Books that Have influenced me
When I was in my final year of seminary, Dr. Howard Hendricks said that the two things that would most determine where we would be at in ten years are the books we read and the friends we make. He advised, "Choose them carefully!" It was good counsel. I've been greatly influenced by the books I've read, especially Christian biographies (see my book, Great Christians You Should Know: What I've Learned from Reading Christian Biographies, on the Sermons and Resources tab). I'll just feature two below for starters. I have a bibliography on "Books for Growing Christians" and another on reading Christian biographies.
George Muller of Bristol, by A. T. Pierson
In the summer of 1970, I read George Muller of Bristol by A. T. Pierson [Revell, no date, but the introduction is dated 1899] and it changed my life. Although I had been raised in a Christian home and had been seeking the Lord for about five years, Muller's story caused me to realize in a new way that God hears and answers prayer. And Muller's life demonstrated the reality of walking daily with the Lord. He said (p. 315; also, 257) that "the first business of every morning should be to secure happiness in God." Amen!
I don't think that every Christian must follow all of Muller's practices. But his lifetime of trusting God for practical, everyday needs is a powerful example that will leave a lasting impact on all who read his story.
The best modern biography of Muller is Roger Steer's George Muller: Delighted in God [Harold Shaw Publishers, 1975].
The Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin, edited by John T. McNeill, translated by Ford Lewis Battles [Westminster Press, 1960].
If I had to be stranded on the proverbial deserted island with one book besides my Bible, I'd take Calvin's Institutes (if I was allowed two volumes). There is so much biblical insight and wisdom packed into these volumes that it would take many years to digest them thoroughly. I wasn't ten pages into the first volume before I was worshiping God for His majesty and greatness, while feeling my own desperate need for His grace.
It may sound daunting to tackle 1,520 pages of theology, but it's doable. If you just read an average of eight pages a day, you can get through it in six months. Be sure to get the edition listed above and not the older Beveridge edition. And read McNeill's helpful introduction and footnotes.
For example, Calvin's profound opening sentence is, "Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves." McNeill's footnote explains, "These decisive words set the limits of Calvin's theology and condition every subsequent statement."
The Institutes consists of four books that follow the Apostles' Creed: Book 1 expounds on God the Father. Book 2 deals with Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. Book 3 explains how the Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to the believer. And book 4 deals with the Christian church, as well as its relation to secular government. While I disagree sharply with Calvin's view of infant baptism, and a few other points, reading him will nourish your soul.
If you need guidance as you read, I recommend T. H. L. Parker's Calvin: An Introduction to His Thought [Westminster Press, 1995].