Recommended Reading

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 books as recommended in the book review section of The Commoner:

ESV Study Bible, Hardcover
By Crossway Books & Bibles

The ESV Study Bible includes more than 25,000 notes, written specifically for the ESV Study Bible. These notes focus especially on understanding the meaning of the text, giving answers to frequently raised questions, and providing theological, historical, and archaeological background; all for the purpose of helping readers to understand the Bible in a deeper way.

The ESV Study Bible also provides a wealth of additional resources. Thus the introductions to each book includes essential information about the author, date, and place of writing; an extensive chart of key themes; a summary of how the book fits in with the rest of the biblical storyline; a description of literary features; an outline of the book; and a large full-color map showing the setting of the book.Another unique feature is the inclusion of over 50 helpful articles on topics such as the authority and truthfulness of the Bible, reading the Bible for application, the Bible in worship and prayer, the reliability of the biblical manuscripts, the relationship between archaeology and the Bible, an overview of biblical theology, and many more.Other key resources include a system of 80,000 cross references and a concordance (which together facilitate easy location of important words, passages, and biblical themes). In addition, over 200 color charts, located throughout the Bible, provide clear, concise presentations of essential information.

502804: Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World

Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World - By Edited by C.J. Mahaney/Crossway Books & Bibles

Flashy cars, jumbo plasma TVs, GPS gizmos---today's culture is saturated with tempting pleasures, endless luxuries, and ever-changing technology. But are they secular seductions? Learn how to identify and resist lusts of the eye, sinful cravings, and empty boastings; pursue eternal godliness; and minister to a fallen world without being conformed by it.

Featured Authors:

	Heaven, Book and Study Guide - By Randy Alcorn/Tyndale House What questions do you ponder about paradise? Will you see your loved ones again? What will happen on judgment day? Biblically based and thoroughly researched, Alcorn's definitive look at the afterlife will encourage you to move beyond your preconceived notions of eternity---and strive for God's best now! For individuals or small groups. One hardcover and one softcover, from Tyndale.
	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.
	The Great Exchange - By Jerry Bridges & Robert C. Bevington/Good News & Crossway We've heard the word "atonement," but do we really understand its significance? Bridges and Bevington explore the Old Testament sacrifices and prophecies that foreshadowed Christ, revealing how they tied in with Jesus' saving work. Learn why even though we deserve condemnation from God, he has given us the opportunity for forgiveness and eternal life! 320 pages, softcover from Crossway Books.
	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.
	Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate - By Jerry Bridges/NavPress As Christians, we believe that all sins are considered equal in God's eyes. Yet while evangelicals continue to decry the Big Ones---such as abortion, adultery, and violence---we often overlook more deceptive sins. It seems we've created a sliding scale where gossip, jealousy, and selfishness comfortably exist within the church. In short, some sins have simply become acceptable.
	Respectable Sins Discussion Guide Study Guide - By NavPress A supplement to Bridges' Respectable Sins, this 8-week study guide delves into the "smaller, more respectable" sins that tend to trip us up as Christians and how we can stay alert to and overcome their deceptive power. Each session includes a brief review, introduction, stimulating discussion questions, opportunity for personal reflection and commitment, and group- and personal-prayer points. Facilitator's guide included for group leaders.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Divine Substitute - By Brian H. Edwards & Ian Shaw/Day One Publications
	The Great Work of the Gospel: How We Experience God's Grace - By John Ensor/Crossway Books & Bibles For each of us, there comes a time in our lives when we want to know God's grace. But for some people, the gospel message of Christ's atoning sacrifice sounds too good to be true. Forgiveness is God's great work because it is all-inclusive and everlasting. In this book, John Ensor helps his readers understand the human experience of God's ongoing, outworking grace.
	Christian Apologetics - By Norman L. Geisler/Prince Press College and seminary students! Equip yourselves to uphold the validity of the Christian faith with this specially priced edition of Geisler's classic. Avoiding the pitfalls of emotional arguments, it prepares you to intellectually withstand the frontal attacks and subtle influences of other worldviews. Includes sections on surveying, verifying, and applying the claims of historical Christianity.
	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?
	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.
	The Reason for God: Belief in God in an Age of Skepticism - By Timothy Keller/Dutton Adult How could a loving God send people to hell? Why does he allow suffering? Can one religion be "right" and the others "wrong"? Responding to the questions of open skeptics and ardent believers, Keller draws from literature, philosophy, reason, and real-life conversations to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Why Believe the Bible? - By John MacArthur/Regal Books Esteemed teacher MacArthur answers many common questions about God's Word in this timely examination of the authority, infallibility, and authenticity of the Scriptures. You'll learn why you can trust the Bible and what it can do for you. A reading plan, summary questions and helpful tools for getting the most out of your Bible study are included.
	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.
	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.
	The Atonement - By Leon Morris/Inter-varsity Press Why is the cross the crux of Christianity? What are the meaning and significance of the atonement? The Bible uses a host of terms to illuminate the answers to these questions: covenant, sacrifice, the Day of Atonement, Passover, redemption, reconciliation, propitiation, justification. In plain English Leon Morris explains each of these words, thus opening up for students, pastors and teachers the fuller biblical dimension of God's great salvation.
	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.
	In My Place Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement - By J.I. Packer & Mark Dever/Crossway Books & Bibles An enthusiastic and timely reaffirmation of the doctrine of substitutionary atonement! With this foundational tenet increasingly under attack, Packer and Dever issue a clarion call for believers to stand firm in the truth. Includes Packer's "The Heart of the Gospel" and "What Did the Cross Achieve"; Dever's "Nothing But the Blood"; and more.
	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.
	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.
	Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die - By John Piper/Crossway Books & Bibles The most important questions anyone can ask are: Why was Jesus Christ crucified? Why did he suffer so much? What has this to do with me? Finally, who sent him to his death? The answer to the last question is that God did. Jesus was God's Son. The suffering was unsurpassed, but the whole message of the Bible leads to this answer. The central issue of Jesus' death is not the cause, but the meaning - God's meaning. That is what this book is about. John Piper has gathered from the New Testament fifty reasons. Not fifty causes, but fifty purposes - in answer to the most important question that each of us must face: What did God achieve for sinners like us in sending his Son to die?
	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.
	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!
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	The Case for Christ/The Case for Faith, 2 Volumes in 1 - By Lee Strobel/Zondervan Strobel, a lifelong atheist and religious skeptic, thought it wise to explore the historical basis for his wife's new-found faith in Christianity. With his keen analytical mind and award-winning background in journalism, he seemed to be the right man for the job of uncovering the evidence against the historical Jesus of Nazareth, who Christians call "the Christ, the anointed Son of God." But like many who had gone before him, what he found was just the opposite.
	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.
	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.
	A Price for a People - By Tom Wells/Banner Of Truth "From the Publisher:" Tom Wells meets the widespread need for a clear explanation of the biblical teaching on the meaning of the cross. Recognising that the nature of Christ's work determines its effects, he also deals with the important question, "For whom did Christ die?"
	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.
	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.
	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.

If you are looking for a specific book, use the search link below. You may search using either the title or authors name. If you are looking for books on a specific subject, type in a keyword and search. You will get a list of books on that subject. If you are not familiar with an author, you may want to check with Pastor Mark for a recommendation. Good reading!