We Are What We Read . . .

As part of Christianity Today's on-going reflection upon American evangelicalism, comes a list of the 50 books (written after World War II) which have done the most to shape modern evangelicalism.  If this list is correct, it is no wonder that evangelicalism is in the sorry shape that it is.  While there are some real gems on this list (from Lewis, Packer, Schaeffer, Piper), some are not "gems" at all (and are more like dirt clods).  As you can tell, neither Mere Christianity nor Knowing God is number one on this list.  Click here: The top 50 books that have shaped evangelicals - Christianity Today Magazine

Comments

[Carson]

http://www.ahrimangate.com/apocsoon2.htm

[Greg Smith]

I agree with Kymanika that Owen's "The Mortification of Sin" should be at the top of the list. Unfortunately, this is a list of books most influential since WWII. If Owen's work had actually been that influential, the church today would be a lot different than it is. People are overlooking what I believe to be the finest, most helpful Christian book ever written.

Regarding Rinker's book on prayer, this has been questioned on many blogs today that are discussing this list. Most have never heard of it. This was a very popular book when I became a Christian in the mid-1970s. I tried to read it because as a new believer it was recommended to me. I could not get into it as I felt it had nothing of substance. However, my wife enjoyed it greatly. And I think it's influence may be more a secondary thing. People pray in a much more informal manner than they once did and, at least in the Christian circles I frequented as a young believer, this was mainly due to Rinker's book. In any event, it should not be number one.

[Wayne Rohde]

I think the most powerful point on this topic is Kim's title: "We are what we read..."

We've all heard the nutritional slogan, "We are what we eat..." It seems to me that this general concept is behind the various passages in God's Word which speak of desiring God's Word more than our necessary food ... not feeding on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God ... and longing for the pure milk of the Word ... etc. The printed page has the potential to exert a profound impact upon us. It's part of the GIGO concept. Unfortunately, as most of us have said, the majority of people have little appetite for God's Word ... or for good books. Either they're spiritually starved per se, or they're feeding on that which does not really nourish or satisfy.

It's no wonder people are in the mess they're in! They really are what they read. "As a man thinks in his heart, so he is!" Far better to come to the One who is the bread and water of life ... so that we will neither hunger nor thirst!

Perhaps it would behoove each of us to right the wrong of poor reading on the part of so many, by pointing them in the right direction, and by encouraging them to ... read!!!

[Ron]

Let us read deeply from the very best works of the truly great and most thoughtful of Christian scholars--as these authors did (Lewis & Schaffer), and still do (Packer & Piper)--and steep ourselves all the more deeply in Holy Scripture. Let the evanjellies keep their top-50, profit-driven, "Christian Booksellers Association" bestseller lists!

And you can chuck CT in the can while you're about it! After 50 years, they have precious little to bust their buttons over...