Category: Reading

A Crash Course in Theology

If you read my recent post about Sunday School creating a theologically illiterate American Church, you may have had a different takeaway than I intended.

To the volunteer Sunday School teacher — I didn’t mean to tell you to stop teaching.

To the person considering volunteering — I didn’t mean to scare you off from it.

We need you! People willing to stand up and lead are at a premium in the Church. Thank you for being willing.

Now, if you don’t already have some good theological learning and training under your belt, let me suggest a crash course. I’ll give you reading here. It would be best if you found some others to talk with – especially if you can find someone who may have had some more theological training already. If you decide to work through anything below, I’d be excited to read and discuss along with you.

The resources I’m suggesting here will clearly show some of my Wesleyan leanings. If you’re in another tradition, you might ask your pastor what he/she would recommend. Or read this stuff anyways, and discover the beauty of Wesleyan theology.

Before you look through these, why don’t you SUBSCRIBE for e-mail updates. Whether you agree or disagree, I hope to provide lots more thought-provoking articles and helpful resources.

101 – Some Basics   

echoEcho: A Catechism for Discipleship in the Ancient Christian Tradition
I think this little resource is a great place to start. Yes, I’m biased. I’m one of the editors. But we created the resource for exactly this purpose. It will give you our most basic and important beliefs in 98 short (Twitter-length) questions and answers with Scripture references.

Though this can only offer the most basic points of belief, I’ve still found that it has new information for lots of people. What do we mean by the “invisible” and the “visible” church? The new creation? What are the sacraments and what do they mean? Use it as a basic reference or a jumping-off point for deeper investigations. Or see this schedule for preaching through the catechism.

The Way to Heaven: The Gospel According to John Wesley by Steve Harper

A clear and accessible presentation of the core of Wesleyan theology. If phrases like “original sin,” “prevenient grace,” or “Christian perfection” are unfamiliar or a bit fuzzy for you, this book will be a great help.

 On the Threshold of Grace: Methodist Fundamentals by Donald Haynes

This book is very similar to the one above in its subject matter, but it’s a bit more of a “plain truth for plain people” approach, while the Harper book spends more time examining history. Only 96 pages and an easy read with illustrations and personal experiences. You could get through it in a sitting.

201 – A Bit Deeper

You don’t need to do the 101 books first. I break these down to show that this next level is a bit heavier and more technical. You’re probably ready for it, so long as you’re willing to invest a little more time and mental energy.

An Introduction to Christian Theology by Justo Gonzalez and Zaida Maldonado Perez

In just 160 pages, you’ll get an overview of all the major themes of Christian theology and their historical development. A great place to start for some more serious theological study.

Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Why It Matters What Christians Believe edited by Ben Quash and Michael Ward

You might be surprised to learn some of what Christians don’t believe — because these ancient heresies are actually prevalent in a lot of forms today. You’ll gain a deeper, richer understanding of the Christian faith in the process. Just 140 pages.

301 – Pretty meaty

These will really make you think. They’re no fast, easy reads. But they’re worth it if you’re up to it.

Christian Theology: An Introduction by Alister McGrath

This book starts with a tour of historical theology to help you see how the Church developed and dealt with particular beliefs over the years. It goes on to present Christianity’s most important doctrines a bit more fully than the books above, but doesn’t require you to be a scholar to understand. This, more than any others I list, will also make you familiar with some of the most influential theologians of recent. It’s big – 460 pages.

Introduction to Christian Doctrine by John Lawson

This was published in 1967, but a lot of people still think it’s worth your while. This covers all the essential topics of faith and presents you with the different traditions’ views of those topics. 270 pages.

401 – Big time

This is as serious and deep as I would recommend anyone start. You don’t already have to be a great theologian to read this, but it will challenge you.

Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology by Thomas Oden

Oden’s theology has been deeply transformative for me. This work is beautiful and rich. It has a good chance to make you fall in love with the early Church Fathers and want to hear more directly from them. It can be tough sledding in places, but if you’re up to the challenge, I think you’ll benefit immensely. And yes, it’s really big, about 850 pages.

So there they are. If you’ve been primarily exposed to Rick Warren, John Ortberg, and Francis Chan, you’ll find in these a whole new depth and richness to Christian belief. Seriously, if you’re interested in reading any of these with someone, I’d be happy to read along.

You might also be interested in my list of Top 10 Christian Classics.

Disclosure of Material Connection: All links to Amazon here are affiliate links. Feel free to buy elsewhere.

