I dont normally participate in Facebook nomination activities, but for the sake of Harold Markham I think I can make am overdue, but glad, exception. The following are ten non-inspired books (or series, because I cheat) that have impacted me the most so far in my life. They are also in no particular order because while choosing ten is hard enough, Im not even going to try to rank them. Except the first one. 1) Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo. Absolutely my favorite. His testimonial work introduced me to one of the only men I have ever met, dead or alive, whom I identify with at the deepest level of personality. Never before have I heard or read a description of friendship, existence, and the Christian life that I resonate with so completely. 2) City of God, also by Augustine. One of Augustines premiere works laid before me a response to suffering and a trans-eschatology that has forever changed how I think about this life as a pilgrim, journeying to my true place of citizenship. 3) Union with Christ, by Robert Letham. Letham spends this short book giving a brief but intriguing survey of the subject of Union with Christ, sometimes called deification. This one changed how I see and in what way I hope for the return of our Lord and his believers final completion into His image. 4) Pastoral Care, by Gregory the Great. Currently working through this one, but I can tell already why it was given to ministers as an ordination gift for centuries. Every perspective Gregory has on leadership, spiritual counsel, and human nature is still completely relevant for today. 5) The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis. What better way to mock the already-conquered forces of darkness and scold the ineffable appetites of man than with biting but educational satire? 6) The Magicians Nephew, by C.S. Lewis. I cant remember if I read this book before or after my dad read me the Chronicles of Narnia. All I remember is how much it sucked me in to a world whose only beauty was its reflection of the real Creation and its Creator. 7) Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis. Almost done with the second audiobook, and I can tell already this series will be with me for a long time. Excellent philosophical narrative exploring sin and redemption. 8) The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis. What better way to mock the already-conquered forces of darkness and scold the ineffable appetites of man than with biting but educational satire? (Promise its also my last C.S. Lewis book on the list. What can I say, hes my favorite Neoplatonist [besides Augustine]!) 9) The Circle Series, by Ted Dekker. My dad and I read these in a summer, and Dekker presents a Creation-Fall-Redemption allegory I love almost as much as Lewiss. Dekker takes a darker approach to the conflict of good and evil, and Ill always remember the worlds of dream and reality he created. 10) Eragon, by Christopher Paolini. While looking back, the writing style of this one is admittedly lacking, Jr.-High-me didnt care. Paolini opened a door that quickly led to a fascination with the high fantasy genre that greatly influenced my literary and even videogame choices for the next several years. It was one of the first large books I read for myself and loved completely. So, in curiosity, I nominate: Ted Lee Sadler, Andre Alexander Gazal, Daniel Patz, Erik DiVietro, Monica Cozzini, and Chane Forsyth. Apologies if youve been chosen already!
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 22:41:35 +0000
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