Discussion point: Who has influenced you over the years in your reading? Who is influencing you now?
My biggest influence over the last several years has been Dallas Willard. His writing on spiritual formation has been like fresh water to my very dry soul. I also have enjoyed Eugene Peterson, especially his memoirs that were released last year.
If you contribute here, feel free to post your own thoughts, or, as always, comments are welcome!
One author I really like is Taylor Caldwell. She often works the theme of how people struggle to believe in God in her books. “Great Lion of God” (about St. Paul) is a good one. “Tender Victory,” about a minister who adopts 5 kids from WWII Europe and then takes them to a new, small-town parish is wonderful as well. I’ve often thought “TV” would make a great miniseries.
I know the following two authors may be somewhat cliche to many:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s influence is pervasive in my thinking, writing and preaching. I received a copy of his “Discipleship” when I was 12 and that began my process of reading anything by him I could get my hands on (meaning that I submitted my credit card number of Fortress Press so that I receive EVERY new publication of the Bonhoeffer works immediately upon publication and it has led to my membership in the International Bonhoeffer Society). His thoughts as a pastor-theologian will continue to hold sway in my life and ministry for the rest of my days. I am certain my father was not thinking that when he gave me the book it would be that influential, but it was (and is) direction altering.
As a pastor, I discovered the work of Karl Barth (Evangelical Theology: An Introduction). His writing has quickly gained influence as well in my life and ministry. It is a breath of fresh air to read theological reflection that is doxological (and at times offered as a prayer). His work as another pastor-theologian has moved me to be better and offer a better praise to our great God!
I know that in some circles both of these men and their work has suffered serious defamation, but their influence for me is profoundly positive.
Bonhoeffer and Barth both offer great influence in my own life. One of these days I am going to make it through Dogmatics the first time!
Eugene Peterson has been influencing me in my thinking about pastoral ministry lately. I have read parts of Barth but not enough to be influential (yet). This may seem really odd to some here but one influential author for me early on had been Kay Arthur. She influenced me in getting into Inductive Bible study, something I am now deeply passionate about, some of her other books, such as LORD, I need the Grace to make it!, LORD, I want to know you! and LORD, only you can change me! and LORD, give me a heart for you, helped me in my own spiritual formation (in my pre-seminary days) – but these books were unusual in that they also got the reader involved in doing inductive study as they go along in the book. Hey, different books have different influences on people. These ones influenced me.