Theological books

Logos Supreme

Logos Supreme

 
Banned
I know there is a thread for posting books you read and I definitely don't mean to derail that thread.

It is just that since there are so many categories of books, maybe we can try to segregate the theological from the secular books?

This thread can be a place to not only list theological books you already read, but ones that you plan to read.
 
EndlessGravity

EndlessGravity

Pelican
Protestant
An excellent idea. Two obvious but often recommended books, both by C.S. Lewis...

Mere Christianity
A Grief Observed

The second seems to be a well-respected book by older gentlemen I've known and I've been meaning to ask @Roosh if he's read it and if so, his thoughts.
 
Hermetic Seal

Hermetic Seal

Pelican
Orthodox
Gold Member
I just finished reading Mere Christianity and I was honestly quite shocked by how closely Lewis's view of the atonement and salvation resembles that of Orthodoxy. The way that he talks about the purpose of the Christian life bears a shocking resemblance to theosis, the only major difference (that an amateur like myself could discern, anyway) was that he doesn't much emphasize the church's role in the process.

It's so striking that I'm surprised I've never seen some upset Reformed blogger write pages upon pages about why Lewis is gravely mistaken on this topic, or whatever.
 
Wutang

Wutang

Hummingbird
Gold Member
There's this Christian publisher named Crossway that's released a series of books on the thinking and doctrines of various theologians. It's heavily Protestant slanted with Augustine being the only non-Protestant theologian being represented. I've read and am reading through a few of the books in the series and I can attest to the quality of their content.

These aren't the type of books that can be breezed through in the same way your standard NYT bestseller by some pop public intellectual can be but at the same time, they aren't as dense as a purely academic book would be. They certainly are easier to understand then diving headfirst directly into the primary source works of each theologian is discussed.

While the ideas discussed can be abstract (sanctification vs. justification) the authors always makes sure that ideas never remain just theories and pure ideas with no application for Christians who aren't inclined towards metaphysical and philosophical pondering. Rather, everything is always written so that a general reader understands why some theological point is relevant to the their understanding of Christ and how it affects their beliefs and practice in a practical sense.

A few of the titles:

www.crossway.org

Augustine on the Christian Life

Focusing on Augustine’s personal transformation and dependence on the the Word of God, author Gerald Bray shows us how this ancient theologian can sharpen and encourage Christians today.
www.crossway.org www.crossway.org

www.crossway.org

Spurgeon on the Christian Life

This introduction to Spurgeon’s life and ministry—organized around themes such as the centrality of Christ and the empowerment of the Spirit—will encourage readers to live for God's glory.
www.crossway.org www.crossway.org

www.crossway.org

Calvin on the Christian Life

Drawing heavily on Calvin’s letters, commentaries, the Institutes, and other lesser-known writings, Horton explores the riches of Calvin’s piety and its significance for contemporary Christian living.
www.crossway.org www.crossway.org
 
Roosh

Roosh

Cardinal
Orthodox
EndlessGravity said:
An excellent idea. Two obvious but often recommended books, both by C.S. Lewis...

Mere Christianity
A Grief Observed

The second seems to be a well-respected book by older gentlemen I've known and I've been meaning to ask @Roosh if he's read it and if so, his thoughts.
Click to expand...
I did but didn't get much out of it. C.S. Lewis writes in a different kind of style that doesn't hit me strongly.
 
A

Aboulia

Woodpecker
Orthodox
Language of Creation - Matthieu Pageau

While not technically a "theological" book, it's about the symbolism used in biblical stories, and the stories and language used in the bible become much clearer after reading.
 
Good_Shepherd

Good_Shepherd

Woodpecker
Other Christian
Has anyone ever read the book of Enoch? What are your thoughts about it? Iv read it twice in the last 7-8 years and I really enjoyed the book, Im not saying it should be part of the bible or anything like that but it seems like the people in the bible read it, example: In the book of Jude they quote Enochs prophesies. I also found it interesting that the Ethiopian Bible which is a very old bible has the book of Enoch and the book of Jasher in it which I noticed is actually quoted in the book of Samuel, I still havent read Jasher yet
Logos Supreme said:
It is just that since there are so many categories of books, maybe we can try to segregate the theological from the secular books?

This thread can be a place to not only list theological books you already read, but ones that you plan to rea
Click to expand...
 
MichaelWitcoff

MichaelWitcoff

Hummingbird
Orthodox
Hermetic Seal said:
I just finished reading Mere Christianity and I was honestly quite shocked by how closely Lewis's view of the atonement and salvation resembles that of Orthodoxy. The way that he talks about the purpose of the Christian life bears a shocking resemblance to theosis, the only major difference (that an amateur like myself could discern, anyway) was that he doesn't much emphasize the church's role in the process.

It's so striking that I'm surprised I've never seen some upset Reformed blogger write pages upon pages about why Lewis is gravely mistaken on this topic, or whatever.
Click to expand...
Sometimes the Orthodox and certain Protestants will have nearly identical views on certain topics, but use different words for them. For example, the Wesleyan doctrine of sanctification doesn't seem to differ in any real way from the Orthodox view of theosis (apart from the sacramental and ecclesiastical aspects of it). What Protestants call being "born-again" also appears to be exactly the same thing St. Symeon the New Theologian described as the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit." Of course this all depends on the Protestant denomination and even the individual speaking about it, since it can differ so wildly between them.
 
MichaelWitcoff

MichaelWitcoff

Hummingbird
Orthodox
Good_Shepherd said:
Has anyone ever read the book of Enoch? What are your thoughts about it? Iv read it twice in the last 7-8 years and I really enjoyed the book, Im not saying it should be part of the bible or anything like that but it seems like the people in the bible read it, example: In the book of Jude they quote Enochs prophesies. I also found it interesting that the Ethiopian Bible which is a very old bible has the book of Enoch and the book of Jasher in it which I noticed is actually quoted in the book of Samuel, I still havent read Jasher yet
Click to expand...
I'm not sure why Enoch is not considered canon outside of Ethiopia. When I asked Jay about it, he wasn't totally sure either but suspects the answer is in some as-yet-untranslated documents revolving around the canons of early Councils.
 
Good_Shepherd

Good_Shepherd

Woodpecker
Other Christian
MichaelWitcoff said:
I'm not sure why Enoch is not considered canon outside of Ethiopia. When I asked Jay about it, he wasn't totally sure either but suspects the answer is in some as-yet-untranslated documents revolving around the canons of early Councils.
Click to expand...
I enjoyed the details about the circuit of the sun & moon, the weather, heaven and hell & some of the other details from genesis, also seemed to have some prophesies about Jesus, in the book of Enoch it said Enoch wrote over 50 books (something like that) where are all this books today?
 
OrthoCole

OrthoCole

Sparrow
Orthodox Catechumen
The Way of a Pilgrim is a fantastic book that teaches about prayer through a narrative form.

God's Revelation to the Human Heart by Father Seraphim Rose is also a great introduction to Orthodox spirituality.
 
Eusebius Erasmus

Eusebius Erasmus

Ostrich
Orthodox
MichaelWitcoff said:
I'm not sure why Enoch is not considered canon outside of Ethiopia. When I asked Jay about it, he wasn't totally sure either but suspects the answer is in some as-yet-untranslated documents revolving around the canons of early Councils.
Click to expand...
I think we need to just trust the holy fathers on this. Enoch was left out of the canon for a reason, and that’s all we need to know in the absence of more data.
 
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