Apologia Pro Vita Sua
Cardinal John Henry Newman - Religion - 2007 - 292 pages
First published in the mid 19th century, this is a replica of the 1908 edition, and features the author's thoughts on his religions opinions throughout his life as well as sermons andother addresses and correspondence with other clergy and religious opinions throughout his life as well as sermons and other addresses and correspondence with other clergy and religious philosophers. British theologian JOHN HENRY CARDINAL NEWMAN (1801-1890)-a leading figure in both the Church of England and, after his conversion, the Roman Catholic Church-was known as "The Father of the Second Vatican Council." His Parochial and Plain Sermons (1834-42) is considered the best collection of sermons in the English language. He is also the author of A Grammar of Assent (1870)
Oracle Bones: A Journey Through Time in China
Peter Hessler - Travel - 2007 - 528 pages
In Oracle Bones, Peter Hessler explores the human side of China's transformation, viewing modern-day China and its growing links to the Western world through the lives of a handful ofordinary people.
Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul
J. P. Moreland - Religion - 1997 - 256 pages
Unfortunately, many of us leave our minds behind when it comes to our faith. In Love Your God with All Your Mind, J.P. Moreland presents a logical case for the role of the mind inspiritual transformation.
The Complete Bible Answer Book
Hank Hanegraaff - Religion - 2009 - 560 pages - No preview available
And he's done something about it-he's spelled out the answers. "The Complete Bible Answer Book" is a simple guide covering over 170 of the top questions that the BibleAnswer Man has dealt with in his ministry.
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Making Religion, Making the State: The Politics of Religion in Modern China
Yoshiko Ashiwa, David L. Wank - Religion - 2009 - 294 pages
With chapters written by experts on Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Daoism, Islam, and more, this volume will appeal across the social sciences and humanities to those interested inpolitics, religion, and modernity in China.
Note: Modernity treats religion as a matter of "individual belief" in the context of secularism.
China: a global studies handbook
Robert André LaFleur - History - 2003 - 298 pages
Complete ready reference covering Chinese history, economics, politics, culture, and prevalent social problems ... a "must-have" addition to any global studies collection.
Missions, nationalism, and the end of empire
Brian Stanley, Alaine M. Low - Religion - 2003 - 313 pages
This work not only sheds light on the relation of religion and politics but also uncovers the sometimes paradoxical implications of the church's call to bring the gospel to all theworld.Contributors: Daniel H. BaysPhilip BoobbyerJudith M. ...
Note: pg. 160: Chen Chonggui's "Anti-Communist" speech in 1957.
Religion under socialism in China
Zhufeng Luo - Political Science - 1991 - 254 pages
Note: Ch. 3 pg. 54: Changes towards Religion after Founding of PRC
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Chinese Characteristics
Arthur H. Smith - History - 2001 - 342 pages
Written by a highly observant British missionary after living fifteen years in the country, and first published in 1890 in China, this book presents the social life and personal charactertraits of the typical Chinese.
Note: Classic - Must Read!
Although all of these are on my reading list, I am already very pleased to have found this unknown book written by a former missionary and lecturer at this university - Yes, Hong Kong Baptist University. Britt E. Towery, Jr., author of "The Churches in China: Taking Root Downward, Bearing Fruit Upward", is officially my new role model. He wrote this book in 1986 while living in Hong Kong after serving as a Southern Baptist Missionary in China for 25 years. Funny thing is, I wasn't even looking for this book - rather I just happened to come across this tiny book while looking through the "Religion" section of the library out of boredom. God has spoken to me tremendously through his writings about the churches in China and I have gained much from this less than 200 page book. Although this is not 1986, it still has much good to say about my approach to evangelism in Mainland China.
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I think it's wonderful that you have both Cardinal Newman and Hank Hanegraff on the same list. Nice work. :0)
ReplyDeleteParticularly in your missional context, I'd recommend that you pick up anything by Philip Jenkins, but especially his Next Christendom or the New Faces of Christianity. His argument - and this is holding true as the years begin to pass - is that the new center of the Christian world in the 21st century is the "global south."
I mean, that's part of how I came to be a white African missionary to North America...
Thanks Kyle!
ReplyDeleteWait a second - obviously I don't know enough about you. Did you grow up in Africa? Tell me more man. And I will be sure to add Philip Jenkins to the list.
Haha - no, I'm not a native of that continent, but I am a member of a missionary congregation of the Anglican Church of Rwanda. It was begun in 2000 when the leaders of that Church decided that there weren't enough churches teaching classical Christianity.
ReplyDeletesee http://www.theamia.org/identity/rwanda-connection/
That's a wonderful movement of the Gospel that I don't hear of too often. Many have the perception that America is the "source of missionaries sent out to save the world". WRONG - not true. But I'm curious, are there any key points emphasized by Classical Christian churches that is not emphasized in the Contemporary church? Or is it just a different style of worship?
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of major differences between contemporary American evangelicalism and what I usually call "classical Christianity."
ReplyDeleteWhen I use the phrase "classical Christianity," I follow some notable 20/21st century theologians (beginning with Thomas Oden) who point to the broad theological consensus of the undivided Church (pre-11th century) as a starting point for healing the divisions of Christendom and answer the challenges of the post-modern world. This classical Christianity holds to the ancient Creeds (usually Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian) as the basis for ecumenical engagement. (It should be noted that all Catholic, Orthodox, and Reformation churches hold to these creeds as well.)
What this amounts to is that we believe Christian worship to have a definitive shape and to serve a definitive purpose. Most worship "styles" are compatible, as long as the values are right. It maintains very specific beliefs about Jesus (including that he is both human and divine, and has a humanity like ours), and the nature of God (that God is Trinity).
This is different from the increasingly popular movements of "non-denominational Christianity" which actually tends to water down the Gospel to "helpful hints for living," "relevant sermons," and a vague "we just love Jesus" mentality that never understands just who this Jesus is that they claim to love.
Thanks Kyle. I appreciate your explanation. Jesus Christ shouldn't be diluted by man's opinion. Indeed, he is human and divine and indeed His spirit lives and works in and through those who truly proclaim him as Lord of their life - thus the Trinity we profess must be existent.
ReplyDeleteMy family started a non-denominational church in Washington, D.C. to reach out to the diverse group of residents living in our area. Although I was younger and can't recall specifics, I know that we didn't stray from the Gospel and Christ's power was shown through the changes made in those who came to accept Jesus as their Savior. No matter the church's denomination, I feel that Christ's sovereign love and connection to the Father in Heaven, when truly at work, will bring about unity amongst all of those who genuinely profess him as Lord of their life.
As far as spiritual growth, and "missing out" on the understanding of what Christ can do through you as a Christian when you begin to see how he is at the right hand of the throne, I hope we can encourage the believers to take off their "spiritual diapers" and become a well trained disciple who can effectively fulfill Christ's commandment of the Great Commission. You must get in the Word to be an effective transmitter of the Gospel, and I think some churches don't stress it enough.