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Five books that shaped my
life
by
Captain Amy Reardon
Though a
great many books have built into my character, my perception,
my vantage point of the world, there are a few which stand out
in my personal formation. Let me pay tribute to those great
works here.
Helps to Holiness, Samuel Logan Brengle. I first
read this book when I was about 16. It made me so angry, I
actually threw it against the wall. “No one can live like
this!” I thought. Brengle indeed makes extreme assertions
about the ability of a Christian to live a pure life. But the
reason this book was so important in my life is that it sent
me on a lifelong spiritual and educational pursuit. I have
been trying to understand personal holiness from a biblical
perspective since the day I first picked up that book. I have
read dozens of books on the subject. I have prayed, wept,
searched and searched the Scriptures and even studied the
original biblical languages – all in pursuit of knowing what
it is to be holy-for God’s glory-and how I can get there.
Although that subject is no longer such an all-consuming
passion (there are other theological matters which also
require deep reflection!), it is safe to say that that little
book set the course of my life.
The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis. As a young
person, I was terrified at the thought of eternal life. Trying
to cope with the idea was – and I kid you not – mental anguish
for me. I was quite tormented by it. Then I read The Great
Divorce. Lewis’s charming journey into the next life for a
Christian brought me genuine peace. And his allegorical tale
of the fate of those who rejected the Gospel was
extraordinary. Few writers can engage the Christian
imagination the way Lewis could. I wish every Christian would
read this book.
The Curate’s Awakening and Sir Gibbie (two separate
books), George MacDonald. I don’t remember how I
originally stumbled upon this 19th century storyteller, but
when I learned that C.S. Lewis considered him his “master” in
the craft, his greatness was confirmed! I don’t read much
fiction, but these and other novels by George MacDonald have
meant as much to my spiritual growth as any of the theology
books I cherish. The spiritual journey of the curate is as
real to any Christian today as it was 130 years ago. The
example of Christlikeness of some of the humblest
characters-Sir Gibbie, for example-is enough to make a person
seriously evaluate her own life and her own reflection of the
Savior. I would never have believed that a work of fiction
could be such a tool in the Holy Spirit’s hand. One may pick
up MacDonald for the great story, and put it down feeling
quite changed.
For the record, MacDonald is also known for allegorical
fantasy; I have never read any of those works.
A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew, C.L. Seow.
Placing this on my list may raise some eyebrows. I cannot deny
it, and I cannot fully explain it: studying the Hebrew
language changed my life. I don’t know if it is my love of a
good challenge, my passion for words, or my penchant for
study. Perhaps it is the combination of those aspects of my
personality that have made me fall in love with the study of
Hebrew. Though my skills are quite limited (please never put
me on the spot!), digging in with the study of this language
has deepened my understanding of the Old Testament and even
the New. I have learned that there is a great fullness to
certain words that can be lost in translation. I know that
there are books in which people can look up these things
without learning Hebrew. But for me, somehow, studying the
language was important. In my journey, it has brought me
closer to God.
Most Moved Mover, Clark Pinnock. There are those
within the evangelical community that consider this book
heretical. Most of the theologians who feel that way are of
the Reformed persuasion. The understanding of God within the
pages of this book is the natural outgrowth of Arminianism –
the doctrine we claim. This book so deeply resonated with me I
shouted with glee and wept with relief. It takes courage for
me to put this book on my list because of some people’s strong
reaction against it. I suspect those people, especially if
they are Wesleyan/Arminian, simply haven’t read it. I was
afraid of it and assumed Pinnock a great heretic. Finally I
decided it wasn’t fair to draw such conclusions without having
read it for myself. I’m so glad I did!
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