Already many are posting about #20in2020; and for some this includes reading 20 books. If you are like the majority of Americans, then you have not read more than 20 books since graduating high school. If you are seeking to go against that grain, then I offer here a list of perennial, classic, though by no means exhaustive, Christian books which ought to be read, re-read, and handed down.
A.W. Tozer “The Pursuit of God”
J.I. Packer “Knowing God”
C.S. Lewis “Mere Christianity,” “The Weight of Glory,” and “Miracles”. (and also “Chronicles of Narnia” to awaken your imagination)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer “Life Together,” and “Cost of Discipleship”
Edmund Clowney “The Unfolding Mystery”
Sinclair Ferguson “The Christian Life”
John Stott “The Cross of Christ”
John Owen “Communion with God,” “Spiritual Mindedness”
Jonathan Edwards “The Religious Affections,” “Charity and Its Fruits,” “On Knowing Christ,” and “The End for Which God Created the World”
Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. “Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be”
Martin Luther “Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians”
John Calvin “Institutes of the Christian Religion”
John Bunyan “Pilgrim’s Progress”
If the Lord wills, then this New Years will find me making my own list of what I hope to read throughout the year. I want to challenge those of you who only read fiction to branch out. What a joy to be a life-long-learner! Part of being fully alive, as one made in the image of God, means we delight in growing in knowledge of Him, and the world He created. I try for a mix of Theology, Philosophy, History, Biography, Science (especially Nature), Classic Fiction (no twaddle), Poetry, Essays, and books that will encourage me in my various roles (wife, mama, homeschool educator, Bible Study teacher).
Already on my list are:
- Chuck Colson, “Being the Body.”
- Sinclair Ferguson, “The Whole Christ” and “The Holy Spirit.” (I’ve enjoyed several of his books this year, he is one of my new favorite theologians)
- Charles Dickens, “Our Mutual Friend”
- Charlotte Yonge, “The Heir of Redclyffe”
- Louisa May Alcott (several titles)
- Albert Einstein, “The Theory of Relativity” (I only made it half-way through last year!)
- Charlotte Mason, “Philosophy of Education”
- Poythress, “In the Beginning Was the Word: Language, a God Centered Approach” (half-way through now)
I won’t plan the rest until New Years, but I’ll record my list in my journal–adding books to the list as the year progresses. And as always, I’ll be re-reading portions of all my favorites, and enjoying lots of books with my children.