So, here’s my list. Of course, the Holy Scriptures remain the most important “book” in my life, but that’s a given, so, next, in order, and it is extremely difficult to name only a handful, since there are so many books that have had a profound influence on my life, these are the books that came to mind as I thought of the “top ten” if you are allowed to count series as a single title, and are allowed to add one more.
The Book of Concord The confessions of the Lutheran Church. This remains the most influential book in my life as it continues to offer a guide to confessing the truth of God’s Word. I have pledged my unreserved agreement with their contents and it remains the most important book in my life.
Commentary on Galatians by Martin Luther. One of my favorite of Luther’s many writings. A brilliant presentation of the Gospel.
The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel by C.F.W. Walther. The definitive explanation of the key to understanding the Holy Scriptures.
The Lord’s Supper by Martin Chemnitz. The most compelling and convincing presentation of the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper I have ever encountered.
Here We Stand by Hermann Sasse. A powerful explanation of the “lonely way” that is the Lutheran Reformation. A pivotal text in my understanding of Christianity.
Ante and Post-Nicene Fathers. I know, this is a huge collection, but these volumes are what I cut my teeth on when I discovered the Church Fathers. They remain extremely influential as I became familiar with Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Ambrose, Athanasius, Augustine, Chrysostom, Jerome, to name only a few.
Christian Dogmatics (3 volumes) by Francis Pieper. A Lutheran presentation of classic systematic theology that remains the best presentation offering a good overview of the subject.
The Theology of Post-Reformation Lutheranism by Robert Preus. A brilliant synthesis of Lutheran orthodox teachers and thinking.
Martin Luther (3 volumes) The definitive biography of Martin Luther.
The Hammer of God by Bo Giertz. A Swedish bishop writes a series of short stories that powerfully present the Gospel and offer a solid antidote to the modern theological evils of Rationalism, on the one hand, and Pietism on the other. I read it regularly.
The Lord of the Rings I continue to read this book as the most compelling meta-narrative about good v. evil in fictional form.
The Aubrey/Maturin Series by Patrick O’Brian. My favorite works of fiction. A constant delight and joy, with every reading, some new insight and new pleasure is to be found. O’Brian is a master of human character study.
March 21st, 2010 | 10:09 am | #1
Thanks for your list. I may look at a couple of yours that I’ve not read, or at least that I don’t remember reading (but not Lord of the Rings, sorry). ;)
Hmm, I can’t imagine why, but there are a few on your list that would be on mine too. :) After Scripture, the top of my list would be The Book of Concord, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel by CFW Walther, and Christian Dogmatics by F. Pieper.
I have not read all of Luther’s Works that have been translated into English, but selections from Luther’s Works, M. Chemnitz’ Loci Theologici and Ministry, Word, and Sacraments: An Enchiridion, Melanchton’s Loci Communes, and P.E. Kretzmann’s commentaries might be in the top ten. Sasse’s This Is My Body was among the books on my mind in the 90’s. Luther’s Bondage of the Will did a pretty good job of exercising my mind, as did another work I read recently entitled, Luther and Erasmus: Free Will and Salvation edited by Gordon Rupp and Philip S. Watson. From the early 80’s, most of my Christian friends considered Mere Christianity to be significantly influential in their lives but for some reason, I appreciated C.S. Lewis’ The Four Loves.
When it comes to fiction, whether it’s the Chronicles of Narnia series, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or so many other stories, there is no shortage of fantasies from which to choose, but I have to agree with Fred Sanders in that I could not make general recommendations from all the works that have influenced me from childhood to adulthood because many of them may have more “dangerous toxin than nutritious ideas” and I have had to discern the “nutritious ideas” worth retaining. In the 80’s and 90’s, my collegiate and post graduate education required reading texts and doing research in the discipline of psychology and in the field of law. Selections from these books have profoundly affected my life but I would not try to pick and choose favorites. As an intercollegiate athlete, I digested my share of books on athletic performance, fitness and nutrition, which added another dimension to my perspective on life.
March 22nd, 2010 | 10:04 am | #2
Which translations of the Fathers do you use? Do you own both sets?
March 22nd, 2010 | 12:14 pm | #3
@Alison: I own the Ante-and Post-Nicene Fathers set, and a number of volumes in the Fathers of the Church set, as well as the Ancient Christian Writers series, along with assorted volumes from other series, or stand-alone translations. I’m also purchasing the Augustine for the 21st Century translation of all of Augustine’s works. I’m kind of an Early Church fathers geek.
March 22nd, 2010 | 1:57 pm | #4
I have toyed with the idea of purchasing some of the volumes. However, I don’t know the Old Testament well enough for such a purchase to be worthwhile for me at this point. Being a Christian for only six years, I only got around to reading the Old Testament in 2008–and because I use commentaries, it goes slowly. I hope to be done by the beginning of next year, and then I want to try reading The City of God, albeit very slowly. I do think I would enjoy the works by Augustine and Chrysostom, but as I said, I need to wait a bit until I know Scripture better.
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