I am an avid reader. While I read all sorts of books, people sometimes ask me what my recommendations are for the best christian books I have ever read. Click here to go to the list.
That list of my best Christian books are below. This list of the top Christian books that everyone should read is probably not like any other list of Christian books you have ever read.
I remember when I was in Bible college, I asked about 10 professors for their list of top 10 Christian books. I was shocked when they gave their lists to me to find that all the lists were nearly identical. I think that between the 10 of them, I ended up with only about 15 books that they recommended. Even more shocking was that I had already read every single one of the Christian books on their lists … and hadn’t thought that most of them were all that good.
So let me tell you how the top Christian books below made it onto my list. I use three main criteria for the best Christian books I have ever read.
1. A Top Christian book sets my mind on fire and my heart racing.
Have you ever read a book that set your mind and heart on fire? That radically changed the way you viewed life, read Scripture, or interacted with God and others?
All of the books below did this for me. These are the best Christian books which every serious student of Scripture and theology should read.
I previously called this list of books my “Burning Books List,” not because these books must burned, but because they branded themselves into my mind. These books set my mind on fire and my heart ablaze. The ideas they contain smolder in my bones, shed light on the Scriptures, and help bring life to the world.
2. A Top Christian Book is one I scribble in … A LOT
When I read, I underline key points and scribble notes in the margins.
With the Christian books listed below, it sometimes seems that every sentence gets underlined and every margin gets filled.
Some of these Christian books answered a Bible question I always had, solved a theological dilemma I was facing, or helped with an issue in a way I had not found elsewhere.
3. A Top Christian book brings about life change
While I have a very inquisitive mind, I don’t just read books to gain information. The best Christian books will change the way you think about God, about Scripture, about yourself, about your marriage, about life on this earth, or about other similar topics, and will inspire you to not just think differently, but to live and act differently.
The best Christian books will not just renew your mind; they will also renew your life.
The Christian books on the list below did this for me in one way or another. They changed the way I think, ignited my passion for a purpose, and gave me an “Aha!” moment that sent my life and my theology in a new direction. Often, they inspire me to write books of my own.
The books below are some of the Christian books that have helped form and change my theology. These are the top Christian books I recommend the most.
The Best Christian Books I Have Ever Read (and you should too!)
Note: more books will be added to the list as I think of them (or read them). If you have one you think should be on the list, let me know in the comment section below.
Click a Category to Jump to that Section:
Bible Study: | Bible Backgrounds | Bible Commentaries |
Theology: | General | Bible | God | Jesus | Holy Spirit |
Humanity | Sin | Salvation | Church | End Times | Angels & Demons |
Life: | Discipleship | Prayer | Marriage | Parenting | Mission & Purpose | Fiction |
Note: Click the book covers below to buy the books on Amazon. The Amazon links are affiliate links, which means that if you buy a book, I will receive a small referral commission. Thank you for supporting my work!
Best Christian Books for Bible Study
Best Books on Bible Backgrounds
One of the best ways of learning what the Bible means is by studying the historical and cultural background of the various Biblical books. While I have read dozens of such books, here are some of the best Christian books in the area of Bible backgrounds.
Best Bible Commentaries
I own thousands of commentaries, and while it is difficult to recommend a commentary for pure “reading” enjoyment, every once in a while I run across a commentary that has far-reaching ramifications not just for the book which the commentary explains, but for numerous other passages in Scripture as well. The Bible commentaries listed below did that for me.
Old Testament Commentaries
New Testament Commentaries
Best Books on Christian Theology
The following list of theology books are divided up into the various categories of systematic theology. My theology is always in flux, due in large part to the wide variety of books I read on theology. The books listed below have changed my theology the most and caused me to see God, life, and certain key theological issues in a new light.
Best Books on General Theology
These books are not dealing with any particular area of theology, but present a new paradigm or a new way of looking at theology that really helped my theological development.
Best Books on the Bible
These books provide new insight into how to read and study the Bible, and what sort of book the Bible really is. As the Bible is a primary source for Bible knowledge and theology, these books are vitally important for my theological thinking.
Best Books about God
No theological system is better than its view of God. In my opinion, most theologies go wrong right from the start because they have a wrong view of God. The books listed below helped me learn about God in a new way, and come to see God in a new light.
***
Best Books about Jesus
Jesus is the center of our theology and the cornerstone of our life as Christians. Jesus reveals God to us, and shows us how to live as a true human being. The books listed below helped me learn more about who Jesus truly is, what He came to do, and how He reveals God to us.
Best Books about the Holy Spirit
There is so much confusion out there about the Holy Spirit, that we must make sure we know Him properly, and allow Him to function as He wants in our life. Sadly, I have not yet read any great books about the Holy Spirit. If you have any to recommend, let me know in the comment section below.
Best Books about Humanity
We tend to think that since we are human, we know everything there is to know about us. But this is not true. A large part of theology lies in understanding ourselves correctly.
Best Books about Sin
You typically don’t enjoy reading about sin, but these books on sin will help you understand what sin is and why Jesus came to deliver us from sin. Don’t assume you know what sin is!
Best Books about Salvation
This life is short, but what comes after this life lasts forever. As such, it is critical to properly understand issues related to eternal life, assurance of salvation, the role of faith and good works, and all related issues. The following books will challenge your thinking in these areas and provide much-needed clarity on the Gospel, evangelism, and eternal life.
Best Books about the Church
My views on church have radically changed in the last decade. The following books led to some of the greatest shifts in my thinking about church. If you have questions or concerns about what church is, how to function as the church, or what the Bible says about church, I recommend you read the following books. Also, I have written several books of my own on this topic (and am writing more), and while these didn’t make my “Best Christian books” list (how arrogant would that be?), you can go to Amazon to see these books.
