Book Girl: A Journey Through the Treasures & Transforming Power of a Reading Life by Sarah Clarkson.
Book Girl Discussion Question #9: In chapter 5, the author describes the role literature played in making her faith her own: ‘Tolkien’s story helped me to recognize Scripture as my story, the one in whose decisive battles I was caught, the narrative that drew me into the conflict, requiring me to decide what part I would play: heroine, coward, lover, or villain.’ What impact have books had on your faith and your discovery of self? Are there particular books or passages that have been especially meaningful to you on your spiritual journey?
Of course, The Book itself. I’m particularly drawn to the Psalms.
Definitely C.S. Lewis, both through his fiction and his nonfiction, has been a defining influence in my understanding of Christianity and of my relationship with God.
I’m also indebted to Christian authors such as Keith Miller, Bruce Larson, Elisabeth Elliot, Josh McDowell, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Colson, Corrie Ten Boom, Richard Foster, and Beth Moore.
Or to list it another way, here are a few of the Christian nonfiction books that have influenced and strengthened my faith:
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. A small but wonderful book about praying without ceasing.
Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. Absolutely formative. Everyone should read Lewis, starting with this book. (Well, maybe start with Narnia, then Mere Christianity.)
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. This book introduced me to the idea of “spiritual disciplines” and why it’s important to observe them.
Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell. I didn’t memorize all of the copious evidences that Mr. McDowell presents in this huge apologetic encyclopedia, but I did learn that there were answers to most intellectual questions about the Bible and Christianity.
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton.
The Edge of Adventure: An Experiment in Faith by Keith Miller and Bruce Larson. This book did more to disciple me as a teenage Christian than any other book outside of the Bible. It might be somewhat dated now, but it was very helpful back in the day.
Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot. Straight talk, no nonsense devotional thoughts from Ms. Elliot’s newsletters and books.
Loving God by Charles W. Colson. I found this to be thought-provoking and inspiring, especially since I had already read Chuck Colson’s autobiographical memoir of his conversion during the Nixon years, Born Again.
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Joni by Joni Eareckson, and God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew were all inspiring biographies that shaped my Christian walk as well. And I’m sure I missed some other books that were just as inspirational and formative. What books other than the Bible have shaped your thinking about God, Christ, and Christianity?
I’ve kept this post in my Feedly account until I had time to come back to it. SO many books have impacted my faith, my walk with God, and my understanding of who He made me to be. You’ve mentioned many that I would also: C. S. Lewis’s fiction and nonfiction, Elisabeth Elliot’s books, Joni Eareckson Tada’s. I was blessed that an older lady got me started reading Christian biographies as a young adult. The ones mentioned, plus Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur by Frank Houghton, Hudson Taylor: Growth of a Soul by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor, By Searching, In the Arena, and Second Mile People by Isobel Kuhn, Goforth of China and Climbing by Rosalind Goforth, To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson by Courtney Anderson. A lot of classics provided soul food as well as learning and entertainment: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. LOTR by Tolkien. Janette Oke’s books were some of the earliest Christian fiction that I read, and (coming from a non-Christian family), seeing how people dealt with everyday frustrations as well as major trials was a blessing and an eye-opener for me and got me hooked on Christian fiction.