C. S. Lewis once said that all the best books are written by those who are dead. There is much I resonate with Lewis even though I still believe things are heavily weighted in that direction, I still try to read books that give the beauty and depth of Scripture from both treasures old and new.
So for people who want to immerse themselves in the best I have come across and more that I have not read or seen (share your own best books that shine forth the beauty and depth of Scripture), then here is my top ten list from ancient Christian writers to the present.
1. Patrology by Johannes Quasten (vols. 1-4) share the depth and multi-dimensions of the whole patristic heritage for the first four centuries of biblical interpreters of the early church starting in the second century. Here are all the primary sources in four volumes.
2. Meister Eckhart works give the beauty and depth and mystery of the mystical tradition. God is always alive as God makes alive His word to His people.
3. Soren Kierkegaard wrote in an age where the church was post-Christendom in how to live faithfully in a world that thinks itself already Christian. Kierkegaard's writings are both challenging and illuminating for discipleship of the mind using many biblical concepts and scriptural texts.
4. Beginnings: Ancient Christian Readings of the Biblical Narratives by Peter Bouteneff is a wonderful gem showing the beautiful diamond of the first three chapters of Genesis with its many colors by the early church fathers. This is the best of the Eastern Orthodox tradition and scholarship that both Catholics and Protestants need to get more familiar with.
5. Praise Seeking Understanding Reading the Psalms with Augustine by Jason Byassee and Robert W. Jenson. Interpreting the Psalms and learning both their spiritual meaning and proper use is vital for the development of the Christian mind and Christian imagination.
6. The Gospel According to Job by Mike Mason is probably the best contemporary example of a spiritual commentary on a book of the Bible that I have read to date.
7. Return of the Prodigal by Henri Nouwen is such a masterpiece book on one of Jesus's favorite parables concerning the story of the Prodigal son. Nouwen is no longer with us but his spiritual writings have been a favorite of mine. No one I know to date has shownd the simplicity, humility, and love of Jesus like Henri's writings. An honorable mention is Kenneth Bailey's works on the gospel stories. Bailey more academic approach shows insightfully the details of early Palestinian Christianity from its Jewish roots.
8. Connections by Glen Carpenter is the best overall comprehensive book exploring the spiritual and symbolic meanings of the Bible's big picture story.
9. Popular spiritual books that have perceptive uses of Scriptures are Erwin McManus "The Barbarian Way;" Guy Cheveau "Turnings" from what God taught him on a mission trip to Africa and Misty Edwards beautifully written new book "What is the Point?"
10. The best academic scholar on the Bible today challenging people to read the Bible as if for the first time or from a new and fresh perspective is N. T. Wright. His larger theological tomes are filled with gold nuggets for those who have the patience to dig into them. Other honorable mentions of academic scholars I have liked in the past are Karl Barth, John H. Yoder, Lesslie Newbigen, Ephraim Radner and Telford Work. Two commentary series that offer interesting perspectives from a kind of ancient-future perspective are the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture and the Brazos Theological Commentary series.
What spiritually deep books have enriched your soul and help reveal the deeper meaning of Scripture to you?
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