MOUNT RUSHMORE:Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt are imortalized in granite in the famous Mount Rushmore sculpture. From 1927 til 1941 hundreds of artists worked to build a memorial honoring four of America's presidents. These presidents weren’t recognized in this way because they were the ‘best’ or ‘most successful’ presidents. Rather their influence has carved and sculpted American society.
So we all have our own personal Rushmore: writers, books, teachers/preachers, experiences in life...things that have litterally altered the course of your life, changed the way you think and believe, shaped you as a person and as a Christian. I want to share one of mine with you. The real Rushmore sculpture cost $1million, but this one is considerably more economical. And just like the real Rushmore, there were no fatalities during the writing of this article. Here goes:
My Mount Rushmore of Authors.
A.W. Tozer. I heard him quoted by so many men I respected that I bought “Pursuing God”. It was on from there. Over the years I have found one or two things that I disagree with, but Tozer is a powerhouse. Thanks to collecting for years and then to Bill Robertson who gave me a huge stack, I have many of Tozer's books. There are a few in the Waco Family lending library. I'd recommend reading some Tozer today.
Warren Wiersbe. His “Be Free”, comments on Galatians, was the first book I ever read completely. It was loaned to me by David Weeks, my pastor at the time in Cleveland, TX. That book, really God’s Word with Wiersbe teaching me through it, changed the course of my life. I have since bought and read nearly all of his “Be” books. I have many that I would consider lending if you're studying a particular book of the bible - let me know.
James MacDonald. Seriously, James’ sermons first, and then his books have had a profound effect on me personally and on my ministry. He is faithful to God's Word. You're not going to get alot of psyco-babel and opinion from James, rather you'll get Biblical principles in a clear way - and sometimes with a little attitude. I love his style of communication, because he's so "Now" as he teaches an ancient book - but he doesn't compromise the truth.
The final "face" for my Rushmore is difficult. There are many I'd like to place here. I want to put Voddie Baucham for his great influence on my life and ministry, but due to the smaller number of books I've read I'll consider others. I want to include Mark Keaton, Stan Wyant, and Brent Freeman, but these men have never written books - I just wanted to send a "shout" out. Enough of that, I'll have to go with the DAILY influence. and it's a double.
John MacArthur/John Calvin. The commentaries that I use regularly in sermon prep are key. The insight and sheer knowledge that is put forth there is a daily influence in my life. I am constantly amazed at how shallow my thinking is until I am challenged by these men. I thank God for deep brothers who help me to grow.
…Totally not mentioned here: God wrote a Book. Mentioning the Bible and it's single author, or the multiple human instruments would engage the duh-factor. I don't mention God and His Word in this list, because God and His Word belong on NO list. God and His infalible, inerrant, and Sufficient Revelation of Himself are so far beyond any other author that it would be an insult to His Holiness to place Him in ANY list. Tozer called God "The Holy". Notice that we even capitolize pronouns when referring to Him. And note that the authors I mentioned above are only in my Mount Rushmore because of their role in helping me to grow in grace and knowledge of God and His Word.
I'd love to hear from you about the authors who have shaped/are shaping you for Christ, so please comment. There are other Rushmores in my life. If you'd like to hear about another, let me know that as well.
Pastor
My Mount Rushmore of Authors.
A.W. Tozer. I heard him quoted by so many men I respected that I bought “Pursuing God”. It was on from there. Over the years I have found one or two things that I disagree with, but Tozer is a powerhouse. Thanks to collecting for years and then to Bill Robertson who gave me a huge stack, I have many of Tozer's books. There are a few in the Waco Family lending library. I'd recommend reading some Tozer today.
Warren Wiersbe. His “Be Free”, comments on Galatians, was the first book I ever read completely. It was loaned to me by David Weeks, my pastor at the time in Cleveland, TX. That book, really God’s Word with Wiersbe teaching me through it, changed the course of my life. I have since bought and read nearly all of his “Be” books. I have many that I would consider lending if you're studying a particular book of the bible - let me know.
James MacDonald. Seriously, James’ sermons first, and then his books have had a profound effect on me personally and on my ministry. He is faithful to God's Word. You're not going to get alot of psyco-babel and opinion from James, rather you'll get Biblical principles in a clear way - and sometimes with a little attitude. I love his style of communication, because he's so "Now" as he teaches an ancient book - but he doesn't compromise the truth.
The final "face" for my Rushmore is difficult. There are many I'd like to place here. I want to put Voddie Baucham for his great influence on my life and ministry, but due to the smaller number of books I've read I'll consider others. I want to include Mark Keaton, Stan Wyant, and Brent Freeman, but these men have never written books - I just wanted to send a "shout" out. Enough of that, I'll have to go with the DAILY influence. and it's a double.
John MacArthur/John Calvin. The commentaries that I use regularly in sermon prep are key. The insight and sheer knowledge that is put forth there is a daily influence in my life. I am constantly amazed at how shallow my thinking is until I am challenged by these men. I thank God for deep brothers who help me to grow.
…Totally not mentioned here: God wrote a Book. Mentioning the Bible and it's single author, or the multiple human instruments would engage the duh-factor. I don't mention God and His Word in this list, because God and His Word belong on NO list. God and His infalible, inerrant, and Sufficient Revelation of Himself are so far beyond any other author that it would be an insult to His Holiness to place Him in ANY list. Tozer called God "The Holy". Notice that we even capitolize pronouns when referring to Him. And note that the authors I mentioned above are only in my Mount Rushmore because of their role in helping me to grow in grace and knowledge of God and His Word.
I'd love to hear from you about the authors who have shaped/are shaping you for Christ, so please comment. There are other Rushmores in my life. If you'd like to hear about another, let me know that as well.
Pastor
Posts
Mine may be a little cliché:
ReplyDeleteJohn Piper - If you don't like reading, all of his sermons are online. Just start listening to his Romans series. You'll have a veritable seminary degree by the time you finish.
Wayne Grudem - His Systematic Theology is great.
C.S. Lewis - Though his theology isn't great, his ability to get you out of the box is. He makes you think of God in a big picture. If he intimidates you, first read all of the Chronicles of Narnia, then Perelandra.
John Owen - He has helped me with my view of HOW to read the Bible (hermeneutics) and how to kill sin (mortification). I plan on spending a lot more time with him.
Keach's Catechism - Who wrote it? Don't know. But it is based off of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. I recommend memorizing it to music.
1689 Baptist Confession - Great theology.
Sam Waldron - Though we differ on eschatology, this man is a heavyweight who needs more time to write. His Exposition of the 1689 is a Systematic Theology in its own right. Still, I would love to see a full fledged Systematic Written by him.
Fred Malone - Here is a man advocating Reformed Baptist Covenant Theology today. Love it. Pick up his, Baptism of Disciples Alone if you can.
R.C. Sproul - Scared of theology, but still want to dig deep? Sproul is gifted of God at conveying the best of theology in terms that everyone can understand. If you can't explain it, maybe you don't understand it? Sproul can explain it, so he must understand it.
There are some of my biggest influences.
-Mark
A few of my Mt. Rushmore people:
ReplyDeleteJeff Pollard - Teachings on the Doctrine of Grace and Christian Modesty
RC Sproul - Theology
John Owen - Mortification of Sin
Les Walthers - Sermons on the Mortification of Sin (Dallas Reformed Baptist Church)
Doug Philips and Elders at Sovereign Grace Family Church - Biblical Femininity
Paul Washer - sermon on 1 John
There are many others: John Bunyun, John MacArthur, John G. Reisinger, John Piper
Thank you, Lord, for those who have gone before us.
~ Tess