The following selection of books includes apologetics and surveys as well as books that will help provide a deeper knowledge of the Christian faith. If you can only read one book, we recommend that it be the Bible. As you begin to expand your library, you will want to select books from trusted authors whose theology is in line with our church, and the ones on this list meet that test. The links on this page will take you to a site where you can order the books for delivery to your home.
This month's featured author is John Piper:
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What Jesus Demands from the World By John Piper / Crossway Books & Bibles In What Jesus Demands from the World, Piper has gathered fifty of Jesus' demands from the four Gospels. Blending historical context, exegetical insights, and application, Piper concisely examines each demand. The result is an accessible introduction for seekers and new believers as well as meditative meat for mature Christians wanting to know Jesus better! |
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Desiring God, Revised & Expanded By John Piper / Multnomah Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. Now revised and expanded, Desiring God reveals how delighting in God can motivate us to glorify Him through worship, stewardship, loving our neighbor, rejoicing in suffering, and other "duties." John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn't truly exist: Delight is our duty. Discover how to lay a biblical foundation for a life of celebration by truly desiring the Lord. |
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God is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself By John Piper / Crossway Books & Bibles When you ponder what it means to be loved by God, are your thoughts God-centered or self-centered? Best-selling author and pastor Piper reveals that the most loving thing about God is not his making much of us, but his enabling us to make much of him. Paradigm-challenging reflections on the gospel message! 160 pages, hardcover from Crossway Books. |
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Out of the Saltshaker & into the World, Revised and Expanded By Rebecca Manley Pippert / Inter-varsity Press "Christians and non-Christians have something in common," says Pippert. "We're both uptight about evangelism." So begins this fun, engaging bestseller that helps you feel relaxed, not pressured, about sharing your faith. Revised and expanded with new real-life stories and evangelistic strategies! Includes study guide. |
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A Passion for Faithfulness By J.I. Packer Is the Book of Nehemiah best understood as the memoirs of a leader par excellance---or as a spirited account of God's leading? From the author of Knowing God comes an insightful look at the dual themes of Nehemiah: how Nehemiah led the people and how God led Nehemiah---all for the glory of God's kingdom. |
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Knowing God with Study Guide By J.I. Packer / Inter-varsity Press J. I. Packer's Knowing God has become a classic of the Christian faith. Why? While it gives us information about God with clarity and grace, it does much more---it aids us in actually knowing him, in building our relationship with him, and helps draw us closer to him in love and worship. |
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Basic Christianity By John R.W. Stott / Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. A remarkable resource from one of our most beloved leaders! In Basic Christianity John Stott clearly explains the fundamental claims of the Christian faith and explores how these beliefs impact the lives of believers. This volume is perfect for seekers who are desperate to know whether Christianity makes sense and believers who long for a deeper understanding of Christian belief. This resource deserves a place on every disciple's shelf. |
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An Anchor for the Soul: Help for the Present, Hope for the Future By Ray Pritchard / Moody Publishers People have honest doubts and questions about God that deserve solid answers. How do we explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way the "man on the street" will understand? Ray Pritchard does exactly that in, An Anchor for the Soul. |
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Made for His Pleasure: Ten Benchmarks of a Vital Faith By Alistair Begg / Moody Publishers Are you living for God's pleasure or for your Own? Pleasing God is not a matter of personal choice, but an imperative that must be taken seriously. In a world of self, we must give way to the priority of God if we want to experience His joy. |
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Growing Your Faith: How to Mature in Christ By Jerry Bridges / Nav Press When you're gripped by the astonishing fact of Christ's love for you, you desire to draw close to Him. But what can you do to deepen your relationship with Jesus? What does He expect of you, and how can you be more like Him? In Growing Your Faith, Bridges presents the essential elements of Christian life in a highly readable, surprisingly practical form. |
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The Discipline of Grace, Updated Edition By Jerry Bridges / Nav Press From the best-selling author of The Pursuit of Holiness comes a thought-provoking look at legalism, discipleship, and spiritual freedom. Learn how grace and holiness are linked---and how the same mercy that leads believers to Christ also develops us spiritually in the areas of commitment, conviction, choices, watchfulness, and adversity. |
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The Discipline of Grace Study Guide By Jerry Bridges / Nav Press This study guide is designed to be used with the book or by itself. It will help you unlock the mystery of what God does in bringing you to maturity in Christ and help you understand what your responsibility is. Each session in the guide contains an excerpt from the book along with probing questions for personal study and group discussion. |
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The Pursuit of God By A.W. Tozer / Wingspread Publishers In the muddle of day-to-day life, have you somehow forgotten that Christianity is a living, vibrant relationship with a personal God? In this classic bestseller and recipient of both the ECPA Gold and Platinum Book Awards, The Pursuit of God reminds and challenges you to renew your relationship with your loving God. In each of the 10 chapters, Tozer explains one aspect of hungering for God and ends with a prayer. |
