25 Books Every Christian Should Read
by Julia L. Roller , Richard J. Foster , Dallas Willard , The Renovaré Team
What are the 25 essential books for the Christian devotional life?
In 25 Books Every Christian Should Read, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Phyllis Tickle, Chris Webb, and a diverse editorial board of leaders have identified the most helpful and historic books for Christian discipleship and created a resource that helps us make the most of them. With sizable excerpts from each book, 25 Books helps individual readers and small groups get a taste of and work through the most important books for formation in Christlikeness. It is a reader’s guide for the devotional history of the Church. From On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius to Pensées by Blaise Pascal to The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen, this list and this resource will lead you on a journey of discipleship that few in the history of the Church have experienced and help you become like Jesus.
25 Books includes in each chapter:
- a thorough overview of the book
- insight into why it is an essential classic
- guidance for your reading
- an extended excerpt (twice as long as Renovaré’s Devotional Classics)
- a Study Guide for each book
25 Books also includes a list and annotated bibliography of vital contemporary authors (Richard Foster, Wendell Berry, etc.) and “My Personal Top 5” lists from the editorial board and other established and up-and-coming Christian leaders.
Julia L. Roller
Julia Roller is an author and editor living in San Diego, CA with her husband and three children. She is also the MomCo Coordinator at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church. Julia’s most recent book is Mom Seeks God, but some of her other books include A Year with God (with Richard J. Foster), A Year with Aslan, and 25 Books Every Christian Should Read. Connect with her at her web site, juliaroller.com, or on Instagram Julia (@julialroller) or Facebook.
Richard J. Foster
Richard J. Foster is the innovative pioneer who reintroduced ancient spiritual resources to contemporary Christians, especially among evangelicals and other Protestants. The author of several bestselling books, including Celebration of Discipline and Streams of Living Water, he is the founder of Renovaré, an infrachurch movement committed to the renewal of the Church in all her multifaceted expressions. Having studied at George Fox University and Fuller Theological Seminary, Foster has served as a pastor and taught worldwide on spiritual formation. He and his wife, Carolynn, have two grown children, many grandchildren, and live near Denver, Colorado.
Dallas Willard
Dallas Willard (1935 — 2013) was Professor of Philosophy at The University of Southern California and an ordained minister who spoke at churches and Christian organizations worldwide. He was a founding member of Renovaré. He wrote, among others, Renovation of the Heart, Hearing God, and Knowing Christ Today. Dallas is survived by his wife Jane, son John, daughter and son-in-law Becky and Bill Heatley, and granddaughter Larissa, who continue his legacy and work.
2011