The lists on this page are an uncategorized assortment of books that I’ve found interesting or challenging or just fun to read.
Searching for Home - Craig M. Barnes
Read this book and you’ll look for more books by Barnes. The reading of it prompted me to reread Dante’s “Divine Comedy.” It offers tremendous insight into the Christian’s pilgrimage. In some ways it reminds me of Charles Williams’ book “Descent into Hell.” Since I’ve mentioned Williams it is worth saying that his novels are worth reading. He is probably the least well know of the Inkling coterie of literary scholarship but his books are every bit as fascinating as those of his more well know friends Tolkien and Lewis.
Good News for Anxious Christians - Philip Cary
There is so much sloppy thinking, or rather the lack thereof, in the Christian church that this book ought to be mandatory reading for every Christian. It is an easy read and somewhat repetitive, but, frankly, I suppose that is needed to drive home the points Cary is attempting to make.
Kingdom, Grace and Judgment: The Parables of Jesus - Robert Farrar Capon
Though problematic is places, this is still the best book on the parables of Jesus that I have read. Originally published in three volumes it is now, happily available in one volume. It is not a difficult read, but the novice to theology will have to read it carefully. I found it fun to read some of the chapters aloud to my wife. (I am currently reading “Pilgrim’s Progress” aloud to my wife before we go to sleep at night. She tells me my voice is better than a sleeping tablet.)
Atheist Delusions - David Hart
This is a genuinely good apologetic for the Christian faith in a postmodernist culture. Hart’s knowledge of theology in general and the patristics in particular roots the reader in historical theology and his understanding of the breadth and depth of philosophy makes his arguments all the more persuasive.
Beauty of the Infinite - David Hart
I just picked this book up again after laying it down for a year. It is a very tough read but his insights into the aesthetics of the Trinity and the general power and beauty of really good theology make it worth reading.
A History of Western Philosophy and Theology - John Frame
Joshua Abraham Heshel noted in his book God in Search of Man that philosophy is man in search of God (or meaning in life) and that theology is God is search of Man. Frame, I believe, would agree that philosophy and theology are both systems of thought whose end goal is a coherent worldview that gives meaning to life. The former is anthropocentric (man centered) and the latter is Theocentric (God centered). Frame's book is a distillation of western philosophy and theology albeit filtered through the lens of a reformed theologian. In an interview regarding the writing of this book Frame says: "As history has developed, 'philosophy' and 'theology' have developed different traditions: What we call philosophy is usually, but not necessarily, non-Christian. What we call Theology usually emphasizes the study of the Bible and Christian tradition, It is often authentically Christian, but not necessarily so."
He continues: "I think we need to study both, because they cannot be sharply separated, and because they have determined different intellectual and cultural traditions. Christians need to study philosophy because they need to be more aware of the primary principles underlying recent culture and thought. Our Lord call us to speak the gospel, and we need to be ready to answer questions from the unbelieving world (1 Peter 3.15). Then, everyone needs to study theology, for in theology, rightly understood, can be found God's provision for our eternal salvation, including the salvation of human thought."
Though the book may seem lengthy it is very well organized with marginal notes to help guide the reader, an extensive glossary, and a series of questions at the end of each chapter, which is read before undertaking the reading of the chopper will help the reader grasp more thoroughly the content in each section. The book should prove to be an excellent resource for years to come for those seeking to give answer to an orthodox faith and for those who simply want a basic understanding of the progress of western thought and philosophy.
Searching for Home - Craig M. Barnes
Read this book and you’ll look for more books by Barnes. The reading of it prompted me to reread Dante’s “Divine Comedy.” It offers tremendous insight into the Christian’s pilgrimage. In some ways it reminds me of Charles Williams’ book “Descent into Hell.” Since I’ve mentioned Williams it is worth saying that his novels are worth reading. He is probably the least well know of the Inkling coterie of literary scholarship but his books are every bit as fascinating as those of his more well know friends Tolkien and Lewis.
Good News for Anxious Christians - Philip Cary
There is so much sloppy thinking, or rather the lack thereof, in the Christian church that this book ought to be mandatory reading for every Christian. It is an easy read and somewhat repetitive, but, frankly, I suppose that is needed to drive home the points Cary is attempting to make.
Kingdom, Grace and Judgment: The Parables of Jesus - Robert Farrar Capon
Though problematic is places, this is still the best book on the parables of Jesus that I have read. Originally published in three volumes it is now, happily available in one volume. It is not a difficult read, but the novice to theology will have to read it carefully. I found it fun to read some of the chapters aloud to my wife. (I am currently reading “Pilgrim’s Progress” aloud to my wife before we go to sleep at night. She tells me my voice is better than a sleeping tablet.)
Atheist Delusions - David Hart
This is a genuinely good apologetic for the Christian faith in a postmodernist culture. Hart’s knowledge of theology in general and the patristics in particular roots the reader in historical theology and his understanding of the breadth and depth of philosophy makes his arguments all the more persuasive.
Beauty of the Infinite - David Hart
I just picked this book up again after laying it down for a year. It is a very tough read but his insights into the aesthetics of the Trinity and the general power and beauty of really good theology make it worth reading.
A History of Western Philosophy and Theology - John Frame
Joshua Abraham Heshel noted in his book God in Search of Man that philosophy is man in search of God (or meaning in life) and that theology is God is search of Man. Frame, I believe, would agree that philosophy and theology are both systems of thought whose end goal is a coherent worldview that gives meaning to life. The former is anthropocentric (man centered) and the latter is Theocentric (God centered). Frame's book is a distillation of western philosophy and theology albeit filtered through the lens of a reformed theologian. In an interview regarding the writing of this book Frame says: "As history has developed, 'philosophy' and 'theology' have developed different traditions: What we call philosophy is usually, but not necessarily, non-Christian. What we call Theology usually emphasizes the study of the Bible and Christian tradition, It is often authentically Christian, but not necessarily so."
He continues: "I think we need to study both, because they cannot be sharply separated, and because they have determined different intellectual and cultural traditions. Christians need to study philosophy because they need to be more aware of the primary principles underlying recent culture and thought. Our Lord call us to speak the gospel, and we need to be ready to answer questions from the unbelieving world (1 Peter 3.15). Then, everyone needs to study theology, for in theology, rightly understood, can be found God's provision for our eternal salvation, including the salvation of human thought."
Though the book may seem lengthy it is very well organized with marginal notes to help guide the reader, an extensive glossary, and a series of questions at the end of each chapter, which is read before undertaking the reading of the chopper will help the reader grasp more thoroughly the content in each section. The book should prove to be an excellent resource for years to come for those seeking to give answer to an orthodox faith and for those who simply want a basic understanding of the progress of western thought and philosophy.