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08/15/07
Comments (62)

Reading the Classics Together

If you’re like me there are probably quite a few books that you wish you had read and yet, for some reason, you still haven’t. There are classics kicking around your desk that you’ve been meaning to pick up, but to this point you’ve never actually taken the time to read them. Or perhaps you’ve read bits and pieces but have never read the whole thing. Maybe it’s Holiness by J.C. Ryle or The Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards or a portion of John Owens’ voluminous writings. Maybe it’s Calvin’s Institutes or Augustine’s Confessions. I’ve read some, but certainly not all, of the classics I’d like to read. Some of these are on my list!

So I’m wondering if there are some readers out there who would be interested in attacking a classic or two with me. I figure we can read a chapter per week (or a few pages per week depending on the book’s format) and have some discussion right here on this blog. I’ll post a topic and we can engage in some back and forth about what the chapter has covered. Don’t think you’ll be required to say anything or to say anything profound. If you want you can just remain a silent participant, reading the books but not talking about them. In either case you will at least benefit from the reading.

To be honest, I think this is the only way I’ll ever really discipline myself to read some of these books. Maybe this kind of structure can help you too. I’ll see if I can’t work out a discount with some online retailer so we can get the books at a good price if we don’t already own them.

So who’s with me? And if you are, what would you like to read?

Reading the Classics Together

Comments (62) »

1. Kyle
August 15, 2007
5:53 PM

I think that’s a terrific idea. There are so many books I’d love to read, but I often lack the motivation and accountability to stick with it.

I’d love to do: Luther’s The Bondage of the Will Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation Athanasius’ On the Incarnation Augustine’s Confessions Calvin’s Institutes… Edwards’ The End for Which God Created the World and The Freedom of the Will

2. Kris E
August 15, 2007
5:59 PM

Hey Tim, I’ve been a daily reader for almost a year and a half but have never commented. I’m game for this reading challenge. I too have really wanted to read some of the classics but always seem to let other books capture my attention first. Great blog btw, I always enjoy your insight and knowledge.

3. John Hollandsworth
August 15, 2007
6:15 PM

Oooo, new AJAX sidebar goodness explaining every part of the comment box as you type!!! Challies rocks!

oh, sorry, yes, I’d love to be part of a book club, Tim. Oprah is getting a little boring.

4. Jerry DV
August 15, 2007
6:18 PM

Tim, I also think that this is a great idea. I have had interest in reading many of these classics but without discussion of them, I have a hard time pushing through. It would be great to go slow but steady.

5. Fran Szarejko
August 15, 2007
6:56 PM

I’d love to be a part of this. Some I would like to read are:

Augustine — City of God Calvin — Institutes Athanasius — On the Incarnation Anselm of Canterbury — Proslogion Chesterton — Anything but the novels

Let’s do this!

6. David Sawyer
August 15, 2007
7:06 PM

Count me in, I like you need this discipline to read them!

I agree slow is better, some of these books are so rich it is good to ponder on them rather than just tick them off.

7. Diane
August 15, 2007
7:11 PM

I’m in!!

8. Robert Weir
August 15, 2007
7:13 PM

Diddo, the count me in.

Confessions (a want to read) Institutes (someday) On the Incarnation (is really good)

Slow is good

school for life.

9. Graham
August 15, 2007
7:16 PM

I think it would be very encouraging and a great blessing to be reading the Institutes, or Freedom of the Will, or Holiness or any other classic for that matter, with others chapter by chapter. I think Holiness would be great! I have read some and Ryle surely takes one to his knees and to the cross in hurry!

10. Ivan
August 15, 2007
7:25 PM

Yes…this is great. I just arrived at college yesterday and I unpacked all my books from the boxes. I was overwhelmed by the number of books I have picked up and have not made time to read them—-especially the classics.

Here’s my list: - The Confessions by Augustine (top choice) - Orthodoxy by Chesterton - The Imitation of Christ by Kempis (a bit of a mystic though) - John Owen - (anything…a book of the “Gospel” series, Overcoming Sin and Temptation, etc.) - I would say Calvin’s Institutes, but The Shepherd’s Scrapbook has already undertaken that one.

I’m excited to do this Tim. Thanks for the idea.

11. Elda Coleman
August 15, 2007
7:28 PM

I would love to participate. Of course, I say this while looking at this lovely little stack of books I just received from John Piper (I took advantage of the $5 sale! woo hoo!!) for which I was seriously planning to take some time to read through. Oh, what’s another book?!!

12. ChrisB
August 15, 2007
7:30 PM

I think it’s a great idea. May I suggest that for a first time out something that isn’t too long or too hard would be a good idea. Confessions would probably be a better first book than City of God. On the Incarnation sounds great.

