Recommended Books

Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion
by Rebecca McLaughlin
“A book for people who are afraid of being stumped by objections that Cantabrigians typically raise, written by a Christian sister who lives and evangelizes in Cambridge herself.”

Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World
by Josh McDowell, Sean McDowell
“A modern classic that defends the historicity of the resurrection of Christ.”

Making Sense of God: Finding God in the Modern World
by Timothy Keller
“A prequel to The Reason for God that dismantles the unexamined emotional and cultural presuppositions that prevent people from believing the gospel.”

Mere Christianity
by C.S. Lewis
“A winsome classic written by a first-class logician and brilliant writer. The list of people who were persuaded to convert by this book continues to grow.”

Reason for God, The: Belief In An Age of Skepticism
by Timothy Keller
“A compelling rational defense of Christianity that caters to sophisticated urbanites.”

They unfairly get a bad rap, but the Puritans were spiritually serious, and their books are theologically weighty compared to many of the flimsy, modern books that fly too quickly off the printing press. They were also masterful at applying Scriptural truths to every facet of their lives. Once you drink of this deep well, you will develop a distaste for many of the “tap water” books that we too often consume.

Bruised Reed, The
by Richard Sibbes
“Preacher known as the ‘sweet dropper of grace’ applies Isaiah 42:1-3 for the struggling saints in a characteristically compassionate and Christ-infused way.”

Communion with God
by John Owen
“What does it mean to be in relationship with God? What does it mean that we are the bride of Christ? This is a rigorous, yet ravishing theological masterpiece on how we can commune with God.”

Holiness
by J.C. Ryle
“‘As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy”’ (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Would you believe me if I said that there is a book on holiness that is a soul-stirring page-turner? Read it for yourself.”

Reformed Pastor, The
by Richard Baxter
“Preeminent theologian J.I. Packer considers Baxter ‘the most outstanding pastor, evangelist, and writer on practical and devotional themes that Puritanism produced.’ This is my personal favorite book on pastoral ministry.”

Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, The
by Jeremiah Burroughs
“If you are jealous of Paul who said, ‘I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content’ (Phil. 4:11), read this book.”

Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices
by Thomas Brooks
“Before C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, there was Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices. Let God expose and expunge the insidious, seductive power of Satan in your life through this book.”

Duties of Parents
by J.C. Ryle
“A no non-sense, eminently Biblical and practical book on the Duties of Parents.”

Family Life of a Christian Leader, The
by Ajith Fernando
“So simple because it’s so profound, a wonderful book by one of my personal (modern) heroes of the faith who practices what he preaches.”

God, Marriage, and Family
by Andreas Köstenberger
“If you have a family, or want to start a family, this comprehensive book will help you lay the Biblical foundation.”

Meaning of Marriage, The
by Timothy Keller
“A gospel-centered, culturally-astute book about marriage. There is also a chapter that addresses singleness.”

Shepherding a Child’s Heart
by Tedd Tripp
“This book has helped countless Christians parents apply the gospel to their parenting.”

Cross of Christ, The
by John Stott
“Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:2, ‘I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.’ Christ crucified is at the heart of our faith, and this book is a sure remedy for those who have an anemic understanding of the cross.”

Discipline of Grace, The
by Jerry Bridges
“Do you feel like you’re always vacillating between licentiousness and legalism? Does the grace of God make you complacent? This was a life-changing book for me when I first read it and I highly recommend it.”

Gently and Lowly
by Dane Ortlund
“This was my favorite read of 2020. It’s not about the gospel per se, but it reveals the heart of the God who save us. If you tend to think of God as severe, vengeful, exacting, and unforgiving, this book will be a balm to your soul.”

In My Place Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement
by J.I. Packer and Mark Dever
“The theology of atonement has been muddied in recent years by various theologians. This is a collection of essays by J.I. Packer that brings refreshing clarity and restores the wonder of the gospel.”

Redemption: Accomplished and Applied, John Murray
“How exactly did Christ redeem us from sin and death? This is a classic book by one of the best Reformed theologians of the 20th century.”

Saved by Grace
by Anthony Hoekema
“A wonderful introduction to the doctrines of grace. It’s comprehensive enough for use in a seminary setting, but still conversational enough for lay leadership.”

