7 books that changed my perspective
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by Eric Most
In 2000, I attended a Passion One-day event in Shelby Farms Park in Tennessee. It was there that I first heard Dr. John Piper’s sermon Boasting Only in The Crossopens in a new tab, based on Galatians 6. There were trash cans filled with free cassette tapes of his past sermons, and I took home one titled Doing Missions When Dying is Gainopens in a new tab. After listening to many more of his sermons and reading most of his books, my perspective fundamentally shifted.
I realized I’d been living with a me-centric attitude and not following God’s calling to live with radical intention. With this awakening, I felt called to share it with others: Don’t just “go” and “do” but become a radical sender and a radical goer; anything less is disobedient. If you aren’t living for God’s glory, you too might be living your life and wasting it.
I’m now honored to serve as chaplain for young men in my local Trail Life troop. As some of them prepare to graduate, I’m focused on ensuring that they feel equipped to move into the world and continue growing in their relationships with Jesus. I want them to share my passion in living my whole L.I.F.E. (labor, influence, finances, expertise) for God’s glory, not for myself.
To help with their journeys, I’ve recommended they read these seven books, all of which significantly altered my perspective and helped me refocused my faith. I’d recommend these books to everyone at any stage of their faith journey, not just to graduating seniors:
1. Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper
Some people spend their lives on trivial diversions, seeking worldly comfort and pleasure above all else. But Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it,” pointing to the eternal purpose and God-exalting joy to which all Christians are called. In this best-selling book, John Piper passionately warns readers of the dangers of a life that counts for nothing, calling Christians to take risks in their lives that matter for eternity.
2. Radical by David Platt
In Radical, Platt challenges readers to consider with an open heart how American Christianity has manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. Platt’s transformative teachings were a huge factor in helping me discover a passion to do all for God’s glory, including how I handle material “things” and financial blessing.
3. Something Needs to Changeopens in a new tab by David Platt
This book opened my eyes to the staggering levels of human need in the world and seeks to address the Christian response. We can’t be ignorant or indifferent in our response. We need to follow biblical teachings to address the urgent and persistent needs around us.
4. Knowing God opens in a new tabby J. I. Packer
This book should be on every single person’s reading list. Published in 1973 and updated over the years, it’s a modern Christian classic that urges the reader to know God. It’s absolutely spectacular and helped me to grow my faith and relationship with him.
5. Respectable Sinsopens in a new tab by Jerry Bridges
Why are some sins considered taboo in our culture, and others are perfectly acceptable? Jerry Bridges forced me to take a hard look at my life and opened my eyes to the sins that I tolerate. Romans 3:23 tells us that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. All sins, not just the “big” ones, require repentance.
6. The Pursuit of Holinessopens in a new tab by Jerry Bridges
God commands us to holiness, but it’s often something Christians don’t understand. In this book, Bridges teaches about God’s character and what our role is as his children.
7. Let the Nations by Glad!opens in a new tab by John Piper
I believe this is one of the single best books on the mission of the church, and it’s more than missions. It’s worshiping God through The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). Piper was one of the first people who heralded the idea that nations are not geopolitical areas but ethnolinguistic groups, meaning we are to champion the uniqueness of all peoples who will one day be gathering around the throne room of grace to worship God.
You can surely see a theme in these titles: The combined viewpoints gave me a passion to do all for God’s glory. It’s easy to live in your own personal (and often comfortable) version of Christianity, but I challenge you to read these books that may offer a different perspective. In fact, I’d be happy to send you one of these booksopens in a new tab. And I’d love to help you examine how you’ve been stewarding your whole L.I.F.E.