13. Danny
August 15, 2007
7:31 PM

I think that is a great idea, I am definitely games for this. As I think about it I have on my to be read shelf

Augustine- Confessions Owens- Overcoming Sin and Temptation

I just over the last few months have read Ryle’s- Holiness, and Henry Scougal—The life of God and the soul of man. Both books were great.

14. Austin Storm
August 15, 2007
7:41 PM

Oh man, would I ever. People have suggested some good options, too!

15. BrettR
August 15, 2007
7:42 PM

I’m in. I like all suggestions so far; no objections.

16. Stephen Altrogge
August 15, 2007
7:52 PM

Tim,

Now this is a great idea my friend. Unfortunately, I have 8.3 million books already on my reading list so I won’t be participating. But I have some suggestions of classics:

1) Prayer of Jabez - Bruce Wilkinson 2) Generous Orthodoxy - Brian McClaren 3) Woman, Thou Art Released - T.D. Jakes 4) Wild At Heart - John Eldredge

Just kidding, I think the others suggested are great…

17. dt
August 15, 2007
8:15 PM

Great idea! My top suggestion would be pretty much anything by the Puritans, as I’ve read precious little of them. Calvin’s Institutes would also be great.

18. Barrett Young
August 15, 2007
8:18 PM

Great idea Tim.

A friend of mine and I already started doing this through The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (John Owen). I won’t lie. It is hard to do, especially when you’re reading and you know you’re going to have to remember what you just read! But it is definitely worth it…

I look forward to reading the posts as others read the books. Unfortunately, my own reading list is getting backed up already. How about the Religious Affections?

Great recommendations Stephen. Perhaps a back to back of the God Delusion and the Dawkins Delusion, followed by Misquoting Jesus and Misquoting Truth.

19. Heather
August 15, 2007
8:55 PM

I’m intimidated by all the titles suggested so far, but I’d like to try it as well.

20. april
August 15, 2007
9:31 PM

Sounds great. Count me in!

21. donsands
August 15, 2007
9:37 PM

I vote for “Holiness” by John Charles Ryle.

What a classic. And you’re right, I’ve never read it through. Do I feel convicted.

22. Tim
August 15, 2007
9:41 PM

I have a confession to make….

I’ve never read Pilgrim’s Progress (gasp!)

23. Rick
August 15, 2007
9:49 PM

My top 6 recommendations (highly recommend all 6): Marshall - The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification Charnock - The Existence and Attributes of God Owen - Temptation and Sin Romaine - The Life, Walk, and Triumph of Faith Piper (Edwards) - God’s Passion for His Glory (which includes Edwards The End for Which God Created the World) Fisher - The Marrow of Modern Divinity

24. Jeff Fuhry
August 15, 2007
10:53 PM

Great idea Tim. Been reading you for a few weeks now, and have enjoyed your thoughts (as well as the selection at WTSBooks!) My reading queue has the following books: Edwards - Religious Affections Luther - Bondage of the Will Charnock - Existence and Attributes of God (I stalled after about 40 pages of this)

25. Marty C.
August 15, 2007
11:31 PM

Tim:

I have been reading your blog for over a year but like some of your other readers I am not big on making comments. I would love to read a classic with you and the other readers. Our theological reading group at our church just finished reading Grudem’s Systematic Theology so I am ready to read a classic. I have always wanted to read Calvin’s Institutes but I have not been motivated— a reading group could be that motivation. However, I will read whatever you select.

26. Sandi
August 15, 2007
11:59 PM

Count me in! That sounds great! All the classics mentioned above sound terrific.

27. Angus
August 16, 2007
12:01 AM

Long time reader of the blog, long time attempted reader of classics on a regular basis and first time poster. Sounds like a great idea and I’d love to work along on it. If I was to list my top dozen to read (mostly repeats, they would be):

Calvin’s Institutes Luther’s Bondadge of the Will Edward’s Freedom of the Will Augustine’s City of God Owen’s The Glory of Christ Warfield’s The Person and Work of Christ Charnock’s The Existence and Attributes of God Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism Boston’s Human Nature in it’s Fourfold State Rutherford’s Letters (I think Spurgeon said they were the most inspired thing he read after Scripture) McCheyne’s Memoir and Remains (read it when a teenager and need to revisit it properly) Watson’s Body of Divinity

Sure I’ve missed some, but really looking forward to this…

28. Lisa
August 16, 2007
12:07 AM

I, too, would benefit from structure and ‘positive peer pressure’ in getting some of my classics completed! I’m weighing in for “Confessions”.

29. Rachel from Australia
August 16, 2007
12:21 AM

I’m in too, though probably just as a lurker.

