Recommended Reading
In 2 Timothy 4:13, Paul writes to Timothy and requests, "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments."
This is an amazing request. Even though Paul is in prison awaiting execution, he still desires to read and study so that he can continue to work for the sake of the gospel!
Paul's example is a major rebuke to all with an unteachable spirit. No one, regardless of their knowledge and experience, is beyond the need to learn (e.g., Paul had been preaching for 30 years, he had been caught up to heaven, he had personally seen Jesus and wrote the majority of the NT!).
Paul's request also challenges all who give a myriad of excuses for why they don't read. John Calvin commenting on Paul's request to Timothy writes,
"It is evident from this, that the Apostle Paul had not given over reading, though he was already preparing for death. Where are those who think that they have made so great progress that they do not need any more exercise? Which of them will dare to compare himself with Paul? Still more does this expression refute the madness of those men who- despising books, and condemning all reading-boast of nothing but their own divine inspirations. But let us know that this passage gives to all believers a recommendation of constant reading, that they may profit by it," (Calvin's Commentaries, vol. XXI, "2 Timothy," p. 266).
When asked about the importance of reading good books, Charles Spurgeon answered,
As the apostle says to Timothy, so also he says to every-one, 'Give yourself to reading.' ... He who will not use the thoughts of other men's brains proves that he has no brains of his own... You need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible... the best way for you to spend your leisure is to be either reading or praying."
Paul's request highlights the important role the reading of sound books play for the believer's spiritual growth and effectiveness in gospel ministry. Every believer should be seeking to build a personal theological library.
To help you get started, below is a brief list of recommended books we believe will help you grow in your understanding and practice of the Christian faith and life.
Study Bibles
ESV Study Bible, Crossway
The Reformation Study Bible, Ligonier Ministries
NAS MacArthur Study Bible, Thomas Nelson
Christian Living/Sanctification
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, Walter Marshall
The Gospel for Real Life, Jerry Bridges
The Discipline of Grace, Jerry Bridges
The Mortification of Sin, John Owen
Keep in Step With the Spirit, J.I. Packer
Holiness by Grace, Bryan Chapell
A Quest for More, Paul David Tripp
The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul
The Christian Life, Sinclair Ferguson
How People Change, Timothy S. Lane & Paul David Tripp
Prodigal God, Tim Keller
Enemy Within: Straight Talk About The Power And Defeat Of Sin, Kris Lundgaard
Adopted For Life, Russell Moore
Desiring God, John Piper
A Praying Life, Paul E. Miller
Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan
The Gospel-Driven Life, Michael Horton
Doctrine & Theology
Systematic Theology
Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem
Bible Doctrine, Wayne Grudem
A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, Robert Reymond
Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin
A Body of Divinity, Thomas Watson
Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know, Wayne Grudem, edited by Elliot Grudem
Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, R.C. Sproul
Basic Christianity, John Stott
18 Words: The Most Important Words You Will Ever Know, J.I. Packer
Biblical Theology
Gospel & Kingdom, Graeme Goldsworthy
According to Plan, Graeme Goldsworthy
Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture, Graeme Goldsworthy
God's Big Picture, Vaughan Roberts
The Symphony of Scripture, Mark Strom
From Creation to New Creation, Tim Chester
Bible Overview, Steve Levy & Paul Blackham
The Big Picture Story Bible, Dave Helm (children)
The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones (children)
Scripture (Bibliology)
A General Introduction to the Bible, Norman Geisler & William Nix
The Canon of Scripture, F.F. Bruce
Scripture & Truth, D.A. Carson & John Woodbridge, Ed.
The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible, B.B. Warfield
Inerrancy, Norman Geisler, Ed.
Scripture Alone, R.C. Sproul
Scripture Alone, James White
I Believe in Revelation, Leon Morris
God Has Spoken, J.I. Packer
Fundamentalism and the Word of God, J.I. Packer
God's Hammer, Gordon Clark
Why Is My Choice of a Bible Translation so Important?, Wayne Grudem & Jerry Thacker
The Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy, Vern Poythress & Wayne Grudem
The Word of God in English, Leland Ryken
God (Theology Proper)
Knowing God, J.I. Packer
The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer
The Attributes of God, A.W. Pink
The Existence & Attributes of God, Stephen Charnock
The Trinity: Evidence and Issues, Robert Morey
The Forgotten Trinity, James White
Father, Son & Holy Spirit, Bruce Ware
Delighting in the Trinity, Tim Chester
Jesus Christ (Christology)
The Glory of Christ, John Owen
The Person & Work of Christ, B.B. Warfield
Pierced for Our Transgression, Steve Jeffery, Michael Ovey & Andrew Sach
Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, John Piper
Christ In All The Scriptures, A.M. Hodgkin
Jesus Among Other Gods, Ravi Zacharias
The Supremacy of Christ, Ajith Fernando
Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)
I Believe in the Holy Spirit, Michael Green
The Holy Spirit, John Owen
God's Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old & New Testaments, James M. Hamilton, Jr.