Best Books about the End Times
Books about the End Times are a always a hot topic. If I ever read a book which provides some clarity to all the confusion about what is supposed to take place in the future, I will list those books here. So far, I have not found anything that is really worth recommending. If you know of a book or two, let me know in the comment section below.
Best Books about Angels & Demons
Somewhat like books about the End Times, books about Angels and Demons are quite popular. But I am typically not into popular books. I want books that push away the fog and bring some sanity to the hype and confusion about angels and demons. The books listed below helped do that for me.
Best Christian Books about Life
I do not just read books about Scripture and theology. In fact, since my goal on this site is to Bring Scripture and Theology to Life, I also read lots of books about how to live life, and how best to put my theology into practice. Scripture knowledge and theology should lead to changes in our life, or all that study is worthless and pointless. Here are a few areas of books that have been helpful for me.
Best Christian Books on Discipleship
Best Christian Books on Prayer
Best Christian Books on Marriage
Marriage is tough. In my experience, the marriage relationship of a husband and wife is the most difficult and demanding relationship two people will ever experience, but also the most rewarding and enjoyable. In a marriage, you will experience the highest highs life has to offer, and also the lowest lows. There is nothing more thrilling or depressing. And yet, most marriage books are relatively worthless. Every once in a while I read one that seems particularly helpful. These are listed below.
Best Christian Books on Parenting
Along with marriage, parenting is full of potential pitfalls. I am a father to three girls, and the books listed below have been most helpful to me as I learn to be a father and raise my girls to be the godly women God wants them to be.
Best Books on Christian Mission & Purpose
Having Bible and Theology knowledge is good, but it is even more important to put what we know into practice. Lots of Christians seem to think that this life is little more than a rest stop on our way to heaven. We are here to sit in Bible studies and Sunday services while we wait for the cosmic bus ride to heaven. Nothing could be further from the truth. The books below challenge Christians to get up off their couches and pews and get out into the world to follow Jesus into the dark and sinful places. If you are looking for books to challenge how you live your life as a follower of Jesus, these are the books I recommend.
Best Fiction Books
I read fiction too. Did you know that books of fiction can teach you theology? Believe it or not, certain aspects of my theology have been radically changed by what I read in some books of fiction. Here are the fictional books which changed or challenged my thinking the most.
For me one is “He Loves Me” by Wayne Jacobsen. The shame and guilt was wiped away that I had been holding because of my drill sergant type view of God. With my background, obedience was really pushed (not that that is entirely bad), but without an understanding of grace.
Those feelings of guilt and shame have popped up again lately, but I am almost finished reading it a second time, kind of refreshing that “Aha!” moment.
One more was “Fasting” by Scot McKnight.
I just recently read “He Loves Me.” It was good, but didn’t make it onto my Burning Books list.
I have not read Fasting, but if I get a chance, will give it a read.
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this list. You obviously like NT Wright! I do also, but I haven’t read as many of his books as you have. I also like Ellul.
And Frost. Have you read “Exiles” and especially “Rejesus”? I love ReJesus. His bud, Alan Hirsch has a couple I like, “Untamed” and “The Forgotten Ways”. (Alan lives near here.) Then there are Brian McLaren’s books. We may not agree at all points with his creative thinking, but he has some real gems and reading him may help us understand the thinking of the folks who read him.
Michael Spencer’s “Mere Churchianity” is a special book, Michael’s one and only before he died. Michael has a pretty firm grasp on focusing on Jesus. (If it weren’t for Jesus I’d chuck the rest of Christianity. I kinda have anyway.)
At the top of my list is my favorite author, Donna VanLiere. I like her Christmas series, starting with “The Christmas Shoes” (the series is fiction) and probably my favorite book is her “Sheltering Trees” (Hardcover with enclosed CD), which is not fiction.
Yes, I like Wright. He has turned my world upside down. I have several more by Ellul, but have not read them yet.
I should probably add the others by Frost and Hirsch, and they are all excellent.
And I really debated Brian McLaren. I remember being challenged by his books, but they apparently didn’t make a lasting impression on me, because I can’t remember much about them. So I left them off the list.
I do not have those other books you mentioned, and so will add them to my Amazon wish list. Thanks for the recommendations!
Christ Crucified – Understanding the Atonement by Donald Macleod is a must-read in my considerations.
For me, one that definitely stands out is “Why Revival Tarries” by Leonard Ravenhill.
Hi Jeremy,
It’s amazing how many books you’ve read~!!! I’m right now reading… “The Dark Side Of Calvinism” by Bryson, but it takes me so long to get through even one chapter. But I keep poking along, and it’s been good.
I noticed you don’t have any book listed under “End Times.” I LOVE John Claeys’ book… “APOCALYPSE 2012 The Ticking of the End Time Clock”… “What does the Bible say?” I like it because it’s convincing me based upon scripture.
And of course you know I love ALL of Zane Hodges’ books. I see you’ve listed “James” by him. Yes, that’s a GREAT book. “Harmony With God” is another master piece in my opinion.
Thank for your list of books. YOU ARE A THINKER~!!!
God’s best to you and your beautiful family,
Diane
🙂
Thanks Diane.
Yes, I average about one book per week. Some are longer, some are shorter, but over all, I end up reading about 50 books per year. That is my goal and so far, I’ve been keeping it.
Some of these books on this list may actually get a second or third read.
Regarding Zane’s books, I love them too, but I have always leaned toward books that really focused on individual texts and passages of Scripture and explained them in detail. Zane was more of a topical writer. Dillow made the list, of course. I think if I was going to include more FG books, I might put Wilkins’ on before I put on Zane’s (of course, neither one would be too happy that I put Greg Boyd or NT Wright on this list…but oh well…it my list! ha ha.)
