kriz@skat.usc.edu (Dennis Kriz) (08/05/89)
I'm sure that this has been done earlier, but in any case, I'd like to
initiate a process of posting suggestions for reading materials for people
who are not Christian but might be interested in converting.
I'd like to encourage you to post your suggestions [the Body of Christ is
large ya know ... there is no way that say a Catholic could possibly know
of all the publications that say the Lutherans put out (or visa versa)].
With each of your suggestions, give a brief review, point out its focus,
denominational leaning, etc.
I ask you to please be honest ... as this type of service that you perform
will find an audience. And there's nothing worse than later feeling
betrayed. Anyway... thanks,
dennis
*****************************
My two suggestions:
C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity" -- Many Christians will immediately recognize
C.S. Lewis, as his books are commonly available in book-stores. He *has*
a wit alright, but don't expect fluff from him. Lewis is not a "used-car
salesman" ... and he makes it a point to show THAT HE DOES NOT NEED TO BE.
The book I suggest is only about 150 pages long. But it gives a rundown
of basic Christian doctrine, as it has been held for centuries. He also
points out along the way, where the various Christian traditions differ
or add greater emphasis.
Fundamentally, the book is HONEST and gives the type of instruction that
50 years ago, all of us would have been *assumed* to have had, but in our
"enlightened age" many now have never seen. It is no wonder that for so
many of us today, Christianity is "defined" (negatively) by Swaggart --
even though even he would heartily agree, that this can not be so.
If you want to see Christianity as something more than "a strawman," I
heartily suggest this book.
**** [In my other suggestion ... I betray my Catholicism but I think it would
be useful to even non-Catholics. I think it also can be useful to
beginning Christians -- as it allows them to learn from the examples
given in how to lead a Christian life.] *****
But here goes --->
"Saint of the Day" The title may seem kind of silly to some of you, but these
type of guidebooks are actually wonderful sourcebooks of inspiration. The
guide that I have in mind in particular is a set of two small paper-backs
(each about again 150 pages) bearing that exact title, that was published
by the Franciscans in the 1970s.
The guide gave a brief biography of the Saint celebrated on his/her
alotted day, followed by some short commentary on his/her example on
living a Christian life.
I actually think that the book would be useful to even non-Catholics
because, when one reads the accounts of these people celebrated by the
Catholic Church, it's truly clear *why* they are considered to be Saints.
And why their witness deserves to be remembered and learned from.
These people truly span from "age to age, nation to nation (and continent
to continent)" and help support us in the belief that Christians of every
age help build the "City of God." [I wrote this previously ... but you
know ... I kinda like it ... :-) :-) :-)].
Anyway, finding/reading a guidebook on the Saints, would be useful to even
non-Catholics in strengthening their faith ... and give strong witness to
non-Christians who might not be sure of how Christians should act in the
real world.
************************plh@uvacs.cs.Virginia.EDU (Patrick L. Heck) (08/17/89)
In article <Aug.4.21.10.24.1989.19517@athos.rutgers.edu> kriz@skat.usc.edu (Dennis Kriz) writes: > > >I'm sure that this has been done earlier, but in any case, I'd like to >initiate a process of posting suggestions for reading materials for people >who are not Christian but might be interested in converting. As pointed out by Dennis in his original posting, "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis is an excellent starting point. However, two books that truly changed my attitude about the Gospel of Jesus Christ are "More Than a Carpenter" by Josh McDowell and "The Resurrection Factor" by Josh McDowell Both of these books provide historical and biblical evidence that Jesus Christ was the Messiah, was the Son of God, did die on the cross, and did rise from the dead. Before I read these books I considered my faith of the Gospel to be what I call irrational faith. By this I mean that it wasn't primarily based on intellectual reasoning. These books showed me that belief in the Gospel message isn't 'intellectual suicide' (a term used by McDowell) but is based on historical fact. I truly believe that if anyone reads these two books they cannot come to any conclusion other than the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord. Both of these books come primarily from two other books by Josh McDowell entitled "Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Vol 1 and 2." -- Patrick Heck University of Virginia plh@uvacs.cs.virginia.EDU Computer Science Department
geoff@pmafire.UUCP (Geoff Allen) (08/27/89)
Hi! I'm new to this group, so forgive me if this has already been said: In article <Aug.17.03.32.56.1989.14528@athos.rutgers.edu> plh@uvacs.cs.Virginia.EDU (Patrick L. Heck) writes: > >As pointed out by Dennis in his original posting, "Mere Christianity" by >C.S. Lewis is an excellent starting point. > >However, two books that truly changed my attitude about the Gospel >of Jesus Christ are > "More Than a Carpenter" by Josh McDowell > and > "The Resurrection Factor" by Josh McDowell > My personal favorite is _Basic Christianity_ by John R. W. Stott (I believe). It's published by Inter-Varsity Press and offers one of the best introductions to Christianity I've ever seen. Very straightforward and easy to read. It also doesn't overwhelm the reader intellectually, as I think _Mere Christianity_ can. (Don't get me wrong, I *love* C. S. Lewis. I just don't think he's the best sopurce for the basics.) -- Geoff Allen "May the God of Peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." -- Hebrews 13:20,21 (NIV)
bud@rescon.uucp (Alex Batyi) (08/29/89)
> In article <Aug.4.21.10.24.1989.19517@athos.rutgers.edu> kriz@skat.usc.edu (Dennis Kriz) writes: > >I'm sure that this has been done earlier, but in any case, I'd like to > >initiate a process of posting suggestions for reading materials for people > >who are not Christian but might be interested in converting. To which plh@uvacs.cs.Virginia.EDU (Patrick L. Heck) responds: [much edited] > "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis > "More Than a Carpenter" by Josh McDowell > "The Resurrection Factor" by Josh McDowell Halley's Bible Handbook would be my recommendation but then I learned to read with a dictionary and relax by reading sections 2 through 7 of unix manuals. BTW has anybody read the stuff crossposted between sci.crypt and soc.culture jewish concerning the hebrew alphabet, vectors and the shape of dna recently? It seems God signed his Word by imbedding His signature in His creation. -alex -- AJB +1 215 788 5957 [...!bpa!]alba2l!bud