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When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books*, and above all the parchments (2 Timothy 4:13, ESV).
Books have been an integral part of Christianity since the time of the Apostle Paul. Some historians believe that our modern form of books, instead of scrolls, originated from early Christianity and the need to easily find passages of Scripture.
Note: It’s easier to find a passage in a book, than rolling and unrolling a scroll. All vacationers reading novels on the beach this summer should give thanks for Christians and books!
I had about 2,000 books in my library at the church where I once pastored before a leaking roof destroyed hundreds of them. My Kindle™ now contains about 900 e-books. Obviously, books have contributed significantly to my life and ministry; however, I’ve recently been considering authors rather than individual titles of books.
My question: What authors (not a single book) have been most influential in my life? With the authors listed below, I’ve read all (or a high percentage) of their books.
#1 C.S. Lewis
I’ve read all his books and most of them twice. His book, Mere Christianity, consistently ranks among the top three most influential books written in Christendom, according to book reviewers. Read also The Screwtape Letters and The Chronicles of Narnia.
#2 Watchman Nee
A Chinese Christian, arrested for his beliefs by the Chinese government after China became communist, spent the last 20 years of his life in prison. However, before prison, he prolifically wrote about spiritual formation. I read his book Sit, Walk, Stand (an explanation of the Book of Ephesians) early in my walk with Jesus. His thoughts about learning to sit with Jesus before we walk or stand in our faith practices still echo in my spirit.
#3 Timothy Keller
Keller’s book The Reason for God is my favorite book on apologetics. His book, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering and Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, would contain many dog-eared pages if I read it in a paper book, rather than on my Kindle.
#4 Dallas Willard
I purchased all of Willard’s books in paper copy and then purchased them again for my Kindle.
His book, The Divine Conspiracy, tops my list on books about developing a relationship with Jesus. When I opened this book for the first time and read the opening line in the introduction, I was hooked, and it became one of my favorite books. . .
My hope is for my readers to gain a fresh hearing for Jesus, especially among those who believe they already understand him.
And yes, as a Christian for many years before reading this book, I found renewed understanding of Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
#5 Bill Johnson
Bill Johnson, controversial to some and maligned by others as being extreme in his charismatic views, still holds a place in my heart with his writings. When I read Johnson, I get a real sense of the presence and power of God in my “heart.”
I could mention other authors but would encourage you to read at least one book from each of these authors when you vacation this year — whether on a beach or sitting at a mountain campsite.
*The word “books” in 2 Timothy 4:13 doesn’t refer to bound books as we know them today.
The word “biblios,” from which we get “books” and “Bible,” often referred to a rolled document
like a scroll, while parchments referred to single sheets of animal skins — long lasting —
upon which Scripture could be written.