“I have not read all the books in this series, but they are all pithy treatments from authors I trust on important matters that pertain to the church. We would be a healthier church if all our members read these books.”

Biblical Theology, Nick Roark and Robert Cline
Church Discipline, Jonathan Leeman
Church Elders, Jeramie Rinne
Church Membership, Jonathan Legman
Conversion, Michael Lawrence
Discipling, Mark Dever
Evangelism, J. Mack Stiles
Expositional Preaching, David Helm
Gospel, The, Ray Ortlund
Prayer, John Onwuchekwa
Missions, Andy Johnson
Sound Doctrine, Bobby Jamieson

Blame It on the Brain: Distinguishing Chemical Imbalances, Brain Disorders, and Disobedience
by Edward T. Welch
“There is a lot of confusion in our psychologized, over-prescribed world, Welch, who has a Ph.D. in neuropsychology and a M.Div. from seminary, offers much-needed clarity and Biblical wisdom.”

Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness
by Edward T. Welch
“This is a compassionate and insightful treatment of a complex topic, offering the hope of the gospel to those who are crippled by depression.”

Good and Angry
by David Powlison
“If you are prone to anger and irritability, God wants to redeem your anger, so that your is neither misplaced nor disproportionate. This book can help you along that path.”

Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest
by Edward T. Welch
“This book will teach how you how to listen to your fears and worries, so that you might listen to the voice of God that drowns out your fears and worries.”

Untangling Emotions
by Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith
“We are a generation that thinks with its feelings, and books about emotions are all the rage (e.g. see Peter Scazzero wildly popular Emotionally-Healthy series). Are ‘negative’ emotions signs of spiritual failure that should be suppressed (e.g. anxiety is lack of faith, anger is selfishness, etc.)? What, if anything, should we do with our emotions? Can our feelings change? What if we don’t feel much at all? This book will answer these questions and help you to process your emotions in the context of your relationship with God.

War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Our Communication Struggles
by Paul Tripp
“We have all said things that we shouldn’t have said. This book gets to the root of all of our communication struggles and helps us to ‘let [our] speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt’ (Col. 4:6).”

When People Are Big and God Is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man
by Edward T. Welch
“If you struggle with people-pleasing and want to overcome peer pressure, co-dependnecy, and ‘fear of man,’ this is the book for you.”

40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible
by Robert Plummer
“An engaging, helpful book by a fun, eccentric seminary professor of New Testament interpretation.”
9m

According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible–An Introductory Biblical Theology
by Graeme Goldsworthy
What is the flow of the Bible as an entire book? How do its various parts relate to one another? This book will answer your questions.

Dig Deeper
by Nigel Beynon and Andrew Sach
“If you want a less technical book, this is a highly accessible book gives you the tools to make sense of the Bible and dig for its hidden riches.”

Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology
by Andreas J. Köstenberger & Richard D. Patterson
“This is a standard academic textbook on Biblical Interpretation used in many seminaries, similar to The Hermeneutical Spiral by Grant Osborne.”

Knowing Scripture
by R.C. Sproul
“Contains foundational principles for interpretation and offers many practical suggestions.”

Doctrine of the Word of God, The
by John Frame
“A magisterial, contemporary book on the doctrine of Scripture. A good one-stop shop.”

“Fundamentalism” and the Word of God
by J.I. Packer
“Written to address the controversies of a past era, but it is incisive and prescient, no less relevant today, written by arguably the best modern theologian still living.”

Historical Reliability of the Gospels, The
by Craig Blomberg
“The Christian faith rests on the reliability of the Four Gospels, but don’t they contradict one another? Were the miracles really real? It will answer these questions and more.”

New Testament Documents, The: Are They Reliable?
by F. F. Bruce
“A simple, classic introduction to the reliability of the New Testament.”

Old Testament Documents, The: Are They Reliable and Relevant?
by Walter Kaiser
“And Old Testament counterpart to F. F. Bruce’s book. Covers history, archeology, textual transmission, and formation of the canon.”

Taking God At His Word
by Kevin DeYoung
“A brief, but

God’s Smuggler
by Brother Andrew, John Sherrill, Elizabeth Sherrill
“A gripping, faith-building tale of the young Dutch factory worker’s efforts to smuggle Bibles across to closed countries.”

