100 best Christian books

[Vanellus]

In an effort to bring some Christian classics to the attention of modern readers the Church Times compiled a list of the 100 best Christian books of all time. One obvious omissions is Calvin's Institutes:

I haven't got enough posts to post links so google on "100 best Christian books" and the link you want contains ct100books.

 

[dms1972]

Thanks for mentioning this. Going to have a better look at the list. Have a few thoughts / questions. But I was thinking they omitted some other titles and then seen they were there.

Heres a link:

http://www.ct100books.co.uk/

 

[dms1972]

Only read about four of these in close to entirity: including Surprised by Joy, and Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. Have a handful of others - including the ones by Augustine


The two major theological works are Pre-reformation (Summa Theologica) and Modern (Church Dogmatics) - Is there a comparable Theological treatise from the Reformation included? I am not familiar with a lot the titles

The other major ommision I have noticed is nothing from Martin Luther - unless I have missed it?

 

[Vanellus]

Hi dms1972,

Thanks for the appreciation.

I guess Calvin's Institutes of Religion would be the Reformer's key entry. Luther's main work was the first German translation of the Bible - still the standard German Bible i.e. bigger (and better?) for German language than the KJV for English language. He did write a few commentaries and some devotional diaries.

 

[dms1972]

Yes, its not like a church council on christian books, or is it?

Calvin's Institutes should really be there too. (and I am not even a calvinist.)

When they say "Inspired by the Holy Spirit" in regard to their discussions, surely they should say rather prayerfully considered?

It's interesting to read their reasons, and good that they leave it open for comments.

Obviously its not saying these are the only books to read.

I think Josef Pieper, Richard F. Lovelace, Billy Graham, and not a few others deserve a mention.

The Forgotten Father by Thomas A. Smail is worthy of inclusion in my opinion

Four by CS Lewis!! I like Lewis a lot, but four?! I know its Church Times (for Anglicans worldwide) but too many Anglican authors in the list. Coming across Anglican Bishops, Archbishops, and Theologians all through it. Haven't counted them but quite a few, and yet Thomas Cranmer, their major theologian is not on it?

Good to see Simone Weil there, and many others deserving of a place, but a few more who suffered for their faith would have given it weight. Alexander Solzenitzin's writings left out. St Bernard on the Love of God not there. Thomas Hopko - The Lenten Spring, Romano Guardini - The Virtues (not all books I have read but highly regarded) .

Nearly all British or European, yet they say this was "almost inevitable" - why?

Not the worst list by a long margin, but they could drop a few Anglican titles off it.

 

[Vanellus]

Although I've not read any Plantinga I know a lot of people have a high opinion of his writings. Knowing God by Packer was a big help to me as a young Christian and I've found D M Lloyd Jones Studies in the Sermon of the Mount helpful though I've never read it through. I liked their emphasis on poetry (but shouldn't Paradise Lost be higher and what about Samson Agonistes?). As a Kierkegaard fan I was pleased to see Fear and Trembling in.

 

[dms1972]

Yeah, I think its a good thing they included several poetry collection. I think I understand now why Calvin and Luther are not there and perhaps some others. It seems to be staying within the bounds of Anglicanism which is a via media (a middle way) between Calvinism and Lutheranism. I don't really know enough about the history or theology of Anglicanism . But Plantinga and Packer (who is Anglican) are calvinists (I think) or quite influenced by Calvin. Knowing God is a book I have heard mentioned a lot. I tried to read it once or twice but didn't get very far. JC Ryle is another writter I have heard people speak highly of

 

[dms1972]

Heres another list to keep everyone happy:

Top 100 Christian Books (By Worldview Institute) (182 books)

 

[dms1972]

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[HereIStand]

There are some good titles on the list. Some I'm not sure about. Others are omitted. As mentioned, Calvin's Institutes should definitely be included.

Also, for a list of this type, I would recommend Peter Kreeft's A Shorter Summa. Most people are unlikely to have the time to take on the unabridged Summa.

Beyond this, I'm not sure why a few of the books are on the list. It's been years, but I recall from Emily Dickson's poetry that she wouldn't acknowledge having (or not having) Christian faith.

 

[Vanellus]

Tks for the "Shorter Summa", HereIStand, I didn't know about that.
Good point about Emily Dickinson. I imagine that's a much debated point about her Christian faith. The Worldview list is nearer to what people have actually read. Interesting that LOTR is in there - although I think it definitely has Christian themes I'm sure there are Christians who decry its fantasy nature.

Hi dms1972
I go to an Anglican church and a Baptist church! Anglicanism is hard to pin down as it is the archetypal inclusive "broad church" ranging from Reformed (Cranmer etc.) to Anglo Catholic (e.g. Oxford Movement) - and even its Reformed wing isn't exactly like the continental mainstream (?) version.

 

[crixus]

IMHO, all of Chuck Smith's books are Christian classics and deserve a place in the top 100.

 

[raffy28]

thanks