As a Christian I love to read books about God, about the Bible, about the Church and about God's wonderful creation. Here a few that I have found particularly helpful in recent years.
Matt's Bookcase -
- Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges
This book's subtitle is "Confronting the sins we tolerate" and that is exactly what it does. Its a hard, even painful, read at times, but it is a much needed one. Highly recomended. For a short synopsis on "Respectable Sins" see my blog http://minibakey.blogspot.com/2010/04/watch-out-there-are-idols-about.html where I refer to the book.
- Finding my Feet, Jason Robinson
The former star of English rugby, Jason Robinson, pens the story of his life and tells us the story of how he became a Christian. A really encouraging and interesting read (even for the rugby 'Philistines' out there!)
- The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
Although I dont always agree with the 20th Century author and proffesor "The Screwtape Letters" is a very cleverly written book that reveals some of the devious attacks Satan makes on believers. The book's blurb says: "At once wildly comic and strikingly original, the correspondence of the worldy-wise old devil to his nephew Wormwood shows C.S. Lewis at his darkest and most playful." N.B. Please take with a huge pinch of salt, and read with caution.
- God's Big Picture, Vaughan Roberts
The book that first got me seriously interested both with the writings of Vaughan Roberts but, more importantly, with the wide-scope context and formation of the Bible. In this book Roberts takes a look at God's eternal plan and how it pans out throughout the Old and New Testaments, showing how each part of the bible is the prophecy, part-fulfilment of fulfilment of God's Kingdom.
- In the Grip of Grace, Max Lucado
Using fresh and understandable analogies in each chapter, Lucado shows us how truly wonderful God's Grace really is.
- The Prodigal God, Timothy Keller
The Prodigal Son is a parable famed for its simple literary genius, showing how even the worst sinner is welcomed by God. But Keller looks deeper, who is the mysterious older brother? Why does he reject his brother? What was Jesus' real point in telling the parable? This is an amazing read; simple and very readable, yet highely insightful.
- Walking from East to West, Ravi Zacharias An autobiography telling us the story of how an Indian boy grew up and travelled West, meeting Jesus in his journey and discovering the vast differences between two cultures. Zacharias now runs RVIM, an organisation that teaches Christian Apologetics, as well as providing humanitarian aid.
- Trusting God, Jerry Bridges
I am currently reading this book. So far Jerry Bridges has explored the Sovereignty of God, specifically in the workings of nations, and in people themselves. He writes with great empathy, and reminds us regularly of how easy trusting God is in theory, but how difficult it is in practice. More to follow.
- Counterfeit Gods, Timothy Keller
A very very good read. What are the Gods in our lives? We may no longer have physical idols of wood or stone, but Keller reveals some things that may have taken on idolitrous proportions in our lives. See my blog http://minibakey.blogspot.com/2010/04/idol.html where I describe one of these idols in greater detail.
- From Witchcraft to Christ, Doreen Irvine
The biography of a Christian lady who, after running away from her home, had worked as a stripper and a prostitue. She became involved in drugs, satan worship and eventually black magic, becoming both a High Priestess and also a Queen of Black Witches. Hardly a casual read, one that highlights the covert and overt activity of the devil today. But Irvine reminds us that the Lord Jesus has won the victory and that Satan has no power to touch God's people.
- Pilgrim's Progress and The Holy War, John Bunyan
Two amazing allegorical stories, penned by Bunyan who was imprisoned in Bedford Gaol for preaching. A must-read for Christians. What more can I say?!
- The Briefing Bi-Monthly magazine produced by Matthias Media and distributed in the UK by the Good Book Company. Contains articles and reviews on hot Christian topics and new books, alongside "Blatent Opinions to get you started"!
- The Genesis Record, Henry Morris
A huge book covering the creation-science in Genesis, as well as providing a spiritual commentary of the book of beginnings. Not a casual read!
- Friends, Geoff Baker
A tad outdated, but still relevant. Offers helpful advice to young and old christians alike in a tough area of life.
- The Great House of God, Max Lucado
A tour around the "House of God", Lucado's analogy for the Lord's Prayer. Not 'just another' Lord's Prayer book! In his normal metaphorical language Lucado shows the depth of God's mercy and kindness in giving us prayer. Each line of the Lord's Prayer is likened to another room in God's House.
- The Discipline of Grace, Jerry Bridges
Another good read by Bridges: how does Grace fit in with our daily walk with God? How do the two work together?
- Trust your Bible, Tony Staite, and Dig Deeper, Beynon and Sach
Two books aimed to help the Christian read his/her bible in a clear and concise way. Both highlight the importance of identifying the context and literary genre used. Handy books.