Love this post and your play on words about burning books. Nicely done!
Top Five Books that Left Me Burning:
1. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning.
It’s Brennan Manning! Need I say more?
2. The Road my Cormac McCarthy
Fiction is the lie that tells the truth truer (a quote by Portland novelist, Tom Spanbauer) The Road is a meditative, dark read with a thin thread of light shining from first to last page. That thread is the masterpiece of this Pulitzer winning book. I read it once a year, and yes, I saw the movie. Brutal like the book, yet that thread of light in the boy shines and shines.
3. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Compelling account of a renowned psychologist who survived a Holocaust concentration camp. Absolutely compelling, a deep look at the dark abyss that is found in the human soul, and the flicker of hope that keeps a man from getting lost in it. Damn good book. I reviewed it at my blog a while back.
4. Why Not Women? by Loren Cunningham
I have been a longtime supporter of women and equality in the church, but kept it on the downlow for such a long time for all kinds of reasons. Cunningham and his cowriter, David Hamilton, wrote a supreme treatise on why not women indeed! Presented with theology and narrative integrated together, this book made my heart and mind soar that no, my tension with gender inequity is not “my thing” but is a real, pulsing beast of injustice. I have given five copies of this book away to date.
5. The Pleasures of Loving God by Mike Bickle
This book deeply affected my perception of how to relate to God. The strongest takeaway I got from this book was that God doesn’t just love me (and I so him in return) but God actually likes me, and this liberates me to like me, too. Simple, profound, totally set my mind and heart on fire.
Bless ya Jeremy!
(btw, my son’s name is Jeremy and I’m married to Jerry! Love this name!)
I have Ragammuffin Gospel, but have not yet read it. It is in my “To Read” pile.
I saw the movie “the Road” which was brutal, as you said. However, I remember sitting there stunned about the truths in the movie. I’m sure the book is better?
I think I also have Man’s Search for Meaning, by Fankl. Not sure. I will have to look around for it.
The other two I have not heard of. Thanks for the suggestions!
I had a stomach ache the entire time I watched the film and don’t know if I’ll ever watch it again. Brutal like Passion of the Christ brutal. But a masterpiece nonetheless.
Love your blog, btw, and have subscribed. See ya around the blogosphere!
Thanks Pam. I am looking forward to your new book “Unladylike” coming out later this year. Is the manuscript finished?
I noticed you don’t have any burning books in your parenting category yet. I also noticed you said you have girls. Growing Strong Daughters by Lisa McMinn was a life changing book for me. It may not be a burning book for you, but if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it.
Oh, and Pam’s book is already available!
Elizabeth,
I have not read that book by McMinn. I will look into it!
And I am excited to read Pam’s book! Have you read it?
I thoroughly appreciated Boundaries and Boundaries with Children–these have definitely shifted my relationships, as well as my parenting style.
Great list! Thanks for sharing!
One thing the book The Road has that the movie cannot replicate is the author’s sterling prose. At times it reads like high poetry–reminiscent of Shakespeare and Milton.
For some reason this list doesn’t show up in my browser. It only shows the different categories, but not the actual books or titles. Am I missing a certain plug-in?
Hmmm. I see it fine. Which browser are you using?
I’m using Google Chrome. But, I have also tried this on Firefox and Safari. No list on any of these browsers. I wonder if it’s an international thing. I’m in Albania. Is the list using another online system like Amazon or Barnes and Noble?
Yes, it is using iframes from Amazon.com
I also did not see the book covers. I had to turn Tracking Content blocker off in my browser (Firefox, in this case) in order to see the books.
This is one reason (but not the only) that I like to see text titles as well as book covers in similar lists. (Personal preference, not good vs evil!)
Two books that had a major impact on my life”
The Trouble With Jesus by Joseph Stowell
The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus
Jason,
I have both of those, but have not read them yet.
Thanks for that, Jeremy. I’m always interested to see what others are reading and what they’re recommending. Some of these are going onto my “wish list” right away, and just in time for my next Amazon order. Blessings 🙂
Let me know if you have read any good books recently!
Nice list! Boyd and Claiborne are personal favorites of me as well, nd eveb though I have not read so much by Wright yet, I’ve heard many Good things about him.
I see that you don’t have a book about the Holy Spirit yet though. Perhaps it is because you aren’t a Charismatic (but here I want to point out that Boyd, Wright and Claiborne believe that God can perform miracles today, I recommend you seeing the film Furious Love sometime where Boyd is present). I have some recommendations on books representing, in my view, good and sober theology about the Holy Spirit, får from Benny Hinn, close to Scripture. I recommend you to look them up and see if they may get as burning as the books above. For me, they almost burned off my hands:
Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack Deere. Deere, a Presbyterian professor of the Old Testament, here presents how he as a cessationist had to turn his theology around when the power of the Holy Spirit simply jumped in front of his face. With ambitious Scriptural support he argues for a Charismatic theology that avoids the many pitfalls that Charismatics often has fallen into. I cab also recommend his sequel Surprised by the Voice of God that deals with the prophetic gift (which I also quoted in a post åt Grace Ground recently, http://www.graceground.com/sweden/holy-spirit-activism/is-the-church-of-acts-abnormal/ )
Power Evangelism by John Wimber. In this quite Classic book, Wimber outlines his Kingdom theology and his idea of spreading the Gospel in the power of the Spirit, which bitter the Vineyard movement of which he is seen as the founder of. As a former cessationist, he combines evangelical and charismatic theology and point out the problems with denying the present work of the Spirit while he keeps away from the hysteria, authoritarianism and prosperity preaching that often characterises traditional Pentecostals. His main thesis is that miracles are strongly connected to Jesus’s message about the Kingdom of God, and they are powerful tools for evangelism (see Mark 16:20, Acts 14:3), thus they cannot have ended since we still are to spread the Kingdom and the Gospel also when we have the Bible.
