“Reading good books is like engaging in conversation with the most cultivated minds of past centuries who had composed them, or rather, taking part in a well-conducted dialogue in which such minds reveal to us only the best of their thoughts.”
— Rene Descartes
I have taken over my husband’s column this week to suggest a few beloved books of my own!
My husband, as he leaves to his study, will notify me that he is going off to have a conversation with authors like Calvin, Augustine or Bunyan (to name a few). To be abundantly clear, it is not that these men have returned to earth in resurrected bodies, to pay a visit to talk to my husband of all people; but rather their words and ideas have lived on, that they may speak, that we may listen, think, and reply in heart and deed. This is the conversation.
In my own walk with Christ, starting out, I understand that you really have very little idea of where to turn for greater understanding of the things of God. Undoubtedly, we pray earnestly and humbly to the Lord for help in understanding and help in our faithfulness in our walk and pursuit of Him. Yet like the Ethiopian eunuch, we need a Philip (usually several Philips) who we can trust to lead us with sound doctrine (good and true teaching) that we will not be deceived or led astray.
Last week my husband shared a few of his favorite books (faithful teachers to have conversations with). I have taken the liberty to share a few specifically aimed to my sisters in Christ. I hope these will be tools of sanctification and encouragement in your own hope and trust in our Lord, Christ Jesus, as much as they have been to me. God bless!
1. “Adorned: Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel Together” (2017) by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. This book is exactly as the title says, sisters in Christ living out the beauty of the gospel together! Mrs. Wolgemuth unfolds the biblical mandate found in Titus chapter 2, revealing the immense beauty and treasures of God’s design for women. This book brings home what it means to be a new creation in the Lord, as it teaches on the unique and monumental importance of discipleship: “Woman to woman. Older and younger. Side by side. Life on life.” For additional resources that accompany this book please checkout adornedbook.com.
2. “Let Me Be a Woman” (1976) by Elisabeth Elliot. I think here again, the title says it all. Yet, perhaps knowing who this author is will explain better why this book is just so special. Mrs. Elliot lost her husband of four years on the mission field in 1956, who wasa speared to death as he attempted to share the gospel with an unreached people group in Ecuador. Despite her searing loss Mrs. Elliot faithfully remained with her one-year-old daughter and went on to convert the very people who took the life of her husband, trusting it would be to the glory of God. Many years later, Mrs. Elliot and her daughter returned to the states and integrated back into American life, but not without the knowledge that they remained sojourners — sojourners for Christ. This book is a compilation of letters from Mrs. Elliot to her daughter, Valerie, as she enters into womanhood. While Mrs. Elliot is imparting this wisdom to Valerie, it was her desire to share the peace of finding who you are in Christ to every nation, tribe, people and tongue. I think you will find a spiritual mother in her, and I think you will feel her warm reception of you as a spiritual daughter as you read her words.
3. “Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon wife of Charles H. Spurgeon” (2018) by Ray Rhodes Jr. Susie is the true historical account of the wife of the renowned 19th century London preacher, known fondly as the “Prince of Preachers.” I have found myself entirely swept up in the romance of Charles and Susie’s love story; but a love story it would not be without the God of heaven in their midst. Susie’s great granddaughter writes of this biographer’s account of Susie’s life: “Ray Rhodes has been meticulous in his research and yet has presented Susie’s life in a very readable and engaging way. I came from each chapter wanting to live like Susie did. This book will encourage you to live life looking to Christ to supply and to be everything you need as you seek to serve Him for His glory.” My experience has been the same, and I think it will be for you too.
(Jeremy Breland is a farmer in Ruffin and a M.Div. student at Southern Seminary. He can be reached at jbreland572@gmail.com.)
