Here's a wonderful book you might like to read. The Radical Disciple is the last book written by John Stott. At the end of this book he put down his pen and finished his writing ministry. As such it has a similar feel to Paul's second letter to Timothy - full of wonderful and pastoral words but with the tenderness that comes with a final letter.
In The Radical Disciple Stott chose to wrote about some of the hallmarks you would hope to see in someone who is actively and intentionally seeking to grow in Christlikeness. He has addressed eight issues that growing Christians ought to be thinking about. These include:
Non-conformity
Christlikeness
Maturity
Creation-care
Simplicity
Balance
Dependence
and
Death
It's a slightly random list but Stott himself says that this list isn't exhaustive. The style shifts and changes from chapter to chapter - at times it reads like a short essay (don't be scared by the word "essay" though because it is very accessible writing) while at other times there are personal anecdotes, specially selected quotes from old favourites and extracts from sermons and talks. In lots of ways it reads like a personal journal - and you get a real sense of what it must have been like to sit with him in his study and talk together about all the good stuff.
This book is a pure delight to read, filled with the words of a mature, wise, well thought through saint - instructive, pastoral and full of encouragement to strive for godliness without engendering guilt.
The Radical Disciple would be a great birthday present book (I know this to be true because I received a copy of it for my birthday from a dear friend), a valuable volume for a church library and a fascinating read for a book club with so many great and relevant issues up for discussion. John Stott has left us with an amazing and beautiful gift in this book.
