Summer Reading - A Few Good Books

An increase in daylight and a decrease in life’s pace make summer a good time for reading. In case your summer reading list isn’t complete, here are a few good books for consideration:

1.       The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis

I first read the Narnia series while on summer break during seminary. Long a fan of Lewis’ writings (many of which have been foundational to my formation in theology), I had nevertheless avoided his fiction. After all, what could be gained by reading a children’s book?

Much, in every way. The symbolism of Narnia has incredible depth that can instruct even the most mature of Christians. Lewis is masterful in casting biblical themes into new light. Indeed, it's hard to read the story of Aslan without developing a deeper understanding of Christ.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a relatively easy (albeit long) read. More importantly, it is immensely enjoyable and edifying. If I could suggest only one book for summer reading, this would be it.

2.       The Book of Concord

Somewhere I can hear my seminary friends laughing. The Book of Concord is a compilation of Lutheran writings from the Reformation of the 1500s, and most of the time no one chooses to read it. (Much more often it is assigned.) These writings tend to be polemical and theologically dense. An easy read this is not.

Read it anyway. True doctrine is life-giving, and The Book of Concord is chock-full of such doctrine. Perhaps the best sections to read are the Large Catechism (written by Martin Luther, covering Christian essentials such as the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer) and the Formula of Concord (written principally by Martin Chemnitz, covering a number of important doctrines such as original sin and predestination).

There are no guarantees The Book of Concord will be comprehended with ease, but to anyone who would put in the effort and "chew the cud" of doctrinal precision, the benefits are well-worth it. These writings are a good corrective to the juvenility and shallowness that pervades much of American Christianity.

3.       The Sermons of Jonathan Edwards: A Reader, Jonathan Edwards

Edwards was a Puritan pastor in colonial America and perhaps best known for his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” (Less known is that he served briefly as President of Princeton University.) That sermon is included in this collection, but it is by no means Edwards’ finest work.

I’ll mention just two of my favorites. First, “Heaven Is a World of Love” beautifully describes the wonders of God’s Kingdom, including how one can participate in such wonders even now. It offers great encouragement to walk in the way of love. Second, “The Pleasantness of Religion” demonstrates how following the way of Christ Jesus is an enjoyable endeavor. Sometimes the biggest obstacle to obeying God is that it seems like it will ruin one’s life, but Edwards shows that it's precisely the opposite: Not obedience, but sin ruins one’s life. True, wholehearted obedience - that which is born of faith - is “exceedingly pleasant.”

Edwards’ sermons follow the typical Puritan form of “doctrine” followed by “use” or “application.” This lends his sermons a clarity that is sometimes missing in modern preaching. It also evidences a conviction (with which I agree) that doctrine is directly related to life, and life to doctrine.

This book is a good read for anyone who’d like to be taught by perhaps America’s most creative and brilliant theologian.

4.       The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan

Another book by a Puritan, The Pilgrim’s Progress is a classic in Christian literature. It’s written as an allegory of the Christian life, giving its characters and settings self-revealing names: Pilgrim (the main character), Mr. Fear, the Hill of Difficulty, the Delightful Mountains, Vanity Fair, etc. Each person and place has the potential to hinder or to help Pilgrim on his journey.

The allegory is pretty easy to follow: Pilgrim’s journey is a journey of faith, following the “straight and narrow way” to God. Potential readers who are walking in the same “straight and narrow way” – the way of Christ Jesus – will see in Pilgrim’s journey the story of their own life. They’ll meet many of the same difficulties and distractions as Pilgrim, and hopefully receive the same graces that kept his journey on track.

I remember hearing that in the field of Christian literature, The Pilgrim’s Progress is second only to the Bible in importance. I hesitate to go that far, but I agree that it should be read by anyone who takes seriously the call of Christ Jesus, “Follow me.”

5.       Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales

I tend to dislike books that are intentionally “devotional,” but this one is different. Many devotional books are consciously trying to be therapeutic (trying, that is, to induce a certain feeling in the reader). In contrast to that, St. Francis de Sales seeks to truly edify his reader through sound instruction and constant encouragement.

Devout Life begins by describing what true devotion to God is, and then outlines ways in which a life of devotion can be cultivated. This book is eminently practical. It’s also filled with thoughtful illustrations that cast new light on the Christian life. One example will suffice:

“The bees approach some plants and flowers even when they produce bitter fruit, but they draw out the bitter juices and turn it into honey…In the same way, devout souls encounter great bitterness in their works of mortification, but by performing them they change them into something beautiful and delightful.”

Finally, one thing remarkable about St. Francis de Sales is his kindness. It might sound strange to call an author kind, but in this case it's entirely true. The writing in this book conveys a heart that cares deeply about the well-being of the reader. That care, along with the profundity of de Sales’ mind, make it easy to trust him as a spiritual guide.

Your Suggestions?

Those are my suggestions. I’d love to hear your own in the comments section. I’ve read all of the above books and wouldn’t mind filling-out my summer reading list with a few more good ones.

Happy reading.