- RSS FeedSubscribe
- « Previous PostA La Carte (5/5)
- Next Post »A La Carte (5/6)
The Return of Reading Classics Together
- 05/05/11
- 121
Several years ago I introduced a program called Reading Classics Together. The impetus for this project was the simple realization that, though many Christians want to read through the classics of the faith, few of us have the motivation to actually make it happen. I know this was long the case for me. This program allows us to read such classic works together, providing both a level of accountability and the added interest of comparing notes as we read in community.
Those who have participated in each of the programs have read Holiness by J.C. Ryle, Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen, The Seven Sayings of the Savior on the Cross by A.W. Pink, The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, Real Christianity by William Wilberforce, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs, Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray, The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes, Spurgeon by Arnold Dallimore and The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. That is quite a solid collection of classics! I have benefited immensely from reading these books and know that others have, too.
The format is simple: every week we read a chapter or a section of a classic of the Christian faith and then on Thursday we check in at my blog to discuss it. It's that easy: one chapter per week.
It has been a few months since we finished The Holiness of God. I have been deliberate in allowing a bit of time to elapse, but I think it’s time to get going again.
I’d like you to help me choose the next classic. I have spent some time looking through the lists of books and just can’t choose one. So if you are interested in reading a classic together (either because you think we would benefit from reading it or because you have been wanting to read it but haven’t had the time or discipline) go ahead and leave a comment with your suggestion. And then stay tuned to the blog to see what we’ll be reading and when we’ll begin.
The book can be old or new; it can be well-known or obscure. It just needs to be good and needs to be able to make an impact on us as we read.
My suggestion is Robert Murray M’Cheyne by Andrew Bonar—Bonar’s biography of his dear friend. But I am very open to other suggestions.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
Releasing on April 1, The Next
Published in 2008, this book
This is a guide that calls men,
This review of the bestselling
New to the site? You can get
This is a guide written
Comments (121)
Fine with me! Let’s read M’Cheyne’s bio! Here is a link with the .pdf file for free
www.munseys.com/diskfour/biro.pdf
How about John Flavel’s “The Mystery of Providence”- Puritan Paperbacks. I always enjoy reading these Puritan classics and this format is a great help to that end. Thanks Tim
I would like to suggest Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen or Grace: by Lewis Sperry Chafer. With that said, I wouldn’t mind reading Robert Murray M’Cheyne by Andrew Bonar. I look forward to reading the classics together.
I read the Mc’Cheyne book last year. Good, but not great.
My suggestions would be the Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor if you wanted to get the foreign missionary aspect of Mc’Cheyne or one of EM Bounds if you want to get the pastoral/prayer aspect of Mc’Cheyne.
I would also suggest Life Together by Bonhoeffer in part because of the recent interest in Bonhoeffer and the fact that so many have not actually read any of his original books. And I think Life Together is the most accessible (and shortest).
Are you thinking of memoirs and remains that banner of truth put out? If so,ive got that one sitting on my shelf, anxiously awaiting my attention. Another suggestion id have is dynamics of spiritual change by Richard Lovelace! Ive heard good things!
For a more contemporary classic, how about Piper’s Desiring God? It’s been years since I read that.
For a more classic classic, how about The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther?
Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen sounds like a great choice.
Im very happy about the return … would love to read along … what about “The Gospel according to Jesus” by John MacArthur?
Thanks for asking: My choice: To the Golden Shore, the Life of Adoniram Judson.
But I could second three from above above, definitely books I’d like to read, and reading them together has been very helpful:
Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham MachenLife Together by BonhoefferThe Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther?
I think Christianity and Liberalism by Machen sounds good also.
“Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald Whitney!
I would love to read Machen’s “Christianity and Liberalism.”
Christianity and Liberalism by Machen!!!
I know it’s quite a bit longer, but I would love to read & interact with the group on Spurgeon’s autobiography, “The Early Years”. Volume II, “The Full Harvest” might have to wait a while.
“Prayer”, by John Bunyan
http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.John.Bunyan/Sermons.Allegories/Discourse.T…
Or any other classic on the subject of prayer.
Tim,
I was going to do this on my blog with some of my friends from around the country (mostly since it seemed as though you abandoned it, guess not). Anyways, what about this book?
A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories that Stretch and Stir by Collin Hansen & John Woodbridge.
Always wanted to read this book and so was going to propose that to my friends….but I would love to redirect them here instead. Thoughts?
“Don’t Waste Your Life” by Piper was the impetus to a whole (and more Holy) new chapter in my life. I vote for something by Piper…or even MacArthur. They, along with Sproul, are certain to be members of the “New” classics.
How about some G.K. Chesterton? The Everlasting Man is a good one and timely.
I just ordered Love Your God with All Your Mind by J.P. Moreland from Amazon. Has anyone else read it?
How about going way way back to Augustine and reading Confessions or City of God?
