Seekers Top-Rated Books

Having a lot of idle time recently, I have invested those hours reading classic Christian books.

Finding good books has required review of many “Top Ten”, “Top 50” or “Top 100” lists. These are usually based on popularity by sales. Rarely will you find a list where the compiler has personally read the recommendations. For anyone reckless enough to consider, I will be posting a few recommendations of my own, “Seeker’s Top-Rated Books”.

Be assured the only book that never leaves my end table is the Bible, even as the classics come and go. In fact, these studies frequently lead to an even greater in-depth study of Holy Scripture. One of the joys of this reading exercise is the “bunny trails” and where they eventually lead.

Not everyone will agree on my choices or my summaries. I don’t agree with everything written either, that’s OK. Yet we always grow.

Seekers Top Rated Books

From all the recent books, there are 16 from my reading list that I found especially interesting. This is the first of four posts (if I survive) that will briefly highlight those books. They are in no particular order.

Of course, a favorite book is like favorite Bible passages, highly personal and individual. PLEASE feel free to send me your recommendations, I can use the help.


The Screwtape Letters C. S. Lewis

This is just a fun little book every Christian should read. It’s an easy read, but Lewis said it gave him brain cramps to write. Letter #31 is especially memorable. This book makes an excellent bible study, and Focus on the Family has a beautiful audio dramatization of these “Letters”.


The Great Divorce C. S. Lewis

A little more difficult to read but has several beautiful and profound moments. This is probably considered science-fiction, similar to Lewis’s Space Trilogy. I particularly enjoy the man with the squawking lizard on his shoulder.


(1) The Ragamuffin Gospel & (2) All is Grace Brennan Manning (Read both books in listed order)

Some may find this author controversial. Manning was a defrocked, alcoholic priest who left the church for marriage, only to eventually divorce. The Ragamuffin Gospel won Manning considerable fame and acclaim. All Is Grace is his deathbed autobiographical “confession”. To really understand Manning both books are required. These two books together make a profound statement about love, grace and what is really means to be human and Christian.



The Pursuit of God** A. W. Tozer

This is my all-time favorite from the list. In Tozer’s own words “This book is a modest attempt to aid God’s hungry children to find Him.” I have read this little book nearly twenty times and still look forward to yet another review. Tozer ends every chapter with a prayer, each one a jewel of its own.

Continuing with the top 16 books, again in no particular order.

How Should We Then Live Francis A. Schaeffer

A historical perspective of Christianity from ancient Rome to modern times. This book will help modern Christians more clearly understand the challenges confronting the western church. The book is full of helpful art and photographs. Francis Schaeffer has a YouTube channel with a very well done 10-part series on this book (Thanks for the tip Lillywolf)!

The Subversion of Christianity Jacques Ellul

This one may take a little work to get through. Ellul suggests the Church has been hijacked from the time of Constantine but yet survives. The faith and sacrifice of faithful individual Christians propels God’s church despite the best efforts of organized Christianity. Ellul was a French philosopher so the English translation can be a challenge; but it is well worth the work.

The Return of the Prodigal Son Henri J. M. Nouwen

Nouwen bases this little jewel of a book on Rembrandt’s famous painting by the same name. This book may inspire you to review some of other Rembrandt’s paintings.

The Normal Christian Life Watchman Nee

Another Christian author who is subject to controversy. What is not controversy is the years he spent in a Chinese Prison Camp for expressing his faith in Jesus Christ. In this book he makes a powerful statement about sin and redemption based on a deep dive into the book of Romans.

Pilgrims Progress By John Bunyan

He wrote this while in prison


You might want to include a few female authors too.
Corrie ten Boom - The Hiding Place
Jackie Pullinger - Crack in the Wall

I have Corrie Ten Boom on my completed list. Her prayer for flees shook me up a bit. Have also read Marjorie Holms, Lorraine Kisley, Nancy Pearcy and Ann Wroe. The Pearcy book, Total Truth outstanding and included in an upcoming review.

Will check out the Pullinger book, always looking for good recommendations.

