As a college pastor I'm often asked what books have been the most influential in my
life. This is a reasonable question but a very difficult one to answer because I read a lot. But in an effort to give the people what they want, I sat down at Jittery Joe's this morning and wrote down the 10 books that came to mind. Interestingly, I've read all of these more than once (a pretty good sign that it has had
an impact). Anyway, in no particular order, here they are:
This book made me fall in love with reading. If you have a son and you want him to read, give him this book. But be warned he
will also beg you to buy him two dogs as well.
Desiring God - by John Piper
No other book has had such a profound influence on my life. This book changed the way I thought about God and the world. Every sermon I preach or conversation I have about life is shaped by the ideas in this book. "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."
This story is so hauntingly beautiful and speaks to the very nature of masculinity. Power, courage, humility, triumph and devastating loss converge in one simple character and his battle with a fish.
A Good Man is Hard to Find (and other stories) - by Flannery
O'Connor
I think O'Connor is the unmatched master of the short story. Her characters are soaked in the religious overtones of the south and are always a mixture of creepy, lovely, and insane desperately searching for glimpses of redemption. Her stories are like the train wreck you can't look away from.
I love this book because Sproul takes a very difficult subject (one we usually ignore in the Western church) and makes it very accessible. His use of story and illustrations also make it clear that God is the greatest story-teller every and the theme is his holiness.
Yes, I know it's more than one book! But if you've only read one of these or only "seen the movies" then you don't really know the story. The definitive allegory of Christianity!
The Prodigal God - by Tim Keller
What Piper did for my understanding of God's glory, Keller did for my understanding of God's grace. In my estimation this is probably the most important book written in the past 10 years. If you haven't read it you should.
All you need to know about this book is that Brennan Manning writes like Rich Mullins sings. Every time I read this I'm reminded of how kind God is and how glorious his love of "ragamuffins" like me is. Oh, and you will cry I promise.
Spurgeon once said you could illustrate every sermon from this book and he's probably right. I actually read this book every year during the Christmas break and the characters and the story never get old.
From one pilgrim to another, do yourself a favor and read this.
Knowing God - by J. I. Packer
The first time I read this I realized that I only knew "about" God; I didn't "know" Him. Chapter 4 (The Only True God) is worth the price of the book. This is one you could read every year.
