Alas, between moving, finishing my dissertation, and spending time with family from overseas, I didn’t read as much as I had hoped to this year. Fortunately, the few books that I did read this year are quite good. Here are three that I recommend.
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (c. 1418—1427). The material was written by several monks, meant for instructing others in the monastic life, and was later compiled by à Kempis. While it was written for monks, the advice it gives is relevant for all Christians, with its emphases on humility, suffering, virtue, and of course, living a life in imitation of Christ. Still reading this one, but I’m finding it to be a powerful devotional book.
John M. G. Barclay, Paul and the Power of Grace (2020). Barclay discusses Paul’s notion of grace as a gift. In contrast to contemporary Western sentiments, ancient gift giving was not an obligation-free matter—gift giving often came with expectations on the part of the receiver. In light of ancient gift giving practices, Barclay explains how in Paul’s thought, the grace of salvation is both free but carries with it expectations on those who have been saved. An insightful and much needed book in a culture where churches overemphasize the free nature of grace at the cost of duty and discipleship.
C. S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man (1943). A work on morality, education, and science. When it comes to authors who were prescient of today’s world, Huxley (Brave New World) and Orwell (1984) are the usual two that people have in mind. While Lewis is often forgotten in this regard, he was no less prophetic, and at least in some ways, he was more accurate and penetrating. In Abolition of Man, he discusses the rejection of objective values, which had seeped into the education of his time, and predicts its consequences in a scientifically advanced technocracy. Quite relevant, especially in the last three years. For a novel that illustrates these ideas, check out Lewis’ That Hideous Strength.
I’m glad you are reading The Imitation of Christ. When I was in high school I received a copy of Bernard Bangley’s reinterpretation of the book, called Growing in His Image. I loved it so much - and still have it. It would be interesting to read the original text!