Review – These 25 Books have shaped my spiritual life …
Over the years I have built up quite an extensive library. Occasionally I’m informed of a potential clear-out coming my way but the threat has yet to materialise! However, if I did have to select my top 25 titles, which books would be the most important for me to keep?
I’ve thought long and hard and here is that list – these are the books which have fed my soul, impressed my spirit and directed my life as opposed to simply informing my theology.
The main 10 – in order of priority
Celebration of Discipline Richard Foster Hodder
Return of the Prodigal Son Henri Nouwen DLT
The Wonder of Worship David McKee Faith Mission
Enjoying Intimacy with God Oswald Sanders Moody Press
Border Lands David Adam SPCK
In the Name of Jesus Henri Nouwen DLT
Awake my Heart J. Sidlow Baxter MMS
The Glory Man – Billy Bray Cyril Davey Hodder
An Unfading Vision Edward England Hodder
Literature Evangelism George Verwer Authentic
Those next in significance
Unlocking the Bible David Pawson HarperCollins
Dynamics of Spiritual Life Richard Lovelace Paternoster
Knowing God James Packer Hodder
The Church on the Way Jack Hayford Chosen Books
Wisdom Larry Lee Highland
The Life God Blesses Gordon MacDonald Word Books
Circle of Love Anne Persson BRF
Ruthless Trust Brennan Manning SPCK
A Glimpse of Jesus Brennan Manning SPCK
Soul Survivor Philip Yancey Hodder
Those too hard to leave out!
Finding Sanctuary Christopher Jamison Orion
Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren Zondervan
Walking the Edges David Adam SPCK
Epiphanies of the Ordinary Charlie Cleverley Hodder
Soulful Spirituality David Benner Baker
If you were hoping to find here a Guide to the 25 Essential Spiritual Classics, that book has already been written (25 Books Every Christian Should Read : Harper One : 2011) and is in itself highly recommended. It contains all the major Christian writers from past centuries and has been put together by a specially selected group of advisors by Renovare.
As a personal exercise, why not post here which books are important to you? What titles would your own list include?
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Eddie Olliffe's Blogspot 
These are not the books I need to own necessarily, indeed already due to my wandering feet (lincoln is the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere!) most of the early years books are no longer in my physical possession but then they don’t need to be as they were so foundational they are fixed in my mind, heart and psyche, but these are the books that I consider the key books of my spiritual life.
These are though the books whose names spring most readily and easily to mind.
I’d also have to point out that I can’t so easily divest my theology and spirituality from one another, my faith has never been academic… even when it was 😀
But I have taken most of the key ‘theology’ books out of the list where I can so as not to bore folk too much!
I’m the first to admit it’s an unsual and eclectic list…
THE BOOKS FROM MY TEENS …
On Being A Christian – Hans Kung (the book that caused my RE teacher from that point on to apologise for me to visiting priests – ‘melanie’s read Hans Kung…’) & The Church.
This Present Darkness – Frank Peretti & the follow on Piercing The Darkness.
Where is God When It Hurts – Philip Yancey
The Grace Awakening – Chuck Swindoll
Audacity to Believe – Sheila Cassidy
Michelle – Carolyn E Phillips ( Abut a girl who lost her leg to cancer that was perhaps even more key to my outlook than the also very good Joni – Joni Eareckson-Tada)
Don Camillo books -Giovanni Guareschi. (Fiction tells us many truths).
Murder in The Cathedral – T.S Eliot
THE BOOKS FROM MY “)SOMETHINGS…
Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit – (the books that triggered the very long discussion that really got me my entry into Heythrop College despite my forcast expected grades which wouldn’t have done the job! All fiction contains truth, especially just very good fantasy)
Celtic Daily Prayer – Northumbria Community, Forms of Prayer – Daily & Sabbath, A Shorter Morning and Evening Prayer (all still used)
The Antagonists – Ernest K Gann (another fiction one)
Good Friday People -Sheila Cassidy
Learning the Language of Prayer – Joyce Huggett
In Search of Beyond – Carlo Carretto
Markings – Dag Hammerskjold
The Complete Gospels – Funk & Miller
After The New Testament – Bart Ehrman (and quite a few of his other works, they made me think, question and seek to understand more)
Natural Grace – Matthew Fox & Rupert Sheldrake (Also The Physics of Angels)
THE LATER YEARS (or maybe it should be termed the now years)…
Irresistible Revolution – Shane Claibourne
Manual of the Warrior of Light – Paulo Coehlo ( a dipping book of profound insights that always talks to me)
What’s so Amazing about Grace – Philip Yancey
Jesus and the gods of the New Age – Ross Clifford & Philip Johnson
Circles of Silence – Robert Llewelyn
Actually at this point there are so many that are still fresh and teaching me things, luckily I own a bookshop… (and an ebook reader app!) so don’t have to worry too much about a cull anytime too soon!
To be fair I’ve cheated as there are more than 25 and even then this doesn’t really encompass the true list that was in my head because truthfully doing something like this is a bit like picking out friends for the title of BFF and just how do you do that with so many excellent friends that you love so much!
Thanks though Eddie for another fantastic thought provoking evenings exercise 😀
Hi, Eddie,. Your list is helpful and invited criticism and comment!
No “Pilgrim’sProgress”– which would have appeared in everyone’s list
a couple of generations ago (Spurgeon read it how many times? –
25-50 so he said) –yet I would be surprised if it appeared on many
people’s list today. No murray Mccheyne.
I am glad to see Nouwen’s Prodical Son near the top. Perhaps I would
have expected Philip Yancey nearer the top.
I remember that back in the 50s Hugh Martin (then the editor of SCM
Press) wrote
a book called “Great Christian Books” –I speak from memory but I dont
think any
of his lot are on your list. But yours are more contemporary. You
haven’t
included any of the great Catholic classics, which again is not too
surprising.
I am sure you are familiar with Eugene Peterson–but none have made it
to your list.
I will mull this over a bit more an get back to you again perhaps.
Blessings
Brian
Reblogged this on Self Publishing Advocate.