It seems we all like books. And we especially like making lists of books. In 2005 I wrote The Five Books I Would Recommend to a College Student…or Actually, to Anyone!, and listed in another post the Top 100 Religious Books of the 20th Century According to Christianity Today. If you want you could access lists for the 100 Best Novels and 100 Best Nonfiction Lists, and yes, there is even a list for the 100 Must-Read Books: The Essential Man’s Library. Sorry women, I couldn’t find your list.
But what I’m interested in here is another list. Books that have been paradigm shifting, and life shaping for you.
When we think of books in those terms I think the lists we have are often reduced, because just not every book, or every other book….or even 1 in every 1000 book or so is paradigm shifting, and for that matter gives shape to your life.
There were many more I could have listed, but I have listed my 10 below. It’s interesting to notice how many of them come out of required reading for graduate school or my vocational interests. So though these books are important to me, I wonder what new books will be added as my vocational interests broaden over the years. As a former pastor, current therapist and social media/tech dabbler, the books I choose might be very different than someone else in the same lines of profession, and maybe very, very different from someone in different vocations. Maybe?
What 10 books have been paradigm shifting and life shaping for you?
These are my 10, and I will just say why in 1-2 sentences, or maybe just a few words…AND they are not in order of importance (except the Bible), but rather alphabetically by author’s last name.
- The Bible
What can I say, but that it’s the foundational text for guidance in my relationship with Jesus Christ. Has taught me about grace, love, truth, honesty, patience, community, perseverance, etc, etc. - The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Brafman and Rod A. Beckstrom
Resonated deeply on the importance of decentralization in organizations, and the view of a bottom’s up leadership, rather than hierarchical, top-down authoritarian structures. - The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Was one of the first times I realized the magnitude of God’s grace in my life, and the importance of costly obedience and discipleship, rather than the cheap grace that is often taught and practiced. And Bonhoeffer lived it out. - The Brother’s Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Wow! An amazing work on suffering, love, grace, redemption…and no author understands and captures the human condition in it’s honest and authentic entirety like Dostoyevsky. Confirmed for me the idea that often the deepest theological/psychological/philosophical truths are in novels, not textbooks. - Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer
I re-read this book every year since I first read it in 2001. There is no better book on vocation and identity. - Fear and Trembling by Soren Kierkegaard
Kierkegaard’s retelling of the Abraham and Isaac story brought to reality the difficult and often “absurd” ways that we are asked to follow God and his commands…rather than the sugar coated stories we are often told in Church. Ethics at its most challenging. - Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller
I had never read a “Christian” book like this, until this one. Miller is masterful at weaving a narrative about the Christian life that is infused with humor, authenticity, friendship and challenges. Timely to read it in my mid-20’s as well. Such resonation. - In The Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri Nouwen
Best book on leadership in my opinion. Nouwen dumps traditional leadership on it’s head and challenges us to be the type of leaders that truly lead within, and among those that follow us. He calls for a vulnerable leadership that most leaders are afraid to offer up. - Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness and Reconciliation by Miroslav Volf
Volf brings together some of the broadest and most diverse perspectives in theology (drawing from postmodern, modern, feminist, etc.) and challenges us to embrace the “other.” A challenging call for us, especially as we move into a more global society where our differences keep us at arm’s length from one another, often living in fear. - The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction by Eugene Peterson.
Helped me realize that what was required of me as a pastor and leader was not what was/is most often being taught. Really helped me to slow down and view my role as a pastor/leader from a vary different perspective. I think a must read for all pastors.
Like I said, there are more that I could add, but this is a good top 10 list for me…one of the ways that I know a book has become paradigm shifting, and life shaping is because I have read it over numerous times. These type of books are not 1 time reads.
What do you think of my list?
What books would you add to the list?
