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A Christian Guide to the Classics
We’ve all heard about the classics and some of us have even read them on our own. But for those of us who remain a bit intimidated or simply want to get more out of our reading, this companion to Crossway’s Christian Guides to the Classics series is here to help. In this brief guidebook, popular professor, author, and literary expert Leland Ryken explains what the classics are, how to read them, and why they’re still valuable. Written to help you become a seasoned reader and featuring a list of books to get you started, this guide will give you the tools you need to read and enjoy some of history’s greatest literature.
112 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2015
25 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Leland Ryken
128 books139 followersDr. Ryken has served on the faculty of Wheaton College since 1968. He has published over thirty books and more than one hundred articles and essays, devoting much of his scholarship to Bible translations and the study of the Bible as literature. He served as Literary Chairman for the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible and in 2003 received the distinguished Gutenberg Award for his contributions to education, writing, and the understanding of the Bible.
He is the father of Philip Graham Ryken
He is the father of Philip Graham Ryken
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 18, 2015
Leland Ryken, A Christian Guide to the Classics (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015). Paperback | Kindle
The more I watch television, the more I like books. The reason is not that there are few good television shows these days. On the contrary, television is experiencing something of a Golden Age, especially if you have cable or a streaming service.
The reason I like books more is because they have depth and require imagination. An actor must communicate in one take what an author can communicate over several pages. And the visual media makes decisions for you. Read Pride and Prejudice, and you can imagine Mr. Darby looking a number of different ways. Watch Pride and Prejudice (the PBS version preferably), and Mr. Darby will always look like Colin Firth.
So, books. But which books? Every reader has a preference, and mine tend to run toward mysteries and thrillers when it comes to pleasure reading. As a religion journalist, my professional reading—which I also enjoy—runs toward theology and ministry.
In A Christian Guide to the Classics, Leland Ryken makes a case for what used to be called “the Western canon.” These are the books, essays, stories, and poems that have endured and been considered influential through the ages because of their literary excellence and ability to inspire. They evince different worldviews (pagan, Jewish, Christian, secular) and encompass many genres (history, novels, poems), but they bring people together into a grand, ongoing conversation about life in its manifold variety.
The Classics are, by nature, elitist, but they have a capacious elitism, one that can be entered into by any who take them up and read. Ryken doesn’t quote her, but Maya Angelou’s comment that “Shakespeare must be a black girl” is apropos. If a dead white man can express universal human longings that a poor black girl can embrace, then he has written a classic.
For Christians, of course, the Bible is the classic to read. As Ryken argues, however, reading the Bible is not an alternative to reading other classics. Rather, it can be read alongside those classics, with the proviso that as Christians, we read the Bible humbly because of its authority over us, whereas we read other classics critically, knowing that they can err and mislead. God’s common grace is such that even in pagan texts that err, aspects of our common humanity come to light and find expression.
Ryken’s introduction addresses three questions: the nature of the classics, their value, and how to read them. His answers are workmanlike and analytical. His prose is clear and precise, though not necessarily memorable. The book’s back page contains a list of “Christian Guides to the Classics” that Ryken has penned on The Odyssey, Paradise Lost, Hamlet, The Scarlet Letter and other works. I have not read them, though I’m sure that they would make for helpful companions as you read those books.
I have this confidence because I took classes from Prof. Ryken when I matriculated at Wheaton College in the late 1980s. His workmanlike, analytical lectures helped me read literature in a different, better, more Christian way. Reading A Christian Guide was like a welcome return to his classroom, one that has encouraged me to get out my mystery/thriller rut and read the classics.
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P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
The more I watch television, the more I like books. The reason is not that there are few good television shows these days. On the contrary, television is experiencing something of a Golden Age, especially if you have cable or a streaming service.
The reason I like books more is because they have depth and require imagination. An actor must communicate in one take what an author can communicate over several pages. And the visual media makes decisions for you. Read Pride and Prejudice, and you can imagine Mr. Darby looking a number of different ways. Watch Pride and Prejudice (the PBS version preferably), and Mr. Darby will always look like Colin Firth.
So, books. But which books? Every reader has a preference, and mine tend to run toward mysteries and thrillers when it comes to pleasure reading. As a religion journalist, my professional reading—which I also enjoy—runs toward theology and ministry.
