The aim of these book recommendations is to provide for you a carefully curated list of books that will stir your affections for Christ and help equip you to be a productive ambassador for Christ. We get asked for book recommendations all the time. We hope this will be a helpful resource for you. You should always develop and strengthen your own discernment, but we've taken great care to provide this list for your edification. If you are looking for a book recommendation outside the scope of the topics you see here, e-mail us and we will try to give a recommendation.
Reforming Apologetics by J.V. Fesko
Cultural Apologetics by Paul Gould
Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcy
How Then Should We Live By Francis Schaeffer
Defending Your Faith by R.C. Sproul
Apologetics for the 21st Century by Louis Markos
He is There and He is Not Silent by Francis Schaeffer
Is Christianity Good for the World by Douglas Wilson and Christopher Hitchens
Expository Apologetics by Voddie Baucham
By What Standard: God’s World, God’s Rules Edited by Jared Longshore
Ever-Loving Truth: Can Faith Thrive in a Post-Christian Culture by Voddie Baucham
The Faith of Christopher Hitchens (will be in biography as well) by Larry Taunton
Redeeming Reason by Vern Poythress
Why Believe by Neil Shenvi
Interpreting Scripture in the Great Tradition by Craig Carter
Contemplating God with the Great Tradition by Craig Carter
The Creedal Imperative by Carl Trueman
The Need for Creeds Today by J.V. Fesko
The Trinity and the Bible by Scott R. Swain
Reformed Catholicity by Scott R. Swain and Michael Allen
Trinity & Creation by Richard Barcellos
By Good and Necessary Consequence by Ryan M. McGraw
Principles of Biblical Interpretation by Louis Berkhof
Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament Christopher J.H. Wright
Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals by Gavin Ortlund
Jesus on Every Page by David Murray
*Banner of Truth Trust Biographies are a good place to start.*
Confessions by Saint Augustine
John G. Paton: The Autobiography of the Pioneer Missionary to the New Hebrides by John G. Paton
The Gospel Focus of Charles Spurgeon by Steve Lawson
The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steve Lawson
The Unwavering Resolve of Johnathan Edwards by Steve Lawson
The Passionate Preaching of Martyn Lloyd Jones by Steve Lawson
The Evangelistic Zeal of George Whitefield by Steve Lawson
The Trinitarian Devotion of John Owen by Sinclair Ferguson
Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield
Grace Abounding by John Bunyan
Devoted: Great Men and Their Godly Moms by Tim Challies
John G. Patton Autobiography
John G. Patton: Missionary to the Cannibals of the South Seas by Paul Schlehlein
The Puritan Hope by Ian Murray
George Whitefield (2 Volumes) by Arnold Dallimore
Joni: An Unforgettable Story by Joni Earekson Tada
9 Writers to Read: Nine Names that Belong on Your Bookshelf by Doug Wilson
A Hobbit, A Wardrobe and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918 by Joseph Loconte
The Forgotten Spurgeon by Ian Murray
The Life of Martyn Lloyd Jones by Ian Murray
John MacArthur by Ian Murray
J.C. Ryle: Prepared to Stand Alone by Ian Murray
J.I. Packer: An Evangelical Life by Leland Ryken
Religious Beliefs of Americas Founders by Gregg Frazer
The Faith of Christopher Hitchens by Larry Taunton
*see fiction section for some overlap
Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids by David Murray
Exploring the Bible Together: A 52 week Family Family Worship Plan by David Murray
Meeting Jesus: A Daily Bible Reading Plan for Kids by David Murray
Why Is My Teenager Feeling Like This? A Guide for Helping Teens Through Anxiety and Depression by David Murray
*Birds and Bees Resources (for parents to discern on how/when to use):
God Made Boys and Girls Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender by Marty Machowski:
God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies byJustin and Lindsey Holcomb
Good Pictures Bad Pictures by Kristen Jenson
The Story of Me Book (God’s Design for Sex Series Book 1) by Stan and Brenna Jones—Written and Illustrated for kids 3-5 years old
Before I Was Born (God’s Design for Sex Series Book 2) by Carolyn Nystrom—Written and Illustrated for kids 5 to 8 years old
What’s the Big Deal (God’s Design for Sex Series Book 3) by Stan and Brenna Jones—Written for kids 8-11 years old
Facing the Facts (God’s Design for Sex Series Book 4) by Stan and Brenna Jones—Written for kids 11-14 years old
The Chronicles of Narnia (7 volume set) by C.S. Lewis
The Hobbit and the LOTR Triology by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Barber who Wanted to Pray by R.C. Sproul
God’s Providence by Sally Michael
The Moon is Always Round by Jonathan Gibson
God Made Me for Worship: Helping Children Understand Church by Jared Kennedy
Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat by Andrew Wilson
The Donkey who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul
The Biggest Story by Kevin Deyoung
2000 Years of Christ’s Power (multivolume) by Nick Needham
Popular Patristics Series (multivolume)
Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church by Matthew Barrett
By What Standard: God’s World, God’s Rules Edited by Jared Longshore
Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age by Rosaria Butterfield
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
Strange New World by Carl Trueman
Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe by Voddie T. Baucham
Eve in Exile: The Restoration of Femininity by Rebekah Merkle
*Doctrine of God certainly falls under the category of Theology, but it is the most important aspect of theology and is often the most neglected.
