The Books That Formed Me

The Book of Common Prayer (the l928 book including the Catechism and the 39 Articles, and the l979 book, including the historical section). Classic Anglican theology encountered time and again in prayer.

Commentary on St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians by Martin Luther. Powerful devotional reading centering on Justification by Faith, the heart of the Gospel.

Basic Christianity by John Stott. A clear presentation of the Gospel and the best popular summary of the evidence for the divinity of Jesus Christ I have ever read. His Issues Facing Christians Today is clearly written social ethics, based solidly on Holy Scripture.

Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord by Floyd V. Filson. A concise biblical theology based on the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ; theology seen from the Apostolic proclamation.

The Church Dogmatics and Dogmatics in Outline by Karl Barth. Theology written from the perspective of the greatness of Christ as the Savior, Lord, and Incarnate Word of God by the major theologian of the 20th century.

Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge. A powerful treatment of Reformed Theology by its profoundest expositor in the 19th Century; it leads one to prayer.

Positive Preaching and the Modern Mind by P. T. Forsyth. A vital presentation of the importance of the proclamation of the Gospel and its difference from theological liberalism.

The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross by Leon Morris. A profound and convincing treatment of the Cross which emphasizes the centrality of the penal, substitutionary aspect of the Cross of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Theology of the English Reformers by Philip Edgcumbe Hughes. A superb collection and summary of our 16th Century Anglican Reformers’ thoughts on key points of Christian theology.

Nine O’Clock in the Morning by Dennis Bennett. A moving account of the beginning of the charismatic movement in the Episcopal Church and a testimony to the contemporary work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: a Reader, edited by Ralph D. Winter. This is the textbook on world missions. Leave home, but don’t leave home without it.

Books to be read with appreciation and critical caution

Die Christliche Wahrheit by Paul Althaus. Only available in German, this is an outstanding exposition of Christian doctrine in Lutheran, neo-orthodox perspective. His Theology of Martin Luther is a good substitute in English.

Dogmatics by Emil Brunner. Written from the perspective of truth as personal encounter. There is much to be gained from Brunner’s insights into the key doctrines of theology, though he is often better in what he affirms than in what he denies.

Two books recently published worth reading

Know the Truth by Bruce Milne. A fine brief summary of Christian doctrine with excellent outlines which aid review and teaching.

Concise Theology by J. I. Packer. Packer puts depth into few words and points us to many biblical texts to ponder.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. John Rodgers was a founding professor and the second dean of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. A popular speaker, he has served on the boards of several organizations, including Episcopal Renewal Ministries, Episcopalians United, and the American Anglican Council. He is a retired bishop in the Anglican Mission in America, and he has come out of retirement to serve as Trinity's Interim Dean and President for the 2007-2008 academic year.  This list of the books that formed him appeared in early 1997 in the "Reading for Renewal" issue of Trinity’s magazine Mission & Ministry.

This page was posted on 22 December 1998.