More than any other book, the Bible has had the most profound impact on my life. I love it because it is the only book that truly contains life and provides a light to show you the way to Jesus. I’m so grateful that God gave us all we need to know about Him in the 66 books of the Bible and I’m also grateful that it has inspired some to write other books that have helped me in my faith journey. I get asked from time to time, “What is your favorite book?”. So here is my current top 10 list of books that aren’t the Bible (not in any particular order) followed by a quick statement as to why I love the book.
Pleasures of God by John Piper – It helped me understand that God is the reason for and the center of all things and people… and that is the best thing for me.
What’s So Amazing About Grace by Phillip Yancey – It showed me how the “Church” sees and treats most people who are outside the faith… and it broke my heart.
The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey – It helped me see the real Jesus of the Bible, who was a real man, tough, tested and not passive… and it made me want to follow that Jesus.
Future Grace by John Piper – When God saved me he did so because it was his joy and all that was necessary to do for my salvation and my sanctification was done in Jesus… and I was freed to believe that God is most glorified in me when I’m most satisfied in Him.
Humility by CJ Mahaney – This book attacked my pride like none other I have ever read and is teaching me that true greatness starts with a humble spirit… and I was shaken into remembering that I’m a pastor before I’m a professional.
Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus – This book showed me that being a Christ follower is not a call to become passive and proper, but a call to fight… and I felt that God could use someone like me if I quit living scared and really trusted God in every situation.
Knowing God by J.I. Packer – This book taught me the beauty of adoption and how it is the believers greatest gift… and for the first time I realized that God wanted me specifically and His call to me was intentional.
Can Man Live Without God by Ravi Zacharias – This book challenged my mind and heart to be ready for an answer to anyone who asks me about why I’ve placed my hope in Jesus… and I started studying Jesus with more energy so that I could be clear about him no matter who I talked to.
Chosen By God by R.C. Sproul – This book really stretched me into seeing that my salvation was not by chance and because of that it couldn’t be lost because God doesn’t lose people… and I was freed from the lie that I could fall in and out of salvation because of something I did.
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell – This book challenged the way I viewed everything I had ever learned and is the only book I have ever read and then read again right after finishing it the first time… and though I don’t agree with all it has to say, I was reminded that I don’t have all the answers and I must be ok with anyone who asks new questions especially when those questions make me seek to know Jesus better.
That’s my current list… it could and probably will change from time to time.
What’s your favorite book (that isn’t the Bible) and why?
So hard to pick one so here are five:
Heart of the Artist: Rory Noland. Great look at how we as artists are wired and how it fits into God’s calling on our lives. It is ok to think the way I think and still be used by Him.
Simple Church: Rainer and Geiger. Great ideas on how to get from ministry schizophrenia to simplicity. A little harder to follow.
How to Listen To God: Charles Stanley. Read this books years ago and it really opened my eyes to the many different ways that God can speak to me if I will allow Him to.
An Hour on Sunday: Nancy Beach. Picked up this book when I went to the Willow Creek Arts Conference years ago. Rocked my world on how important that one hour is and I better make sure that I do everything that I can in that one hour to impact The Kingdom.
Worship 365: David M. Edwards. This book discusses how the act of worship is why we were created and how it needs to be the primary focus our lives. Everything else springs out from it. It helped me at a time in my life when I was more focused on the job of worship than my own personal worship.
It was hard to narrow it to five.
Shane,
Outstanding selection of books! I also suggest most any book by Francis Schaeffer. A group of friends and I are going to read and discuss Chosen By God by Sproul. Look forward to it. Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, also by Sproul, is a good, short, and understandable systematic theology, perhaps especially helpful for a new believer. FYI – Tim Challies -http://www.challies.com – has a number of insightful reviews on his blog.
Shane. You probably have read “dissappointment with god” by phillip yancy as well as the bible jesus read” just two more if you haven’t read them. Never me always.CHRIST! Allen