Christianity Today has complied a list of the top 50 books that have shaped Evangelicals. The list includes well-known classics and some surprises. Also surprising is some that were left off the list.
I would have thought more than one C.S. Lewis book would have made it. Screwtape Letters or a Narnia volume, but only Mere Christianity was tabbed.
I was surprised to see A Wrinkle in Time listed. I enjoyed the book and several others by Madeleine L’Engle, but am unsure how it impact the Evangelical movement.
Perhaps L’Engle and Lewis influenced me more as a writer than I am really aware. As a child (and even a teenager) I loved their books and had no idea of the author behind the stories I loved.
I remember being on the basketball team and while everyone else had headphones blaring on the team bus, I was reading Many Waters.
It was many years later when I learned of the faith that influence both of my favorite childhood authors. The message was there, but it was not preachy and obnoxious.
As I write today I seek to be informed and influenced by my faith. I can’t help but be impacted by something around which my life revolves, but I understand the power of the “mystery.” Because of my background in their writing, I am able to grasp the depth of people like Ted Dekker and others who write as Christians, from a Christian perspective, but without “shoving it down my throat” that offends so many people.
Good stories draw people into the world. Good stories told by Christians are able to draw people into contact with Christianity without beating them over the head with it.
So while maybe A Wrinkle in Time is not an obvious influential novel, it influenced me and apparently a lot of others.
Christians, any surprises on there? Who should have made the list and didn’t? Who should have been higher or lower?
Non-Christians, any books on there you have read, heard of or at least seem interesting to you?
I’ve read “The Screwtape Letters” and the “Narnia Series” when I was a kid.
Unfortunately, none of those were on the list. There was not much fiction on the list: This Present Darkness, Left Behind, A Wrinkle in Time and Christy were the only ones that made the list.
Only A Wrinkle in Time made the top half at #20. Christy was 27th, This Present Darkness was 34th, Left Behind was 36th.
I think they underestimated Left Behind (on purpose). Many intellectual Evangelicals want to distance themselves from what they consider the poor writing and even poorer theology.
I am torn on the books – they clearly descreased in worth as the novels wore on, with the authors milking the story out for all it was worth to make more money. But the story is fairly gripping. It is what it is – a grabbing story with not much substance. It is not a literary masterpiece, but millions of people read and enjoyed the books.
Left Behind is to Christian literature as Thomas Kincade is to Christian art. Over valued by the public, undervalued by the critics.
I was a bit surprised that the Bible wasnt like #1. To me that would only make sense, but I guess that explains a lot about "evangelicals"
And what the heck? A wrinkle in time?? I read it. I dont get why it is on the list. I must have missed something here in the woods.
I havent read most of the other books. I like fiction better than self-help. I do remember seeing Christy on TV before, and thought it was pleasant. :)
Sorry, I should have been more clear. The listing is for books within the last 50 years, so the Bible would not qualify. But you would hope if it was books from all time, the Bible would be number one with some writings by Luther, Calvin, Aquinas, and early church fathers in there.
Well, at least you didnt call me an idiot. :) Thanks.