Insanity of God, The: A True Story of Faith Resurrected
by Nik Ripken, Gregg Lewis
“Written by a leading expert on the persecuted church in Muslim contexts, this is a book to awaken you from your spiritual and missional slumber.”

Invitation to World Missions
by Timothy Tennent
“If you want to learn about world missions more systematically and theologically. This is a great introduction by one of the leading evangelical missiologists of our time.”

Let the Nations Be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions
by John Piper
“What actually is the goal of missions? Why should we be invested in missions? You might be surprised by the answers given in this book.”

Through Gates of Splendor
by Elisabeth Elliot
“‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose,’ said Jim Elliot, the missionary to the Huaorani tribe of Ecuador who was martyred by the people he came to serve. This is a book that recounts their missionary journey, written by his widow who is a giant of the faith.”

To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson
by Courtney Anderson
“The book that made me passionate about foreign missions. A riveting portrait of the first (formal) foreign missionary sent out from the U.S. (right here from New England).”

Augustine of Hippo
by Peter Brown,
“A compelling exposition of one of the most important church fathers.”

Calvin
by Bruce Gordon
“A cleverly-narrated biography of the most significant theologian of the Protestant Reformation.”

C.S. Lewis—A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet
by Alister McGrath
“Everybody is fascinated by C.S. Lewis nowadays. Here’s an unvarnished look at the modern, Christian hero.”

Defending the Faith: J. Gresham Machen and the Crisis of Conservative Protestantism in Modern America
by D.G. Hart
“An important study of both the fundamentalist-modernist controversy and the man at the center of it all.”

George Whitefield: God’s Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century
by Arnold A. Dallimore
“An inspirational biography of the lesser-known founder of Methodism, who, even during his life, was considered to be the most brilliant and popular preacher in the modern world.”

Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther
by Roland Bainton
“A masterfully-written and meticulously-researched account of an endlessly-fascinating person who altered the course of church history and of Western civilization.”

Hiding Place, The
by Corrie ten Boom
“Corrie ten Boom helped many Jews escape the Nazis from the Holocaust by making her home a hiding place, because her hiding place was the LORD. This autobiography is a wonderful picture of radical faith and love.”

John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides
by John G. Paton
“A missionary who exemplified Philippians 1:21, ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.'”

Jonathan Edwards: A Life
by George Marsden
“A classic biography about the theology and life of the greatest theologian in American history.”

City of God, The
by Augustine
“A philosophical work that helped Christians who were disillusioned by the fall of the Roman Empire, because they had wrongly conflated the Roman Empire with the Kingdom of God. This book expounds on many important theological issues, such as the problem of evil, original sin, divine omniscience and free will, and the Kingdom of God.”

Confessions
by Augustine
“If you want to see what early Christian piety looked like, this seminal autobiography is the best place to start.”

Letter to Diognetus
by Anonymous
“A fine example of early Christian apologetics (2nd century!)”

Life of Macrina, The
by Gregory of Nyssa
“A biography of a 4th century Christian nun famous for her spiritual devotion to God, affectionally written by her younger brother.”

On God and Christ
by Gregory Nazianzus
“Remembered as the ‘Trinitarian Theologian,’ Gregory of Nazianzus made the most significant impact on the discussion of the Trinity during his time.”

On the Incarnation
by Athanasius
“An ancient, yet definitive, work on Christology, written by the pastor at the center of the Christological controversies of the 3rd and 4th centuries.

Christian Ethics: Contemporary Issues and Options
by Norman Geisler
“A classic, evangelical book that delves right into difficult ethical dilemmas.”

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy
by Mark Vroegop and Joni Eareckson Tada
“Scripture is full of laments, because our lives are in this broken world are full of pain. If you’re walking through pain in your life, Vroegop and Tada are reliable guides who have walked through tragedies themselves and have found Christ to be sufficient.”

Ten Commandments, The
by J. Douma
“Thoroughly unpacks the divine wisdom and perennial relevance of the Ten Commandments.”