Reading suggestions — Human Nature in Its Fourfold State, by Thomas Boston (very readable and immensely helpful) Knowing God, by J. I. Packer The Sermon on the Mount, D. M. Lloyd-Jones (or even “Christian Counter-Culture” by JRW Stott); both are classics and personal favorites
thanks for leading the program!
I vote for Christianity and Liberalism. But M’Cheyne is good too!
Another suggestion…
“Life of God in the Soul of Man”, by Henry Scougal
http://www.ccel.org/s/scougal/life/
How about “The Life of John Newton” by Josiah Bull?
I second the suggestion of Knowing God by J.I. Packer. I have tried several times to get through this one to no avail so far.
I just began reading Dr. Haykin’s book about re-discovering the Church Fathers. Why not start with Augustine’s Confessions? That is a book Dr. Haykin recommends.
Everybody’s choices sound really good so it is hard for me to make a suggestion! How about Jonathan Edwards on Knowing Christ?
The peace of Christ be with you, Tim.,I would recommend James B. Jordan’s Through New Eyes and Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. The first is a tour on Biblical typology; said to be one of the greatest works on biblical symbolism ever written; Machen’s is a must. Though I have read it before, I am looking for another excuse to read it again.
I think “Christianity and Liberalism” by Machen sounds like a great book to read.
I’m definitely up for some GK Chesterton. I think his most famous works are Orthodoxy and Heretics. He’s got to be one of the most quoted Christians on the net, it would be good to read some material straight from the horses mouth!
I suggest “The Reformed Pastor” by Richard Baxter. There are many takeaways in this book for the modern pastor. It also seems like I have seen this book quoted in many other works; therefore, it would be good to discuss the source.
Yes, I would love to read this one…
“The Reformed Pastor”, by Richard Baxter
Sounds like “Christianity and Liberalism” has a lot of “grass roots” support. Just looked at the TOC on Amazon and looks promising.
I think reading from church history in this forum would be fun but Augustine’s City of God is really long (800+ pages)… Confessions might be more manageable (350+ pages).
Sorry I missed The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards, have heard that is good read.
-Mike
What about The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink? All of the others sound great as well, just wanted to throw my 2cents worth in!
Christianity and Liberalism by Machen sounds like a great choice. I just finished Edwards by George Marsden so it would be nice to switch it up from a biography. But I am up for anything!
Spurgeon by Arnold Dallimore!
I could get into Packer’s “Knowing God,” as someone suggested above. It’s been on my “to-read” list for years, and I’ve never gotten to it.
In the biography vein, I’d love to read either of the two volumes of Iain Murray’s bio on Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
On the bio front, I have heard good things aboutHere I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland Herbert Bainton. Not sure if it qualifies as a “classic” yet but it covers the man behind many classics. :)-Mike
Sounds like Machen will win but I was sitting here starting Jesus Among Other God’s and Ravi quoted Augustine and I thought what about going way back, as Ben suggested, and read Confessions.
Some Suggestions:
Confessions or City of God Against the Pagans by Saint Augustine
The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther
Lectures in Calvinism by Abraham Kuyper
Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhoff
I haven’t participated before, but I’d play this time if we read Christianity and Liberalism. Other suggestions that sounded good are Bonhoeffer’s Life Together and G.K. Chesterton.
Pilgrim’s Progress is on my short list, and might make for good classic reading.
Confessions by St. Augustine.
I read through all the comments before posting.
Of those Already suggested I’m all for:”The Reformed Pastor” by Richard Baxter.”The Sovereignty of God” by A.W. Pink”Bondage of the Will” by Luther
Not yet mentioned (I don’t think I skimmed I admit ;-):”Freedom of the Will” By Jonathan Edwards”Calvin’s Institutes” (Do I need to put the author down?)
Orthodoxy though fits the criteria perfectly. Beside Desiring God, I think modern stuff should be left out. I include only because it fits perfectly.How about The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee?
I am game for Institutes. It might be the only way I would get through it.
Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen sounds good to me. I also like the Spurgeon recommendation. Confessions by Augustine is a good choice too. Lastly, The Pilgrim’s Progress by Bunyan would be wonderful.
The Common Principles of the Christian Religion by Hugh Binning. I actually am republishing of this great classic through Solus Christus Publishing.
I’d love to read Desiring God by John Piper. It really is nice to know that others are reading as well, and I can get other opinions or thoughts as I go.Holiness of God was the first that I read along with you. The idea of reading WITH other people has helped me read one chapter a week. With four small children, sometimes even one is a challenge!
Machen’s, “Christianity and Liberalism”!
Wow, lots of good reading, I love classic lit!! I’ve been sitting here with my Nook downloading many of these suggestions. The best part of classic books is that a cheapskate like me can afford them :-)
I’m new here, but would vote for any biography by Arnold Dallimore, I read his book on George Whitefield some time ago and it was excellent. Piper would be good, but Confessions would be a good read also … plus they’re already on my Nook