Part 6. Readings on a Journey Towards God

1. The Universe in a Nutshell, Stephen Hawking, 2001. This is an attempt by Hawking to make the contents of his A Brief History of Time more accessible to non-scientists. Hawking is described as the least read best selling author in the world and a large number of readers admit to not having finished A Brief History of Time.

2. Learning to Fall, Phillip Simmons, 2000. A poignant book, describing the blessings
of living an imperfect life – in his case a life being whittled away by the certain uncertainties of Lou Gerhig’s Disease.

3. Living in the Mind of God, Gregg Braden, 2002. Braden explores the possibilities of quantum physics and the secrets of ancient spiritual traditions having the same origins. As the great Nobel physicist Max Plank said, “All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force ... We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind.” God?

4. Left Behind, Tim LaHaye, 1995. This book became the keystone of a best-selling series of twelve books that graphically describe the experiences of being left behind in an epic way. The series is based on the description of the Rapture in the New Testament Revelation.

5. Enchanting a Disenchanted World, George Ritzer, 1999. In his disquieting book, Rizer states, "when we are not actively consuming, we are often thinking about it and what we can obtain when we do. Of course, the 'cathedrals of consumption' are not the only, and perhaps not even the most important, contributor to this way of thinking, but they provide the outlets where it can be translated into action, resulting in the purchase of the desired goods and services. Ultimately, the most important point to be made is that the new means of consumption are playing a major role in transforming our thinking (and action) so that more and more of our lives revolve around consumption."

6. Many Voices of Love, Henri Nouwen, 1996. This was published after his death and magnificently and eloquently captures the thirst of his soul. He was widely known by millions, published forty books, and was nearly revered, yet had this vast inner void he knew could only be filled by God.

7. Gifts of Time, Fred Epstein, 1993. An account of the life-saving work of a New York pediatric neurosurgeon. This collection of clinical vignettes and personal experiences demonstrate with profound clarity what really is important in life. One of my best friends has, thus far, been given nine more years of life by Epstein.

8. The Great Evangelical Disaster, Francis Schaeffer, 1984. Francis Schaefer was one of the three greatest writers in the evangelical world in the 20th century. In the last of his 27 books, published after he died in 1984, he essentially said the American church at large is apostate and largely asleep.

9. A Time for Anger: The Myth of Neutrality, Franky Schaeffer, 1982. He worked with his father Francis in his sharp-edged analysis of the state of American Christendom.

10. The Mark of the Christian, Francis Schaeffer, 1970. A challenge to Christians to display love for one another as mandated in the scriptures. This small work make the point that without this love, then we really are not in a position to demonstrate Christianity to anyone.

11. The Discoverers: A History of Man’s Search to Know His World and Himself, Daniel Boorstin, 1983. A very large detailed history of the world from the perspective of discovery rather than a mere listing of battles and names. An important journey can be made just through the three inches between the covers of this tome.

12. Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, Thich Nhat Hanh, 1992. A magnificent collection of short essays on living consciously and fully. My now very worn copy of the little book has been read many times.

13. Eden, Tim Smit, 2001. A folio photo essay of the conception, funding and building of Eden, a vast botanical garden under geodesic domes in an abandoned clay quarry in Cornwall., England. The actual site is breathtaking, as is the book.

14. The Culture of Disbelief: How American Law and Politics Trivialize Religious Devotion, Stephen Carter, 1994. Written ten years ago it is a sobering analysis of the consequences of removing spiritual and religious values from the public square. You end up with a godless land in which people do what seems right in their own eyes.