The Dead Theologian 1 Year Challenge

Mike Leake from The Borrowed Light Blog issued this challenge:

It’s Thanksgiving. Your mom is begging you for a Christmas list. If you don’t want that ugly sweater again you had better tell her something. Rather than muttering out something that you don’t really need, I want to invite you to ask for something lasting this Christmas.

I’m proposing that you pick one of these four Christians from the past and spend an entire year with them. Today, I will give you the names of the four men, and a list of books you should buy. In the coming weeks, if there is enough interest, I’ll give you a reading plan.

Here are your 4 options (pick one) and the books you ought to buy:

1. John Newton: The Pastor

The Works of John Newton.  (Note: Don’t pay over 120 for this)
Wise Counsel by Grant Gordon
Life of John Newton by Josiah Bull
Letters of John Newton

Total Cost: $120-180

2. John Calvin: The Theologian

Institutes (If possible get the McNeill version)
Letters of John Calvin
Calvin by Bruce Gordon
John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor

Total Cost: $50-90

3. Andrew Fuller: The Missionary

Andrew Fuller by Paul Brewster
The Works of Andrew Fuller
The Armies of the Lamb

Total Cost: $50-75

4. Richard Sibbes: The Preacher

The Works of Richard Sibbes (7 Volumes)
Richard Sibbes by Dever

Total Cost: $120-150

OR
The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes
The Bruised Reed
Richard Sibbes by Dever
Glorious Freedom

I have decided to participate in this challenge. Even though he said pick one Christian from the past I am going to pick two. The two men that I have picked are not on his suggested list. I have some books already purchased and not yet read. It don't think it would be a good idea to purchase more. 

The two men I am going to pick are:

John Owen

• The Holy Spirit
• The Glory of Christ
• Communion with God
• Overcoming Sin and Temptation

Stephen Charnock

The Works of Stephen Charnock

Volumes 1 -4