Recommended Weekend Reading for Christian Direction
Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 11:18AM Weekends are always wonderful, especially the 3 or 4 day variety: we have time to work, to play, to watch a game, cook, to eat and eat, to visit and call; and then, time to settle in with a good book. The following are a handful of my latest recommendations:
Stone Crossings, by L.L. Barkat - I'm in the middle of this poetic, poignant, and Biblically-rooted brief memoir of this popular blogger and grittily focused storyteller who found grace through pain and shares her insights in a way that lifts the reader. There's an enticing list of discussion questions after the Epilogue.
Religious Literacy (What Every American Needs to Know--And Doesn't), by Stephen Prothero - Many American Christians are under the impression that "activist judges" and atheists are to blame for sucking religious knowledge out of our national psyche. Stephen Prothero, chair of the religion department at Boston University, makes the case that the shocking problem of American ignorance on such a universally influential topic was actually created by leaders of faith. He argues that we won't have the tools to teach tolerance and diplomacy until we (once again) include the study of religions (not indoctrination), along with "reading, writing, and 'rithmetic" in our schools.
The Four Questions Around the World, by Ilana Kurshan - This beautifully illustrated and simple little book translates the four questions asked at every Passover seder into twenty-three languages and gives just a taste of Jewish history in each of the countries represented by those languages. I recommend this book because it's important for Christians to understand Judaism, the faith in which Jesus was rooted.
The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett - This novel is longer than any other book on this list by at least 700 pages, but it is so much fun to read, and the message of what faith can accomplish rang so clearly to me throughout this definitely adult (for graphic sex and violence) book.
Stepping into the Light (You're a Christian, what now?), by Diane L. Harris - To answer all of the questions I had as a newborn Christian, I pored through the Bible and tore open my life to explore both how I traveled from atheist to born again believer, and what it means to be a Christian. There is a full chapter excerpt of the book on this site, as well as several posts on "Becoming an Atheist" that are Stepping into the Light excerpts as well.
Reader Comments (2)
I have not read any of them thank you for twitting about these titles will check out. I do recommend Christians pick up The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale very moving and practical guide especially in these next few years many of us will be tested beyond what we may believe we can bear.
I think I read "The Power of Positive Thinking" long, long ago. I may re-read it one day.