Compared with the new Christian and growing Christian pages, this page has more classic books that have stood the test of time. Many of the books were written by the Puritans and are recommended due to their intensive use of the Bible compared with more recently written books. The book list is designed to serve laymen and is not academic.
Recommended books:
- Discipleship – in whatever you do, do all for the glory of God
- Great Gain of Godliness by Thomas Watson: How should we live and why
- A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law: Classic of spiritual discipline
- The Sinfulness of Sin by Ralph Venning: Find out how much God hates sin. Read highlights from Section Two
- Spiritual Mindedness by John Owen: Learn how to think of things beyond our world
- The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs: Consider what you have rather than what you don’t. Review a brief summary of key points
- The Christian in Complete Armor by William Gurnall: Very long, but profound treatise on the spiritual armor we are to put on daily
- God and His plan – in the beginning God created
- The Glory of Christ by John Owen: Amazing explanation of God’s glory and its meaning
- The Sovereignty of God by AW Pink: Detailed explanation of how God is in control
- A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson: Exposition of the first set of questions from the Westminster Shorter Catechism
- Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
- The End for Which God Created the World by Edwards: Answers the question of purpose for God’s creation
- The Christ of the Covenants by O Palmer Robertson: Introduction to covenant theology
- Prayer – we have not ceased to pray for you
- Call to Spiritual Reformation by DA Carson: Book about prayer that focuses on how Paul prayed
- Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett: One page prayers by Puritans on a variety of topics will help your devotional life if you pray through them meditatively
- Suffering and trials – have you considered by servant Job?
- All Things for Good by Thomas Watson: Great book for those who are suffering or expect to suffer in the future (all of us)
- How Long O Lord by DA Carson
- Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper and Justin Taylor: Addresses suffering from both a theological and pastoral perspectives
- The Problem of Pain by CS Lewis: Deals with the philosophical problem of evil and suffering
- Work and wealth
- Redeeming the Time by Leland Ryken
- Neither Poverty Nor Riches by Craig Blomberg
- Business to the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem
- Other topics
- No Place for Truth by David Wells: Diagnosis of the problems the lack of theological teaching is causing in the church
- The Christian Mind by Harry Blamires
- The Historical Reliability of the Gospels by Craig Blomberg
- Miracles by CS Lewis
- Christian Ethics by Norman Geisler
- Flatland by Edwin Abbott: This book is not for everyone because it is a story of dimensionality within geometry, but it has interesting theological implications. I recommend skimming the beginning
- Joel Beeke’s book recommendations: Recommendations on a variety of theology topics
Magazines:
- Modern Reformation: Detailed articles from a Reformed perspective
- Christian Research Journal: Apologetics information
Online resources:
- One Place sermons: Messages from popular pastors and teachers
- DA Carson’s sermons: 500+ messages
- Discipleship Library: MP3s from many including Jerry Bridges
- Carl Henry Center sermons: 100s of messages from a variety of teachers
- Christianity Today’s 100 best books: CT’s list of best books from the 20th century
- Gospel Coalition resource list: Articles, sermons and other resources from pastors affiliated with GC. Lots of material
- Puritan eBooks: Free books from some of the best authors of all time
- JI Packer’s Introduction to the John Owen’s The Death of Death: Short, intense summary of Reformed theology
- Monergism: Overwhelming amount of excellent material on every topic imaginable
- Jonathan Edward’s resolutions: Before he was 20, Edwards made these 70 commitments
- Warning about success: John Piper’s warning about sin
- Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity: Trinity’s resources on medical ethics questions
- 9Marks interviews: Candid biographic conversations and Q&A with prominent church leaders
- Desiring God’s recommended reading: Very extensive and long with a smaller list from John Piper
- Craig Blomberg’s recommended books: Scholarly list focused on the New Testament
- Justin Taylor’s cultural engagement list: Recommendations across a vareity of topic related to government, ethics and culture
- Monergism’s Classic Articles: Reformed theology from Puritans, Reformers and other pastors and theologians
- Impactful messages: A list of sermons and articles that had significant impact on current pastors and professors like John Piper, Mark Dever and RC Sproul
- Evangelism bibliography: Exhaustive list of books about evangelism by year published
Free seminary lectures:
- Covenant Seminary: 20+ classes with free audio and study materials
- Reformed Theological Seminary: 20+ classes on iTunes
- Biblical Training: Lectures from many seminaries across the country with a certificate
Beyond your church
For ideas of where to contribute financially beyond your church see this list of small ministries to support