So, please check these books out and see if they can be something. God bless you!
Micael
I have to excuse my bad spelling, the phone I’m writing on automatically corrects to Swedish words (e.g. so that far becomes får, which means sheep).
Another book I can recommend on the same topic is Naturally Supernatural by Gary Best. Best is the leader of Vineyard Canada and a personal friend to both Wimber and Deere. He writes about striving for a sober Charismatic theology in a more light-weighted style than them, with many accounts of his personal failures and angers along with the breakthroughs and signs and wonders. With a lot of humour as well as wisdom, he writes about how to become naturally supernatural – a wonderworking disciple that doesn’t fall for crazy Charismania. I recommend you to start with Deere and Wimber, and if you got interested, you’ll probably get out something from Best as well.
Again, God bless you!
Yes, I have read “Surprised by the Power of the Holy Spirit” by Jack Deere. That is a very good book. Maybe I should put it on my list here…. I was also encouraged and instructed by some of what RT Kendall has written about the Holy Spirit. Have you read much from him?
Oh, great! I’m glad you enjoyed it, I think I got the wrong impressions of your views before, sorry for that. I haven’t read Kendall yet unfortunately but I’ve heard a lot of good things about him, I defenitely like his idea of combining the Word and the Spirit.
If you liked Deere I’m sure you’ll like Wimber and Best as well, not to mention Deere’s sequel Surprised by the Voice of God.
God bless you!
Micael
RT Kendall is one of my heroes. I read his latest book “Holy Fire”. He is sound, humble, honoring but full of the fire of God. I was struck by how he wrote the book honoring cessationist yet challenging them to hear and see truth. He speaks to the excesses of the charismatic movement yet even honoring them. He does a very good job of speaking truth in love. He like NT Wright have shaped much of my theology or at least helped me put legs to my understanding of this awesome & Brilliant God we serve & love.
May I add a book for your parenting book?
“What He Must Be if He wants to marry my Daughter”
by Voddie Baucham
He’s a quiverfull homeschooler and what he said shot me right between the eyes. I’ve become a better parent because of it.
He has a few more older titles that I’m fixin’ to get my hands on.
Voddie is great. I have not read that book, and will put it on my list!
I can lend it to you if you’d like.
Nah. I like to write and scribble in my books. Thanks though!
I am so NOT that. My books are pristine. The only thing I do is dog-ear which my wife hates 🙂
Humanity category: Precious in His Sight by Harold Eberle, it is revolutionary
Endtimes: http://www.Raptureless.com It’s free and revolutionary.
I love anything A. W. Tozer wrote, but especially the Knowledge of the Holy, small book Big Impact, for me anyway
I forgot about Richard j. Foster on prayer, I really enjoyed both of His Books, you might like them, one is on prayer the other is called a Celebration of Discipline,
Compare the recommended Best Christian books ever written to the bestselling Christian books (and non-Christian)…the results of this investigation will stagger you:
http://www.perfectpeaceplan.com/post/is-rick-warrens-claim-that-his-book-is-the-best-selling-non-fiction-hardback-book-in-history-true/
Definitely a strange claim by Rick Warren and company… Oh well, we live in an age of exaggeration and half-truths. Maybe the key word is “hard back”?
The Little Prince may not be a book that caught me on fire, but it’s message warms me. It is achingly beautiful in its simple message of what is important in life. I have read it over and over again when I need to remember wonder, love, and innocence, needed to be childlike in my faith and actions. I strongly recommend it to any and all
Interesting. I don’t know that I’ve ever read it.
I am so glad someone recommended The Little Prince. It moved me, too.
I was also pleased to see Surprised by Deere.
Curious what you think about Metaxes’ Miracles and Dreher’s The Benedict Option. Those have been important for me as well.
You asked for recommendations for your “End Times” section. I read one recently that was very interesting. It’s called End Time Delusions by Steve Wohlberg. It does a very thorough job of addressing many of the confusing misconceptions about end times, exposing where those ideas came from, and proposing solutions. I don’t agree with all of his conclusions, but it definitely changed the way I think about end times. He also put out a small book called Rapture Delusions, which is just an excerpt from the rapture section of End Time Delusions. I hand that one out to people all the time because it’s so good…. and it baffles me how many people blindly accept rapture theory as true without even thinking about it.
One more thing… I noticed that you had Pagan Christianity in your church section. Excellent book. I also highly recommend Frank Viola’s follow-up book to that one, Reimagining Church.
Thanks! It seems that maybe I have that book, but I have not read it. I will look around. Thanks for the recommendation!
I don’t see any books listed, either. I looked around in Firefox help and googled ‘iframes help’ as well. HTML is still mostly Greek to me and the answers are all too technical, but no one seems to offer an easy way for a site visitor to see the intended text. That’s too bad. I’m always looking for another good book to read.
As I was reading this page, I was hoping to think of a book I could add to the list. Near the end I found that one of the most inspiring and heartwarming books I had ever read was already mentioned in the comments. I wholeheartedly agree with Wendy’s suggestion of “The Little Prince”, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This wonderful little children’s story for grown-ups has become one of the top best-selling books ever published. A definite must-read.
Hmm. They are iframes pulled from Amazon. Maybe I should change these so it works better…
Maybe this will be of help. About the books not appearing; the same is true for me with Firefox. I use a little piece of software called Ghostery. It supposedly stops some of the bots out there. Amazon Associates is one of those. When I stopped the blocking (it shows 17 blocked at your site), the books then appeared correctly under their catagories.
