Written by: Tendai Chitsike
Article source: JOY! Magazine
This month, as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour and hopefully have some time to read, I decided to offer some gift ideas of great books to enjoy. Here are a few:
God’s Double Agent by Bob Fu
This is the riveting true story of a Chinese student leader of the famous Tiananmen Square protests who discovers the matchless treasure of Jesus Christ. He and his wife accept a call to share the Gospel in China and thereby take on the life of suffering and persecution that goes with it. Not only will you not be able to put down this masterfully written book, God’s Double Agent will give you a new perspective on your own privileges, challenge you in your personal response and commitment to the treasure of the Gospel, and help you know the untold story of what our brothers and sisters in China face under that country’s oppressive regime.
The Greatest Century of World Missions by Peter Hammond
In Peter Hammond’s The Greatest Century of World Missions the author gives us a fascinating account of how several missionaries of the 19th century made incredible sacrifices to make the Christian faith a global reality. Hammond gives us a much needed education into life in pre-Christian lands, the courageous willingness of pioneer missionaries, and the significant benefit of their efforts in host nations. I write that this is much needed, because this work does much to counter the popular narrative that missionaries were primarily self-seeking empire builders who destroyed otherwise unspoiled indigenous cultures.
The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
In recommending the reading of old books, C.S. Lewis wrote: “Every age has its own outlook. It is especially good at seeing certain truths and especially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books.” While I must confess that I have not read too many old books, one that I am reading and heartily recommend is the classic work of John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress. This timeless work is a two-part allegory that gives us profound insights into the journey of faith from this world to the next – a riveting adventure solidly rooted in scripture. It is therefore not surprising that Leland Ryken, author of A Christian’s Guide to the Classics, wrote: “For more than two centuries after its publication, The Pilgrim’s Progress ranked just behind the King James Bible as the most common and important book in evangelical Protestant households. It has been translated into more than 200 languages, including 80 in Africa alone.”
A Change of Affection: A Gay Man’s Incredible Story of Redemption by Becket Cook
If you are looking for an autobiography that is gripping, humourous, practically helpful, and God-glorifying, A Change of Affection fits this bill. Travelling the world, successful in his career, frequently invited to the parties of Hollywood superstars, and affirmed in his gay lifestyle, Becket was living his dream. That is, until he was overwhelmed by the meaninglessness of it all. In the midst of this, he hears the Gospel unashamedly preached, receives Christ, and begins to enjoy the surpassing greatness of God’s grace. Appropriately, Francis Chan wrote the following in the foreword: “Many were intrigued by the stories about his past, but that’s not what shocked me. It was his demeanour. It was the way he demonstrated an obsession with Jesus. He carried himself like a man who had just won the lottery; like someone who was unphased by the parking ticket he received, because he discovered his newfound fortune and was amazed at the treasure he had been given. Everything else seemed trivial to him, even his sexuality.”
Blessings to you and yours as we celebrate our Saviour’s birth.
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Date published: 02/12/2023
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork adapted from: pixabay.com
Tendai Chitsike – Pastor of Every Nation Church in Makhanda. Email: engrahamstown@gmail.com
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