Which book do you recommend me to read in this list?

Dear brothers and sisters!

This year every student is supposed to give a class with a theme you can choose yourself. So one is allowed to do a biblestudy with classmates or to have a discussion, to share your own heart, or to teach something which you find important with faith, etc. The only requirement is that you have to read a book.

Now we got a list with books and since I'm not familiar with every author I was wondering if you guys can pick out some good ones authors.

- Watchman Nee
- John White
- J. Bridges
- J.C. Ryle
- Richard J.Beckmen
- D.A. Carson
- O. Hallesby
- Andrew Murray
- Elisabeth Alves
- Michael Kimuli
- A Hamman
- Alexandre Westphal
- M. Basil Pennington
- Gustave Reiniger
- Juston Cornwall
- Jack Taylor
- Bill Hybels
- Alistair McGrath
- Ed Murphy
- Henri Nouwen
- R.A. Torrey
- Philip Yancey
- J. Bridges
- L. Payne
- B. Seamands
- B. Manning
- J.I. Packer

Now I know that Andrew Murray and Watchman Nee is good, somewhere vaguely I remember John White possibly be a good author. R.A. Torrey rings a vague bell.. Bill Hybels and J.I. Packer are going to be dropped from the list for sure, but I just put them on the list for completeness sake. :-)

Now I know that [b]Andrew Murray[/b] and [b]Watchman Nee[/b] is good, somewhere vaguely I remember John White possibly be a good author. [b]R.A. Torrey[/b] rings a vague bell.. Bill Hybels and J.I. Packer are going to be dropped from the list for sure, but I just put them on the list for completeness sake.

You can add J.C. Ryle, I have hardly heard of others, but having Nee and Murray here is more than enough for start, your soul will have a great spiritual profit reading them.

Eventually I'll choose a book written by either Watchman Nee, Andrew Murray, R.A. Torrey or J.C. Ryle. Unless someone finds another author good.

I still have to decide what I want to share with my classmates. Good I have some months to get into the book and scripture!

Tnx for your reply! :-)

The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee is one of the finest and most practical books on Christian living ever written.

AW TOZER- PURSUIT OF GOD, GOD'S PURSUIT OF MAN, KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY, GOD TELLS THE MAN WHO CARES, THE COUNSULOR, THE RADICAL CROSS....TO MANY OTHERS.

ANDREW MURRAY-HUMILTY, BLESSINGS AND COVENANTS, THE TRUE VINE, IN THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER, LIFE OF OBEDIENCE, ABSOLUTE SURRENDER

LEONARD RAVENHILL-WHY REVIVAL TARRIES, REVIVAL GOD'S WAY.

GEORGE MUELLER-RELEASE THE POWER OF PRAYER.

THE DAIRY OF DAVID BRAINARD.

JOHN WESLEY'S THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

BROTHER LAWRENCE IS GOOD, AS WELL AS HUDSON TAYLOR.

HOPE THIS HELPS.

Holiness

Author: J.C. Ryle

Description:(taken from publisher, but I agree)
John Charles Ryle’s best-known works have been reissued and widely read over many years. The fine qualities of his writings have ensured that his books are still popular and useful. This present volume has become a classic work and is known and loved by many throughout the world.

In days when evangelical preachers are accused of being either superficial or dull, we have here a great example from one who was neither of these things. As Bishop Ryle explains and applies his texts with his customary simplicity and directness, the reader will find his conscience pricked and his soul examined. Ryle’s Holiness has become essential reading on this most important subject and the first chapter on ‘sin’ has rarely been bettered.

Ryle was appointed as the first Bishop of Liverpool in 1880 and was the leader of the Evangelical Party in the Church of England for more than half a century. He is highly regarded for his plain and lively writings on practical and spiritual themes, and their usefulness and impact have been consistently recognized and remain as wise and relevant today as when he first wrote them.

J.C. Ryle is very good, his Exposititory Thoughts on the New Testament is very readable.

J.I. Packer's 'Knowing God' is a very good introduction to reformed theology. The chapters on Propitiation and Adoption are some of teh best things I've ever read.

