Roger Barrier has been pastor of the Casas Adobes Baptist Church in Tucson, Arizona, for the past thirteen years. The following books are his personal preferences for dealing with apathy and commitment-both the corporate and the personal varieties.
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Macmillan, 1963
Everyone at the convention applauded loudly as we heard a resolution to condense the gospel into a thirty-second commercial spot for airing during the next Super Bowl. That evening Chuck Colson spoke on the subject of cheap grace and costly grace from Bonhoeffer’s book: “One day we will so water down the gospel that we will commence selling Jesus like we sell soap.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve sold Jesus Christ like soap. Commitment must go with the package.
Hear again Bonhoeffer’s immortal words: “When Jesus Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” Only Jesus said it better.
The Best of A. W. Tozer compiled by Warren Wiersbe, Baker, 1978
Consecration begins with the heart. This sampler of Tozer’s essays includes such classics as “Following Hard after God,” “The Inadequacy of Instant Christianity,” and “Revival Is Born after Midnight.” Those three alone contain more than enough spark to ignite again the glowing embers deep within the coldest heart.
This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti, Crossway, 1986
This contemporary Christian novel about the New Age and the occult motivates an impassioned prayer life. I’d suggest that you derive your theology on spiritual warfare from The Adversary by Mark Bubeck and obtain your impetus to pray from this book.
Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, Tyndale, 1976
What Pilgrim’s Progress has contributed to the last four centuries of Christian thought regarding the process of salvation, Hinds’ Feet may speak to this century about God’s process of committed discipleship. In allegorical fashion, Much Afraid is led by the Shepherd from the Valley of Humiliation up to the High Places of God. During the journey she is transformed into Grace and Glory.
She discovers that the way of Christ is the way of the Cross. The principle is eternal: No one ever finds resurrection life without first experiencing a death.
Mountains of Spices by Hannah Hurnard, Tyndale, 1977
I sat weeping in an airplane as I finished reading this sequel to Hinds’ Feet. Grace and Glory is savoring the fellowship of the Shepherd. One day she recalls her many relatives still in bondage far below. She weeps in agony: “Who will give to them the message of freedom?”
“You will,” he quietly replies.
Soon she departs the heights to manifest to us the essence of the Christian life. Our goal is to descend into the depths, where we lose our lives in the service of Christ.
The Release of the Spirit by Watchman Nee, Sure Foundation, 1965
Watching my first-born child die in my arms made me appreciate greatly this little book. Don’t read it as a left-brained Occidental. Try to read it as a right-brained Oriental (Nee was Chinese).
This book helps me say with confident faith when trial or tragedy comes into my life, “Thanks God. I know you will use even this to make me like Jesus!” The daily cross that delivers this freedom is costly, but well worth the adventure.
Telling Yourself the Truth by William Backus and Marie Chapian, Bethany House, 1980
“It is better to bum out for God than to rust out!” I learned that half-truth in seminary. Now I know of a third option.
The truth is, it is better to be a well-oiled machine, still powerful and effective at the age of 75 like Arnold Palmer’s Pennzoil tractor in the commercial, than to be burned out and junked at 52. With all of the cries, calls, and circumstances that confront us, we are ahead when we learn to tell ourselves the truth as we choose the place and the level of our commitment.
Copyright © 1989 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
