Here’s a list of books I recommend. These recommendations are for those seeking to grow in Christian faith.
This list, like super heroes, has an origin story. Last week I sat down for my weekly meeting with a church intern. Over the course of discussion about a recent mission trip, he shared with me the book he read on the flight. I was appalled. Something had to be done. I began working on a list of recommended books the next day.
I don’t contend that these are best books ever written. My library is a grain of sand compared to the books published in a single year. Just imagine all the books published since thinkers turned to writers. These are merely books that have been profoundly helpful to me. I pass them along to you. You’ll see a handful of authors appear on the list more than once. These authors strike a chord with me. May they do the same for you.
This is is not exhaustive. I merely spent a few minutes thumbing over the bookshelf in my office which is home to my favorite books. Happy reading.
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A Bit of Everything
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Bonhoeffer’s reflections on Christian community based from the common life he shared with those in the underground seminary during the Nazi regime. It’s about 100 pages in length. It is short and fruitful.
Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
A classic exposition of what it means to follow Christ in a modern world. At its center stands an interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount. Bonhoeffer with exegesis and passion, details what Jesus demanded of his followers.
Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri Nouwen
Nouwen mixes a love for the parable with a fascination with Rembrandt’s painting of the Prodigal Son. The volume is a wonderful mix of memoir, art history, and biblical studies. After a random encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son, Nouwen began a spiritual journey that led him through every nook and cranny of Luke 15.
In the Name of Jesus: Reflection on Christian Leadership by Henri Nouwen
The book is a lecture on Christian leadership in the 21st century. The lecture came after Nouwen’s academic career at Notre Dame, Yale and Harvard, When he delivered this leadership manifesto, he was in his second year serving as a priest at Daybreak in Toronto, a L’Arche community for mentally handicapped people. He brought Bill with him to give the lecture. No more spoilers for those that haven’t read it. He presents three common temptations to those in leadership: the temptation to be relevant, the temptation to be spectacular, and the temptation to be powerful. He combats each temptation with a spiritual discipline: the discipline of contemplative prayer, the discipline of confession and forgiveness, and the discipline of theological reflection.
Telling God’s Story: The Biblical Narrative form Beginning to End by Preben Vang and Terry Carter
With tremendous effectiveness, Vang and Carter shows how each book of the Bible fits into the larger story. It does have a textbook feel to it – glossy pages, color photographs, maps, charts, and each chapter ends with questions and assignments. Yet, the textbook feel does not take away but rather adds to the book’s effectiveness.
Four Gospels, One Jesus? A Symbolic Reading by Richard Burridge
Using the ancient visual symbols for the Gospels — human face, lion, ox, and eagle — Burridge presents a clear interpretation of each Gospel author’s portrait of Jesus. The opening illustration of Winston Churchill portraits is worth the price of the book.
Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
I limited myself to one missionary story. This is it – hands down. On January 8, 1956, while attempting to make contact with the people of Auca tribe, Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were speared to death. The gave their life in attempt to preach the gospel. Read the story.
The Cross of Christ by John Stott
A classic and compelling reflection on the work of Jesus upon the cross. My copy is tattered from multiple reads and littered with marginal notes expressing agreements and disagreements.
Redeemed! Eschatological Redemption and the Kingdom of God by Boyd Hunt
I knew nothing of this book until I stumbled upon it at a used books store in 2021. Perhaps the best $6 I’ve ever spent on a book. It’s technical yet renderable. It is dense yet chapters are short and quick. What I like most: It addresses a neglected topic. Far too many people suffer from a malnourished eschatology. Hunt addresses eschatological redemption in a way that impacts today and tomorrow. This volume might be difficult to find.
Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund
When do we divide? What do we divide over? Ortlund provides a basic framework for thinking through the things which matter most. I put emphasis on what matters “most.” Ortlund is not seeking division – but unity. I’m fully in favor of holding to theological convictions. You must hold to the deity of Christ, the atonement of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, the Trinity, authority of Scripture, salvation by grace (just to quickly name a few) in a closed fist. Yet, I do believe some theological positions fall into secondary and tertiary categories. Ortlund provides a helpful conversation guide filled with anecdotes from his own theological journey . It is an even-handed discussion.
Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane Ortlund
Ortlund states the Christian life is defined by growth. Yet, how this happens is often elusive. Deeper offers a structure of biblical teaching on how Christians grow in grace. The book is theological and biblical, but also immensely readable. I’d recommend it to any Christian seeking a book that is able to be read with the enjoyment of a devotional but the enrichment of a theological treaty.
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinner and Suffered by Dane Ortlund
From the introduction: “This is a book about the heart of Christ. Who is he? Who is he really? What is most natural to him? What ignites within him most immediately as he moves toward sinners and suffers? What flows out most freely, most instinctively? Who is he?” The book then proceeds, chapter by chapter, looking at biblical passages that allow us to see the heart of Jesus, who welcomes sinners like you and me. Along the way you get a quick tour of the character of God in both the Old and New Testament. It also provides a great introduction to the Puritans – Ortlund quotes them in abundance.