On my personal wish list (and have been gathering dust in my to-be-read stack for years) are:

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment - Jeremiah Burroughs

The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall

Any of EM Bound’s Books on Prayer

I feel sure many, if not most, classic Christian books would be available free online or downloadable for those of us who actually find onscreen reading easier, or who might want to use a “reader”.

Would you mind also finding and posting links of online versions when you select each book?

30. James
August 16, 2007
12:22 AM

I’m in even though my own stack of books to read is swelling at a rapid pace. So far the books everyone has recommended are great which means whichever one you choose will be a solid one. Only one that I can suggest is:

Justification by Francis Turretin

31. Sewing
August 16, 2007
12:56 AM

Tim, a great idea, though I will not really have time to participate. Nevertheless, here are a couple of titles that don’t seem to have been mentioned much already, neither of which I have read yet:

Edwards: History of the Work of Redemption Fuller: The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptation

32. Cesar Vigil-Ruiz
August 16, 2007
1:49 AM

Great books, I would love to read all of them someday. As for what I’ve been thinking about reading, here’s my list:

The Sinfulness of Sin (Ralph Venning) The Bruised Reed (Richard Sibbes) Everlasting Righteousness (Horatius Bonar) Redemption Accomplished and Applied (John Murray) What is Faith? (J. Gresham Machen) Anything by John Owen or Jonathan Edwards

33. Barb
August 16, 2007
2:43 AM

I’d love to participate.

34. jmark
August 16, 2007
5:12 AM

Like a presbyterian minister I have three points!

  1. It’s a great idea.

  2. I also have a reading list entitled “Books I really must read, but am too ashamed to admit I haven’t”!!

  3. Does the number of comments generated here not tell us something? There are a lot of people who want to do this. But tying it in to Tim’s post earlier this week about virtual communities - would it not be a better idea to seek out one or two others in our locality (be that in a 30-50 mile radius) and meet up twice a month to do this in real world. The development of local fellowship would be a much richer experience than online. Also why not invite a couple of people less inclined to read along, and lead them into the discipline of reading.

35. Rich Owen
August 16, 2007
5:13 AM

I’m in. Institutes, any Edwards or Owen. How about some Karl Barth?

36. Gary
August 16, 2007
6:52 AM

This is a great idea Tim. And the suggestions so far sound brilliant, most of them are knocking about my house, and though i’ve read some, and some of some, most classics have fallen to the wayside of neglect and ‘i’ll read that later’. Thanks for suggesting this.

37. Carly
August 16, 2007
7:16 AM

It sounds like a great idea, and I’m in! Many of us seem to have the same problem: discipline and accountability for reading the books. No one has suggested Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards yet. Owen would be nice, too. Just a thought: give us a forewarning so we can go get the book if we don’t own it yet! Thanks for the idea, Tim.

38. Kevin
August 16, 2007
7:43 AM

Sounds like a great idea. I’ll admit that I haven’t read most of the classics mentioned here, but I’m willing to try. This format should help to overcome my habit of starting a good book and not finishing it!

39. Misty
August 16, 2007
7:45 AM

I’d be interested in this. I don’t have any classics suggestions, though.

40. David
August 16, 2007
8:18 AM

Tim,

I’ve been trying to read The Freedom of the Will for quite a while now. I find it a very difficult read. I would be interested to see what you or others conclude as you go through it.

41. Woz
August 16, 2007
8:54 AM

I’ve been reading for a while now, but this is my first post. If anyone is interested, check out http://www.ccel.org/index/author-A.html

It is a “free” (donation) online library where you can download MANY classic books in several different formats (pdf, word, palm, etc). I highly recommend it!

42. David Sawyer
August 16, 2007
9:07 AM

Woz,

You just came up with a website I was going to mention. My only suggestion is that what ever book is chosen is available free on the net (legally!). This should not be a problem as all of the true classics will not be covered by copyright anyway. This would ensure it is open to everyone no matter how rich they are or where they live.

The best site for this would be Christian Classics Ethereal Library, I wrote a mini review of it on my website.

43. Maria
August 16, 2007
9:29 AM

Awesome! I totally want to participate. I’m not terribly picky, but someone mentioned Piper’s “God’s Passion for His Glory” (which includes Edwards The End for Which God Created the World). I’d love to do that one as well.

44. Tony
August 16, 2007
9:38 AM

I’m in. I’m all for reading the Christian Classics, but how ‘bout some classic novels with a Christian theme. i.e Dostoyevsky and the like

45. Andrew
August 16, 2007
9:40 AM

Owen’s Overcoming Sin & Temptation was next on my reading list.

