I have started teaching English to a young man from Korea. He was raised Catholic and his wife is Buddhist. He is not a practicing Catholic. He is a PHD student in the business school here. We talked about reading a novel together and I think that would be a great idea. So, what I am hunting for is a novel preferably American that would lead to discussions on Christianity. I have dismissed C S Lewis' Narnia because it is too oriented to children that he may be insulted and the Space trilogy maybe to advanced. So, any ideas on a good novel would be helpful.
I would also like your prayers that God will open doors for me to present the gospel. But what I have commited to him is to teach him English and I want your prayers that I will be the best teacher he could have. I also hope to build a friendship with him and his wife so your prayers in that regard would be great appreicated. Thanks to you all, Tim

[Edited on 12-10-2005 by Swampguy]

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Tim Smith
Baton Rouge, La
Church: http://sbrpres.org/

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just."
- Thomas Jefferson

There are a wide range of novels out there. What types of stories do you (or he) like to read?

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Janice
AKA Professor Plum

Following in the footsteps of Christiana and heading toward the Celestial City!

"I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. " ~ Anon.

Pride and Prejudice is probably my all time favorite.

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Gerry Winebrenner
member Christ Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Janesville WI

Psalm 95:6-7
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

I am hunting for an American novel to help him with American English but I would like a modern novel that would have Christian themes that would not be overtly Christian. I have racked my brain and can't come up with anything. Right now I will most likely use a Steinbeck novel. It is sad how few quality Christian novels are out there for adults. It is sad to realize how little Christians have enter the world of art in modern times. I find myself listening to non-Christian music, reading non-Christian novels, watching non-Christian movies, etc...

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Tim Smith
Baton Rouge, La
Church: http://sbrpres.org/

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just."
- Thomas Jefferson

A Tale of Two Cities comes to mind, though it does not meet your requirements of being American or modern. It does bring out some Gospel themes quite strongly however. I do not know any one in modern times who can compare with Dickens. Not only is he a great storyteller, his novels always contain a subtle but significant spiritual/religious dimension, and he presents Christianity in a very positive light.

I suppose his writing may be a bit hard for non-native speakers, however, depending on their level.

[Edited on 12-12-2005 by Jie-Huli]

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Jie-Huli
Metropolitan Tabernacle Church
London, England

I'm not real familiar with John Grisham, but you might consider one of his novels. Even though they're secular, I think they have a Christian World view. It's my understanding that he is a Christian.

Also consider books by Randy Ingermanson. He is does write Christian fiction, but I don't think it's overly Christian. If he is learning English you might consider a young adult book where the langauge is easier -- The Chronicals of Narnia, or even Louis L'Amour (not Christian, but relatively clean, easy reading, and interesting.)

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Janice
AKA Professor Plum

Following in the footsteps of Christiana and heading toward the Celestial City!

"I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. " ~ Anon.

Ah! No, no Steinbeck--use Marilynne Robinson's Gilead. A surprising pick for the Pulitzer in 2004. I'm not usually a fan of fiction, least of all the modern sort, but a friend convinced me to review it with her, and I absolutely loved it. The novel is in the form of a letter from a dying Congregationalist pastor to his young son, and the language is neither too complex for someone learning English nor at all boring or trite, though the themes (death, love, struggles of the pastor's ministry) could be considered cliche if they were not so eloquently discussed. I'll pray for your interaction with this man.

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Laura
attending Old Peachtree PCA, GA

"...Christ comes to meet the despairing with new aid, who not only regenerates us by his Spirit that we may obey God, but makes also that our endeavor, such as it is, should obtain the praise of perfect righteousness." - Calvin

Although, again, not American or modern, it's hard to beat the (arguably) first novel in English, Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, or Johann David Wyss' Swiss Family Robinson, both of which are explicitly Reformed classics of literature.

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Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor, The Matthew Poole Project

"Let your Morning Thoughts, and your last Evening Thoughts, be what shall become of you to all Eternity." -- Matthew Poole

Thanks everyone. I wish I knew more about fiction other than the popular top 10. When I do read fiction it is usually something like Stephen King or Louis L'Amour.
Laura I am going to look at Gilead.
Thanks all, Tim

__________________
Tim Smith
Baton Rouge, La
Church: http://sbrpres.org/

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just."
- Thomas Jefferson

The Virginian by Owen Wist was pretty good.

__________________
Gerry Winebrenner
member Christ Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Janesville WI

Psalm 95:6-7
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.