Most Influential Theology Book and why?

[Deacon]

The most significant book has changed over the years

As a new Christian…
1. Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

As a young Christian…
2. Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

As an early college-aged student… (this one helped to develop my ontological framework)
3. Christian View of Science and Scripture by Bernard Ramm

This book fed me through the times of early adulthood when decisions were tough…
4. Decision Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen

This book fed me though some very difficult times…
5. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson

Lastly, this book is helping me put some pieces together that I have struggled with for decades…
6. Old Testament Theology for Christians by John H. Walton

Each one has been very influential at different points of my life.

Rob

 

[Deacon]

Re: Mere Christianity

When I finally got around to reading Mere Christianity, it was very disappointing. C.S. Lewis was just writing to other atheists as to why he changed his mind. While I'm sure it might be helpful to those who don't want to trust the Bible, I found it to be pedestrian and worldly.

The book was developed from a series of radio talks in the mid 1940's.
It has lost a lot of it's punch over the years because many examples have been incorporated into early Christian education.

Rob

 

[Reformed1689]

The Bible says we don't need anyone to teach us.

Does it actually say that? Hmmm, I can think of at least one passage that contradicts that.

Joh_14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

If the Holy Spirit is the only teacher, why were the disciples commanded to teach? Oh by the way, that kind of negates your notion that the Bible says we don't need anyone to teach...

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Three most influential theological Christian books must be:
City of God by Augustine of Hippo,
Institutes of the Christian Religion by Calvin,
and unfortunately,
Summa Theologiae by Aquinas.

I have to confess that I have read only extracts of any of them but I think there's no doubt that these are the books that, for good or ill, have shaped theology down the ages.

Three books that have shaped my theology are
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Lloyd-Jones. The first Christian book I ever read, and that only because it was selling off in the local Christian bookshop. I am so grateful to God for guiding me there. I knew nothing about anything at that point and I might easily have bought something by Benny Hinn.
More than Conquerors by William Hendricksen. This was the book that made sense of eschatology for me.
The Divine Covenants by A.W. Pink. Not an easy read, but a great book to help you understand the unity of the Bible.

 

[MB]

Does it actually say that? Hmmm, I can think of at least one passage that contradicts that.

If the Holy Spirit is the only teacher, why were the disciples commanded to teach? Oh by the way, that kind of negates your notion that the Bible says we don't need anyone to teach...

As usual you always spout off but never show proof that Christ is wrong.
MB

 

[MB]

Does it actually say that? Hmmm, I can think of at least one passage that contradicts that.

If the Holy Spirit is the only teacher, why were the disciples commanded to teach? Oh by the way, that kind of negates your notion that the Bible says we don't need anyone to teach...

No it doesn't the disciples set out to win souls to Christ.
1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
MB

 

[Marooncat79]

Galatians M Luther
Two Cities Augustine
Institutes by Calvin

 

[Deacon]

No it doesn't the disciples set out to win souls to Christ.
1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
MB

If the Spirit teaches us all things.
And “ye need not that any man teach you”.
Then why, pray tell, are you trying to teach us something by posting on this board?
Are you not then usurping the Holy Spirits role in our lives?

Don’t be pompous and think you can know all things by yourself.
Realize that the Spirit works to grow his people in a variety of ways, through trials and tribulations, and through the lives, the wisdom and the experiences of others.

​

Rob

 

[MartyF]

Re: Mere Christianity


The book was developed from a series of radio talks in the mid 1940's.
It has lost a lot of it's punch over the years because many examples have been incorporated into early Christian education.

Rob

Not even remotely like my early Christian life. No, my early Christian education were stories.

Is this Christian education given to Atheist converts I guess?

 

[MB]

If the Spirit teaches us all things.
And “ye need not that any man teach you”.
Then why, pray tell, are you trying to teach us something by posting on this board?
Are you not then usurping the Holy Spirits role in our lives?

Your point is asinine.
Arguing a point and teaching are two different things. If you learn something from it hooray.

Don’t be pompous and think you can know all things by yourself.
Realize that the Spirit works to grow his people in a variety of ways, through trials and tribulations, and through the lives, the wisdom and the experiences of others.

