One cool thing about the blogosphere (at least the part of it where I hang out) is that, at this time of the year, many list the books they’ve most enjoyed during the previous year.
I ordered the below after reading Tullian Tchividjian’s list – – I have not been disappointed.
Engaging God’s World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living
Plantinga reminds us that there is continuity between this space and history and the New Earth:
One of the most important influences in my life has been Jerry Bridges. I don’t know him personally, but when I began really growing as a believer, The Pursuit of Holiness was a great encouragement. Later, I read The Discipline of Grace, see this post, and it answered many of my questions about the relationship between personal effort and grace.
So, when I read on Justin Taylor’s blog that Jerry Bridges made the following statement, I headed for Amazon and updated my wish list. Bridges said:
I think the reason many are depressed over the holidays is because they do not know how to interpret the yearnings of their soul.
I don’t suppose that there is anyone who has not experienced yearnings or longings of the soul – Augustine said that he experienced them when he read Plato – – he felt as though he was looking at a peaceful valley from a wooded ridge – – a nostalgic feeling — that there was a beautiful place that he couldn’t quite access.
Whether you are preaching or writing, introductions are of critical importance. Here is one of the greatest literary introductions ever. . . If you don’t appreciate it, your initials may be E.C.S.