It’s Thanksgiving. Your mom is begging you for a Christmas list. If you don’t want that ugly sweater again you had better tell her something. Rather than muttering out something that you don’t really need, I want to invite you to ask for something lasting this Christmas.
I’m proposing that you pick one of these four Christians from the past and spend an entire year with them. Today, I will give you the names of the four men, and a list of books you should buy. In the coming weeks, if there is enough interest, I’ll give you a reading plan.
Here are your 4 options (pick one) and the books you ought to buy:
1. John Newton: The Pastor
The Works of John Newton. (Note: Don’t pay over 120 for this)
Wise Counsel by Grant Gordon
Life of John Newton by Josiah Bull
Letters of John Newton
Total Cost: $120-180
2. John Calvin: The Theologian
Institutes (If possible get the McNeill version)
Letters of John Calvin
Calvin by Bruce Gordon
John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor
Total Cost: $50-90
3. Andrew Fuller: The Missionary
Andrew Fuller by Paul Brewster
The Works of Andrew Fuller
The Armies of the Lamb
Total Cost: $50-75
4. Richard Sibbes: The Preacher
The Works of Richard Sibbes (7 Volumes)
Richard Sibbes by Dever
Total Cost: $120-150
OR
The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes
The Bruised Reed
Richard Sibbes by Dever
Glorious Freedom
Total Cost: $50-80
Do online searches for some of these resources. You’ll be surprised at how many of these you can actually find for free. Consider going here for the works of Sibbes. Nothing beats a hard copy—but if you aren’t able to afford them—don’t give up, you might find them for free.
I am totally down for doing this. I would love to get to know Sibbes, unless I can talk you into adding Owen. But either way count me in!!!