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Books Every Christian Should Read

(compiled by James Walden, Asst. Pastor, Creekside Community Church)

Listed from basics (broadest topics) to the more in-depth and specific.

I. Christian Basics, by John Stott – the title says it all (not to be confused with his classic evangelistic book, Basic Christianity), but don’t let the mundane title deter you from reading this excellent little book.

II. Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis – a must-read classic for all students! Also from Lewis is the classic, The Screwtape Letters.

III. Grace Awakening, by Chuck Swindoll – a contemporary classic from Swindoll on grace and its practical implications. Another excellent treatment is Michael Horton’s Putting Amazing Back Into Grace. (Horton packs a bit more punch, though Swindoll himself doesn’t pull any!) Also well-loved is the recent classic The Ragamuffin Gospel, by B. Manning.

IV. Knowing God, by J.I. Packer – one of the best Christian books written in the 20th century (note: though basic in subject, the content is a little denser). Along these lines, read A.W. Tozer’s wonderful little book, Pursuit of God, J. Piper’s Desiring God, and R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God.

V. Baptism and Fullness, by John Stott – an excellent, concise treatment on the Holy Spirit and His work, then (during the first century) and now. For the work of Christ, read Stott’s equally excellent The Cross of Christ. For a very difficult but very rewarding in-depth study on the work of Christ, read J. Murray’s brilliant Redemption Accomplished and Applied.

VI. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J.I. Packer – another gem from Packer’s pen. As the title suggests, he deals with the tension and dynamic between the call and function of evangelism, and the sovereignty of God in the salvation process. On divine sovereignty in salvation, Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul is a superb popular treatment.

VII. The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?, F.F. Bruce – a great, concise book on the historicity, reliability, and canon of the New Testament. For further studies, see his Canon of Scripture. In dealing with questions of inerrancy and inspiration, see Norman Geisler’s Inerrancy (see also his From God to Us). For a popular treatment on the transmission of biblical texts and the translation process, see Philip W. Comfort’s, Essential Guide to Bible Versions. On the topic of understanding and rightly interpreting Scripture, see Sproul’s brief but excellent Knowing Scripture – another MUST read!

There are so many other great authors (e.g., F. Schaeffer, J. Sire, A.W. Pink, D.A. Carson)!

Historical Books for the Interested Christian:

Go to www.ccel.org for resources and readings.

I. Holiness, J.C. Ryle – a classic devotional on pursuing holiness. See also the much-loved classic Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A Kempis (from the somewhat obscure tradition of German pietism). Also, be sure to read the sermonic work of Charles Haddon Spurgeon – a British Baptist, aptly known as the “Prince of Preachers”. Also, Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest, is a time-tested and well-loved daily devotional. For a treasure on prayer, see The Collected Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer. Also, see William Law’s works!

II. Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan – a devotional classic from the Puritan reformation. Anything you can read by Bunyan, or other English Puritans (e.g., the brilliant John Owen) will be edifying. See Packer’s excellent Quest for Godliness, Ryken’s Worldly Saints, or works by Iain Murray for more about the Puritans and their rich theology. Read Jonathan Edwards, a late American Puritan, known as the greatest American thinker, and, by many as the greatest English-speaking theologian (or 2nd only to J. Owen). Read also Thomas Hooker.

III. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs – a history and biography of Christian martyrs. Another classic volume on church history is Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History.

IV. The Confessions of St Augustine, Augustine of Hippo – an absolute classic in the Christian and Western literary canon, and must read for any “educated” person. Another crucial volume in the canons of the church and Western civilization is Augustine’s mammoth The City of God.

V. On the Incarnation of the Word, Athanasius – the fourth century “Father of Orthodoxy”, famous for defending the deity of Christ against the popular heresy of Arianism. This work explains the rationale and necessity of the incarnation. Read C.S. Lewis’ thought-provoking introduction: http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/history/ath-inc.htm#ch_0

VI. Commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther – considered by many to be his greatest work on justification. See also his more difficult but rewarding, The Bondage of the Will – a series of correspondences and debates with Erasmus. One of my favorites is Table Talk, a collection of Luther’s more candid thoughts expressed around the dinner table with his students, fellow pastors, and family.

VII. Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin – heavy duty stuff, but undoubtedly one of the greatest books on the Christian faith ever written.

…and there’s much, much more, from Anselm to Aquinas, down to the great “Princetonians” (Charles Hodge, A.A. Hodge, B.B. Warfield, etc.) and beyond (e.g., L. Berkhof, John Murray, J. Gresham Machen)...