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One book
- Thread starter Piper
- Start date
KenH
Well-Known Member
Just bear in mind that it might have the same effect on you as it did on me. Having been raised in Pelagianism, beginning to understand the sovereignty of God was an eye-opening experience for me.
I'm a 7 point Calvinist.
After being raised in a hyper-evangelical SB church that made no bones about placing the burden of others' eternal destiny on the flock, it was definitely an eye opener, AND, a sweet release for me.
Isn't everybody our neighbor?
How I was impacted: Granted, this book seems to veer towards some kind of social gospel, but it was very helpful to me in learning to make Christ my pattern for living.
How they impacted me:
John R. Rice's book on prayer was the world's best seller on the subject until The Prayer of Jabez came out (and that one was a blessing too, which surprised me). Rice's book is a very thorough study on prayer throughout the whole Bible. It is foolish to try to be a disciple of Christ without understanding the prayer life.
Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret is biographical but has excellent teaching on how Taylor learned to walk with Christ every day, which some call the "Christ life." We must live our life and serve Him in Christ's strength. Anyone who seeks to serve Christ in their own strength is headed for spiritual disaster and fruitlessness. I've seen many such disasters in my day.
Clifford Lewis was an evangelist back in the day who visited Japan, resulting in this book. I was already called to Japan, but his book helped me think through what being a missionary meant.
I'm gonna list three, cause I'm a difficult guy (actually, because they influenced me in equal but different ways).
God in the Wasteland by David Wells. Read it several times. It influenced me by forcing my focus to cultural changes and its impact on the church.
Desiring God by John Piper influenced me with its emphasis on spiritual growth and the change it brings to our desires (our mind becomes set on the things of the Spirit, we grow increasingly like God in our nature and more human).
Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards. This is a controversial one among Calvinists (I was a Calvinist when I first read the book) as Edwards is often seen only moderately Calvinist (Edwardian Calvinism). But Edwards link between the human will and foreknowledge of God was enlightening. Edwards illustrated that by logical necessity that gap between free-will theology and Calvinism is less important than often assumed.
God in the Wasteland by David Wells. Read it several times. It influenced me by forcing my focus to cultural changes and its impact on the church.
Desiring God by John Piper influenced me with its emphasis on spiritual growth and the change it brings to our desires (our mind becomes set on the things of the Spirit, we grow increasingly like God in our nature and more human).
Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards. This is a controversial one among Calvinists (I was a Calvinist when I first read the book) as Edwards is often seen only moderately Calvinist (Edwardian Calvinism). But Edwards link between the human will and foreknowledge of God was enlightening. Edwards illustrated that by logical necessity that gap between free-will theology and Calvinism is less important than often assumed.
Well you have more determination than I do... "The Freedom of the Will" by Edwards... I heard it was a good book got half-way through it and quit... If I have to struggle like you did to get thru a book like you did, its not for me... Pink has also helped me immensely and I'm reading his The Divine Covenants now... But there is one other one that tells of the atmosphere around the 1st Century, that puts The New Testament in perspective, on the other side of the coin so to speak... A view from the other side The Works Of Josephus... The Bible is not only spiritual but historical too, lest we forget... Brother Glen
AMEN! Especially the latter section of 'Antiquities', and 'Wars of the Jews'. Forgot about him, thanks.
That's OK you have helped me thru the years... Its true you have to know The Bible but you have to know the players too... The Bible is Historical/Spiritual... Real people with real problems... Just like us... Brother Glen
Well you have more determination than I do... "The Freedom of the Will" by Edwards... I heard it was a good book got half-way through it and quit... If I have to struggle like you did to get thru a book like you did, its not for me... Pink has also helped me immensely and I'm reading his The Divine Covenants now... But there is one other one that tells of the atmosphere around the 1st Century, that puts The New Testament in perspective, on the other side of the coin so to speak... A view from the other side The Works Of Josephus... The Bible is not only spiritual but historical too, lest we forget... Brother Glen
The very first line in my OP said "other than the Bible."
Read a little closer. He was touting the 'Works of Josephus', not the Bible. Josephus is history and history is a large portion of the Bible, is @tyndale1946's point.
My father died in 92. One of the things I have from him is his copy of Josephus (and his notes).Well you have more determination than I do... "The Freedom of the Will" by Edwards... I heard it was a good book got half-way through it and quit... If I have to struggle like you did to get thru a book like you did, its not for me... Pink has also helped me immensely and I'm reading his The Divine Covenants now... But there is one other one that tells of the atmosphere around the 1st Century, that puts The New Testament in perspective, on the other side of the coin so to speak... A view from the other side The Works Of Josephus... The Bible is not only spiritual but historical too, lest we forget... Brother Glen
Oops. My bad. Josephus is a good source, but for me, not a life changer. I have others that shaped me immensely. I will start another thread on that, the top 10 books every exegete should read.
For this discussion, boil it down to ONE BOOK. That can be hard.
It impacted me too, as a young man. Probably the first book I actually read as a new Christian in 1984.
History Of The Church Of God by CB & Sylvester Hassell published in 1886... I doubt if you ever heard of this one, its published by our people The Primitive Baptist... Brother Glen
Btw... Jon, I know. you don't have this one!
Nope. That was before I was born. Bet you got it fresh off the pressHistory Of The Church Of God by CB & Sylvester Hassell published in 1886... I doubt if you ever heard of this one, its published by our people The Primitive Baptist... Brother Glen
Btw... Jon, I know. you don't have this one!
Wonderful! Was your father a preacher?
My college roommate gave me my four volume set. I've never read it straight through, but have consulted it many times.
No, he wasn't. But I remember him studying Scripture for hours in his office.
He was in the Navy before I was born. His first wife left him then and being divorced he considered himself disqualified for ministry. But he was a very godly man.