In A Christian Guide to the Classics, Leland Ryken makes a case for what used to be called “the Western canon.” These are the books, essays, stories, and poems that have endured and been considered influential through the ages because of their literary excellence and ability to inspire. They evince different worldviews (pagan, Jewish, Christian, secular) and encompass many genres (history, novels, poems), but they bring people together into a grand, ongoing conversation about life in its manifold variety.
The Classics are, by nature, elitist, but they have a capacious elitism, one that can be entered into by any who take them up and read. Ryken doesn’t quote her, but Maya Angelou’s comment that “Shakespeare must be a black girl” is apropos. If a dead white man can express universal human longings that a poor black girl can embrace, then he has written a classic.
For Christians, of course, the Bible is the classic to read. As Ryken argues, however, reading the Bible is not an alternative to reading other classics. Rather, it can be read alongside those classics, with the proviso that as Christians, we read the Bible humbly because of its authority over us, whereas we read other classics critically, knowing that they can err and mislead. God’s common grace is such that even in pagan texts that err, aspects of our common humanity come to light and find expression.
Ryken’s introduction addresses three questions: the nature of the classics, their value, and how to read them. His answers are workmanlike and analytical. His prose is clear and precise, though not necessarily memorable. The book’s back page contains a list of “Christian Guides to the Classics” that Ryken has penned on The Odyssey, Paradise Lost, Hamlet, The Scarlet Letter and other works. I have not read them, though I’m sure that they would make for helpful companions as you read those books.
I have this confidence because I took classes from Prof. Ryken when I matriculated at Wheaton College in the late 1980s. His workmanlike, analytical lectures helped me read literature in a different, better, more Christian way. Reading A Christian Guide was like a welcome return to his classroom, one that has encouraged me to get out my mystery/thriller rut and read the classics.
-----
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
August 25, 2024
Excellent! Easily a favourite of the year so far. Shame it’s hard to get a hold of this one in the UK because I would recommend it to everyone.
April 4, 2023
Excellent little book. It covers what books should be considered classics, why one should read them, how Christians in particular should come to the classics, and bad reasons to read the classics as well as good ones. Leland Ryken is an important name within Christian literature and his take on the classics is properly balanced by the scriptures. We can find benefit even in books, particularly classics, that are hostile to Christianity although he does warn that we must be wary of the author's worldview and beliefs. He founds this thought upon the doctrine of common grace, arguing that if all people are able to perceive truth and beauty, then that should inform our reading of classics. The read is brief but highly informative and helpful, especially for those whose thoughts on the subject are fairly undeveloped.
August 2, 2020
A wonderful guide book for literature starters like me. Some good suggestions and warnings on reading classics. I would like to recommend it to G8 above students and adults who are interested in this topic. What a pity that there's no Chinese translation.
December 21, 2020
The main point of this book is that the classics are good and Christians should read them. I don’t disagree with author there just isn’t a whole lot there besides that.
July 13, 2025
Needless to say that: 👍
January 9, 2016
This is a great little intro to reading the classics as a Christian. I am extremely grateful for Leland Ryken who has authored a number of books on the topic of literature from a professional (he was a Professor of English for more than 45 years) and Christian perspective. This book addresses a number of fundamental questions and ideas such as misconceptions about classics, what is a classic, why should we read the classics, how not read a classic, how to read a classic, what is a Christian classic, what is a secular classic, and speaks about the greatest classic of them all: the Bible. Ryken's passion for the classics and the importance of reading them is contagious. My only complaint is I wish the book would have been longer!
June 12, 2023
A good introduction to how to read literature from a Christian worldview. The most helpful tidbits were Rykens arguments for why various works of literature are actually Christian in their orientation (Paradise Lost, Merchant of Venice, Scarlett Letter) which are expanded upon in his Guides (Crossway).
Also helpful is a selection of classic books to read from the classical through the modern era.
Nothing groundbreaking if you teach literature, but invaluable for someone teaching for the first time, homeschooling, or wanting an introduction.
Also helpful is a selection of classic books to read from the classical through the modern era.
Nothing groundbreaking if you teach literature, but invaluable for someone teaching for the first time, homeschooling, or wanting an introduction.
