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My father-in-law, Al Sisler, died on Monday. Today is his funeral. He will be desperately missed, but thankfully, as I wrote on Tuesday, death was not the end for him. Below are a few things I will remember most about Al Sisler.

He was known to our girls as "Silly Grandpa." I'm not sure why...

The first thing I remember noticing about Al Sisler was his smile. It was kind of a half-smile. Not a full-on toothy grin, but a gentle, warm, upturn at the corners of the mouth. It was as if he saw something beautiful and slightly humorous in life, and was smiling to himself about it. As long as I have known him, I don’t think I ever saw him without that smile. The smile represented everything that was “his way.”

I still remember when I asked if I could marry his only daughter. I was so nervous about what he would say, but he smiled that soothing smile and said, “Well, Jeremy, she’s a grown woman. We let her make those decisions on her own.” It was not an answer I expected, but it represented the way he lived his life and loved his family.

Such an answer also showed he way of trusting his children. He loved them so much that while he offered advice when asked for it, he let them make their own decisions, and follow their own path. He hoped for the best in all of them, and helped in any way he could to make their dreams come true.

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The Best Christian Books Every Christian Should Read

By Jeremy Myers

113 Comments

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:

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.
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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!

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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.

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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.

Overrun by Demons/the Church’s New Preoccupation With the Demonic

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

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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.

Help! I’m Lost and I Can’t Find Myself!

By Jeremy Myers

68 Comments

Nobody enjoys losing their keys, their watch, or their TV remote. But at least when you lose such things, you can go looking for them. One of the most helpless feelings I have ever faced was when I lost something important to me, but could not go looking for it.

What was it that I lost?

I lost myself. It was not that I got lost while walking through the woods or driving around a city. No, I lost myself. I lost who I was a person, my goals, my dreams, my values, my beliefs. There were times when I felt like I was beside myself, looking into my brain, and saying, “Who is this person? I don’t recognize him. He has no connection with the past. No plans for the future. How can this be me?”

At one point during this time, I tried to write an “About Me” page for my blog, and the best I could come up with was:

Who I once was, I no longer am. Who I am now, I do not recognize. Where I am going, I do not know. So who is Jeremy Myers? Hang around, and maybe we can figure it out together.

I know. Gibberish, right? But that was my life. It made no sense. It had little meaning. There was no hope for the future. No significance to the past. Due to a series of events in my life, all my dreams and goals lay shattered at my feet. I was Humpty Dumpty, and I did not think I could ever be put me back together again.
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Death be not Proud

By Jeremy Myers

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My wife lost her father last night.

While we grieve this loss, we rejoice in his gain. Please pray for Wendy, her mother, her brothers, and all our children, as they face life without such a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.

My favorite poet of all time is John Donne. He was a passionate poet preacher. While some of his poems will make you blush, others make you think. One of the latter is “Holy Sonnet 10” which he wrote about our victory over death.

Holy Sonnet X

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so.
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow.
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well,
And better than thy stroke. Why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more. Death, thou shalt die.

~John Donne

Wendy’s father really was one of “our best men.” But death has won no victory here. We look forward to the day we see him again in eternity.

Seven Requirements for Following Jesus

By Jeremy Myers

11 Comments

I love the specific requirements that Jesus lays out in Luke 5 for Levi to become one of His followers.

Sign Doctrinal Statement

First, Jesus makes sure that Levi can agree to the detailed doctrinal statement of Jesus. In order to make sure he agrees, Levi must attend a class to learn all the distinctives of the doctrinal statement, and then sign on the dotted line.

Start Tithing

Second, Jesus makes sure that Levi knows how important it is to support the ministry and mission of Jesus by tithing 10% of his income. Once again, there is a class that Levi must attend which lays out the biblical basis for tithing and shows how the money will be used.

Spiritual Gift Inventory

Third, Jesus has Levi fill out a spiritual gift inventory so that Levi can know where he will best “fit in” to the family of Jesus’ disciples. Levi must then attend a class to learn about the various spiritual gifts, and be shown where the openings are. Of course, at this time, the only opening for Levi is with the Kindergarten Sunday school class, but Levi is reminded that everyone must start somewhere.

Stop Sinning

Fourth, Levi is instructed on all the sins that followers of Jesus must not commit, and told that if he commits any of these sins, he will be subject to “loving discipline.” If the sin is serious enough, he may even be asked to leave the fellowship of Jesus. After all, sin is very, very serious. Very.

Commit to Complete Obedience

Fifth, Levi is told that he must agree to do whatever Jesus asks, no matter what, and no questions asked. When Levi asks what sorts of things Jesus might ask him to do, the part about “no questions asked” is re-emphasized. Instead, Levi is told to always remember that Jesus loves him, no matter what, and so even if Jesus asks Levi to do something crazy and outlandish, it is for our own good. But we must agree to it before we know what He asks.

Get Baptized

Sixth, Levi must get baptized. But first, he has to attend a four-week class on the meaning of baptism, after which, Levi will get baptized. Jesus will not actually baptize Levi (John 4:1-2), even though baptism is required. Also, Levi is instructed on the various methods and modes of baptism, and shown why all the other methods are nothing more than getting wet.