A couple of book suggestions of my own. Baxter Kruger’s books have been incredibly great helps on my journey. Has videos on Utube also.
Also, I have been a missionary now for some years. Not as much so now, as views have changed too. But other people’s views were challenged on (very) foreign mission fields, and their views and lives were changing half a century ago. One of those people is Ken Rideout. He writes passionately about his time in Thailand and China in a book entitled “The Truth you know you know”. One of my all time favorites, as is also the author.
Thanks, Robert. I’ve been using Adblock Plus, but my limited research on iframes didn’t indicate that they might link to an external site. I disabled Adblock Plus on this page, and all is now as it should be.
What about books on mission? We overlap on some authors but the Bible is mission focused so I would expect some authors to be included. Interesting. Thank you for your blog.
Kim,
Actually, the next-to-last section contains some of the Best Books on Mission.
Great book on the Holy Spirit …
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
R. A. Torrey
Well written, and plenty of scriptural references.
on the topic about end times i read Jonathan Welton’s book Raptureless . i find many clear thoughts about revelation in that book.
Jeremy, if you haven’t read it, you must read “Christ: a crisis in the life of God” by Jack Miles. An astonishly creative and non violent take on Jesus and scripture. I guarantee you will put it on your burning books list.
Hi Jeremy! Have you read The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard? You may have answered this already but I was just curious that if you have what are your thoughts? It’s been on my bookshelf quite awhile (two copies actually and I’m not sure how they even turned up!) and so I decided to start on it the other day. Not very far into it but it has been insightful so far.
Thanks and God bless, Will
II read”The Road” before I saw the movie. For me, the movie did not do justice to the book. Cormac McCarthy’s writing is so poetic in “The Road” that you are forced to slow down so you can savor his word mastery much like you would slow down to savor a gourmet meal with layered flavors. The movie, though good, cannot approach the impact of the book.
The only ones in the list I have read are The Chronicles of Narnia. I’m new to christian/theological writing. My faovrite author ? Um… gee…
A good read that has been helpful to me is Why Not Women by Bruce Hamilton and Loren Cunningham which deals with the modern church backwardness toward women and their use of scripture to try and maintain male power structures and eliminate feminine influence. All the supposed limitation scriptures are dealt with in a very contextual and proper way and in my mind opens wide the opportunities we should be giving women in their walk of faith. Having two daughters that were completely disillusioned with Southern gospel really open my eyes up to a real need for change.
Sorry about that for me it was The Lord of the Rinfs
Great books on the Holy Spirit:
Flame of Love – Clark Pinnock
Paul, the Spirit and the People of God – Gordon Fee
I believe in the Holy Spirit – Yves Congar
hey I think you should read ‘the forgotten God’ by Francis chan. I recently got it as a Christmas present and it changed my life! Its about the holy spirit and how He is sometimes forgotten and I’m someone who’s very in tune with the holy spirit and I still found it a very impacting and life changing book, its definitely a book I think ticks your 3 criteria. Let me know I’d you’ve read it or if you do 🙂
Well done and very helpful.
Great list. Here are some of mine, in no particular order or category:
Across all Worlds – Dr. C. Baxter Kruger
Beyond an Angry God – Dr. Steve McVey
The Rest of the Gospel (When the Partial Gospel Has Worn You Out) – Dan Stone
Lifetime Guarantee – Bill Gilham
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
Parable of the Dancing God – Dr. C. Baxter Kruger
Grace Walk – Dr. Steve McVey
The Great Divorce – C.S. Lewis
Desire Found Me – Andre Rabe
Anything by Capon
I read your list and a few great ones were on there. I noticed that you said you did not have any good ones about the Holy Spirit. Here are a couple to look at that changed my life: http://daveroberson.org/books.aspx (free online) Also, although not directly about the Holy Spirit but certainly intertwined is John Wimber’s book “Power Evangelism.” The most recent book that was life changing for me in seeing the state of the church in America, is an amazing book by K.P. Yohannan called Revolution in World Missions. It is available online as well: http://www.gfa.org/resource/books/revolution/
You requested some suggestions on books about the Holy Spirit. One I found very encouraging and helpful was Bruner A Theology of the Holy Spirit. Kuyper also wrote one which is good but heavy going. In the mists of my mind is one mentioned by a preacher while he was writing it, but I cannot remember who! A dud referral, I know, but he on the faculty of Moore Theological College in Sydney Australia. I wouldn’t recommend a lot of what that faculty produces, but some good does come.
Thanks for the free Skeleton book, Jeremy. Well-spoken truths that need to be heard again in this generation. I would add several authors/books that influenced me outside of Evangelical circles:
Alan Jones (Soul Making)
Hans Urs von Balthazar (Engagement with God)
Frederich Buechner (Telling the Truth)
Walker Percy (The Second Coming)
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (The Brothers Karamazov)
Dante (The Divine Comedy)
Madeleine L’Engle (Walking on Water)
Anne Lamott (Traveling Mercies)
Thanks for your online ministry!
I love it when I see a list of books that are “non traditional.” It shows me you are well-read. I will check out some of these. Thanks!
Prayer by Timothy Keller and The Forgotten God by Francis Chan are both great books. Not sure from this list if they are in the same flavor of Christianity as the authors of this site, though.
Hi Jeremy,
Would be interested to see what you think of Redeeming Singleness by Barry N. Danylak? As you listed one on marriage and another on parenting, why not look at another side of the Christian life and the Body of Christ (and EVERYONE is single for part of their life).
Suzy
I haven’t read it, but it sounds good!