January 5, 2023
4.5/10
Overall, this was a quick read. I was essentially searching for a list of classics and how to read them.
Leland gives a long discussion about classics, why certain groups are trying to remove the classics from the general public (I think the public just doesn't have the desire or patience to read them), what is a classic, and so forth. I just didn't find the first 4/5 of the book helpful or enjoyable. At the end, I got my list which was helpful!
Overall, this was a quick read. I was essentially searching for a list of classics and how to read them.
Leland gives a long discussion about classics, why certain groups are trying to remove the classics from the general public (I think the public just doesn't have the desire or patience to read them), what is a classic, and so forth. I just didn't find the first 4/5 of the book helpful or enjoyable. At the end, I got my list which was helpful!
July 16, 2018
I suppose I do not need to keep reading books about books, because I found this one redundant to other books like it I've read! I liked An Experiment in Criticism over this one if you would read any book about reading. However, I liked that a nice list of classics was provided, as well as nice quotes about books!
February 2, 2019
Eager to read classics!
To experience the universal of humanity, reading classic books in Christian perspective with the common grace doctrine in mind is drawing closer to Him. Dr. Leland has done endeavor once again!
To experience the universal of humanity, reading classic books in Christian perspective with the common grace doctrine in mind is drawing closer to Him. Dr. Leland has done endeavor once again!
December 28, 2016
Excellent book. Recently finished. This will help me read literature as much more than a repository from which the authors worldview(s) should be endorsed or criticized.
May 10, 2017
Definitely a useful resource when comparing which great books to teach, especially from a worldview perspective that is close to mine.
July 29, 2022
Helpful and solid mix of the ideas that form Christian literary criticism, and a good apologetic for reading non-Christian works.
July 11, 2024
First off, I sort of bristle at a “Christian Guide” to much of anything, tho I know they’re probably meant well and could be useful to some. As I was reading, I realized that I am not the intended audience for this book, which is fine. Ryken spends a lot of time advocating for the reading of classic books in general, which is not a proposition of which I need to be convinced.
I also think that he organized the book in a decent manner - why to read/how not to read/how to read/ Christian vs. Secular classics/here is a list. I don’t really have a problem with the book as a whole, but maybe some nitpicking in general.
Overall the book felt pretty vague, which is kind of odd, because he gave definitions, he introduced and summarized all his chapters, and was very organized and clear in general. Perhaps it was just toward the end, when he was talking about secular or anti-Christian classics and chose not to name any as examples. He did name some Christian classics, but just the most obvious ones - the Bible, for example, or Pilgrim’s Progess, or Paradise Lost. But as someone who has been working their way through a number of classics in the last few years, I am not sure if I could name an anti-Christian classic (I could name several anti-Christian books, but I wouldn’t also label them classics). Now I’m curious and have been left hanging.
I also appreciate how he extolled the virtues of the Bible as the ultimate classic, but I wish he would have done a little more to explain how best to read it. It is trustworthy and true, but lots of people have read it and come away confused or even interpreting it terribly. I understand that this in particular isn’t the purpose of Ryken’s book, but to not mention that and perhaps point to where one could learn more seems short sighted, especially when your audience would seem to be people who haven’t had much experience with literature or classics before.
There are other things, but that was my biggest issue. If I had a friend looking to learn more about why or how to read classics, I’m not sure this would be my first suggestion.
I also think that he organized the book in a decent manner - why to read/how not to read/how to read/ Christian vs. Secular classics/here is a list. I don’t really have a problem with the book as a whole, but maybe some nitpicking in general.
Overall the book felt pretty vague, which is kind of odd, because he gave definitions, he introduced and summarized all his chapters, and was very organized and clear in general. Perhaps it was just toward the end, when he was talking about secular or anti-Christian classics and chose not to name any as examples. He did name some Christian classics, but just the most obvious ones - the Bible, for example, or Pilgrim’s Progess, or Paradise Lost. But as someone who has been working their way through a number of classics in the last few years, I am not sure if I could name an anti-Christian classic (I could name several anti-Christian books, but I wouldn’t also label them classics). Now I’m curious and have been left hanging.
