Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: kriz@skat.usc.edu (Dennis Kriz) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Reading Suggestions for non-Christians interested in Christianity Message-ID: Date: 5 Aug 89 01:10:25 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Lines: 77 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu I'm sure that this has been done earlier, but in any case, I'd like to initiate a process of posting suggestions for reading materials for people who are not Christian but might be interested in converting. I'd like to encourage you to post your suggestions [the Body of Christ is large ya know ... there is no way that say a Catholic could possibly know of all the publications that say the Lutherans put out (or visa versa)]. With each of your suggestions, give a brief review, point out its focus, denominational leaning, etc. I ask you to please be honest ... as this type of service that you perform will find an audience. And there's nothing worse than later feeling betrayed. Anyway... thanks, dennis ***************************** My two suggestions: C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity" -- Many Christians will immediately recognize C.S. Lewis, as his books are commonly available in book-stores. He *has* a wit alright, but don't expect fluff from him. Lewis is not a "used-car salesman" ... and he makes it a point to show THAT HE DOES NOT NEED TO BE. The book I suggest is only about 150 pages long. But it gives a rundown of basic Christian doctrine, as it has been held for centuries. He also points out along the way, where the various Christian traditions differ or add greater emphasis. Fundamentally, the book is HONEST and gives the type of instruction that 50 years ago, all of us would have been *assumed* to have had, but in our "enlightened age" many now have never seen. It is no wonder that for so many of us today, Christianity is "defined" (negatively) by Swaggart -- even though even he would heartily agree, that this can not be so. If you want to see Christianity as something more than "a strawman," I heartily suggest this book. **** [In my other suggestion ... I betray my Catholicism but I think it would be useful to even non-Catholics. I think it also can be useful to beginning Christians -- as it allows them to learn from the examples given in how to lead a Christian life.] ***** But here goes ---> "Saint of the Day" The title may seem kind of silly to some of you, but these type of guidebooks are actually wonderful sourcebooks of inspiration. The guide that I have in mind in particular is a set of two small paper-backs (each about again 150 pages) bearing that exact title, that was published by the Franciscans in the 1970s. The guide gave a brief biography of the Saint celebrated on his/her alotted day, followed by some short commentary on his/her example on living a Christian life. I actually think that the book would be useful to even non-Catholics because, when one reads the accounts of these people celebrated by the Catholic Church, it's truly clear *why* they are considered to be Saints. And why their witness deserves to be remembered and learned from. These people truly span from "age to age, nation to nation (and continent to continent)" and help support us in the belief that Christians of every age help build the "City of God." [I wrote this previously ... but you know ... I kinda like it ... :-) :-) :-)]. Anyway, finding/reading a guidebook on the Saints, would be useful to even non-Catholics in strengthening their faith ... and give strong witness to non-Christians who might not be sure of how Christians should act in the real world. ************************