46. Michael Labrador
August 16, 2007
10:01 AM

Awesome Idea,

I am a full time Missionary in the Ecuadorian Rain Forest and have little access to actual books, but i do have a tremendous E-book Library and would love to Join you in this. Lately i have been thinking that:

Augustine’s “City of God”

Might be an enjoyable read.

47. Ken
August 16, 2007
10:03 AM

A group at my church has been doing this for about two years. We meet twice a month to discuss the current book. So far, we have read Mere Christianity, the Didache, Athanasius’ On the Incarnation, some of the Gnostic gospels (they don’t compare favorably to the canonical ones), Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God, and Pilgrim’s Progress. We are about 2/3 through Packer’s Knowing God now. Not sure what we’ll take up next, but some of the titles mentioned above are on our list.

48. Another Kevin
August 16, 2007
10:31 AM

Hi everyone. When I consider reading Owen I feel like I’m being asked to eat beets or run a six-minute mile. It might be good for me in the end, but the process will be painful. I recommend Kris Lundgren’s modernization and adaptations of Owen’s works like the Enemy Within or the other one. Same with Walter Marshall, bleck!! beets again. Those Puritans were just too smart for me. I haven’t read Knowing God or the Holiness of God or Spritual Depression. Even Orthodoxy I have to re-read each sentence. Sorry, but can we dumb it down a little? Did Augustine write any comic books?

49. Kyle
August 16, 2007
11:31 AM

What about Martyn-Lloyd Jones? Could we consider any of his writings “classics” yet?

50. Barrett Young
August 16, 2007
11:35 AM

Tim and all,

It looks like the volume of enthusiasm and the choice of books generated by your idea will make it a highly participated event. But I think that narrowing this exceedingly long list down to one will be next to impossible. Therefore, I would recommend that two or three titles be chosen, and some sort of forum set up. Then, members can sign up for a book and participate. Anyone should be able to watch/comment, but in order to keep the accountability aspect of it, there could be some sort of list of names that are actually participating.

51. Another Kevin
August 16, 2007
11:48 AM

Kris Lundgaard is the name I meant. See, I told you I am dumb. And the other book is Through the Looking Glass, but The Enemy Within is the rewrite of Owen’s On the Death of Death (I think)

52. Michael
August 16, 2007
12:31 PM

The Bondage of the Will Augustine’s Confessions Calvin’s Institutes The Freedom of the Will The Sinfulness of Sin The Bruised Reed Redemption Accomplished and Applied etc

I’m in

53. Jesse Taylor
August 16, 2007
12:34 PM

I would love to do this. I need accountability to do what is not natural for me, Reading and Thinking Deeply!

54. Steve Erickson
August 16, 2007
12:44 PM

This is just weird. My friend and I had this same thought a few weeks ago. We’ve started reading through the Institutes together. You can follow our progress over at http://www.theinstitutes.net

55. Martin Pitcher
August 16, 2007
1:09 PM

Put me on the list. Sounds like a tremendous blessing is on the way.

56. Ivan
August 16, 2007
2:13 PM

Stephen’s comment (#16) scared me at first: “Tim, Now this is a great idea my friend. Unfortunately, I have 8.3 million books already on my reading list so I won’t be participating. But I have some suggestions of classics:

1) Prayer of Jabez - Bruce Wilkinson 2) Generous Orthodoxy - Brian McClaren 3) Woman, Thou Art Released - T.D. Jakes 4) Wild At Heart - John Eldredge

Just kidding, I think the others suggested are great…”

Aren’t we all thankful he was just kidding. Very funny.

57. Ukrainiac
August 16, 2007
2:44 PM

I am also a full-time missionary living outside of the country. I’d love to give it a go, but will need a heads-up to be sure that I have access to the chosen book.

58. Chris Windsor
August 16, 2007
3:02 PM

Ditto to what Jesse Taylor said… count me in.

59. Joshua
August 16, 2007
3:22 PM

Pilgrim’s Progress is a must.

BTW, Mr. Challies, I am having difficulty with the blog in Safari for Mac. Not sure if you can do anything. This is not the first and that is why I also use Firefox, which I am not commenting in as the Post Your COmment Here fields did not reveal themself in Safari.

60. Tim Challies
August 16, 2007
4:04 PM

I just posted the information about the first book here.

Your COmment Here fields did not reveal themself in Safari.

Thanks for letting me know. I’ll try to figure that one out.

61. David Zavadil
August 20, 2007
10:36 PM

I am in, just let me know what we are reading and how much to read. I can use the accountability.

62. Shane Trammel
August 28, 2007
10:41 PM

I am in. Let us know about the discount. I don’t have the first book.