Last Friday I threw out the suggestion to Joe that we consider what are the ten books that have most influenced us. It was not easy to do, because it’s hard to remember so many books that I read four or five years ago which had a great impact on me at the time. But here’s my ten, and maybe as I see Joe’s ten (or when he says to me, “What were you thinking?”) I’ll make some amendments to my list. I couldn’t really place them in order of influence to me, so I am just listing them in alphabetical order:

* Chosen by God, By R.C. Sproul — Not the most thorough book on the doctrine of unconditional election (Still Sovereign, by numerous contributors, is a better book in my opinion), but this is the one that began to open my eyes to some simply magnificent truths in Scripture. Because it was used of God in that way, and because of how the understanding of and rejoicing in this truth has had such an impact on my life and ministry, I put it among the ten most influential for me.

* Future Grace, by John Piper — As with Chosen by God, this book was used of God to help me something so prevalent in Scripture that I don’t know how I missed it: that God motivates us to obedience not by backwards looking gratitude for what God has done for us, but by promises of future reward. The way to fight the fleeting pleasures of sin is by a superior pleasure in the promises of God. Life-changing stuff!

* Knowing God, by J.I. Packer — This is not the most complete book on the character of God, but Packer’s vision of God combined with his humility and reverence before this God is a breath of fresh air. Some books on the character of God are beautiful, but very hard to read. This one is more of a devotional book, yet its vision of God is beautiful.

* The Life and Diary of David Brainerd — Brainerd’s pursuit of and passion for God is awesome. This book may be the most personally convicting book I have ever read. I felt, at times, as though I was unsure if I had ever been converted to Christ in a saving way. Reading Brainerd’s diary is a constant reminder that I have no reason to be proud of any personal holiness of discipline that I have attained.

* Money, Possessions and Eternity, by Randy Alcorn — It is a long one, but worth the read. If you want a shorter version, check out the Treasure Principle. Jesus spoke about money so much because He knew the great power for blessing or destruction that comes with it, depending on how we use it. Alcorn’s book made me want to lay up as much treasure in heaven as possible, and reminded me that this world is not my home, and I need not give into the lies of our society that I should live like it is.

* The Pleasures of God, by John Piper — This is without question the most influential book that I have ever read, apart from the Holy Scriptures. God’s greatest passion is God; that truth has changed my life, and Piper helped me see it. For more of my thoughts on this book, click here.

* Preaching and Preachers, by Martyn Lloyd-Jones — Since preaching is what I believe God has called me to do as a vocation, at least one book on this subject has to be in my top ten. And the one that has most stirred me is this one by Lloyd-Jones. It gave me a great sense of gratitude and awe for this great calling to herald the Word of God.

* The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer — I am sure Joe will have lots to say about this one too, so I’ll just leave that to him. In brief, this book helped me understand Psalm 63:8, “My soul follows hard after You…”

* Safely Home, by Randy Alcorn — Surprising to me that a novel would be on this list, but since this novel was so rooted in fact of what is happening in the Church in China, it had a profound impact on me. I had been aware of the persecuted church long before I read this book, but Alcorn’s books has had a lasting impact on my prayers for these persecuted brothers and sisters of ours around the world, and my gratitude to God for giving us the Bible in our own language.

* What’s So Amazing about Grace, by Philip Yancey — This is probably the controversial pick of mine, but I can remember reading this book in the summer of 2002 and it really changing my understanding of who I am and how weak I am to do anything apart from Him. If I went back and read it again today, I would probably disagree with some (actually, maybe a lot) of what Yancey has to say, so don’t take its placement on this list as a recommendation. But God honors the needle of truth in a haystack of error, and God used this book to show me that my diligence in pursuing God was not the grounds of my acceptance in His sight. I’m not saying that there is a haystack of error in it; but knowing more where Yancey is at theologically, it is amazing that God used one of his books to make a real impact on me.

So there’s my ten. I am eager, Joe, to see yours!

Larry