Thursday, April 19, 2007

Books that Have Made a Difference in Me

I have a friend who has, in his retirement years, perceived and responded to God’s call to preach. He asked me to give him a reading list that would help in clarifying and developing his preaching ministry. That set me to thinking about the books that have been helpful to me.

Here’s my far from complete list. As you look at the list it would be good to remember that I attended college and seminary from 1975 to 1986; some of the books that I read during that formative period would no doubt be replaced by more recent books were I in school now. On the other hand, I have done a little bit of reading since then.

Edward B. Bratcher, The Walk-on-Water Syndrome: Dealing with Professional Hazards in the Ministry

Walter Brueggemann, Genesis (Interpretation Commentary)

Frederick Buechner, The Sacred Journey, Now and Then, and Telling Secrets

James W. Cox, Preaching: A Comprehensive Guide to the Design and Delivery of Sermons

Fred B. Craddock, Preaching

Harry Emerson Fosdick, On Being a Whole Person

Marva Dawn & Eugene Peterson, The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call

Leander E. Keck, Taking the Bible Seriously

Bill J. Leonard, Baptist Ways: A History

C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Andrew D. Lester, It Hurts So Bad, Lord! What to Do When the Pain is Almost More than You Can Bear

Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel

Eugene H. Peterson, The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction

William C. Placher, Jesus the Savior: the Meaning of Jesus Christ for Christian Faith

James D. Smart, The Rebirth of Ministry

Barbara Brown Taylor, The Preaching Life

Paul Tillich, The Courage to Be

Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy

Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew and What’s So Amazing About Grace?


What books are on your list?

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