Hi Everyone,
Our library has been on a rocky road for a while. However, with our new pastor, things have certainly improved.
That being said, recently I was told that since library books don't save souls, and that's what church is really about, there is no need for inclusion in our budget. that our church's money needs to be spent on other programs.
Hmmm... I know that Lee Strobel's book CASE FOR CHRIST certainly makes a powerful statement about why an atheist became a Christian.
My question is, can anyone out there recommend other titles that can be used to bring a skeptic to salvation?
I'd like to have a list of titles before our next board meeting in two weeks.
Thanks so much,
Linda
Replies
I agree with the idea of Christian Fiction. I particularly love mysteries and there are some great authors whose books have a faith element and the characters express their faith in various ways. Some good ones are Lynette Eason, Lisa Harris, Colleen Coble, Dee Henderson, Nancy Mehl, and Terri Blackstock. Another good author is Jane Kirkpatrick who writes historical fiction, particularly about the settling of Oregon. They are always well researched and usually she brings out the character's faith. Anyone into Regency Romances would like Julie Klassen, and Jen Turano (her books are laugh-out-loud funny)
I think that the titles listed already are a good place to begin. I also agree with Christian Fiction being so very important. These stories show how a Christian handles tragedy and grief or how they celebrate with joy.
If you didn't see it (or like me, just have trouble remembering), you might point him to how the Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones reaches the parents and, as they read to them, the children. I will try to find the write-up that I did one year on that very topic.
Morlee: Is it on the CLN?
Thank you, Jenn. As I read down these responses, I get more and more excited! Bless you!
A church does not exist just to save souls, but for many other reasons, including the making of disciples. (Matthew 28:18 ff). So Christians should be reading such books as "Down to Earth Discipling: Essential Principles to Guide Your Personal Ministry" by Scott Morton, "Rediscovering Discipleship: Making Jesus' Final Words Our First Work" by Robby Gallaty and "Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus" by Mark Dever. A serious skeptic would also be willing to read the Bible, so having believers read such books as "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" by Gee and Stuart or "Reading the Bible with Heart & MInd" by Tremper Longman III or "Knowable Word: Helping Ordinary People Learn to Study the Bible" by Peter Krol or "One on One Bible Reading" by David Helm would go a long way to making us effective witnesses for Christ.
And how about all those books that help us to be more effecting at "one-anothering" that will help the skeptic know we are Christians by our love for one another (Banquet in the Grave by Ed Welch and numerous others). How about "Peacemaking: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict"" by Ken Sande?
And how many of us have been converted by the unreasonable kindness or forgiveness of another. Such books as "Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds" by Chris Brauns helps immensely to see what true forgiveness is and how to give it.
Another reply to this question recommended the inclusion of fiction books. I found such books as "The Promise of Jessie Woods" by Chris Fabry to be an excellent way to help people see the wisdom of Scripture with specific examples of how forgiveness works. Many times a story (Jesus used stories all the time) convey truth much better than trying to explain it.
Also -- check out my website "Books Recommended" has a tag list in the upper right-hand corner and you can find a host of other reason to have a library (like elder/deacon training material, children's books, for a new christian etc).
Well - that is a start - hope this helps
Well said!
Well said! Thank you. I am so encouraged! Will go to your website today! Thanks and God bless you!
Mere Christianity by C. s. Lewis. and any book by Max Lucado, John Macauthor, or Church Swindoll. It is really sad that some feel books are not important. There are also great fiction writers that Share Christ through their books. . Karen Kingsbury has a christian theme in all of her books. as does Francine rivers.
The library is also a great place to Build a RELATIONShIP with a lost person. You have an opportunity to talk with them, get to know them find out what is going on in their lives and help meet their needs. And as librarian you are ofter a shoulder for them to cry on.
Thanks so much. I'm working on opening our library to the public. I KNOW this is an important ministry. Just need to enlighten TPTB
Linda,
Our church views the library as a mission ministry to the community and welcomes everyone to use the library, including home school families.
A man that used to volunteer in our library was the one that finally brought my husband to Christ. What he did differently than others that tried was he shared the book "Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics Ask About the Christian Faith" by Josh McDowell and Don Stewart. He also shared another similar book found in our library at the time but sadly I forgot the name of that one. Until those books, no one, not the preacher, not I, not the evangelist team, could bring him to salvation. Books DEFINITELY save souls!
I agree with Morley on Christian fiction. My daughter has shared many Christian fiction books with friends with the comment she enjoyed the story and thought they would too. She had friends that would never read a "Christian" book that eventually started asking for more and turned their life around, going to church. And we have readers of Christian fiction that use the better ones as a devotional; the ones that clearly show characters daily living their lives with God in mind to help them remember to draw close to God and see his hand clearly in their own lives.
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