For The Life Of The World, by Alexander Schmemann. This is a set of lectures that the late dean of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary in Crestwood, New York gave to a Student Christian Movement gathering in the 1960’s. It is real Russian writing, full of passion and profound theological and spiritual wisdom in lucid prose studded with sparkling aphorisms.

I Heard The Owl Call My Name, Margaret Craven. A short simple novel about a young Anglican priest working with Native Americans in British Columbia.

The Brother’s Karamazov, by Fydor Dostovesky. A classic of Christian literature. I am especially moved by Fr. Zosima’s remarks to his brothers in the monastery as he lies dying.

The Resurrection of Christ: An Essay in Biblical Theology, Michael Ramsey. This book on the resurrection was life changing for me. Ramsey brings forward a long line of English exegesis on the resurrection which has found its latest advocate in N.T. Wright.

The Gospel and The Catholic Church, Michael Ramsey, This is out of print but is well worth getting when you can find it. It is a defense of catholic church order on the basis of its evangelical significance.

Romans In A Week, N.T. Wright. This is a CD of lectures that Wright gave at Regent and is available through their bookstore. The ideas presented here can be found elsewhere such as the Abingdon commentary on Romans. This is a very accessible way to get the information. Probably the biggest influence on my presentation of the Gospel in the last ten years.

The Gospel In A Pluralistic Age, Leslie Newbigin. Anything by this author is good. This is the classic statement by the late great missionary bishop.

Christianity Rediscovered, Vincent J. Donovan. A classic text and dramatic story about initial evangelization.

The Religious Potential Of The Child, by Sofia Cavalletti, A moving book by a pioneer in the religious education of children.

For Your Own Good: Hidden cruelty in child-rearing and the roots of violence, Alice Miller.  Not a book on theology but a very sobering and serious critique of some religiously inspired methods of child-rearing.

Against The Protestant Gnostics, Phillip J. Lee. A sometimes overstated but very searching important critique of Gnostic tendencies in North American Protestantism.