Christian Classics

I read this book when I was 19. It explains what some of the most ancient writings tell us about what God is like and how to know him. The writings are books contained within the Old and New Testaments.

I’ve read many books, but very few have made me a happier person or changed my life. This book did.

David, the one who killed Goliath with a sling, devoted much of his teenage years to studying the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). He wrote this about God: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11, English Standard Version)

What did you find most helpful about the book?

A successful middle-aged judge suffered a freak accident and faces a slow, painful death. As his condition worsens, he thinks about his life: his childhood, ambitions, regrets, and his personal conduct crowd into his mind. He wonders if he lived life as he should have.

Leo Tolstoy is one of the greatest fiction writers in all of history. He’s known for books like War and Peace, which is a very long novel. The Death of Ivan Ilych is a short, shocking read. It forces one stop and take stock of life, and it could change your life for the better.

The great Greek philosopher Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living. Know thyself.” The idea is to make sure you are not living for things that ultimately do not matter, like fame and fortune. Instead, make sure you are living for what is true and good.

At the end of the story, something significant happened. What do you think occurred?

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Knowing God

The Death of Ivan Ilych