​

Rob

I didn't think I was being pompous..Sorry you feel that way actually you are the one being pompous. Claiming that I learn every thing by myself. I'm never by my self. Maybe you are and that's your problem. Are you all by your self?
Look at what the passage said that I presented. You want to argue with scripture go ahead. My self I check every thing with scripture You should do the same. I take the words of Christ over any teacher including you.
If you'd like to prove that passage 1st Jn 2:27 wrong go ahead see if you can.
MB

 

[1689Dave]

Not familiar with that, what was his main gist?

He proves from scripture that circumcision, not blood, made one Abraham's physical seed. And that Israel was always a mix of circumcised gentiles and bloodline. He's Reformed so he believes circumcision replaced circumcision making NT Israel a mix of unbelievers and believers (which I disagree with). But it shows how today's unbelieving Israel is not Biblical Israel and can only be reattached to Israel through faith in Christ. It destroys Dispensationalism from the roots up.

 

[Yeshua1]

Sproul Holiness of God, Tozer Knowledge of the Holy, and it's not a book but a study Bible the Ryrie Study Bible.

Those have been the most influential to me personally for various reasons.

My first real bible was a Ryrie 1977 Nas, in high grade leather, and still going strong decades later!

 

[Yeshua1]

You can listen to pastors but because they are men and with the likely hood to make mistakes. Is it wise to just take them at there word?. With out comparing what they say with scripture. This is why Catholics are so messed up. Praying to Mary and the saints. There is only one mediator and that of course is Jesus Christ . You see it is men who made up the idea to go over Jesus' head and ask His mother when is reality Mary isn't above Christ she is not a deity at all. Blessed among women this is true yet she has no authority. I believe we have to remember that Satan is prowling around looking for someone to devour. Satan has you when you believe the lies published by men who claim what they say is biblical.
MB

Would have said the same thing about Paul or John teaching out of the scriptures then, just being "merely men?"

 

[Yeshua1]

The Bible says we don't need anyone to teach us. I feel that what teaches the most is the conviction of what is right when we are doing wrong. The Holy Spirit does this teaching and it's not likely to be forgotten.
Sure I have learned from Pastors yet scripture says we don't need anyone to teach us because we have the Holy Spirit who leads us and corrects us by convincing us and convicting us.
Joh_14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
MB

So you know so much no need for a Spurgeon, Sproul, Macarthur et all teach you then?

 

[Yeshua1]

He proves from scripture that circumcision, not blood, made one Abraham's physical seed. And that Israel was always a mix of circumcised gentiles and bloodline. He's Reformed so he believes circumcision replaced circumcision making NT Israel a mix of unbelievers and believers (which I disagree with). But it shows how today's unbelieving Israel is not Biblical Israel and can only be reattached to Israel through faith in Christ. It destroys Dispensationalism from the roots up.

He dies not sound like a reformed Baptist then!

 

[Yeshua1]

Does it actually say that? Hmmm, I can think of at least one passage that contradicts that.

If the Holy Spirit is the only teacher, why were the disciples commanded to teach? Oh by the way, that kind of negates your notion that the Bible says we don't need anyone to teach...

God gave to us pastors and teacher to teach and instruct us, to grow up in doctrine and in the faith, correct?

 

[MB]

Would have said the same thing about Paul or John teaching out of the scriptures then, just being "merely men?"

There are always men who reject the truth and there is always men who's intentions are to deceive. Men who claim the Bible says something it doesn't. If it isn't in scripture what makes it valuable to you. The Bible has all there is to know about spiritual things. No other book has anything more than the Bible. If your looking for what isn't in scripture then you're looking for the ideas of men.
MB

 

[Yeshua1]

There are always men who reject the truth and there is always men who's intentions are to deceive. Men who claim the Bible says something it doesn't. If it isn't in scripture what makes it valuable to you. The Bible has all there is to know about spiritual things. No other book has anything more than the Bible. If your looking for what isn't in scripture then you're looking for the ideas of men.
MB

God has given men to has who know more of what the scriptures are teaching than we do, correct?

 

[MartyF]

Which ever one I have on kindle. I may have moved almost 2 yrs ago and never unboxed my physical books.

The edition really matters. Some editions say that I should shoot someone in the head if they disagree with me while others don’t.

I’m assuming you don’t agree with John Calvin that you should murder people who disagree with you, so you must be using an earlier unfinished edition or an abridged edition?

 

[1689Dave]

He dies not sound like a reformed Baptist then!

He's Reformed, so I ignore certain trends in his teaching. It would be good to have a Baptist upgrade to the book when it comes out of copyright.