Top 10 Christian Classics

Someone recently asked me, “What do you think are the top classic Christian books?” That’s a fun question for a bibliophile.

First, a definition. What is a classic? I’m going to define it as having broad readership (not just for academics), broad influence, and the highest of quality.

Here are my top 10 Christian classics, in order of when they were written:

 1. On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius

“When I first opened De Incarnatione,” C. S. Lewis writes, “I soon discovered by a very simple test that I was reading a masterpiece, for only a mastermind could have written so deeply on such a subject with such classical simplicity.”

This book was written in the 4th century and is a great synthesis of Christian thought up to that point. Don’t be intimidated by it! The whole work is only about 75 pages. But read slowly.

 2. The Confessions by St. Augustine

This book has been categorized as autobiography, devotional work, philosophy, and classic literature. The whole writing is directed to God, not to the reader, so I’ve heard it appropriately called “doxological” work. It contains brilliant insights into sin, human nature, and the work of God.

Augustine’s theology is unmatched for its influence of Western Christianity. It will be difficult to find a list of Christian classics that doesn’t include The Confessions. Make sure to get the brilliant New City Press translation (the one linked above).

 3. The City of God by St. Augustine

Augustine is the only one with the distinction of getting two works on the top 10. He’s worthy. Thomas Merton called this “the autobiography of the Church written by the most Catholic of her great saints.” The book presents human history as a conflict between the City of God and the City of Man. A great, influential work of Christian philosophy.

Be warned: this one is long. Almost 800 pages. But worth it.

 4. The Rule of Saint Benedict

Some have called Benedict the father of Western monasticism. For 15 centuries, Benedictine monks have been following this rule as a way of cultivating Christian community. Though it is written with a monastery in mind, Christians in various situations throughout the ages have found great advice here for growth in God’s love and in community. Less than 100 pages. You should find some time to read through this one.

 5. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

I’m going to include a piece of fiction here. Brothers Karamazov just missed making the cut, too. In this epic poem, Dante depicted medieval theology and world-view in allegorical form. This isn’t just classic Christian lit, but is considered one of the greatest works of world literature.

The Ciardi translation (linked above) is highly recommended.

You might also like my book recommendations in A Crash Course in Theology.

 6. The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis

The Catholic Encyclopedia says, “With the exception of the Bible, it is perhaps the most widely read spiritual book in the world.” John Wesley recommended that all Methodist societies have three books on hand. This was one of them (and the only one not authored by Wesley). The book is relatively short (~200 pages) and an easy read, but you’ll want to read slowly.

I highly recommend the translation by Ronald Knox, linked above.

 7. Pensées by Blaise Pascal

Pascal was a 17th century mathematician and philosopher. So if the pre-modern sensibilities of some of the previous authors are difficult for you, you may find a friend in Pascal. This is an impassioned defense of the Christian faith using reason. Note that it’s actually a compilation of fragments written by Pascal, only organized after his death.

 8. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

The secret to living in the kingdom of God here on earth according to Brother Lawrence: “practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end.” He will encourage you to make every activity a practice of the presence of God. A revered devotional classic since its introduction in the 17th century.

 9. The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I’m going to include two works from the 20th century. They were ranked #2 and #1, respectively, in Christianity Today’s Top 100 Books of the 20th Century. These haven’t had to stand as much of the test of time. I wonder if they will still make lists like this in another few hundred years. But for now, I think they belong…

If you have heard the phrase “cheap grace,” it originates in this work. If you haven’t heard the phrase, you’ll have much to gain from reading even the first few chapters. Bonhoeffer uses the Sermon on the Mount to call Christians to a life of sacrificial devotion to God, in which we  recover our true humanity. “A devastating critique of comfortable Christianity,” says Christianity Today.

 10. Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

Lewis may have been the most influential popular-level theologian in the past 100 years. And this is his magnum opus. Many people have called this an apologetic for belief in God, but it goes well beyond that.

You’ll find the arguments for God’s existence that have been most common in recent Evangelical Christianity, but you’ll also find a profound articulation of basic Christian beliefs in clear and accessible language. You’ll also find a call to a particular way of behaving as Christians. The work is a great blend of theology, philosophy and ethics from a great thinker and communicator.

Another must-read, short book, and the brilliance of Augustine’s theology HERE.

Those are my top 10. What do you think? Any of these that you would leave out? Other essential works that you think should have made the list? Which of these have been most important for you?

Disclosure of Material Connection: All links to Amazon here are affiliate links. Feel free to buy elsewhere. Take note of the translations I’ve linked here, though. I think they’re the best.