Andrew Murray is a great writer, his books on Humility and the Holy Spirit are very delightful.

Watchman Nee's Normal Christianity is a wonderful book.

Alistair McGrath is a good friend of Ravi Zacharias, I've not read anything by him, however I did hear a lecture online that he gave in response to Dawkins' God Delusion. I think if you're interested in modern apologetics he'd be a fun read. He's a science professor at Oxford, a very bright man, and he loves Jesus.

I would go with watchman nee. I like him alot.

Watchman Nee - The Normal Christian Life

&

Andrew Murray - Humility

are my favorites - anything by Watchman Nee or Andrew Murray would be very good!!!

Patrick
www.reivalarmy.com

If it was me doing this project, I'd choose D. A. Carson "The Gagging of God". Carson addresses modern theological concerns and is an gifted speaker among those in acedemia.

I would also recommend something by Henri Nouwen: ex 'Reaching Out" He addresses some of the blind spots of Evangelicalism from a relational perspective, more than a theological (my opinion).

Of course writers all have their specialties - as well as blind spots. I think it is good to move beyond the ones you are comfortable with and see life through someone else's eyes. Just because you don't fully agree with someone doesn't mean that person has nothing to offer you. At least they can get you thinking.

EDIT: I just ordered "Gagging" and realize that it is 600+ pages, and likely heavy reading. Perhaps it is not such a good recommendation unless you have lots of time.

Diane

I am not familar with all of these authors but am with a few.

J.I. Packer's "Knowing God" is an excellent read.

Philip Yancey: I have read all his books until he wrote "What is So Amazing About Grace" which just about made me gag. However, before this he co-authored with Dr. Paul Brand "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" and "Pain: the Gift Nobody Wants". These plus "Where is God When it Hurts" are an excellect read, IMHO.

Even if you are not interested in sharing in class the content of the books by Philip Yancey/Dr. Brand, they would bless you greatly if you could read them for the inspiration they provide. I suggest you google Dr. Paul Brand: you may find some very interesting things on the web that could whet your interest more.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

This is a difficult question to answer, because we don't know what you want to address. That, however, is quite a diverse list.

Personally, I would lean in the direction of Carson, Packer, Ryle, or even Bridge's "The Pursuit of Holiness". Ryle's "Holiness" is great. Packer's "Knowing God" and many of his earlier works are wonderful, including his "Introduction to the Death of Death in the Death of Christ". This is available on line to get a flavor of some of his thinking.

Murray is Murray and is very good in many ways, although I think he should be tempered by a reading of Warfield's critique of his views on the Holy Spirit. I initially did not like Warfield's critique, but when you can step back a bit more and really consider what Warfield is saying it is quite profound.

I cannot recommend Hybels or Yancey, although Yancey is better.

Carson's books address such diverse issues that it is difficult where to say to begin - "Sovereignty of God and Responsibility of Man" is quite good, "Spiritual Reformation" is good, and, as mentioned, "The Gagging of God", although a big book.

Anyway, if you know what you want to talk about, then I might be able to be more specific, but that's a basic overview.

I would say Bible that is the best book to start with.
I also recommend Pilgrims progress by John Bunyan. You will find it very encouraging.

Wow, so many replies! Thanks a lot people. :-)
I'm not sure yet what I would like to do, like a discussion, bible study or something else.

I know that I'm concerned with the life-style of some of my classmates. Personally I know that following Jesus is going all the way with Him. Its about having a relationship with Him, so wanting to go after God that you are willing to drop everything in your life that hinders that. But at the other side I know that I at times struggle with that (just look at my older 'discipline' thread).

Things I've noticed which are quite weird is that some of my classmates listen to comedians which are calling names, cussing and say many ungodly things. Or people loving music with lyrics which are quite 'weird' for a Christian. Now you don't have great relationship with God if you don't do these things, but it just doesn't fit being a Christian liking things which God hates.

So I guess its about holiness or what it means to follow Christ from a biblical perspective, having a relationship with God. I'll also pray for it.

The Bible

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