"The Classics Club" from Christian Book Reader

From Christian Book Reader, March/April 2008...

The Classics Club
Famous works remain as fresh as ever

When St. Augustine sat down in A.D. 397 to write his now-classic work The Confessions, the world was still flat, the Roman Empire was still reigning, Islam didn’t exist, and Goth was a group of people instead of a dress code.

Yet The Confessions of St. Augustine is still read by many today, a staple of every major bookstore, published by both Christian and secular companies. It is one of many Christian classics still popular and relevant today, long after their original publication.

“Classic” generally refers to books published before the 20th century that are available in the public domain, which means anyone can publish them.

Moreover, a classic has “stood the test of time,” said Holly Kisley, marketing manager for the spiritual growth category of Moody Publishers. “They just have enough of a draw that people throughout generations lean on them for their Christian walk.”

Timeless Truths
Books like The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) by John Bunyan, The Imitation of Christ (1418) by Thomas à Kempis and The Practice of the Presence of God (1600s) by Brother Lawrence all have that draw that touches each new generation.

It’s a testament to the universal truths found in Christianity that modern-day readers can still relate to these ancient writers. Not only are they relatable, but they usually offer fresh insights as well.

“In the Christian market we have more books (than) you can imagine on the same thing,” said David Lewis, director of sales and marketing at Baker Publishing Group. “Since a lot of modern authors are building on the classics anyway, sometimes people just want to cut through the clutter of today and go (back) to the original.”

The topics these books discuss run the gamut of the Christian faith, covering everything from repentance to theology to prayer to money. Kisley said although they may not cover the same topics, they are “foundationally true” and “Christ-focused.”

If there is one theme common to many Christian classics, it is the suffering and hardships endured by their authors. Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress in a jail cell while being persecuted for his beliefs, Answers to Prayer (1895) documents how author George Mueller learned to rely totally on God for provision for his many orphanages, and Andrew Murray, many of whose works are considered classics, was a missionary and pastor in Africa.

A classic is “something we can look to by someone who had a long journey and found that these are the spiritual things that work best,” Kisley said.

Classic Style
Since classic books can be published by anyone, there’s usually a few versions of each book available. Publishers do a variety of things to make their versions distinct and enhance its appeal.

First is the price. Classic editions cover the spectrum of quality and price, ranging from high-class leather volumes with nice covers and lots of features to bare-bones paperbacks that cost next to nothing.

Readers trying to decide which editions to buy should consider whether they like to read introductions, author biographies and footnotes. Some people really enjoy these extra sections that help their understanding of older books, but many will never read them and just want the original text.

Lots of readers also like to collect classic titles in a series from a certain publisher, because the books match and look nice together on the bookshelf.

The “Moody Classics” line, for example, offers tasteful paperback versions of a number of Christian classics, each with an introduction by Rosalie de Rosset, a professor of literature at the Moody Bible Institute.

New versions are always popping up. Publishers such as Moody, Baker, Penguin and Random House always have a line of classics available that they update occasionally. Others will publish a line of classics for a period of time.

Lewis, who used to work at Thomas Nelson, said the company launched a repackaged line for a few years during his time there.

“They’re always there, ready to be published,” he said.

Interest in classics typically remains pretty steady most of the time. Sometimes a prominent speaker or a best-selling book will reference a classic and cause its popularity to shoot up for a while, Lewis said.

Kisley said she has seen an increase in Christian classics across the board in recent years. “I just believe there are more people searching,” she commented.

Many of those searching continue to find renewal and inspiration in the same books that have captured readers for hundreds or thousands of years—books that offer timeless truth from a fresh perspective.


Sidebar:
The Old School
If you’re looking to get into the world of Christian classics, these books are a great place to start:

The Confessions of St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s story of his early life is not only one of the most influential works in the history of Christianity, but it’s also one of the most influential works of Western literature because it was the first Western autobiography ever written. In it, the great church father from North Africa takes readers from his rebellious and sinful youth through his conversion to Christianity, in the process revealing his reasons for coming to faith in Jesus. Written in A.D. 397, The Confessions can be a bit of a tough read because of its age, so editions with more updated language or footnotes might be a good idea.

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Bunyan’s allegory of the Christian life is the most-widely read book in the world other than the Bible. It has been translated into more than 100 languages since its 1678 publication and is regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature. Pilgrim’s Progress follows the character Christian, an everyman, on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Along the way the various trials and joys of the Christian life are shown as physical representations in the allegorical world, such as the “burden” Christian carries on his back representing his sin, or the “River of Death” he must pass through to reach heaven.

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
À Kempis’ work is the classic standard for devotional writing, a book that has inspired Christians since its release and greatly influenced many leaders, including John Wesley. Written between 1420 and 1427, this meditation on the spiritual life consistently puts the emphasis on Christ and assists readers in their pursuit of holiness and intimacy with God. A Roman Catholic monk who lived in present-day Germany during the Renaissance, à Kempis’ gentle, simple spirit and focus on eternal values are a breath of fresh air in today’s consumer culture.

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Brother Lawrence spent the majority of his life in a kitchen as a lowly French monk, never rising to any positions or searching for any kind of fame. Yet today this humble man is one of the most well-known Christian authors thanks to his incredible insights into finding joy in everyday life. Lawrence disciplined himself to see every task, however menial, as a gift to God, and to constantly make an effort to live “in the presence of God.” The book was compiled from his letters, conversations and writings after Lawrence died in 1691 by one of the men whom he inspired, Father Joseph de Beaufort.

Humility by Andrew Murray
Among the more than 200 books that Murray wrote, many are numbered among the Christian classics and are still praised and read today, perhaps none more than Humility. Sometimes called the greatest work on the topic of humility, Murray sees this trait as “the distinguishing feature of our discipleship,” and calls Christians to turn from pride and study the character of Jesus and His grace. Educated in Scotland and Europe, in 1848 Murray moved back to the country of his birth, South Africa, to become an influential missionary and pastor. Often publishers will package several of his books together in one volume.

Answers to Prayer by George Mueller
The famous evangelist and coordinator of orphanages in Bristol, England, sat down to write Answers to Prayer just a few years before he died in 1898. During his more than 60 years of running orphanages, Mueller depended solely on prayer and faith to care for the children, and he kept notes on the details of God’s provision. The resulting work is an overwhelming story of what happens when people have true faith as Mueller shares miracle after miracle that God provided to keep the orphanages up and running and to care for the more than 10,000 children that Mueller ministered to.