Permission must be obtained from the copyright holder for any other purpose, or for multiple copies.
3a - Brother George's recommendation
THE book by Sir Martin Gilbert, referred to in the previous article, was Letters to Auntie Fori, published by Schocken Books, New York, in 2002. It is now out of print, but reprinting. Watch out for further details when it becomes available.
Over many years Martin Gilbert has written and compiled excellent material about the history of Israel; especially helpful are his Atlases (such as his Jewish History Atlas and Jerusalem Illustrated History Atlas). This book is a bit different from his more scholarly works for it comprises a series of letters. Gilbert met Auntie Fori in 1958 in New Delhi and became her 'adopted nephew'. When, in 1998, on her 90th birthday, she told him she was in fact Jewish, but didn't know anything about Jewish history, he wrote her a series of letters to tell her the Jewish story. These 140 letters were published in a 460-page book.
A New Creation recommendations
Some of the recommendations from Brother George Booker's book A New Creation (published in 1989) are listed below. Bear in mind that personal recommendations are bound to differ from one person to another. You may not agree with everything Brother George suggests, but that's in the nature of reading. What appeals to one person may not be that attractive to someone else. We shall be happy to consider your own recommendations if you send them (together with your name and ecclesia) here.
Recommended reading
-
The Bible as a whole
Vox Dei (Collyer): "The Word, or Voice, of God" - a simple discussion of the grounds of faith in the Bible as God's word, with emphasis on prophecy fulfilled and fulfilling.
God's Truth (Hayward): "A scientist shows why it makes sense to believe the Bible."
-
Foundations and first principles
Christendom Astray (Roberts): This book started as a series of first principles lectures, and has revolutionized the thinking of literally thousands of readers.
Elpis Israel (Thomas): "The Hope of Israel". Written in 1848, it marked the beginning of the modern "Christadelphian" movement. The language is a bit difficult, but the insights are wonderful.
Wrested Scriptures (Abel): An organized, in-depth analysis of Bible verses regularly misapplied by various denominations to prove their own special false doctrines. Very useful in all preaching work.
John Thomas and His Rediscovery of Bible Truth (Fadelle): The story of Christadelphian beginnings told in a simple, concise fashion. Useful for introducing the faith to friends and family.
Understanding the Bible (Norris): Bible proofs and a simple plan for first steps in Bible reading and study.
The Devil - the Great Deceiver (Watkins): Analysis of the Bible teaching about sin, with special attention to the "wrested passages" about the Devil and Satan.
Preaching the Truth (Brown), Desert Island Adventure (Wille), and At Last - True Christianity (Eyre): The "gospel" in light and entertaining story forms.
-
Bible study
Exploring the Bible and Enjoying the Bible (Whittaker): The benefit of such books is that the student - if he reads wisely and practices what he reads - will become, to a large extent, independent of the interpretations of other men.
-
Our life in the Truth
Freedom in Christ (Twelves): Advice on following Christ in an evil and permissive society.
The Guiding Light, Conviction and Conduct, and Principles and Proverbs (Collyer): This fine writer had a knack for examining principles and philosophies of life in a very insightful and penetrating fashion.
Reformation (Whittaker): Attempting to bring about a new "reformation", leading Christadelphians back to traditional standards of life in the Truth. Guaranteed to give the serious reader a guilty conscience!
The New Life (Marshall): The "new and living way."
Prayer - Studies in Principles and Practice (Purkis, Tennant): A book on a very private and personal part of each believer's life.
Preaching the Word (Norris): Advice on how to become a true and effective preacher of the Gospel.
The Genius of Discipleship (Gillett): "True discipleship involves the whole man, and its influence should be conspicuous in every department of daily living."
Family Life in the Lord (Styles): A collection of articles designed to improve the quality of our family life, to the honour and glory of God.
War and Politics - the Christian's Duty (Watkins): A small pamphlet discussing crucial areas in a new believer's life.
-
General exhortations
Diseases of the Soul (Gillett).
Guided by the Star (Ladson).
A Sound Mind (Sargent).
Minute Meditations (Lloyd).
The Ways of Providence and The Visible Hand of God (Roberts).
-
Biographies
Abraham, Father of the Faithful (Whittaker).
Wrestling Jacob (Whittaker).
Moses My Servant (Tennant).
The Man David (Tennant).
Hezekiah the Great (Whittaker) and The Songs of Degrees (Booker): Two books with a related theme under one cover.
-
Old Testament exposition
The Law of Moses (Roberts) and Law and Grace (Barling): Two very good studies on the Law of Moses.
Samuel, Saul, and David (Whittaker): The history of 1 and 2 Samuel.
Isaiah (Whittaker): A serious study, not necessarily for the true "beginner". Something to look forward to after a few years!
The Lamentations of Jeremiah (Booker, Haltom).
From Hosea to Zephaniah (Pearce).
Prophets After the Exile (Carter).
-
New Testament exposition
Studies in the Gospels (Whittaker).
The Gospel of John (Carter).
The Teaching of the Master (Sargent).
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles (Whittaker).
Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and Hebrews (Carter): Studies in four different letters.
Letters to Corinth (W F Barling), Philippians, and Colossians (T J Barling): Three books on various letters.
Waiting for His Son (Booker): The letters to the Thessalonians.
James (Smart).
Eureka: An Exposition of the Apocalypse (Thomas): Five volumes, and 1,800 pages. Not recommended for the beginner; however, there are numerous shorter works that serve as useful introductions to the study of the Book of Revelation. Wait a few years before "graduating" to "Eureka"!
