Top 10 Books for 20s!
I distinctly remember Richard Cunningham, now the head of Student Ministries at UCCF, standing up at a Student Christian Conference and telling the assembled crowd that we’d never have more time to read than we do as students. Oh how I mocked his shallow understanding of the busyness of my student existence! Didn’t he know I was an engineer? I wasn’t some dossy arts student!
He was right. I look back on those fabulous days with regret for not having invested more heavily in my Christian life.
After those wonderfully aimless days, our twenties are the most productive opportunity to read some good keen books. I know that we all feel that there’s no spare capacity but if we were prepared to let someone else analyse how we use our time what would they conclude? Is ‘Desperate Housewives’ a non-negotiable? Is Facebook that good a use of time? And so, the following is my top ten tips for the twenties. If we’re in our thirties and we’ve not yet read these books, don’t despair! We’ve matured and we’re much better at reading than the youngsters so we’ll polish them off in no time!
The following are my top ten recommendations, read them whilst you can. And get some good foundational thinking under your belt whilst you’ve got the time.
1. Prayer and the Voice of God
In ‘Prayer and the Voice of God’ Phillip Jensen and Tony Payne explain why we pray and what to pray for. They do so with characteristic clarity and biblical faithfulness. What is perhaps surprising, for straight talking Aussies, is that they do so with a gentle tone. They reveal sympathetic understanding of our sinful reluctance to express our humble dependence on God our Father. But more importantly, they deal with it.
http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/prayer-voice-god-patvog_20/
2. Guidance and the Voice of God
‘Guidance and the Voice of God’ again by Phillip Jensen and Tony Payne deals with the implications of the doctrine of the sufficiency of scripture. We thought about that a few weeks ago in a doctrine slot. The sufficiency of scripture means that, in the Bible, God has given us everything we need to live the Christian life. If God has told us everything then what does that mean about decisions where the Bible says little or nothing at all. Christians tie themselves in knots over decisions and how to make them. This book helps unravel the mess.
http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/guidance-voice-god-guid_20/
3. The Enemy Within
In ‘The Enemy Within’ Kris Lundgaard borrows heavily from the work of John Owen. Owen, writing in the 17th Century, is perhaps the greatest ever English Theologian. Since most of us will never get round to reading him we need to read this if we’re ever going to understand our sinful desires and why we do the things that we do. We need to understand the enemy within if we’re ever going to engage it in conflict. We need to know how he fights so that we can begin to undermine his influence on our Christian existence.
4. How Long, O Lord?
For understanding suffering in the Christian life try, ‘How Long O Lord?’ by Don Carson. Suffering may not yet be our experience but it will be, one day. We’re naive if we think that we’ll remain immune to the effects of the fall in our personal life. This book makes sure that we’re prepared ahead of the game for the inevitable questions suffering provokes and the challenges to our faith that result. There will be easier books on this subject. John Dickson’s book ‘If I were God I’d end all the Pain’ is a much lighter read. But this is a subject that deserves our best thinking. And that’s what you get from Carson.
http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/long-o-lord-hlol_20/
5. Know and Tell the Gospel
For knowing what to say and how to say it then, ‘Know and Tell the Gospel’, John Chapman can’t be bettered. This book is the how and why of personal evangelism. It doesn’t include all the apologetic answers that we think we might need. But it gets us started on that road. It’s a terrific book to encourage us in knowing what to say and how to say it. Many of our friends haven’t heard the gospel explained in language that they understand. That’s our job and this book helps.
http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/know-tell-gospel-kt_1040/
6. Digging Deeper
For teaching on how to understand and read the Bible for ourselves then try ‘Digging Deeper’ by Nigel Beynon and Andy Sach. I’ve reviewed this book elsewhere and I’d encourage you to read that. http://richardperkins.blogsome.com/2006/12/22/dig-deeper/
http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/dig-deeper-dd_33/
7. God’s Big Picture
To get to grips with how the Bible is one coherent whole amidst the varied parts read everything you can by Graeme Goldsworthy. But if you wanted an introduction then Vaughan Roberts’ book ‘God’s Big Picture’ is the place to start. He traces the storyline of the Bible through eight distinct stages. He does so with real clarity so that by the end you feel as though you could be dropped into any part of the biblical landscape and be able to navigate your way around.
http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/gods-big-picture-gbp_1000/
8. Know the Truth
One volume Systematic Theologies are worth their weight in gold. Usually they’re reference books and not the type of book you’d take to bed to read through! more than a novel to be read through. Wayne Grudem writes from a creationist, pre-millenial and charismatic angle. I wouldn’t agree with all his conclusions. But it’s still the best introductory ’systematics’ around. If I wanted to recommend something less meaty and a little more readable then John Frame’s ‘Salvation Belongs to the Lord’ is terrific. I probably agree with him on everything! As a slim reference book then Bruce Milne’s ‘Know the Truth’ is a must. Start here if you start nowhere else! It is brilliant.
http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/know-truth-ktt_1037/
9. Biographies
There is much to be gained from reading about people who’ve lived the Christian life from different eras. I’m not sure that I want to recommend one biography over the others. There are very readable biographies on men like Whitefield, Wesley, Newton, Calvin and Luther. John Piper has written a number of short introductions to key historical figures in the Church History.
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/
10. Knowing God
It’s regarded as a classic and there’s a reason for that. It’s a classic. Packer is not to be read when you’re tired. He’s to be read after a coffee, with a pen in hand and a notebook by your side. But this is brilliant. It’s probably worth taking one chapter a week say on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, reading it, summarising it and having a go at the study questions at the end. There are 22 chapters so make it a project for the next six months. Most of us have an impoverished view of God. Few of us are happy with that. This will address it, if we’re willing.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/0340863544/ref=s9_asin_image_1/203-5434778-6780720
