Friar Ray asked me to recommend some books for him to read. Actually, he got tired of me pushing books on him and just wanted a list. Especially important to him are books that dialogue with his Catholic Heritage.
Ray....here is the short list
In the Name of Jesus and Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen
Both essentials in understanding leadership and Nouwen
Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
A life changing book on the power and impact of the love of God.
Through the Year with St. Francis by Bodo??
An excellent book with the greatest of saints in the medieval era.
The Life You Save May Be Your Own by Paul Edie
About Christian life and vocation as Catholic writers in the mid 20th century. Merges the stories of Merton, Dorothy Day, Flannery O'Connor, and Walker Percy.
The Complete Short Stories by Flannery O'Connor
Silence by S. Endo (fiction)
A compelling novel about Catholic missionaries in Japan. Endo is an often ignored Christian leader in letters. See also his book THE LIFE OF CHRIST.
Anything by William Keinzle (mystery)
Mysteries of an aging priest that discusses a lot of issues in the church while it deals with solving a murder.
Acquinas for Dummies
This has that stuff about Acquinas being influenced by Muslim philosphers in a very accessable read.
St. Thomas Acquinas and Orthodoxy by Chesterton
Chesterton is brilliant. Aquinas is brilliant. Enough said.
Abondonment to Divine Providence by St. Francis de Sales
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawerence (most essential)
A very accessable and ancient work about following Jesus day to day.
The Wisdom of the Desert and Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton
Merton is a little trendy at times, and his later stuff does not hit me as hard...these are my favorites so far.
Non-Catholic Choices:
The New Kind of Christian Trilogy and Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren
Good primers on Emergent Church stuff. See also the CHURCH ON THE OTHER SIDE.
Prayer and Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
He is the best at what he does in teaching spiritual disciplines and prayer in an everyday, common way.
A Long Obiedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson
Everything by Peterson is good. This is the most popular. Uses the Psalms of Ascent to discuss essentials of the spiritual journey.
Soul Survivor by Phillip Yancey
A number of mini-bios here. Very powerful and informative.
Women in the Church by Grenz and Kjesbo
Strongest most accessable arguement for women in full partnership in ministry.
Well...Ray at least that is a start...I will tell you more as I think and as I read my Christmas books.
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6 comments:
wow, there are a lot of books on christianity! (SN didn't know...)
You seems to be a voracious reader mate.
GREAT list
erm do you have all these books in your own library? If so can I come visit you :)
Well these are some of what I have... I have given away Celebration of Discipline and Ragamuffin Gospel (cant seem to keep this one for very long without giving it to someone.)
I've seen your library and next time I'm out I'm bringing an extra bag to carry some back with me. I've loved getting back into reading. That's what grad school does to you. I'm tired of reading facts though and have immersed myself into the realm of fiction of all sorts (except scarey). Yea for reading!
Thank You ever so much sir. I still feel corny about using the pseudonym friar Ray.
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