Work
by Daniel M. Doriani
“This is the best book on work I have ever read. Doriani has worked as a security guard, construction laborer, freight handler, tennis coach, and tour guide, among other things, and it shows. He combines nuanced Biblical discussion with refreshingly practical theological analysis.”

Crime and Punishment
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
“A gripping psychological portrayal and theological study of the power of guilt and the still greater power of confession and forgiveness.”

Gilead
by Marilynne Robinson
“A book that teaches us to live with mortality in view and habituates to a spiritual cadence that upends the frenzied pace of the modern world.”

Great Expectations
by Charles Dickens
“What is greatness? A brilliant and fascinating story about human pride and the beautiful simplicity of humility.”

Hammer of God, The
by Bo Giertz
“If you want to bathe and marinate in the grace of God, read this Lutheran classic.”

Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Bronte
“‘I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give,’ said Jane Eyre. This is a powerful story of a Christian woman who seeks to overcome barriers and fulfill her God-given calling.”

Les Misérables
by Victory Hugo
“An enduring tale of the interplay between Pharisaical legalism and the gospel of grace.”

Lord of the Rings, The (any of the three, preferably all three)
by J. R. R. Tolkien
“This series no longer needs an introduction. A wondrous tale of the battle between good and evil, the frailty of man, loyalty, friendship, and perseverance.”

Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
“A love story, yes, but even more, an exposition of the pride and prejudices that blind us all, presented from a Christian worldview.”

“Four Quartets”
by T.S. Eliot

“Tenebrae”
by Geoffrey Hill

“Holy Sonnets”
by John Donne

“Noble Numbers”
by Robert Herrick

Christ-Centered Worship
by Bryan Chapell
“A book that was influential in the structuring of our own Sunday worship service.”

Liturgical Theology: The Church as Worshiping Community
by Simon Chan
“Most evangelicals have an inadequate understanding of the church and its worship. This book is a helpful corrective, though it requires a discerning reader.”

Worship by the Book
by D.A. Carson
“Four essays by thoughtful Christian leaders (Don Carson, Mark Ashton, Kent Hughes, and Tim Keller), on what corporate worship should look like.”

Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God
by Bob Kauflin
“If you are interested in musical worship, this is the probably best book on the subject by one of the most thoughtful music ministry leaders of our generation.”

Disciplines of a Godly Man
by Kent Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Woman
by Barbara Hughes
“Sound, Biblical, practical wisdom from a husband and wife duo that has served faithfully in Christian ministry for several decades.”

Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines
by David Mathis
“A noteworthy book about how the ordinary, everyday ‘habits of grace,’ such as ‘listening to God’s voice, speaking to him in prayer, and joining together with his people as the church’ transform the Christian.”

Praying Life, A: Connecting with God in a Distracting World
by Paul Miller
“If you want a more vibrant prayer life, this book can help.”

Praying the Bible
by Donald S. Whitney
“If you don’t know what to say when you’re praying, this teaches you a good method, praying through the Bible.”

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
by Donald S. Whitney
“A classic, BIblical look at the spiritual disciplines. A good one-stop shop on the spiritual disciplines.”

50 Crucial Questions: An Overview of Central Concerns about Manhood and Womanhood
by John Piper and Wayne Grudem
“This is a summary of Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood in an accessible Q&A format.”

enGendered: God’s Gift of Gender Difference in Relationship
by Sam Andreades
“A culturally-astute, well-researched, and winsome work on gender and sexuality.”

God’s Design for Man and Woman
by Andreas and Margaret Köstenberger
“A biblical survey that expounds what it means to be a man or a woman.”

Let Me Be A Woman
by Elisabeth Elliott
“What does it mean to be a woman and not a man? Filled with Biblical truth and godly, practical wisdom, written by the remarkable and resilient Elisabeth Elliott.”

Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism
by John Piper and Wayne Grudem
“A comprehensive, Biblical exposition on God’s design for man and woman.”

What’s the Difference: Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible
by John Piper
“A brief, practical introduction to Biblical manhood and womanhood.”

Women in the Church: An Interpretation and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15
by Andreas J. Köstenberger and Thomas R. Schreiner
“The closest it gets to a definitive interpretation and application of one of the most controversial verses in the Bible.”

Bible Doctrine
by Wayne Grudem
“A easier, shorter version of Grudem’s Systematic Theology.”

