The 1599 Geneva Bible
The Geneva Bible was the Bible used by the Pilgrims when they came over from england to colonize America. With commentary written by John Calvin, and disciples of his, it presents a wonderful covenantal theology worldview in the study notes. This is the bible I use, but because of the era in which it was made, it can be hard to read if you have little or no experience with "thees" and "thous."
The 1599 Geneva Bible was the precursor to the King James (Authorized Version) Bible which was purged of the controversial study notes present in the Geneva.
Confessions, by Augustine of Hippo
Confessions is a book of the love of one man toward his Almighty Saviour. A man who lived in sin and misery for the beginning of his life and converted, he prayed to the Lord "to give me chastity and continence,... but not yet." When Augustine finally found the truth, he showed how nothing else could be. A look into the life of Augustine is to see the life of the fool, and the life of the wise man, described in Proverbs. The stark contrast in the way of life was not marked by a life without sin, but a love of Christ and good works flowing from a regenerate heart (the way we may know by which we are saved) Written in prayer form, this book is convicting and full of wisdom.
The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R Tolkein
The Lord of the Rings, I believe is a great novel that will change the way you think about what is worth fighting for. The Hobbits were a very simple folk, who never did anything unexpected as a whole. They loved food, and gardening, and partying, and keeping to themselves. They wanted nothing more than peace and safety, and when their world was threatened, an unexpected young hobbit, Frodo Baggins stepped out to protect the simplicity he loved. It shows the evil which is so easily grasped by large machined systems of man, and the wonderful, (although exaggerated) simple life which is worth fighting for.
This is a book that will change your Worldview. If you have a problem with keeping the Lord at the forefront of your mind at all times, you should read this book. This book gives you a new perspective on every place you are. When you look at the front door, you think of the law and grace. When you sleep in your bed, you realize how to do it for others. When you sit at the table, you realize that the gospel is being laid out for you.
Why are we here? Why do ants sacrifice earwigs? How do we deal with the problem of evil? Nathan Wilson does a beautiful job of showing the wonder of the universe, sometimes with warm anecdotes, other times with cold reason, yet other times with hard reality. It is constantly engaging, as is the place in which you live, if you keep your eyes open. Run the race, plant the garden. Remember who is God, and who is man. Live for Him. Get your hands dirty. Our hope is the Word. "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. " (John 1:3-5)
Now here is a book that I believe every citizen of the United States should have. It is pretty much an anthology of the greatest literary works as well as speeches made by many men who have had profound influence on the shaping of America. Starting with documents like The Mayflower Compact to Ronald Reagan's inaugural Speech as well as important hymns and poems that reflect America very well. If you want to see from where we have come, to where we are, to where we are headed, this is a sine qua non of any patriot's library.
The Truth of the Cross, by R. C. Sproul
Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Wow. This book is a must for every thinking Christian's bookshelf. Often considered as propaganda that was used to start the War Between the States, this book is Mrs. Stowe's depiction of a man named Josiah Henson (Uncle Tom in the book). This amazing novel demonstrates the awesome love of Christ to us sinners. The love of one man unconditional to another is the imitation of Christ. It is the message of my life for yours. The story really brings this out through multiple characters: Little Evangeline, evangelist to the slaves of the home she lived in, and Uncle Tom, whose loyalty to and love for Christ eclipsed all other loyalties, transforming his relationship from Master-Servant to Master-Brother. Uncle Tom sincerely lived like Christ, in Humble servitude to all he could help, even his fellow slaves. The portrayal of Christ's love and of the doctrine of glorification of the redeemed make this an excellent read.
