A week ago I solicited some help in choosing the next classic book to read in Reading Classics Together. I received hundreds of suggestions, but two seemed to dominate: Knowing God by J.I. Packer and Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen.
Having narrowed it down to 2, I thought I’d put it to the vote. So let me give you on paragraph about each book, and then you can make your selection. The one that receives the most votes will be the one we read together.
- Machen’s classic defense of orthodox Christianity established the importance of scriptural doctrine and contrasts the teachings of liberalism and orthodoxy on God and man, the Bible, Christ, salvation, and the church. Though originally published nearly seventy years ago, the book maintains its relevance today. It was named one of the top 100 books of the millennium by World magazine and one of the top 100 books of the century by Christianity Today. (Read more at Amazon)
- J. I. Packer’s Knowing God has become a classic of the Christian faith. Why? While it gives us information about God with clarity and grace, it does much more–it aids us in actually knowing him, in building our relationship with him, and helps draw us closer to him in love and worship. (Read more at Amazon)
One thing to note: Knowing God does not appear to be available in ebook format (while Machen’s book is available). That may be important to some.