Everyone’s a Theologian
by R. C. Sproul
“An excellent introduction to systematic theology, written with Sproul’s characteristic verve.”

Institutes of the Christian Religion
by John Calvin
“This is clear proof that theological writing can be devotional and beautiful. This book is the fountainhead of Reformed Theology.”

Systematic Theology
by Wayne Grudem
“A new edition of this best-selling Systematic Theology textbook just came out, and it improves on what has already set the standard for decades. Characteristically thorough, readable, and accessible.”

Wonderful Works of God, The
by Herman Bavinck
“This is the great Dutch theologian’s own abridgment of his magnum opus, Reformed Dogmatics.”

“Reading church history can correct our chronological snobbery and impart great wisdom for the present.”

2,000 Years of Christ’s Power (four volumes out, fifth volume forthcoming)
by N. R. Needham

History of Christianity, A (either of the two volumes)
by Kenneth S. Latourette

History of Theology
by Bengt Hägglund

Story of Christianity, The
by Justo Gonzales

Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity
by Mark Noll

12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You
by Tony Reinke
“If you uncritically consume digital media and haven’t yet reflected on how your smartphone affects your pursuit of God, please read this book.”

Beyond Racial Gridlock
by George Yancey
“Is there a distinctive Christian approach to racism that steers clear of the errors of colorblindness and antiracism? African-American Sociologist George Yancey makes a compelling case that there is.”

Christianity and Liberalism
by J. Gresham Machen
“Theological liberalism and its pervasive skepticism about the supernatural claims of the Bible are still pervasive in Boston and Cambridge. This classic book is still the best answer.”

Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth
by Thaddeus Williams
“Not everything that is branded ‘social justice’ is actually biblical justice. This book, which came out at the end of 2020 is a book I have been waiting for someone to write. It addresses racism, sexuality, socialism, culture war, abortion, tribalism, critical theory, and identity politics, all with refreshing nuance, clarity, and sensitivity.”

Conscience: What It Is, How to Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ
by Andrew Naselli and J. D. Crowley
“If your conscience sometimes disagrees with Scripture, this is a book you really should read. It will teach you How to calibrate your conscience and deal with conflicts of conscience that arise with other Christians and cultures.”

Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem
by Kevin DeYoung
“If busyness is business as usual for you, you are not too busy to read this book. Your busyness might betray entrenched idols of the heart.”

Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, The: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution
Carl Trueman
“This book is an impressive survey and incisive analysis of Western (esp. American) culture, from historical, philosophical, and theological angles. If you want to understand the social, cultural, and political upheaval facing our country, this is a good place to start.”

What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
by Kevin DeYoung
“A winsome, persuasive book about the Bible’s overarching teaching on sexuality.”

Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships
by Edward T. Welch
“This is an abridgement of Welch’s longer book, Side by Side, which is a distillation of what Welch has learned about caring for other believers during his decades of experience as a Biblical counselor.”

Discipling
by Mark Dever
“A theologically-grounded, extremely practical book written by one of the most effective discipling pastors in the U.S. Dever understands how individual discipling and the ministry of the local church fit together.”

Discipling in a Multicultural World
by Ajith Fernando
“This book expands on many of the same principles of discipleship found in Coleman’s classic, but in a multicultural context.”

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hand: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change
by Paul Tripp
“A handbook on how we can minister to one another by speaking God’s Word in love.”

Master Plan of Evangelism
by Robert B. Coleman
“A modern classic with simple, but profound, insights into the way Jesus discipled the Twelve and how we can emulate Him.”

Trellis and the Vine, The: The Ministry Mind-Shift That Changes Everything
by Tony Payne and Colin Marshall
“A book that will keep us focused on ministry rather than administry, growing disciples and not merely growing programs and services.”

All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment, Hannah Anderson

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament, Mark Vroegop

Dream with Me: Race, Love, and the Struggle We Must Win, John M. Perkins

Our Secular Age, Colin Hansen

Path to Being a Pastor, The: A Guide for the Aspiring, Bobby Jamieson

Political Church, Jonathan Leeman

Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, The: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution, Carl Trueman

Wisdom Pyramid, The: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World, Brett McCracken