Not all these books will become your books. Can I suggest a goal? Goal-setting is, for the most part, bad spirituality. But there can be exceptions. I think this might qualify as an exception: over the next five years, develop your own list of spiritual friends. Start with my list, but then gradually remake it into your own. You have to start somewhere. Start here. Eliminate. Substitute. Develop your own list, which over the years will become not a ‘list’ at all, but a room full of friends with whom you have ‘sweet converse.

Eugene Peterson, Take and Read

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 Anderson, Carol, Knowing Jesus in Your Life, PA: Morehouse Pub., 1993.                                                     Carol Anderson draws on her own spiritual journey as a vehicle for presenting the basic elements of the Christian faith. She was one of the first women ordained in the Episcopal Church in the United States and is currently the rector of All Saint’s Parish in Beverly Hills.

 Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, The Cost of Discipleship, New York: Macmillan Pub. Co., 1963.                                   Bonhoeffer, who died at the hands of the Nazis, speaks forcefully to the comfort and apathy in the church today. The chapter on “Costly Grace” is a classic. Bonhoeffer challenges the church to take discipleship more seriously.

 Borg, Marcus and N.T. Wright, The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions, San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1989.           Borg, a liberal, and Wright, a conservative, alternate chapters “present their views on who Jesus was, what he taught, and what he did.” The book follows a debate tour these two scholars took together. It is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to understand both sides of the debate about Jesus.

 Buechner, Frederick, Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale, San Francisco: Harper & Row,1977. Buechner draws on Shakespeare’s King Lear  in this work of non-fiction. Buechner also publishes popular works of fiction (also try Son of Laughter, 1993).

 Chambers, Oswald, My Utmost for His Highest, New Jersey: Barbour & Co                                                Chamber was instrumental in beginning the YMCA. This collection of daily devotions is one of the best-selling devotional books ever.

 The Cloud of Unknowing, The Cloud of Unknowing, Classics of Western Spirituality Series, New York: Paulist Press,1981. For those interested in contemplative prayer, this is necessary reading. Written anonymously, “The Cloud” is a helpful corrective to the current trend to package attractive formulas for prayer.

 Donne, John, John Donne: Selections from Divine Poems, Sermons, Devotions, and Prayers, Classics of Western Spirituality Series, New York: Paulist Press, 1990.                                                                                           “The Holy Sonnets” can serve as prayer aids and a good introduction to this influential Anglican. Although Donne’s sermons would seem tedious to the modern ear, he was the most popular preacher of his century. Beginning with several of his shorter poems is a good place to start.

 Foster, Richard J., Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, New York: Harper & Row, 1978 Speaking out of the Quaker tradition, Foster introduces his readers to the inward, outward, and corporate disciplines.

 Gonzalez, Justo L., The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Present Day, Massachusetts: Prince Press, 1999. This two volume standard seminary text on Church History has just be republished under a single cover. It’s readable without sacrificing detail. A good start for those interested in the sweep of Christian history.

 Hauerwas, Stanley & William H. Willimon, Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony, Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989. Hauerwas and Willimon attack many of the sacred cows of the church and call for a new vision for Christians based on our status as “aliens” in this world. The book is a moving call to the church to begin to live as the church.

 Howe, John, Our Anglican Heritage, California: David C. Cook, 1987. Howe provides a brief, readable introduction to the history of the Anglican Church.

 Johnson, Timothy Luke, The Writings of the New Testament: An  Interpretation,Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1986. If you are searching for a one-volume commentary on the Bible, this is the first one to put on your shelf. Johnson is a professor of New Testament Studies at Emory University in Atlanta.

 Julian of Norwich, Showings, Classics of Western Spirituality Series, New York: Paulist Press, 1978. There has been a resurgence of interest in Dame Julian. Her work has paved the way for current feminist theologians and will enhance the prayer life of any Christian.

 L’Engle, Madeline, Walking On Water: Reflections on Faith and Art, IL: Shaw Pub., 1980. L’Engle is best known for her children’s book A Wrinkle in Time but is most published as a writer of adult fiction and Christian devotional pieces. In this book she reflects on her life as an artist.

 Lucado, Max, God Came Near: Chronicles of the Christ, Oregon: Multnomah Press,  1982.  Lucado writes devotional books which center on the gospel stories. He is primarily a storyteller who seeks to make the life of Jesus accessible to the modern reader.

 Lewis, C. S., The Screwtape Letters, Ohio: Barbour and Company, 1990.  This work of fiction makes us privy to the correspondences between a senior tempter and his trainee. It is both hilarious and unsettling.

 Lewis, C. S., Mere Christianity, Ohio: Barbour and Company, 1990. Lewis is perhaps the most widely read Anglican author in history.  His writings have stood the test of time in a way that few modern, Christian writings have. This book on the primary beliefs of the Christian faith is based on series of Lewis’ talks that were broadcast by BBC radio.

 Manning, Brennan, The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-up, and Burnt Out, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1990. Manning, an ex-Roman Catholic priest, writes about recovery from addiction and the radical grace of God. His Lion and the Lamb , and Abba’s Child are also well worth reading.

 Mason, Mike, The Mystery of Marriage: As Iron Sharpens Iron, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1985. Using the biblical texts as a foundation, Mason offers reflections on love, intimacy, otherness, and sex. This is the only book I’ve found on the topic of marriage that I would recommend for almost any couple.     