- Remaking a Broken World, Christopher Ash Another bible overview, this time focusing on the "scatterings" and "gatherings" throughout scripture. The aim is to get to "The Heart of the Bible Story". Chris Ash tries to show us how Local Church is the solution to the scattered and broken world of today. I am currently reading it, and will let you know how he gets on!
- Generous Justice, Tim Keller This book is a mind-opening look at justice and the Bible. As the blurb puts it "Keller calls on life-long Christians to acknowledge the fraudulence of a faith without concern for justice for the poor..." It is a 2011 must read!
- Glory Days, Julian Hardyman Mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand the author helps to highlight how all of our lives should be Christ-centered, we can live for Jesus at work, at home and at school. On the other hand these 'Glory Days' seem to push evangelism down the priority list. To be read, but to be read with caution.
- Too busy NOT to pray, Bill Hybels A book I haven't quite worked out yet! It has many positive and helpful aspects; specifically those looking at worship and adoration in prayer. However, by majoring on the 'still voice of God' Hybels does miss the obvious Word of God: the Bible. My advice: read with caution.
- ESV Bible Atlas, Crossway Perfect for bible-bashers, a huge volume filled with pictures, maps and a lot of words! There is a map in this book for every possible occasion! For the reference book collector this is a great purchase; if, however, you want an easy-to-read start-out Bible reference book then this is probably a bit OTT.
- Boy meets Girl and Stop dating the Church!, Joshua Harris Harris returns to his main topic: relationships. Boy meets Girl is a fantastic book- subtitled "Say Hello to Courtship"- which explores and explains a biblical relationship between couples, leading from friendship and ending (possibly) with marriage. Stop dating the Church shows up how many of us are merely 'flirting' with our churches. It challenges us to commit to our local church on a life-long basis.
- Preaching & Teaching with Imagination, Warren W Wiersbe I'm no preacher, but this book's premise is a good one for any form of teaching or evangelism. We must paint a picture in our listeners' minds. Facts and statistics have their place but a picture is worth a thousands words. Wiersbe explains, using biblical examples, how to utilise the imagination in our search for truth
- King's Cross, Timothy Keller Another Keller book to add to my list. This time we are treated to a closer look at the Lord Jesus, focusing on the seeming paradoxical nature of his time on earth. On the one hand he is the King of Creation, on the other he is suffering as a criminal, hung upon a tree.
- The Bible Panorama, Gerard Chrispin A handy chapter-by-chapter guide to the bible, with additional resources and articles included. My 20th birthday present!
- The Next Story (E-edition), Tim Challies The "#1 Christian blogger" has written a book which looks at the theology behind technology. I found this on his blog, bought it online, and am reading it on my kindle- anyone see the irony?
- Hitting the Holy Road, Stuart Coulton I thoroughly enjoyed this whirlwind tour of the first 1500 years of Church history. Coulton uses a friendly connectable manner to make his readers carefully think what they can learn from the past of the Christian movement.
- Questioning Evangelism, Randy Newman I first bought this book curious as to why a book which 'questions evangelism' was on a reformed evangelical bookstall. I soon discovered that I was mistaken! Randy shows us how to engage with our friends or enquirers by questioning them and encouraging them to do the thinking! I recently heard an evangelism workshop by R.N. and decided to re-read the book; I promise this won't be a wasted investment!
- Gospel and Kingdom, Graeme Goldworthy Wow! What an amazing book. Goldworthy takes the reader for a ride across Biblical theology- showing us how the entire bible is focused on one event- the life, death and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ. I highly recommend a read, if you can persevere through some of the harder cases he makes then you will emerge with a greater understanding of both the Old Testament, and also the Gospel of Jesus. Incidentally, one of my earlier recommendations, God's Big Picture, is actually based on this book!
- Just do Something, Kevin De Young Subtitled: "How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc." A small, but informative and hard-hitting book aimed at pointing us towards God's will..... for us to be Holy and like Jesus. This really does hit out against the modern idea that God will simply tell us what to do with our lives and thus save us the problem of thinking and praying!
This is just a taster of my bookcase! I will add various books and resources onto the list, so keep reading! Feel free to recommend any other books that you have found helpful and an encouragement.
The Good Book Co. is a great place to start looking for Christian books and resources, with its revamped website and new blog!
Other good publishers and distributers include Day One Publications, Zondervan, IVP, Crossway, Hodder and Stoughton, Lion, Thomas Nelson and many, many more...