Thanks.

ha I thought it was rats, though maybe it was fleas. its been a while since I read it.

I havent read any of those female authors you mentioned.

Another popular female author wrote Bad Girls of the Bible.
I remmeber heer writing that, everyone always mentioned the good girls, but seekers actually wanna know what happens to the villains in the Bible.

Liz Curtis Higgs

Got it!

Numbers 9 through 12.

Humility and Absolute Surrender Andrew Murray
My copy is prefaced with a warning: “This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today.” Murray was from South Africa, but I failed to see anything warranting a disclaimer. You will need to look elsewhere for scandal. This book is a compilation of two smaller books, both of standalone value.

The Imitation of Christ Thomas a’ Kempis
One of the greatest classic Christian books ever written. This should be in every Christian’s library. Highly valuable and readable. With the bible, a book I hope to have with me if ever stranded on an deserted island.

What’s so Amazing about Grace Philip Yancy
Probably the most modern book on my list. Yancy has an easy, readable style. I especially enjoyed his use of Karen Blixon’s short story “Babette’s Feast” to begin the discussion of grace. I read this very on in my quest and was enthralled.

Orthodoxy G. K. Chesterton (Will require much work)
This is a tough one. I started this book at least four times and each effort got booged down within the first few chapters. Nothing about Chesterton is easy, but if you can work through his style there are nuggets of pure gold buried within. His writing style appears to go on-and-on in intellectual irrelevance and then in a sentence or two he will pull everything together and astonish the reader with profound insight. This book is on nearly every “Top Ten” list. It is well worth the effort, but it can be strenuous. He starts the book with a tale of a fictional English explorer who sets off to claim new worlds for England. The intrepid explorer gets lost in a storm and then discovers a magic land which he claims for his Queen. Only problem, he unknowingly discovered the back side of England. Chesterton states his religious journey was the same, he rediscovered Sunday School. It gets more difficult from there.

The final four recommendations.

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment Jeremiah Burroughs
A classic of Puritan literature that has stood the test of time. It is written in an older English style with rather long and rambling sentences, but altogether not too difficult to read. The reward more than makes up for the effort.

The Life of God in the Soul of Man** Henry Scougal
Another Puritan classic. An absolutely beautiful and profound little book. Scougal died very young, but left behind a masterpiece. Like other Puritan classics it may take a little work to get through the rambling sentences. With Burroughs, Scougal sparked my interest in Puritanism.

Total Truth Nancy Pearcey
A newer classic. Pearcy was a student of the late Francis Schaeffer. Pearcy’s goal is to free the modern American church from the bounds of private faith, and return it to the mainstream of modern culture. Her historic insights, especially the influences of the two great American Revivals, will aid understanding of the challenges sapping our modern church. A great read, highly recommended.

A Christian Manifesto Francis A. Schaeffer
This book may not be for everyone. Schaeffer states it plainly, when the state defies the law of God, its authority to govern has been abdicated. He believes it is our Christian duty to resist ungodly law by direct legal and political action, including massive demonstrations and civil disobedience. Make no doubt, he does not advocate violence. He issues a serious call to Christians to stand up for their beliefs.

Prayer Can Change Your Life by Parker,

This book documents research done on three types of therapy to overcome problems, including prayer as it is spoken of in scripture. Readers will discover how to use prayer to overcome life's obstacles and achieve happiness regardless of personal religious beliefs

Thank you, I will check it out. I'm always looking for recommendations.

Ever read The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell? It's a Christian apologetics book. So far I've enjoyed it and have learned some stuff.

There are several things written by Tom Bradford that makes wonderful reading, and are for free on the net. One series are commentaries on scripture that explores and compares the same topics spoken of in the new and in the old testament, showing how they relate to each other. Tom spent eight years deep in scripture study in Israel before he started writing. It is free at the site "torahclass.com".

Tom also wrote a free two apart analysis of the feasts that is fascinating.

I have not read this yet, but it looks like my kind'a book. I will check it out.

I checked the torahclass.com website, impressive. There is enough there to keep one busy for a year. Thanks for the tip!