How to Read a Christian Book

by David L. McKenna

A listing of Christian classics introduces readers to the very best of Christian writing and offers advice on how to build a decent spiritual library. Original.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Literature, Religion

143 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Dr. David Loren McKenna (b. 1929) is Founding Chair of the Northwest Graduate School of the Ministry, Redmond, Washington. He served for 50 years in Christian higher education, including 33 years as a college, university, and seminary president. His national reputation as an educator was acclaimed when he was finalist for Secretary of Education in the Reagan cabinet. He and his wife, Janet, have four children and twelve grandchildren.

Reviews

[Jimmy]

A helpful book on the Christian discipline of reading filled with practical advice. The author was a president of a Christian college and an avid reader and he even shared how his interviews with potential faculty members include the question of what they read to gauge where they are at spiritually. As the first chapter points out in why Christian read, I agree with the author that a Christian who reads spiritually is also a strong Christian spiritually (and I might add, holistically). I thought his chapter on a three year reading plan was helpful even if I don't adopt his plan at least it gets me thinking about a longer and purposeful reading plan. Besides the practical advice throughout the book, the author's Wesleyan background does show up slightly in the book and some of his suggestions of the suggested books would not be books I would recommend. The books he recommend include works that are authored by Philip Yancey, Rick Warren, Tony Campolo, Richard Mouw, Ronald Sider, Mark Noll and Gregory Boyd. Some of these authors I have serious theological concerns with (Campolo, Mouw, Boyd), others for lack of theological depth (Hayford, Eugene Peterson, Yancey) still others their philosophy of ministry (Warren and Mouw) and while others I have reservation with the political views being advanced (Sider and Campolo). For the discerning Christian, this book still has something to offer to help believers read better. I still recommend Lit! by Tony Reinke as the top Christian book on reading. Below are helpful quotes and tips from the book:

"The highest level of Christian reading is to read for integration, or as Adler and Van Doren say, "to see things whole." They also refer to this stage of reading as "synoptical," the idea of looking through a lens and seeing things come together in one picture. Immature readers of Christian books will take one book and view it as the summation of whole truth. More mature readers, however, will hold one book in abeyance until they have a chance to read other sources on the same subject. Then, always looking through the lens of the God-breathed Word, they put different viewpoints into the perspective of the whole, relate the viewpoints one to another, and draw them together into a composit conclusion without sacrificing the truth" (60-61).

“A passive reader is like a catcher who never returns the ball, while an active reader is one who fires the ball back in the form of questions that keep the game going and make the event exciting" (58).

“For another thing, unless speed-reading results in better comprehension, we will be no better off than the hare in the well-known fable. Like the speedy hare, we may have superior reading speed, but those who take their time like the tortoise will win the race of comprehension. Of course, if we have the discipline to master both speed and comprehension, we will become world-class readers” (68).

“If we can improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of our reading, we will get more from all the books we read. Christian books, in particular, deserve a quality read if they are to serve the purpose of helping us to understand the Christian faith and grow spiritually” (57).

[Cassandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

My favorite aspect of this book was the reading lists in the back. How to Read a Book by Adler is a way better resource as a how-to guide. This book was incredibly short and lacking in depth. He presents his ideas as law instead of suggesting something and then providing support for why you should listen to his suggestion. There has to be a better book out there about how to select and read Christian books.

[Marsha R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Read a Christian Book by David L. McKenna is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their faith through Christian literature. McKenna provides a well-organized guide, offering a great list of books and insightful advice on building a personal library. His clear categorization of different types of Christian literature—from theology to devotionals—makes it easy to curate a balanced collection that aligns with one's spiritual needs and interests.

One of the standout features of this book is how McKenna emphasizes the importance of intentional reading and discernment. He doesn't just offer a list of books but encourages readers to thoughtfully choose titles that will edify their faith journey.

The only critique I have is that I would have appreciated more in-depth descriptions of the books McKenna recommends. While the categories are helpful, a bit more information about the specific works would make it easier to decide which to prioritize. Still, this guide is an excellent tool for anyone eager to explore Christian literature more intentionally.

Overall, How to Read a Christian Book is a thoughtful and practical guide for building a meaningful and faith-filled personal library.

[Kari McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It explains why reading as a spiritual discipline is important and how we can learn to be discerning readers. Also has some great book lists. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Debbie Phillips]

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, readers have a dizzying selection of Christian books from which to choose. Those wondering where to start have a helpful new resource in How to Read a Christian Book.
After an introductory chapter explaining the importance of reading Christian books, the author teaches readers how to choose a good book, how to judge the quality of books, and how to read Christian books as a spiritual discipline. He shows how to plan personal libraries, providing a list of books to help readers get started and make wise choices.
McKenna takes all this one step further by selecting what he considers "classics" and developing a reading program. This thorough resource provides not only a list of the very best books in all the various disciplines (fiction, spirituality, etc.), but an excellent reading program as well.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this book out at the church librarian conference and found it to be a very thoughtful book, however the author is in his 70 or older and I think that his choices of excellent books for his examples reflected that. I would recomment it to someone who wants to build a classic Christian library . It is definitely on the conservative side but very well done with the add of a Baker publishing house panel. It will be purchased for our church library

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book for the lists in the back! I love lists of books... the top 100 science fiction books written in the 1980s, the 100 most influential Bonsai handbooks in history...

[Paul Jeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful tool for anyone seeking to make his/ her way through the flood of Christian literature out there.