5 Books That Are Mighty Close to "Must Reads"

I have participated in a project sponsored by a publisher to name "25 Books Every Christian Should Read." So, I've asked for input, and am grateful to those of you who contributed. This is truly an impossible assignment, but has been surprisingly rich to pursue. My part was to only submit 5 titles to be considered by the editors. I could probably come up with ten more lists of five books that are all equally excellent. I don't expect any of my selections to make the elite 25 simply because there are so many from which to choose. These, however, have made a difference for me.

So, here is my first book of the five, along with the explanation of why I chose it. These are books I think can be especially helpful to those seeking to follow Jesus. I would be glad to hear from you about other titles that are important to you or comments on my own submissions.

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Nouwen, Henri. Jesus: A Gospel. Edited by Michael O’Laughlin, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2001.

• What is your personal relationship to this book? How has it helped you? This book captures the essence of Nouwen’s genius. Reading it is like having Henri share with me what he has learned from a lifetime of following Jesus.
• Why does it make your list of top formation/discipleship titles? Nouwen leads the reader into the profoundness of life in Christ. He does so with such accessible language and examples. The use of Rembrandt sketches provides a rich visual complement to the text. Consequently, text and illustrations engage the whole person in the message.
• What does the book add to your idea of what it means to be a modern-day Christian? Nouwen shows us the way to meet God most intimately. He quietly walks with us into our rooms of fear and insecurity – those places where God is not allowed. And there to our surprise Jesus is waiting to embrace us.
• What does it offer the larger Church? This book is a wonderful foundation for rightly understanding the message of Jesus. The arrangement of Nouwen’s insights around Gospel passages properly lifts both the message of the Gospels and the person of Jesus above religiosity and into the heart of God.
• What specific advice on content or strategy would you provide to someone reading the book for the first time? The book lends itself best to a reflective reading, enhanced with journaling or careful conversation. Take each brief chapter and digest it thoroughly before moving on to the next. Let the Gospel message work on you.
• What passage do you feel most exemplifies the message of the book? “I deeply know that I have a home in Jesus, just as Jesus has a home in God…. My true spiritual work is to let myself be loved, fully and completely, and to trust that in that love I will come to the fulfillment of my vocation. I keep trying to bring my wandering, restless, anxious self home, so that I can rest there in the embrace of love.” p.93.