Give Testimony

Seventh, Levi has to stand up in front of all the other followers and confess that he is leaving his old sins and his old friends, and is now going to read his Bible and pray every single day, memorize verses, and attend synagogue services every week.

Only after completing these seven steps is Levi ready to follow Jesus.

Actually, this isn’t quite how it happened.

No. The call of Jesus was this: “Hey Levi, you want to come along?”

That’s it. No conditions. No requirements. No signing on the dotted line. No compulsory consent to creeds. No necessary beliefs or behaviors. Not even a separation from his former friendships.

And most of all, no classes.

Does Levi make some changes? Sure he does. He leaves his job.

But is this something Jesus asked Levi to do? It doesn’t appear so. At least, not the text.

What demands are we making on people who we invite to join with us in fellowship? Vaguely stated, here is how it often sounds:

No, you can’t smoke that, drink this, or say these words. You shouldn’t go there, hang out with those people, or spend time doing that. And you must believe this and this, but not that. And for goodness sake, don’t do this, this, this, this, this, or this. Oh, and don’t forget to give us 10% of this, attend here this many times per week, sign this, learn that, and say this. Then you’re good to go.

How far we have strayed from the simple invitation of Jesus: “Come. Follow me.”

Today, He might say, “Hey! Let’s hang out.”

This post is based on the Grace Commentary for Luke 5:27-32.

Five Ways to move Traditional Church toward Missional

By Jeremy Myers

1 Comment

I am a Guest Blogger over at the Blog of Alan Knox today.

I am writing on five ways your church can move from traditional to missional. If you are in a traditional church, and have a desire to become more missions-focused in your community, leading your people to go into the community rather than calling the community to “come to church” these suggestions might be for you.

Head on over to the blog of Alan Knox to comment and interact with the post. And while you are there, you really should follow him on Twitter and subscribe to his posts. They are all excellent.

If you want to write a Guest Blog for Till He Comes, check out the guidelines here.

Happy Mother’s Day

By Jeremy Myers

1 Comment

I want to wish Happy Mother’s Day to all of the women in our lives. Thank you for your self-sacrificing service, your unfailing love, and your patience toward all your children, both those who are growing and grown.

I know that for my own sake, I would not be who I am today if it were not for my wife and for my mother. My mother raised and trained me to be who I am.

My wife, Wendy, has loved me and stuck with me through some very hard times. She is constantly my biggest fan and greatest source of love and encouragement. I thank God every day for my wife when I see how my three girls are growing up into beautiful, godly, young ladies.

Make sure you give the honor to your mother and the mother of your children that they deserve.

Close Your Church for Good

By Jeremy Myers

13 Comments

I’m writing a book called Close Your Church for Good. The goal of the book is to help churches and pastors move themselves and their congregations in a missional direction that will help them live and operate according to the principles of the Kingdom of God.

In Close your Church for Good, I don’t want your church to shut down and cease to exist; I want to it to rise up and be all that Jesus intends.

When will the book be out? Well, my current word count is 50,000 words, and I am about 2/3 done. But I am running into problems on some of the later chapters, so… who knows how long it will take to finish…

But you don’t have to wait!

I am actually writing this book online. I make 3-4 posts per week which are based on the content of the book. While the final edition will not be exactly like these posts, the posts still provide the general idea and thought flow of the book.

In other words, whether I get the book published or not, you can still read a rough version of it right here on the Till He Comes blog.
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Sell Your Church Building

By Jeremy Myers

3 Comments

Chapter 6 in my book, Close Your Church for Good, is called “Sell Your Church Building.”

Please note that due to some of the feedback I receive on these posts, this chapter might be radically revised for the final edition of the book. These changes will only be available in the print or eBook version when it comes out.

Here are the blog posts that come from this chapter:

To read the content of any other chapters, check out the post which contains the Table of Contents to Close Your Church for Good.

1. A Top Christian book sets my mind on fire and my heart racing.

2. A Top Christian Book is one I scribble in … A LOT

3. A Top Christian book brings about life change

The Best Christian Books I Have Ever Read (and you should too!)

Best Christian Books for Bible Study

Best Books on Bible Backgrounds

Best Bible Commentaries

Old Testament Commentaries

New Testament Commentaries

Best Books on Christian Theology

Best Books on General Theology

Best Books on the Bible

Best Books about God

Best Books about Jesus

Best Books about the Holy Spirit

Best Books about Humanity

Best Books about Sin

Best Books about Salvation

Best Books about the Church

Best Books about the End Times

Best Books about Angels & Demons

Best Christian Books about Life

Best Christian Books on Discipleship

Best Christian Books on Prayer

Best Christian Books on Marriage

Best Christian Books on Parenting

Best Books on Christian Mission & Purpose

Best Fiction Books

What was it that I lost?

Holy Sonnet X

Sign Doctrinal Statement

Start Tithing

Spiritual Gift Inventory

Stop Sinning

Commit to Complete Obedience

Get Baptized

Give Testimony

Actually, this isn’t quite how it happened.

This post is based on the Grace Commentary for Luke 5:27-32.

But you don’t have to wait!

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