Comments on: Lenten Reading

By: Gene Veith

Gene Veith — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:22:52 +0000

The Australian Lutheran John Kleinig’s “Grace Upon Grace: Spirituality for Today.” It gives illumination on every page. I thought I knew pretty much everything there is in Christianity, but Kleinig keeps showing me more and more.

By: Bob G

Bob G — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:33:08 +0000

“The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition,” by Jaroslav Pelikan (first in a series on the history of the development of doctrine).

For some reason I get more out of historical studies than from more devotional lit. I find inspiring how the Church found its way through troubles not unlike our own

By: Fresh Iced Tea

Fresh Iced Tea — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:22:54 +0000

“To Know Christ Jesus” by Frank Sheed – not the most recent of commentaries on the Gospels but the love the author has for his Subject shines through and makes it more than a worthwhile read.

By: RS

RS — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:21:22 +0000

Does I Corinthians count? Apart from divinely inspired texts, "Little Lamb" by Piers Harper is the best book on repentance I have ever read, and is suitable for children. It teaches that we leave the sheepfold in small, seemingly innocent steps. This quickly finds us lost, tired, lonely, dirty, and hungry, with no hope of finding our way home on our own. [Incidentally, I find "Little One Step" by Simon James the best uninspired book on discipleship I've ever read. First line: "We're lost!"] If you require a book without pictures, I'll go with "Cost of Discipleship" by D. Bonhoeffer. It deals with the Lenten themes of true repentance and serious discipleship, while keeping in mind the hope of the resurrection. My parish does a Lenten study each year of a book chosen by the clergy. They're typically of an exegetical or catechetical nature, rather than devotional, however.

By: Charlie Collier

Charlie Collier — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:48:05 +0000

Tom Wright, “Lent for Everyone: Matthew Year A” (just out: http://wipfandstock.com/store/Lent_for_Everyone_Matthew_Year_A)

Rowan Williams, “Christ on Trial: How the Gospel Unsettles Our Judgment”

Sam Wells, “Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection”

These are all designed to be used during the season of Lent.

By: lawrence cunningham

lawrence cunningham — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:20:28 +0000

I rather like the patristic commentary on Isaiah in the series edited by Robert Wilken. I used it last year for Lent and intend to do it again this year.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:47:00 +0000

Every year, Orthodox monks (and pious households) read The Ladder of Divine Ascent by my patron saint, John Climacus. It’s one of the classics of Christian (and especially eastern Christian) spirituality. I’ve read it each of the last few years and my copy is dog-eared and highlighted throughout.

It’s organized into thirty chapters, one for each year of Christ’s life before He began His ministry. Read one chapter/step per day and you’re good to go. The Paulist Press has a good translation with intro by Archbishop Kallistos Ware as part of their Classics of Western Spirituality series.

By: Robert Saler

Robert Saler — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:22:48 +0000

Alan E. Lewis’ Between Cross and Resurrection: A Theology of Holy Saturday.

By: Michael Reilly

Michael Reilly — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:49:43 +0000

I would like to suggest “The Irresistable Revolution” by Shayne Claiborne. Mr. Claiborne’s view of Christianity–service to the least of these, nonviolence, and a very generous theology–is inspiring. When we peel back the layers of Christian tradition and history, we are left with a very simple (but terrifically difficult!) message: love God, love your neighbor. Repeat as necessary.

By: Michael Snow

Michael Snow — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:50:55 +0000

Athanasius’ On the Incarnation

[Try to find the trans. by Sister Penelope Lawson, with Intro. by C.S. Lewis]