Called to be Holy: A Biblical Perspective by John Oswalt
The subtitle is accurate. This is a solidly Biblical perspective. Oswalt is an Old Testament scholar and provides a wide ranging view of holiness that spans the Bible from the table of contents to the maps in the back. This volume is unique in its blending of the Old and New Testament to form a holistic view of holiness.
The Story of Christian History: Twenty Centuries of Tradition and Reform by Roger Olson
History is made up of stories – narratives that recount the events, movements, ideas and lives that have shaped religions and nations. Olson tells the history of Christian theology through one large story. This book is a doorstop. Don’t be intimidated. Stick with with it.
The Mosaic of Christian Belief: twenty Centuries of Unity and Diversity by Roger Olson
Olson thematically traces the contours of Christian belief down through the ages, revealing a pattern of both unity and diversity. He finds a consensus of teaching that is both unitive and able to incorporate a faithful diversity when not forced into the molds of false either-or alternatives.
Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at its Best by Eugene Peterson
Through reflections on the life of Jeremiah, Peterson explores the heart of what it means to seek the Lord with devotion. Peterson easily holds the crown for my favorite author. Here is a reflection I wrote shortly after he finished his race and entered into his reward: (Click here).
Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson
Peterson’s meditation on the Revelation engages the imagination and awakens the mind to the vitality and relevance of the last words on scripture, Christ, church, worship, evil, prayer, judgement, salvation, and Heaven.
Sermon on the Mount by RT Kendall
Kendall was the pastor of Westminster Chapel for 25 years following in the footsteps of the legendary Martyn Lloyd-Jones who followed in the footsteps of legends G. Campbell Morgan and John Henry Jowett. This volume is the product of Kendall preaching through the Sermon on the Mount while behind the Westminster Chapel pulpit. It is pure gold. I can not remember reading a collection of sermons that hum from the page in such a way. It challenged my mind and nourished my soul.
If You’re Looking for a challenge
Didache
The Didache (“Teaching”) is a Christian manual compiled before 300AD. It contains instructions for the church; and its statement of belief may be the first written catechism. It has four parts: the first is the “Two Ways, the Way of Life and the Way of Death;” the second explains how to perform rituals such as baptism, fasting, and Communion; the third covers ministry and how to deal with traveling teachers; the fourth part is a reminder that Jesus is coming again, with quotations from several New Testament passages which exhort Christians to live godly lives and prepare for “that day.”
Confessions by Augustine
The son of a pagan father and a Christian mother, Augustine spent his early years torn between conflicting faiths and world views. His Confessions, written when he was in his forties, recount how, slowly and painfully, he came to turn away from his worldly desire and run toward faith in Jesus.
John Wesley’s Sermons: An Anthology edited by Albert Outler and Richard Heitzenrater
The book title is self explanatory. This volume impacted me greatly in my seminary days. When I read the preface I was moved by a Wesley quote: “My tongue is a devoted thing.” I made the mental note that Wesley would be a great for a son. My son, Wesley, is now eight.
Institutes of the Christian Region by John Calvin
I’m a Baptist and an Arminian to the core. Thus, I disagree with much of Calvin’s theology. Yet, this remains a pivotal work. One desiring to know theology needs to be familiar with Calvin. I really like the two volume set in the Library of Christian Classics.
Discourse on Free Will: Erasmus and Luther
Erasmus’ humanist view is contrasted with Luther’s notion of freedom dictated by the grace of God.
If You Can Find Them
I love three works by WT Conner. If you can find them – buy them.
The Gospel of Redemption
Christian Doctrine
The Faith of the New Testament
Books for Kids
I absolutely love good books for kids. The four books listed below by Kenneth Padgett and Shay Gregorie are all-time favorites – no matter the category.
The Forgotten King by Kenneth Padgett and Shay Gregorie and illustrated by Stephen Crotts
This rhyming picture-book is a parable – a short story to help engage our imaginations with what God is doing in His world. What happens when a people forget their good king and lose their way? How does the king respond? Who is he going to send to make things right again? How is he going to make sure that he’ll never be forgotten?
The Story of God our King by Kenneth Padgett and Shay Gregorie and illustrated by Aedan Peterson
The Story of God Our King traces the kingship of God, the royal nature of his people, and his victory over the serpentine enemy through the story of Scripture He’s a King like no other, defender and friend. Always and forever, world without end.
The Story of God with Us by Kenneth Padgett and Shay Gregorie and illustrated by Aedan Peterson
The Story of God with us tells of the wonderful golden thread of God’s presence: his desire and determination to be with his people. He dwells with us, and we with him. Always and forever, world without end.
The Story of God our Savior by Kenneth Padget and Shay Gregorie and illustrated by Aedan Peterson
The Story of God Our Savior surveys God’s loving acts of deliverance across the vista of the biblical story–with the Cross of Christ lifted up on the highest peak. He’s abounding in love, a Savior who mends! Always and forever, world without end.
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jago
I read it to my kids. We wore out multiple copies. I have fond memories of reading, and acting out, those stories to my daughter. She loved it. I loved it. Manyy adults would benefit from reading this Bible from cover to cover.
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook by Kevin Deyoung and illustrated by Don Clark
It is a masterpiece. I love the stories. I love the production. I’m enthralled with Clark’s artwork.
Jeff Gravens 