I also appreciate how he extolled the virtues of the Bible as the ultimate classic, but I wish he would have done a little more to explain how best to read it. It is trustworthy and true, but lots of people have read it and come away confused or even interpreting it terribly. I understand that this in particular isn’t the purpose of Ryken’s book, but to not mention that and perhaps point to where one could learn more seems short sighted, especially when your audience would seem to be people who haven’t had much experience with literature or classics before.
There are other things, but that was my biggest issue. If I had a friend looking to learn more about why or how to read classics, I’m not sure this would be my first suggestion.
April 16, 2025
I don't know that I needed to read this book, but I'm glad I did. It was largely confirmatory for me on the value of classics; however, the several listed reasons for them seem beneficial to have in one small volume. Also of note are the included lists of good and bad reading practices. Such things are worthwhile reminders to check the state, quality, and generosity of my reading. I call these all lists, but actually they are the meat of the book, fully expounded as chapters (i.e., a chapter titled "How Not to Read a Classic"). I feel that this would be a good book to hand to a family member or friend to encourage their reading habits; a quick read, well written, and with my own annotations now included.
January 18, 2025
This short book gives a great introduction to what constitutes a classic, why we should read the classics, how to read them as a Christian, and more.
Many people avoid certain types of literature thinking they are just for certain people. Ryken makes it clear that everyone should have some exposure to the classics.
The layout of the book is helpful with highlighted points, chapter summaries, and useful bullet point lists.
Along the way, Ryken introduces you to a number of the classics in numerous examples, Christian and secular, and at the end of the book has a categorized list of classics.
Many people avoid certain types of literature thinking they are just for certain people. Ryken makes it clear that everyone should have some exposure to the classics.
The layout of the book is helpful with highlighted points, chapter summaries, and useful bullet point lists.
Along the way, Ryken introduces you to a number of the classics in numerous examples, Christian and secular, and at the end of the book has a categorized list of classics.
September 2, 2021
“Taking excursions into the past by reading the classics opens up alternatives to the way thing are in our everyday world… If we do not tap into that source of insight, we become victims of what is imposed on us by the circumstances and thinking of the present.”
I underlined and starred so many quotes from this. A great guide to how to interact with and think about great books. And, for the unconvinced, a great exploration of why the great books are relevant to us today.
I underlined and starred so many quotes from this. A great guide to how to interact with and think about great books. And, for the unconvinced, a great exploration of why the great books are relevant to us today.
March 19, 2023
Written by a professor at a Christian college, this book explains how to read literary classics. It is a good endeavor, but I thought the author spent too much time arguing for the value of the classics, rather than describing what they actually were. There is just one short list at the end of major works, but the author doesn't do much to introduce them.
January 7, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ Concise little book. Very academic (don’t read it at night or while distracted). Appreciated the content; it felt like I was taking a mini course in how to read and enjoy the classic. The many excellent quotations included in it and the doable list of classics he recommends were great, too.
November 2, 2024
A fabulous little book on reading the classics. Highly recommended for all teachers, and really, all readers.
Four stars only because I wanted to hear more of what Ryken had to say on the subject.
Four stars only because I wanted to hear more of what Ryken had to say on the subject.
July 25, 2023
Well written book, but not what I expected. I didn't feel that the book was really a guide to the classics, but more an essay on why we should read the classics.
November 26, 2023
Tedious. Repetitive. Inspiring.
March 4, 2024
Esperaba detalles más específicos de, al menos, algunos clásicos. En realidad solo son consejos de que los cristianos deberían leer a los clásicos. Hasta el último capítulo propone una lista de clásicos, pero solo una lista y no una discusión de los que podría aportar cada uno.
November 16, 2024
Although I took four years to finish this book, with plenty of breaks in between, this book continues to spur me on with its guiding hand in giving me the reassurance that I am not guilty of reading fiction books written by secular authors because every author, whether Christians or not, each have their own perspective about the human life experiences and conditions that both Christian and non-Christian readers can learn from. Highly recommend this book for both Christian and non-Christian readers!
March 9, 2016
This book is pretty didactic in nature, so it is not always the most entertaining read, but the material is very good and is presented cogently. This is a thin volume that offers a basic "Christian Poetic" (or Christian philosophy of literature). It makes a good starting point for any Christian who reads, studies, or interacts with literature in one way or another. I am already thinking I might use this if I teach literature classes at a Christian school in the future.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews