Pursuing Veritas

Some time ago, a friend of mine shared a list of her “books most responsible” for who she is and how she thinks, and I found myself wondering which books might appear on my list.

I’ve read many books (and have many, many more that I want to read), some of which have undoubtedly shaped me in some meaningful way and then been lost to the porous sands of my mind. But upon reflection, I believe these are some of the books that are the most responsible for who I am (in no particular order):

The Bible: Personally, professionally, internally, and externally, the messages and words of Scripture are the air I breathe, for which I am ever grateful and indebted.

Confessions, St. Augustine: So much of life comes translated through our experiences and memories, and Augustine teaches us not only how to bring our pasts before God, but how to turn those pasts over to His will too.

The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien: The beautiful myth that continues to bring hope in dark times and inspires me to strive, create, and enjoy.

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis: What does it mean to be a simple Christian in a world of tribes and competing ideologies and criticisms of faith? Lewis provides a charitable foundation from which to start.

The Best Things in Life, Peter Kreeft & The Gift of Fire, Richard Mitchell: At different times and in different circumstances, these books taught me what thinking and true education—the deep examination of life and reality—really involve and what it means to live an examined and educated life.

A Skeleton in God’s Closet, Paul Maier: This fictional work showed me that my interests were worth investigating and making a life out of—as well as how to not take myself and my pet projects too seriously.

Intellectuals and Society, Thomas Sowell: Why is the world the way it is? And how can we possibly cut through the politics and rhetoric to see what is true? With characteristic clarity, Sowell offers his vision and critique of the anointed.

The Cricket in Times Square, George Seldon: What is life without hard work and the ability to stop and enjoy beauty wherever you find it?

Paradise Lost, John Milton: The first poetry that really spoke to my soul and not just my mind, as well as an invitation to reflect deeply on our origins and personhood.

Pilgrim Theology, Michael Bauman: Bauman broke down my bastions of intellectual certainty and hubris, calling me to a life of asking, seeking, and knocking.

The Drama of Scripture, Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen: For years, I wrestled with how one should approach the Bible, and the narrative approach within this book gave me a frame of reference that I have never quire gotten over.

Planet Narnia, Michael Ward: Dr. Ward taught me to read deeply and to seek for the layers of beauty and meaning that reside within that which speaks to our souls.

The Freedom of the Christian, Gilbert Meilaender: A call to Christian ethics that transcends platitudes and tropes while bringing the good news of Christ to bear on the complex questions of our modern world.

The King Jesus Gospel, Scot McKnight: Christians make the good news of Christianity many things. But McKnight (along with several works by Matthew Bates) have helped clarify the call to follow Jesus as my saving King.

The Intellectual Life, A.G. Sertillanges & A Little Exercise for Young Theologians, Helmut Thielicke: These two books helped me see what it means to love God with our minds in a way that invites people to experience transformation, rather than creating ivory towers and silos.

Prayer in the Night, Tish Harrison Warren: A call to encounter God through prayer even in the darkest of times that I encountered during a season when I desperately needed God to walk with me in the darkness of night.

What about you: what books have shaped and influenced you the most?