Three Life changing for me (because I needed them)
Tale of Three Kings: Gene Edwards
Let Go: Fenelon
Love Covers: Paul E. Billheimer
Those are some good books too!
I have enjoyed Andrew Farley, Steve McVey and Paul Ellis
Agreed. Excellent teachers of grace alone.
Hi Jeremy,
Merry Christmas* and Happy New Year to you and you are family. My landlord provided internet hasn’t worked for months, but my son bought an internet hot spot for Christmas, so I am back on-line.
The books that have most influenced my thinking are a pamphlet on the possibility of faith in God by former UMC Bishop Ernest Fitzgerald, Salvation, by Lewis Sperry Chafer and Does God Exist? by Hans Kung. I found Chafer as a young Jesus freak (with both Calvinistic and Arminian leanings) and by the time I had completed his Systematic Theology, I was well grounded in the miraculous, scandalous unmerited favor of God who is Love.
Kung reminded during my law school years that my many years of seeking as a youngster had, after all, provided me with rational reasons to believe in the existence of God. (By that time, I knew Jesus and therefore had no doubt about God’s existence), but Kung helped me to explain
to classmates that I initially believed in God’s existence and self-revelation through the incarnate Word because I became convinced of the historical reality of the birth, life and death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. (Although, as a life long student of history, social and political philosophy and jurisprudence, I must admit that I had long been enamored with the moral teachings of Jesus, and I suppose that I had always hoped that His Messianic claims were true.)
I read of the above listed books in my youth. The most inspiring book I have read during the
past 30 years is Compelled by Love, by Heidi Baker, a missionary in Africa with a doctorate in systematic theology from King’s College of the University of London.
Anyway, in no particular order these works (not all are books) have persuaded, edified, confirmed and / or challenged my thinking or otherwise fascinated me:
The Re-Justification of God by Jeremy Myers (outstanding work Jeremy, I hope you write
the planned expanded version)
Anything (esp. God’s Politics) by Jim Wallis.
Bearing Our Scorn, by C. Baxter Kruger.
Across All Worlds, by C. Baxter Kruger.
The Grace of God, by Charles Ryrie.
Commentary on Romans by Martin Luther.
Everything on the idea of Union with God in the Institutes by John Calvin.
Salvation (sermon) by John Wesley.
Anarchy and Christianity by Jacques Ellul
Everything by Jacques Ellul (even stuff I have yet to read)
Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes, by Jacques Ellul
Naming the Powers by Walter Wink (I hoe to read the entire series).
Anything by Paul Tillich
Love Power and Justice by Paul Tillich
Anything (esp. the article: We Believe in Assurance of Salvation) by Zane Hodges.
Dying to Religion and Empire by Jeremy Myers. Very challenging. Would love to discuss this with you.
Since I am a House Church guy, I have enjoyed all of Jeremy Myers books on ecclesiology.
Michael Grenholm’s on Christians and Wealth.
The Spirit of Life: A Universal Affirmation by Jorgen Moltmann.
Everything by H. Richard Niebuhr, most especially the : The Church is Captive to Capitalism.
The Jesus Quest by Ben Witherington
The Historical Jesus of the Gospels by Craig S. Keener
Power Evangelism, by John Wilber
Wigglesworth on The Holy Spirit, a compilation of sermons
by Smith Wigglesworth.
Mighty Manifestations by Reinhard Bonnke.
Time is Running Out by Reinhard Bonnke.
All of Larry Norman’s Songs.
So You Want to be Like Christ, by Charles Swindoll.
The Epistle to the Romans, by Karl Barth.
Love Alone is Credible, by Hans Urs von Balthazar.
Theological Science, by T.F. Torrance.
Any of Tom Torrance writings about the Patristic Church.
The Myth of a Christian Nation, Greg Boyd. (My view exactly).
Anything from the Journal of the Free Grace Evangelical Society.
Greg Boyd’s writings on one theism. (he and a few others convinced me that I had always been
an open atheist.
*I celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas.
May the Lord bless, keep and prosper you and your family,
Bill
Oops, I am not an atheist: am an open believer in God. Tyrant autocorrect on my Son’s tablet won’t let me write atheist without an “a.”
Bill
Oh Jeremy, I think I have an author for you to check out. Olusola Areogun, a pastor in Africa. I would not call him a Chtismatic as we think of them in the U.S..
He is just on fire for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I just finished two of his books; Follow the Leader and The Reality of the Spirit. Follow the Leader is an awesome read about the workings of the Holy Spirit. Could lay it down. A different angle and concept from our U.S. authors. Hard to explain. Do email me if and when you read it. Would be most interested in your comments.
Stand tall your Father is awesome!
Desire Found Me by Andre Rabe is a great read. I’m still wrestling with it and processing things Andre presented….
The best end times book I’ve read is The Parousia by John Stuart Russel. It introduced me to preterism and also the general idea that there are alternate ways of understanding difficult things in scripture.
I recommend ‘Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes’, by Kenneth E Bailey. And all books that are directly translated from Aramaic.
Yes, that is a good one! I have read it.
Thank you so much for this book list. Very helpful and I will begin to acquire the books to continue my reading. Awesome indeed to have some directions as to what needs to be read. For the end time books I find Hans LaRondelle to be a sane writer on the topic. His Israel of God in Prophecy and Chariots of Salvation are two books that stick particularly to the Bible In both books he remains true to an exegesis that is rooted in the OT and NT Scriptures making it possible for the Christian to understand what has otherwise been an eschatological landscape filled with clouds of personal prognostications that masquerade as Biblical.
