We’re all shaped and influenced by the books, films, movies, art and music we enjoy. This is a sampling of books and films which have shaped my life. I pass them on here as recommendations to inspire and challenge. Please keep in mind that the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 commands us to test everything. Each of these recommendations, so far as I know, contain a mixture of truth. Some will have more purity than others. Our job is to sift through the messages, swallow the meat, and spit out the bones.
Books
- Baxter Kruger: The Great Dance delighted my soul with the joy of the Trinity.
- Dallas Willard: The Divine Conspiracy opened to me a revelation of true discipleship and the Kingdom of God
- John Eldridge: Wild at Heart challenged me to live by passion rather than rules.
- E. Stanley Jones: The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Man refined my vision of the Kingdom of God.
- Francis Schaeffer: How Then Shall we Live? gave me Biblical eyes to see the world.
- Andrew Murray: Humility I try to read this every few years just to keep my perspective right.
- A.W. Tozer: The Pursuit of God taught me to follow hard after God for His own sake.
- Brother Lawrence & Frank Laubach, Practicing the Presence is one of the best books I know for bringing me back to the simplicity of walking with Jesus.
- Victor Hugo: Les Miserables fed my soul with the beauty of grace.
- Bob George: Classic Christianity taught me the beauty of grace.
- Dale Carnegie: How to Win Friends and Influence People equipped me to move beyond my shyness.
- Major Ian Thomas: The Saving Life of Christ taught me about the fullness of Christ and what He accomplished in His death and resurrection.
- John Eldridge & Brent Curtis: The Sacred Romance Changed the way I think about life, suffering, beauty, pain, and eternity.
- C.S. Lewis: Mere Christianity equipped me to rationally defend my faith.
- Annie Dillard: A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek opened a window to God’s wonder in my soul.
- Charles Colson: How Now Shall we Live? taught me to engage my mind as a Christian.
- Gene Edwards: A Tale of Three Kings was a delightful revelation of how to guard against pride and bitterness.
- Peter Kreeft: The Journey taught me to ask questions and to seek for the Truth.
- Steve McVey: 52 Lies Told in Church Every Sunday encouraged me to ask questions about my presuppositions.
- Brennan Manning: Abba’s Child lit a flame of God’s passionate love in my soul.
- Henri Nouwen: Out of Solitude gave me perspective on the truly important things in life.
- William P. Young: The Shack freed me to think of the Incarnation in fresh and exciting ways.
Movies & Films:
“Far more than any other influence, more than school, more even than home – my attitudes, dreams, preconceptions and preconditions for life had been irreversibly shaped five and a half thousand miles away in a place called Hollywood.” – David Puttnam, producer of Chariots of Fire.
- Superman Returns: An amazing pictures of the “God-man” entering into the human race to redeem it. Look for images of Jesus, sin, sacrifice, and resurrection.
- Radio: “God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
- Pirates of the Caribbean: “The blood of a righteous “pirate” redeemed the whole company of dead pirates.” Will Turner is a Christ figure standing between the “law” (Admiral Norrington) and the sinner (Jack Sparrow)
- The Lord of the Rings: “Even the smallest person can change the course of history.”
- The Two Towers: “It takes faithful men and unified armies to defeat the powers of darkness.”
- The Return of the King: “Every little hobbit, elf, dwarf, and man has a part to play in the cosmic battle for the Kingdom.
- A Knight’s Tale: Possessing our identity by faith.
- Grand Torino: Laying down our lives for others. Making a difference. Look for the image of Jesus at the end.
- The Gladiator: “Our actions in this life will echo through eternity.”
- The Count of Monte Cristo: Loss of hope and redemption. “God still believes in you.”
- The Truman Show: “The truth will set you free.”
- The Mission: The beauty and humility of the Kingdom versus the destruction of greed and power.
- Dead Poet’s Society “Seize the day. Live every moment with passion.”
- Simon Birch: “Every life has meaning and purpose.”
- Patch Adams: “Care is more important than cure.”
- Schindler’s List: “One person can make a difference.”
- Braveheart: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
- The War: Everything matters. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
- The Man Without a Face: “The measure of a man is his heart. Suffering produces wisdom.”
- It’s A Wonderful Life: “The sacredness of life. Every life makes a difference”
- Chariots of Fire Everything matters. “Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” God takes delight in our gifts!
- Cool Runnings: The power of faith and teamwork.
- City of Joy: “All that’s not give in lost”. True joy is found in sacrificing our lives for others.
- Remember the Titans: The beauty of reconciliation and the strength of teamwork.
- The Princess Bride: A parable of Christ (Wesley) and his church (Buttercup).
- Saving Mr Banks: How our stories are beautifully rewritten when we put them into the hands of the Great Storyteller.
Other Great Books
- Shows About Nothing: Thomas Hibbs
- Rediscovering the Kingdom: Miles Monroe
- This Beautiful Mess: Rick McKinley
- The Secret Message of Jesus: Brian McLaren
- Simply Christian: N.T. Wright
- Irresistible Revolution: Shane Claiborne
- Searching for God Knows What: Donald Miller
- Windows of the Soul: Ken Gire
- How the Irish Saved Civilization: Thomas Cahill
- Making Sense out of Suffering: Peter Kreeft
- The Reflective Life: Ken Gire
- The Journey of Desire: John Eldridge
- Teaching a Stone to Talk: Annie Dillard
- Seven Men Who rule the World from the Grave – David Breese
- The Celtic Way of Evangelism – George G. Hunter
- Messy Spirituality – Michael Yacanelli
Hi Don, it’s been awhile since listening to you teach at YWAM Charlotte. Bob and I are in a study of the Divine Conspiracy and I just love it. Thanks for giving us a list of your important books…it’s good to know the Kingdom is here.
Cathy Hill
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