 McGrath, Alister, I Believe: Understanding and Applying the Apostles’ Creed, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991 McGrath breaks down the creed into sixteen sections and provides a concise summary of the faith.

Merton, Thomas, Seeds of Contemplation, Great Britain: Anthony Clarke, 1961 Merton, a Trappist monk, came to popularity in the 60’s and continues to be widely read. His journals are also fascinating.

 Norris, Kathleen, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1993 Norris writes out of her experience of the Great Planes. Cloister Walk, reflections on a year spent in a monastery, is also a great read.

 Percy, Walker, Signposts in a Strange Land, USA: HarperCollins, 1991. In this collection of essays, Percy muses on life in the south, science, religion, morality, literature and language. Percy shows no one any mercy, least of all himself!

 Perrin, Norman & Dennis C. Duling, The New Testament: An Introduction, Second Edition, USA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1974. Perrin and Duling’s introduction is probably the most frequently used in Episcopal seminaries. It has stood the test of time and several reprints.            

 Peterson, Eugene, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society, Downers Grove, Il: IVP, 1980. Peterson is a biblical scholar who has a flare for applying scripture to daily life.  He currently teaches biblical theology at Regent College in Vancouver. This book is a study of the Psalms of Ascent.

 Peterson, Eugene, The Contemplative Pastor, Dallas: Word Pub., 1989.Though this book is addressed particularly to pastors, anyone seeking depth and integrity in their ministry will find a friend here.

 Peterson, Eugene, The Message, Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1993.Peterson draws on his knowledge of biblical languages and his talents as a poet to create this paraphrase of the New Testament. An Old Testament version is forthcoming.

 Peterson, Eugene, Take and Read: Spritual Reading: An Annotated List, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.Peterson seems to have read everything. This list includes the classics as well as books you would not expect. Simply reading his list will make you want to begin a plan for lifelong reading.

 Rutledge, Fleming, The Bible and the New York Times, Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998 This collection of sermons by one of the Episcopal Church’s premier preachers is arranged according to the liturgical calendar. Rutledge has a gift for making the biblical text come alive. Her grasp of contemporary issues lets her “keep the Bible in one hand and the New York Times in the other” (Karl Barth).

 Rutledge, Fleming, The Undoing of Death, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002                                                        This collection of Holy Week sermons is excellent reading for Lent. Paintings of scenes from the events of the last week of Jesus life are included and commented on by the author.

 St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation, New York: SVS Press, 1993.                                                                     Of the theologians of the early Church, Athanasius is one of the most accessible. This short treatise is one to return to annually.

 Stott, John, Basic Christianity, Downers Grove, IL: IVP.                                                                                 Stott is a member of the Anglican Church and has a ministry to business men and women in London. In this book, he concisely presents the basics of the Christian faith.

 Wangerin, Walter, Paul: A Novel, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.                                                                   This book is for you if you’ve never much liked the Apostle Paul. Wangerin paints creatively where the Bible leaves blanks while remaining deeply respectful of the details we do know of Paul from scripture. The struggles of apostle’s life, his opponents and friends, and the culture of the day are brought to life. The book will make you want to reread all of the Pauline epistles.

Wallis, Jim, The Call to Conversion, San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1973.                                                           The founder of the Sojourners community in Washington, D. C., Wallis will challenge your understanding of the relationship between faith and politics.

 Westerhoff, John H., A People Called Episcopalians: A Brief Introduction To Our Peculiar Way of Life, Atlanta: St. Luke’s Press,1974. Westerhoff is a pioneer in inter-generational Christian education. This short booklet provides a useful introduction to Anglican identity, authority, spirituality, temperament, and polity.

 Willard, Dallas, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes  Lives,New York: Harper Collins, 1988. People who like Dallas Willard really like Dallas Willard! In this, his best known book, he approaches the classic Christian spiritual disciplines from both a biblical and philosophical point of view. Willard is a philosophy professor at USC.

 Witherington, Ben,  The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. Most biblical commentaries are pulled off the shelf when one needs help with a particular passage, but this book on Mark is a pleasure to read straight through. Witherington gives insightful applications alongside scholarly detail. He avoids the stuffiness that often accompanies biblical commentaries.

Wright, N. T. The Original Jesus: The Life and Vision of a Revolutionary, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1996. Wright is an Anglican biblical scholar and dean of Lichfield Cathedral, England. The Original Jesus is a synopsis of Wright’s larger academic writings. For anyone interested in the historical Jesus questions, Wright is a good place to begin. The Crown and the Fire, Who Was Jesus?, and What Saint

Paul Really Said are also well worth reading. 

Wright, N. T., Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections of Discipleship, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 1994. This collection of essays includes outlines of six of the major New Testament books. Wright examines the major New Testament themes  of resurrection, rebirth, temptation, heaven, hell, and new life. Wright is a wonderful mix of both scholar and preacher.

Yancey, Philip, The Jesus I Never Knew, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House Michigan, 1995.             Yancey, the editor-at-large of Christianity Today, uses background information about the historical setting of the gospels to reintroduce Jesus to Christians who find it difficult to move beyond the portrait of Jesus presented to them in Sunday School.