The protagonist discovers the Jesus Prayer on his quest across 19th-century Russia to learn to pray continually. He shows us a way of praying that saturates our lives without taking time away from our routine activities.
This book celebrates the "old ways" of living, in which God, family, community, and "place" are central. You leave it more likely to find contentment in the ordinary and to honor the relationships you've been given.
You cannot help but see yourself in the struggles and victories of Christian, the main character. Bunyan understood the lure of false gospels such as legalism, and provided a helpful mirror in which to see our own struggles.
This is a masterfully written story of a 40-something woman with a successful government career who enters an English Benedictine monastery. It sounds a call to holiness that reminds us that we all have tools for spiritual growth at our disposal.
This is a compelling story of friendship between two deeply devout Jewish young men—one "liberal" and one "conservative"—that helps us see what it means to have spiritual integrity and yet compassionately and respectfully engage with friends of differing faiths.
James Wilhoit is professor of Christian Education at Wheaton College.
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I'd add Saul Bellow's "Henderson the Rain King." It's not specifically a religious book, but it really speaks to soul-searching and our humanity. I don't want to give it away but there's this great switch in the main character's thought patterns where he learns to look outside of himself.
Along those same lines, Jack Kerouac's "On the Road," takes an interesting look at a man trying to make sense of life and faith. Am really excited to hear about Kerouac's "lost novel":::
http://asphalteden.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-kerouac-novel-about- sea.html
kt
Posted: March 02, 2009 6:09 PM
I wish the list would have been longer as I've read most of these (and thoroughly agree they should be included on a best list). I agree with Pennie that Karon and L'Engel are wonderful authors and need to be included on someone's list (our own, perhaps?). I would recommend "Chasing Fireflies" and "When Crickets Cry" by Charles Martin. He has written other books and even a newer one; however, these two are his best, in my opinion.
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