The Visions of Revelation, by Dennis J. Prutow. is a meaningful book on the “end times,” if still in print (I know it is still available as an e-book.). When I went to seminary, I had differing lists from all the professors, unlike your experience. Unfortunately, most of their lists were filled with out-of-print books, which back then, meant many of them were largely unobtainable. Nowadays, we have access to more and varied literature than perhaps ever before, but make use of it less. I would personally have a difficult time compiling a 10 book list, but perhaps I should.
I just became friends with a pastor and he has been showing me a lot of books from his Christian library. It has a lot of books in it by Tim Keller and I have really enjoyed reading some of his books, because I really feel like my life and perspective is changing as I am learning more from him. However, I am very interested in learning more and so which of the above books about Jesus or god that would be good for me to read as I am being introduced to Christianity?
Those under the category Best Books about Jesus. Also, one of my books helps you see that God acts just like Jesus: The Atonement of God.
Why include a category for Discipleship and list no books under it?
Because I haven’t found any good ones yet. The category is there for when I do though…
Especially the last chapter of THE DIVINE CONSPIRACY by Dallas Willard speaks to a curriculum for teaching people to be disciples.
So glad to see The Presence of the Kingdom on here. Great list!
The End Times in chronological Order by Ron Rhodes is excellent for those who believe in the pre-millinneum and literal Bible.
Adam Clarke-Entire Sanctification.
John Crowder-Mystical Union.
Ed Fudge-Hell .A CONSUMING FIRE.
Other good ones have been mentioned-Pagan Christianity by Viola and RAPTURELESS by Welton.
McVey and Ellis aren’t a patch on Crowder but Crowder does get slated by many who haven’t read Mystical Union.A fantastic book that shows real purpose of salvation which most Christians haven’t grasped.
Adam Clarke’s book doesn’t pull any punches and he maybe had Arminian leanings which along with Calvinism is a no no,but his book totally is brilliant and makes a mockery of what is being passed off as the gospel in many assemblies.
Welton talks alot of sense as does Ed Fudge but Fudges focus is on eternal destruction (not torment) and Fudge hasn’t grasped the truths Welton puts forward in RAPTURELESS.
All these books are very good and I’ve read loads.Most left me drained but these that I mentioned are fantastic.
Crowder is probably the most controversial and has many critics but if people take time to read his book rather than slurring his character,they will then see the meaning of salvation.
For books on the Holy Spirit I recommend ‘The Holy Spirit: An Introduction’ by John Bevere of Messenger International.’Good morning Holy Spirit’ by Benny Hinn and ‘The Most Important Person on Earth’ by Myles Munroe
I loved Dallas Willard’s Hearing God. A beautiful book.
You may want to try “the footsteps of the messiah” by Arnold Fruchtenbaum when it comes to eschatology.
Have you read
Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation
Michael J. Gorman
The best book I have read about revelation is by Darrell W. Johnson called “Discipleship On The Edge” and also one by J. Scott Duvall called “The Heart of Revelation”. You should check them out. Really.
True Spirituality by Francis Schaefer is the best Christian book I have ever read!
Many years ago in college I came across a book about the Holy Spirit by A.B. Simpson. I was just glancing on it now on Amazon. I loved it back then. You might look at it if you haven’t. I haven’t read it in a very long time, but I thought I’d mention it.
End Times book recommendations: Specifically: Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah, but more generally: The Torah, The Writings, the Prophets, the Renewed Covenant. Genesis to 2 Chronicles, and then Matthew to Revelation….. It’s all one book and when I finally realized this and quit discounting the first half, the foundation and history, because some man and denomination told me it wasn’t a necessity for understanding, a WHOLE NEW WORLD of understanding the Messiah’s words and reason for being here opened up. Everything we need to know if there…. It’s all in God’s Word and the Holy Spirit is more than capable of explaining and illumination what we should KNOW as we seek clarity. We have to want it! Seek it! Look for it! Work out our own salvation! Stud to show ourselves approved. Yet, there are some things that we just won’t know until Messiah returns. We should always be about knowing our Father while we wait. And Revelation say specifically that there is a blessing for those who read it and understand it, and act on what they read in it. Would God make an empty promise???
Must read these books!? Lol. Jeepers. For a minute I thought you had slipped into legalism and were about to hand down ten Mustomands. Lol. When I see the word must it puts me in a rebellious reverse. But I like the word “Unless”. Because it is stuck firmly in my mind that “Unless a man is born again, he will not see the kingdom of heaven”. Unless is a kinder version of must. Less direct and left as an option rather than a command.
You haven’t listed a book on the end times – and I agree that there hasn’t been a decent one until recently. I recommend AD70 by Paul Ellis (https://www.ad70.org). A completely different take on the subject that rings true to the Jesus we know.
The Best Book ever is Watchman Nee’s “The Normal Christian Life”…a book that was taken from his spoken ministry….I have read it through many times…I read it first in 1968 and have read it many times since…It is not theoretical, it is practical….The other Classic books such as all books by Martyn Lloyd Jones and many other better known books Andrew Murray and the Puritans etc…..those that are freely available. (CH Spurgeon’s Autobiography is a classic)
Watchman Nee’s ministry is remarkable and very special….
The only book he ever wrote was “The Spiritual Man”…..there are multitudinous books put out that were his spoken ministry…some are very good…others suffer from the fact that it is third hand…spoken in Chinese, translated into English and then written down..