Paul, the Spirit and the People of God, Gordon Fee
God's Empowering Presence, Gordon Fee
Baptism & Fullness, John Stott
Keep in Step with the Spirit, J.I. Packer
Miraculous Gifts
Showing the Spirit, D.A. Carson
Are Miraculous Gifts for Today?, Wayne Grudem
The Gift of Prophecy, Wayne Grudem
The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts, Max Turner
Pentecost Today?, Iain Murray
Empowered Evangelicals, Rich Nathan & Ken Wilson
Salvation (Soteriology)
The Great Exchange, Jerry Bridges & Bob Bevington
Redemption Accomplished & Applied, John Murray
A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God's Love, Milton Vincent
The Cross of Christ, John Stott
The Cross of Jesus, Leon Morris
The Message of the Resurrection, Paul Beasley-Murray
Faith Alone, R.C. Sproul
The Doctrine of Justification, James Buchanan
The Doctrine of Justification, John Owen
Justification, Francis Turretin
Justification Vindicated, Robert Traill
Evangelical Repentance, John Colquhoun
Adopted For Life, Russell Moore
Adopted Into God's Family, Trevor Burke
Heirs With Christ, Joel Beeke
Saved from What?, R.C. Sproul
Assured by God, Burk Parsons, Ed.
The Message of Salvation, Philip Ryken
The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross, Leon Morris
The Cross: The Pulpit of God's Love, Iain Murray
Law & Gospel
A Treatise On The Law and The Gospel, John Colquhoun
12 Discourses Upon the Law and the Gospel, W. Romaine
The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel, C.F.W. Walther
Luther's Works, vols. 26-27 "Lectures on Galatians", Martin Luther
Humanity & Sin (Anthropology/Hamartiology)
Human Nature in its Fourfold State, Thomas Boston
The Bondage of the Will, Martin Luther
Sinfulness of Sin, Ralph Venning
The Mischief of Sin, Thomas Watson
Indwelling Sin in Believers, John Owen
Christian View of Man, J. Gresham Machen
Biblical Doctrine of Man, Gordon Clark
Knowing Man, J.I. Packer
Created in God's Image, Anthony A. Hoekema
Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, Cornelius Plantinga Jr.
Church (Ecclesiology)
Biblical Eldership, Alexander Strauch
The New Testament Deacon, Alexander Strauch
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Mark Dever
The Deliberate Church: Building Your Church on the Gospel, Mark Dever & Paul Alexander
The Master's Plan for the Church, John MacArthur
Total Church, Tim Chester & Steve Timmis
The Gospel-Centered Church, Tim Chester & Steve Timmis
The Baptism of Disciples Alone, Fred Malone
Believer's Baptism, Thomas Schreiner & Shawn Wright
Key Questions About Elders, John MacArthur
Key Questions About Deacons, John MacArthur
Life in the Father's House, Wayne Mack & David Swavely
Last Things (Eschatology)
The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, Robert G. Clouse, Ed.
Revelation: 4 Views: A Parallel Commentary, Steve Gregg, Ed.
Basic Guide to Eschatology, Millard Erickson
The Blessed Hope, George Ladd
Crucial Questions About Hell, Ajith Fernando
Whatever Happened to Hell?, John Blanchard
Death and the Afterlife, Robert Morey
Evangelism & Missions
Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J.I. Packer
Evangelism in the Early Church, Michael Green
Perspectives, 4th ed., Ralph Winter & Steven Hawthorne
Operation World, Patrick Johnstone
From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya : A Biographical History of Christian Missions, Ruth Tucker
Autobiography of John Paton, John Paton
To The Golden Shore, Courtney Anderson
A Vision for Missions, Tom Wells
The Coming Revolution in World Missions, K.P. Yohannan
Through Gates of Splendor, Elisabeth Elliot
Our Guilty Silence, John Stott
Christian Mission, John Stott
Tell the Truth, Bruce Metzger
Telling the Truth, D.A. Carson
Salvation to the Ends of the Earth, Andreas Kostenberger & Peter O'Brien
Apologetics & Ethics
Apologetics
The Reason for God, Tim Keller
Francis A. Schaeffer Trilogy, Francis Schaeffer
Why I Am A Christian, John Stott
The Universe Next Door, James Sire
Only One Way, Hywel Jones
Only One Way, Richard Phillips
Is Jesus the Only Savior, Ronald Nash
Can Man Live Without God?, Ravi Zacharias
Compact Guide to World Religions, Dean Halverson
Apologetics to the Glory of God, John Frame
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
Darwin on Trial, Phillip E. Johnson
Christianity & Liberalism, J. Gresham Machen
Ethics
Principles of Conduct, John Murray
Evangelical Ethics, John Jefferson Davis
Biblical Christian Ethics, David Clyde Jones
Christian Ethics in Plain Language, Kerby Anderson
Bioethics, Gilbert Meilaender
Gender Roles & Issues
Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, John Piper & Wayne Grudem, Ed.
Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth, Wayne Grudem
Pastoral Leadership for Manhood and Womanhood, Wayne Grudem & Dennis Rainey, Ed.
50 Crucial Questions, John Piper & Wayne Grudem
The Feminist Mistake, Mary Kassian
The Feminist Gospel, Mary Kassian
Radical Womanhood, Carolyn McCulley
The Bible & Homosexual Practice, Robert Gagnon
Marriage & Family
Each For The Other, Bryan and Kathy Chapell
Love that Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace, Gary and Betsy Ricucci
When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage, Dave Harvey
Big Truths for Young Hearts, Bruce Ware
Big Truths for Little Kids, Susan & Richie Hunt
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, Paul Tripp
Parenting by the Book, John Rosemond
Instructing a Child's Heart, Tedd and Margy Tripp
Shepherding a Child's Heart, Tedd Tripp
Passion and Purity, Elisabeth Eliott
Thoughts for Young Men, J.C. Ryle
The Big Picture Story Bible, Dave Helm
The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones
Music & Worship
Worship by the Book, D.A. Carson, Ed.
Worship in the Early Church, Ralph P. Martin
The Worship of God, Ralph P. Martin
Worship: It's Not Just Sunday Morning, Robert Morey
Whatever Happened to Worship, A.W. Tozer
The Ultimate Priority, John MacArthur
Worship: Reformed according to Scripture, Hughes Oliphant Old
Music Through The Eyes of Faith, Harold Best
Unceasing Worship, Harold Best
Worship in Spirit and Truth, John Frame
Exploring the Worship Spectrum: 6 Views, Paul Engle & Paul Basden, Ed.
The Air I Breathe: Worship As a Way of Life, Louie Giglio
Multi-volume Sets
Works of Ralph Erskine, 10 volumes
Works of Ebenezer Erskine, 3 volumes
Works of John Newton, 6 volumes
Works of John Bunyan, 3 volumes
Works of Richard Sibbes, 7 volumes
Works of Jonathan Edwards, 2 volumes
Works of John Owen, 16 volumes
Works of B.B. Warfield, 10 volumes
The Collected Writings of John Murray, 4 volumes
Sermons of Charles Spurgeon (5 volumes)
The Collected Shorter Writings of J.I. Packer, 4 volumes
God, Revelation, and Authority, 6 volumes, Carl F.H. Henry
The New Park Street Pulpit, 6 volumes, Charles Spurgeon
The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, 57 volumes, Charles Spurgeon
Biographies
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
But Now I See: The Life of John Newton, Josiah Bull
Robert Murray M'Cheyne, Andrew Bonar
Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther, Roland Bainton
Martin Luther: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought, Stephen Nichols
William Tyndale: A Biography, David Daniell
A Heart for Missions, Andrew Fuller
Vital Christianity, Murray Andrew Pura
God's Outlaw: The Story of William Tyndale and the English Bible, Brian Edwards
The Plain Mr. Knox, Elizabeth Whitley
Samuel Rutherford: A New Biography of The Man and His Ministry, Kingsley Rendell
Jonathan Edwards: A Guided Tour of his Life and Thought, Stephen Nichols
Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography, Iain Murray
Jonathan Edwards: A Life, George Marsden
Faithful Witness: The Life and Mission of William Carey, Timothy George
John Wesley: A Biography, Stephen Tomkins
George Whitfield: God's Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century, Arnold Dallimore
George Whitefiled: The Life and Times of the great evangelist of the 18th century revival, Arnold Dallimore, vols. 1-2
William Carey and the Missionary Vision, Daniel Webber
The Autobiography of George Muller
Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor, Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson, Courtney Anderson
Martyn Lloyd-Jones: A Family Portrait, Christopher Catherwood
The Sacred Anointing: The Preaching of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, vols. 1-2, Iain Murray
Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers, Lewis A. Drummond
Spurgeon: A New Biography, Arnold Dallimore
