When we began our quest for the 100 best Christian books, we knew that the material we were contemplating had already been through several refining fires. It had been worked on by its author, judged worthy to be published, and, over time, had impressed enough readers to be noticed ”” and, mostly, to be kept in print.
IT IS sometimes easy to forget it, given the variable quality of the books that come into the Church Times office for review, but works that get into print can be categorised, by and large, as quite good. Many that we review are not only good: some are very good. But “best”?
Best is, of course, a value judgement. We have kept it for this project because it is so obviously subjective. “Best” does not just cover a book’s intrinsic worth: it also prompts a consideration of what a book can achieve. Throughout our debate, we found ourselves balancing a title’s historical position with its place in our memories. A different set of judges on a different day ”” perhaps even the same set of judges ”” would certainly have come up with a different list.
But, perhaps, not that different.
Read it all and see what you make of their list.
How could they miss out Teilhard de Chardin, Le Milieu Divin? A wonderful evocation of the whole universe relating to the divine will, rather like Paul’s description in Romans of the universe groaning in one great act of giving birth.
I’m surprised Jonathan Edwards’ [i] Religious Affections[/i] didn’t make the list. Also nothing from John Wimber who’s thinking and praxis has had a tremendous impact on the Church’s worship, mission, and spirituality for a generation.