’s BBC, this book may be one of the best defenses of Christian faith ever put to print. Lewis viewed England as "post-Christian" and felt that many people simply did not understand what the Christian faith taught. This book is an attempt to convince the reader that there is a universal moral law, and therefore, a moral Lawgiver. Lewis shows how we all break the moral law and how this leads us to a kind of brokenness and despair. He goes on to argue that in the Christian faith, God has intervened on our behalf and offers true forgiveness to those who desire it.

The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis (1940). In this book Lewis addresses the ancient and apparent intellectual "problem" of pain, evil and suffering found in a universe supposedly created by a good and almighty God.

Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis In this book Lewis tells us about how he came to believe the Christian faith. A rare, close-up and personal look into the life of the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster (1978, 1988 Harper & Row, Publishers). This classic work explores the importance of daily inward, outward, and corporate spiritual disciplines that will nourish a healthy soul. Includes biblical views of meditation, fasting, guidance, prayer, solitude, study, service, confession and worship.

The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer Here are perhaps 121 pages of the most profound, yet easy to understand, faith-encouraging words I’ve read. Tozer spoke with that strange combination of humility and confidence that carries us to true wisdom.

The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer (1961 HarperCollins Publisher) Tozer opens the first chapter with this statement: "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." If you’re interested in learning more about who God is, what God’s nature is like, and why it’s important to have a right understanding about God, this is one of the best. This a classic book on the attributes of God including chapters on God’s wisdom, grace, mercy, faithfulness, and love.

Pensees by Blaise Pascal (1941 Random House) Pascal may have been one of the brightest minds to ever have lived. In his short 39 years of life this man of science, mathematics, and philosophy showed himself to have a passion for truth and an unquenchable thirst for God. Pensees is a collection of Pascal’s thoughts on religion and the relationship between God and humankind.

Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton (1908, 1936 by Dodd, Mead & Co.) This is one of my all-time favorites! Chesterton is at his best in this pithy, faced-paced, spiritual autobiography. "People have fallen into a foolish habit of speaking of orthodoxy as something heavy, humdrum, and safe. There was never anything so perilous or so exciting… It was sanity: and to be sane is more dramatic than to be mad." -- GKC

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence Published originally at the end of the 17th century, this book has endured for three centuries and is more widely read today then ever. This guide is designed for all seekers aspiring union with God which, according to Brother Lawrence, is the ultimate goal of every soul.

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson (1980 IVP) For those tired of microwave life, looking for something that will reach deep into their soul, below the surface, this is a great book. The author poetically draws insight from the ancient song lyrics found in the book of Psalms.

Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be by Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. (1995 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing). "The newer language of Zion fudges: ‘Let us confess our problem with human relational adjustment dynamics, and especially our feebleness in networking.’ Or, ‘I’d just like to share that we just need to target holiness as a growth area.’ Where sin is concerned, people mumble now."

What’s so Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey (1997 Zondervan Publishing). One of best from this artful storyteller who gives us a street level look at God’s relentless grace. From the inside cover: "Grace does not excuse sin but it treasure the sinner. True grace is shocking, scandalous. It shakes our conventions with its insistence on getting close to sinners and touching them with mercy and hope. It forgives the unfaithful spouse, the racist, the child abuser. It loves today’s AIDS – ridden addict as much as the tax collector of Jesus’ day."