Read contains excerpts from some
of the most valuable books written
on faith, prayer and discipleship
over the last 2,000 years. An
editorial board, chosen by Ren-
ovare, has narrowed a list of 400
nominations down to 25 spiritual
classics, from the Eastern (Ortho-
dox) tradition and the Western
(Latin) tradition. These authors aim
to reveal and clarify Scripture and
to testify to their faith, thus offering
us effective tools for Christian
spiritual formation.
reasons why the book is important for spiritual formation.
Guidance and reading strategies are included, as well as key
excerpts from the work and a study guide for individuals
and groups. Although the board opted to omit living authors
who have not stood the test of time, each board member
submitted a list of his/her top five contemporary writings.
The 25 works chosen include:
� St. Augustine, Confessions
� The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
� The Rule of St. Benedict
� Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy
� The Cloud of Unknowing (Anonymous)
� Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love (Showings)
� Thomas a Kemp�s, The Imitation of Christ
� The Philokalia
� John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion
� St. Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle
� St. John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul
� Blaise Pascal, Pensees
� John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress
� Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
� William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life
� The Way of a Pilgrim, (Author Unknown)
� Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
� G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy
� The Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins
� Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
� C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
� Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion
� Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain
better understand, defend and proclaim their Christian be-
liefs, in an era when moral and spiritual knowledge is being
increasingly viewed through the lens of relativity. More than
100 questions and articles on faith and science provide
wisdom and insight and will help readers articulate their
beliefs. Topics include:
� Interpreting Scripture in a Scientific Age
� The Impact of Archaeology and History on the Bible
� The Bible in the Context of Theology
� Christian Faith and Non�Christian Belief Systems
� Christian Faith and Philosophy
This Bible is available in the popular
Holman CSB� translation, with an
introduction to each book focusing
on apologetics. It contains informative
profiles of historic Christian apologists
from Anselm to Pascal, as well as con-
tributions from such modern apolo-
gists as Chuck Colson, Norm Geisler,
Hank Hanegraaff and Josh McDowell.
This is a study Bible meant for Chris-
tians who are asking tough questions
about their faith and how it can be
integrated into ordinary life. Its goal
is to remove faith obstacles by giving
readers an opportunity to wrestle with
false teachings and to understand why they are invalid.
Other helpful features include notes on "problem" passages
in the Bible, 50 sidebars focusing on passages misused by
cults and an index of special articles for quick reference.
can be seen as a definitive biography of
Samuel Logan Brengle, The Salvation
Army's apostle of Wesleyan holiness.
Brengle experienced the "second bless-
ing" as a young man and preached the
gospel in colloquial language, which
greatly endeared him to ordinary people.
Beyond that he knew the sufficiency of
God's grace, realizing that "God does not
make pets of His people... His greatest
servants have often been the greatest
sufferers."
First a Methodist circuit rider and then
demia before being drawn to the simplicity of The Salvation
Army. He probed the depth of holiness in several books,
guided an influential Salvation Army ministry around the
world and brought an estimated 100,000 people to the
mercy seat with his powerful sermons. He was also the first
American officer to earn the rank of Commissioner. For
Brengle, the practical key to holiness was to "keep in the will
of God, obey Him, seek Him daily, waiting at His gates. Read
the Bible regularly. Never neglect private prayer. Keep testi-
fying to the grace bestowed upon you. Help others."
and Purchasing Department: Des Plaines, IL 800�937�8896; West
Nyack, NY 888�488�4882; Atlanta, GA 800�786�7372; Long Beach,
CA 847�937�8896.