How to Read a Christian Book: A Guide to Selecting and Reading Christian Books as a Christian Discipline

by David L. McKenna

Book Overview

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, readers have a dizzying selection of Christian books from which to choose. Those wondering where to start have a helpful new resource in How to Read a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801063590
• ISBN13: 9780801063596
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Excellent Addition to Any Well-Rounded Library

This small book provides an excellent argument for Christians to strive to be among the most well-read members of society. McKenna lays out his rationale for the statement, "a nonreading Christian is a contradiction in terms," outlines some of the questions to ask about books we read or consider reading, and then provides several lists of books identified as key texts for a well-read Christian. For any Christian interested in growing in maturity in the faith, this is a must-have reference.

Very thoughtful and accurate

I read a review of this book in Quaker Life, and I picked it up at the bookstore last week. The author is thoughtful, literate, and engaging. I did not buy this for the help on how to be a better reader, but I was pleasantly surprised at the author's presentation of important issues to do with being a careful and discerning reader of all literature to start with, and then of Christian literature in particular. I went out and bought this for the three year reading schedule that is included at the back of the book. It looks excellent, and the appendices and other lists offered by the author are also excellent resources.

Book meets is designed purpose

I bought this book for one main reason- as a resource to help me decide which Christian books to buy in the future. As a Christian, there are almost an infinite number of books available these days. Some are good, some are great, and others are not worth the time or effort required to read them. The problem is deciding which ones to read, and/or which ones to buy to build a library of "Great Christian books". This book is specifically designed to help readers make the right choices.The book is a quick read, and has a few sections that are slightly boring. But, more importantly, it contains a comprehensive list of book recommendations for Christians. The book is worth the money for these lists alone. Additionally, the author has put together a suggested three-year reading program which I plan on starting soon. It has books from a wide variety of Christian subjects, that builds on many concepts over the three year period (foundation books the first year, more complex books the following years). I highly recommend this book for any Christian looking for a way to put together a quality reading program. If you are like me, you get overwhelmed by choices at most Christian bookstores. Luckily, this book can help you focus on quality books which will help enhance your Christian experience and development.

The book did for what me what I had hoped

There's a lot of stuff in this book that I don't care about, in fact I only skimmed. However, it's worth the money simply for all the different lists and categories that he has created. Ranging from Christian classics, to contemporaries to secular work, McKenna creates an excitement to build a library of your own. Now only if I had the money to actually go out and buy books....

Scope of book goes far beyond the title

Let's face it. 80% of what is offered in Christian bookstores is useless drivel or worse. Remember the glut of so-called Christian "Y2K paranoia" books? McKenna's book concerns not just how to read a Christian book, but how to select one and how to build a solid Christian library. The appendices, which consist of several booklists, both religious and secular, are worth the price of the book. For Christians who want to get serious about their reading, a very workable three-year reading plan is offered, with books in various genres of Christian writing. Unfortunately, Christian fiction and poetry is given short shrift here. This book is a very quick read and is a valuable addition to any Christian reader's library.