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The Pursuit of Man By A.W. Tozer / Wingspread Publishers Although written two years after the publication of The Pursuit of God, Tozer's The Pursuit of Man sets forth the biblical truth that before man can pursue God, God must first pursue man. A "prequel" of sorts, The Pursuit of Man speaks fervently of God's desire for man to be saved and the action He takes as He "invades" the human soul. Tozer then explains how it is through the power and promise of the Holy Spirit that we can truly understand the mystery of the Triune God. Previously published as The Divine Conquest. |
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Message of the New Testament By F.F. Bruce / Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. This is a companion volume to H.L. Ellison's The Message of the Old Testament. It is a book that can be understood by the beginning Bible student and still be valuable for those who have studied the Scriptures for years. F.F. Bruce begins with Mark - and proceeds to the earlier epistles, the prison epistles, the pastoral epistles, Luke and Acts, Hebrews, Matthew, the general epistles, Revelation, and finally the Johannine epistles and gospel. He looks at the distinctive contribution of each book or group of books. |
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According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible By Graeme Goldsworthy / Inter-varsity Press The massive diversity and complexity of the Bible can make it a daunting project for anyone to tackle. Getting a grasp on the unity of the Bible, its central message from Genesis to Revelation, helps immensely in understanding the meaning of any one book or passage. That is the goal of this introductory text. How do the Old and New Testament fit together? What is the point of biblical theology? What is the overall story of the Bible? What difference does it make? |
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Prayer and the Knowledge of God: What the Whole Bible Teaches By Graeme Goldsworthy / Inter-varsity Press Is it really possible to talk to God? Does he listen to us? How do we know what to say? Will it make any difference if we pray? Prayer is central to Christian faith and life, and such questions are fundamental. While much teaching on prayer addresses practical issues and is experience-oriented, Graeme Goldsworthy's conviction is that good practice comes from a foundation of good biblical understanding. Above all, Goldsworthy's desire is to encourage Christians in their praying, through a better understanding of, and reflection on, the "big story" of the whole Bible. |
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Mere Christianity By C.S. Lewis / Zondervan/harpersanfrancisco Arguably the 20th century's most influential Christian writer, C.S. Lewis sought to explain and defend the beliefs that nearly all Christians at all times hold in common. His simple yet deeply profound classic, originally delivered as a series of radio broadcasts, is a book to be thoroughly digested by believers and generously shared with skeptics. |
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Living the Cross-Centered Life By C.J. Mahaney / Multnomah Have the extremities taken over and left the core of your faith forgotten? Do you get confused by what you feel versus what is real? Let pastor C. J. Mahaney strip away the nonessentials and bring you back to the simplest, most fundamental reason for your faith: Jesus Christ. |
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Nothing But The Truth By John MacArthur / Crossway Books & Bibles How would you respond to this comment: "Christianity is an unhealthy religion that browbeats people with judgment." The tendency may be to snap back. But, drawing from 1 Peter 3:15, MacArthur shows you how to stand up for your faith with gentleness, reverence, and intelligence---just as Christ wants you to do. |
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More Than a Carpenter By Josh McDowell / Living Books This classic by a Master Apologist is still consistently one of the top titles in apologetics! For over 25 years McDowell has been giving readers thought-provoking insights into the events surrounding Christ's life and asking whether they could all be explained by coincidence. |
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Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People By Will Metzger / Inter-varsity Press The recovery of a God-centered and grace-centered gospel is imperative, says Will Metzger. Metzger emphasizes the centrality of sovereign, saving grace that completely exalts God. In addition, he offers a narrative approach to witnessing with the story "Come Home," training materials for Christians who want to learn God-centered evangelism, and a study guide on evangelism suitable for individuals or groups. |
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Knowing Scripture By R.C. Sproul / Inter-varsity Press With his usual common sense and bubbling enthusiasm, Sproul explores why every Christian should study the Bible and why so many get discouraged. He then offers clear explanations of the basic steps of interpretation and gives simple how-to's for using them. Excellent for beginner Bible readers and those who have been at it for a long time. |
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Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life By Donald S. Whitney / Nav Press It's not uncommon for an accomplished musician to be able to sit down in front of a new piece of music and play it through without a hitch. To make it seem easy, as if it required no effort. Yet the "freedom" to play with such skill comes only after years of disciplined practice. In the same way, the freedom to grow in godliness---to naturally express Christ's character through your own personality---is in large part dependent on a deliberate cultivation of the spiritual disciplines. |
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Encountering the New Testament, 2nd Edition By Walter A. Elwell & Robert W. Yarbrough / Baker This highly readable, four-color, beautifully-illustrated survey is designed to make studying the New Testament less daunting and more rewarding. |
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Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey-- Book and CD-ROM By Bryan Beyer / Baker This unique survey of the Old Testament is as engaging and user-friendly as it is informative. This resource includes full-color photographs and numerous educational features including an interactive CD-ROM study aid. |
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