Ive been challenged by Julie Park to list 10 books that have greatly impacted my life. Of course, for most believers, the Bible is at the top of the list, so let us assume that is a given and stands above any other sources that might have been influential in our lives. Picking ten books is actually more difficult than it sounds. It seems to me that there is a difference between good books that I have enjoyed and books that have greatly impacted my life. I am listing the ones that have influenced how I view the world. This does not mean that I necessarily agree with every point in these works, but they have helped frame a perspective in how I identify myself as a follower of Christ and a servant to the Church of Jesus Christ. I issue the same challenge to Luke McLean, Barry McCarty, Jeff Gill, Clarke French and Lon Oliver. 1. On the Apostolic Tradition by Hippolytus 2. Against Heresies by Irenaeus of Lyons (A friend of mine in another denomination warned me about reading these first two. He said that I would become *Catholic. He was not amused when I told him that, after reading them, I realized I had been *catholic since my baptism.) [* Note capitalization.] 3. Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton (I was first introduced to Chesterton through his Father Brown series. I was pleased to discover that he was an amazing thinker in all things theological.) 4. A Grammar of Christian Faith by Joe Jones (A truly great work by a retired Disciples of Christ professor from Christian Theological Seminary, before CTS began wandering in the wilderness of Process Theology. This work was the primary context in which my doctoral research was framed. Dr. Jones theological work is well grounded and perfectly balances a uniquely Disciples perspective within the catholicity of the church.) 5. The Creed by Luke Timothy Johnson (A Roman Catholic teaching at Candler. He is the NT Wright of the Roman Church and a strong proponent of the reliability of the New Testament with regard to the witness of Jesus Christ. He has been an ardent defender of The Real Jesus [the title of his work] where he refutes the Jesus Seminar. As a good Roman, he utilizes the witness of the Church more than he does Scripture, but it is still good. I guess I actually got two titles in on this one, huh?) 6. The Christian System by Alexander Campbell (The systematic by one of the founders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). What was truly refreshing in Campbells work is the honor he gives to the Apostolic Fathers. It is a great way to begin to understand the gift of the Restoration/Stone-Campbell movement in Christs church.) 7. Christus Victor by Gustaf Aulen (I might list this one as number one and many thanks to my Seminary Professor, Dr. Bill Barr, who pulled me aside after one class and suggested I read it.) 8. Concordia by Paul Timothy McCain (Thanks to Lutheran Pastor, Mark Kloha, who gave this to me. It is a little long, but gives a wonderful context during which Christs church was being reformed. Almost made me want to become Lutheran, until I realized Lutherans are really catholic and Im catholic too. Too bad Mark doesnt do Facebook...I know he would agree.) 9. Reading the Psalms by Martin Luther (Reading the Psalms...and the entire Bible for that matter, in the light of the unique revelation of Jesus Christ. My seminary professor in OT pushed us hard to read the OT as the ancient Jews would have read it. I appreciate his perspective. However, I think Martin Luther is on to something here. I have ultimately decided to go with Luther...much to my OT Professors chagrin.) 10. On Law, Morality and Politics by Thomas Aquinas (OK, here is a Roman Catholic warning again and to be sure, Aquinas has some unusual and peculiar ideas of where is arguments (Natural Law...not Naturalism) ultimately end. Still, his work is immensely important to the pillars of Western Civilization. Most contemporary philosophers begin with Aquinas, either as friend or foe. He is the Christian Aristotle and throughout my ministry, his work has given me new resolve. If for no other reason than that, I am grateful to Dr. Aquinas.) I wish I could add some of the works of Donald Bloesch to this list. An evangelical United Church of Christ theologian [not many of those left...in the interest of diversity, most evangelicals have been run out of the UCC], Bloesch is a perfect balance to Aquinas and an ardent defender of those perspectives that has made the Protestant Movement a blessing to Christs church. Of course, all blessings have a downside, but for that, we rely on the Mercy of God in Christ. Well, Julie, thanks for this little exercise. As those closest to me are fond of saying, if you want to know what time it is, dont ask Ike...he will tell you the history of the clock and then forget what the initial question was...right Bob Cruickshank?
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 17:14:52 +0000
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