Last month we discussed the need for many of us to recover from a malnourished education. To highlight the point, it wasn’t until after college that I read for the first time Homer, Aristotle, Augustine, Dostoyevsky, Melville, or O’Connor. Sad.
One parent wrote back, “I have made it a point to read all the class literature books that my girls have been assigned since they started at Providence in pre-k. It has been fun to revisit beloved books and be introduced to new ones.” Wow – that sets a high bar for all of us!
To accompany the recommended literature selections, below are some excellent non-fiction books for parents to consider reading alongside their children. As Christmas approaches, consider gifting a book on the list to a friend or family member (or yourself!). Remember, parents may count their time reading from either list toward their 24-25 Parent Partnership Hours. Happy reading!
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Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis – Adapted from a series of lectures delivered on the BBC, Lewis outlines the basic tenets of the Christian faith with a winsome apologetic. Outside of the Bible, Mere Christianity ranks as one of the most important books for any Christian – whether mature or new to the faith – to read and re-read.
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Confessions, St. Augustine – An autobiographical book about Augustine’s reckless youth, inclusive of his famous theft of pears for the sheer joy of relishing sin. Part history, part theology, and part philosophy, Confessions provides a great introduction to the life of not only Augustine but his mentor, Ambrose of Milan.
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Christianity and Liberalism, J. Gresham Machen – One the most important theological books from the twentieth century. Machen was embroiled in a struggle with the Princeton liberals which eventually led to the formation of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Writing in 1923, Machen’s words still have relevance: “The greatest menace to the Christian church today comes not from the enemies outside, but from the enemies within.”
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Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges – By respectable, Bridges means subtle sins that are tolerated and accepted despite scriptural admonitions. We so easily can get accustomed to sins such as ungratefulness, gossip, and judgementalism. Bridges writes with humility, warmth, transparency, and conviction.
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The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass, Fredrick Douglass – This is read as part of our 12th grade English class, so I’ve asked Mrs. Julie Hansen to write a quick recommendation: “In this articulate account of his experiences as a slave and subsequent journey to freedom, Douglass describes the dehumanizing effects of American institutionalized slavery as well as the liberating power of education. In addition to impacting our nation in his time, Douglass’s writing continues to provide us with greater understanding today.”
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Total Truth, Nancy Pearcey – Steeped in theology, philosophy, and science, Pearcy is a disciple of Francis Schaeffer and uses his two-story metaphor to help “liberate Christianity from its cultural captivity.” Writes Pearcey, “In order to communicate the gospel in the West, we face a unique challenge: We need to learn how to liberate it from the private sphere and present it in its glorious fullness as the truth about all reality.”
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BONUS: The Case for Classical Christian Education, Douglas Wilson – While this isn’t in our curriculum, Wilson’s book provides a wonderful apologetic for the need for classical, Christian education and its distinctives. He covers a host of thought-provoking topics including school uniforms, the liberal arts, the importance of Latin, and athletics. A helpful resource for both the new and veteran school parent.