The Spiritual Man is a difficult book….so I would not suggest you start with that…”The Release of the Spirit”….is a better one to start with after “The Normal Christian Life”
Hi, Jeremy:
Re: books on the Holy Spirit, let me suggest The Spirit at Work by Eliot Young (Independently Published, 2014). It is not a pneumatology per se, but a one-year Bible reading plan (from Pentecost to Ascension) with frequent and particular (but not exclusive or modalistic) focus on the Holy Spirit, and as such it is billed as “Equal parts devotional, journal, homiletical notebook, and groundwork for a pneumatology.” It starts on an odd note, with a really long, dense, exploratory piece that the author obviously found to be of a length he would not be able to sustain in daily writing, but it straightens out after that, with much shorter commentaries. One of the things I like about the book, and one of several reasons I often recommend it (in addition to the structure of the reading plan), is that it does not attempt to systematize the Spirit, but does its work at the level of Scripture the whole time, surveying the canon for insights into the Spirit, but not necessarily privileging any particular texts on the Spirit over any others.
Thanks for your labors in ministry, teaching, testimony, and blogging.
Yours in Christ,
TMS
I haven’t completed this book yet since it is quite long but I highly recommend it.
Written by G.K. Beale, it’s A New Testament Biblical Theology:
It’s premise is that Genesis 1-3 and Revelation 21-22 are the bookends for the whole of Scripture and they provide the framework for properly understanding eschatology.
Not a light read but well worth the effort to work through it.
Jeremy…would you please tell me what your favorite bible version is? If you could only pick one version, what would it be? Thank you.
New King James Version. (NKJV)
https://redeeminggod.com/best-bible-translation/
For some reason the list is no longer visible. I’ve rebooted and everything but no lists are visible. What should I do?
Books to consider:
The Unseen Realm
Reversing Hermon
Angels, Demons (all by Michael Heiser- paradigm shifting)
Eschatology
Last Days Madness (Gary DeMarr- Not perfect but hard hitting)
Knowing the Heart of the Father (David Eckman)
Mastering the 7 Skills of Romans (David Eckman and Wendy Choy)
Old Testament Theology and Divine Accommodation (John Hilber)
Longing to Know (Esther Lightcap Meek, also “Loving to Know”)
Delighting in the Trinity (Michael Reeves- exactly what the title says, Reeves wears his Reformed theology lightly while sharing some of the loveliest quotes from Reformers on the Divine Community of Love)
‘Religion’ and ‘the Religions’ in the English Enlightenment (Peter Harrison)
Before Religion: A History of a Modern Concept (Brent Nongbri)
Church
When the Church Was a Family (Joseph Hellerman)
Biblical Eldership (Alexander Strauch, a good companion and balance to Viola’s “Pagan Church”)
The Next Christendom (Phillip Jenkins)
Cross-Cultural Analysis
Misreading Scripture through Western Eyes (E. Randolph Richards, Brandon J. O’Brien)
Honor and Shame (Roland Muller)
Biography/Memoirs
To End All Wars (Ernest Gordon – If you want a historical account of a church growing inside of Hell, this is the one. The film adaptation is quite good, but read the book for sure)
Unveiling Grace (Lynn K. Wilder- watch the documentary on YouTube- Jesus changes lives.)
Fiction:
Manalive, The Club of Queer Trades (G.K. Chesterton)
Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, Tales of the Restoration (David and Karen Mains)
The Book of the Dun Cow, The Book of Sorrows (Walter Wangerin Jr.)
I have a good book about the Holy Spirit. It is called “ Who on Earth Is the Holy Spirit (Questions Christians Ask) by Tim Chester”, and I met with Jesus when I was reading it.
Thanks for sharing these books
I started reading your comments on Hebrews 9:22 (Is the Shedding of Blood Required for the Forgiveness of Sins? (Hebrews 9:22)), which I found quite interesting – and agreed with for the most part. But one aspect of your commentary caused me to skip a beat: you seem to continue to be shackled to a particular idea about the inerrency of scripture. For a person who seems to understand the scripture very well, this puzzles me, except that I am just guessing that you are still on a journey. This made me wonder whether you’ve read any books by Bart Ehrman. He also grew up with a quasi-fundamentalist background, and you might find his stuff interesting. Objectionable at first! certainly. But I would just say let him play around with his ideas as well as you do with yours.
I spent the past (almost) 50 years as a presbyterian pastor and executive (basically like a bishop). Your belief statement about scripture being the “only rule for the Christian life” reminded me of the Westminster Confession, to which the Presbyterian Church was also wedded for many years. It took a lot of ecclesiastic gymnastics for the church to (partially) cut this chain. Anyhow, now in retirement, I feel a lot more freedom to question what I believe. I am glad to see you doing this so well, relatively early in your life.
Anyhow, I just wanted to comment that some of your belief statements still look a bit binding. I notice that you have a revised statement at the bottom of the page (A simplified doctrinal statement), and I like that better. But I sort of think that doctrine itself is a problem. I am not confident that I will ever find any doctrine with which I can agree. I would redefine faith as fidelity, and for us this means fidelity to Jesus.
Hello,
I appreciate your stand for biblical Christianity and am taking the liberty of sending you some information on three Ebooks about Christian doctrine, life and apologetics (free through July 31st). Perhaps someone there might be interested. I am not seeking recommendations.
Following are titles and links, and brief descriptions:
Light in the Darkness of Postmodernism: An American Christian Surveys His Life and Times
Christian aubiography with commentary on problems in the church and on contemporary issues.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1337941
Where is the American Church? Three Essays on Salvation, Sin and Judgment
Three chapters taken from Light in the Darkness of Postmodernism, commenting on (1) problems in the churches; (2) common criticisms levelled by secularists examined and responded to; (3) the possibility of God’s wrath in the present time considered
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1368242
Questions And Observations On The Conflict Between Faith-Based and Secular Rationalities
Benefits of the Protestant Reformation; Inherent limitations of science; The Secular and modern origins of the Holocaust; The authority of the Bible and other relevant aspects of modern culture viewed through a biblical lens
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1352102
Thanks,
Joe Keysor
joekeysor.substack.com