The Doctrine of God by Herman Bavinck
God Without Passions: A Primer by Samuel Reninhan
God Without Passions: A Reader by Samuel Reninhan (editor)
All that is in God by James Dolezal
Confessing the Impassible God by Ronald S. Baines and edited by Richard Barcellos
Trinity and Creation by Richard Barcellos
Eternal God: A Study of God without Time by Paul Helm
Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett
None Greater by Matthew Barrett
The Biblical Trinity by Brandon Smith
The Trinity in Canon edited by Brandon Smith
Good Daily Bible Reading Plans Published by Ligonier Ministries
Tabletalk Devotionals by Ligonier Ministries
Knowing God and Ourselves: Reading Calvin’s Institutes Devotionally by David B. Calhoun
Knowing Christ by Mark Jones
Knowing Sin by Mark Jones
Serious Joy: Reflections and Devotions on Jonathan Edwards’ Seventy Resolutions by Joey Tomlinson
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers by Arthur Bennet (editor)
Voices from the Past: Puritan Devotional Readings by Richard Rushing (editor)
The Puritans Day by Day by H.J. Horn
Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon
A Small Book about a Big Problem: Meditations on Anger, Patience, and Peace by Ed Welch
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund
The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy Sayers
History and Fallacies by Carl Trueman
Classical Education & The Homeschool by Douglas Wilson, etc.
Teaching Truth, Training Hearts by Tom Nettles
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson
Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham
*We took this section out of the Theology section to make sure it stands out. We get questions about eschatology all the time. Here is a list of important resources. We don’t agree with everything in any of these resources, but these are very helpful voices.
Revelation (expositional commentary) by Joel Beeke
Heaven Misplaced: Christ’s Kingdom on Earth by Douglas Wilson
The Puritan Hope: Revival and the Interpretation of Prophecy by Ian Murray
Series of Sermons on Revelation by Voddie Baucham (these are free)
Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the Book of Revelation by Kenneth Gentry
He Shall Have Dominion: A Postmillennial Eschatology by Kenneth Gentry
Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel Wholly by Grace Communicated Truthfully & Lovingly by Will Metzger
Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions by John Piper
What if I am Discouraged in my Evangelism by Isaac Adams
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer
The Transcultural Gospel by E.D. Burns
Missions by the Book by Chad Vegas and Alex Kocman
Who is Jesus by Greg Gilbert
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever
The Masculine Mandate by Richard Philipps
Man of the House by C.R. Wiley
In the House of Tom Bombadil by C.R. Wiley
Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle
Men and Women in the Church by Kevin DeYoung
Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes
Can Women Be Pastors by Greg Gilbert
Church Elders by Jeramie Rinne
Exemplary Husband by Stuart Scott
What’s the Difference by John Piper
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
City of God by St. Augustine
Slaying Leviathan: Limited Government and Resistance in the Christian Tradition by Glenn Sunshine
Lex Rex: The Law and the King by Samuel Rutherford
A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13 by Tim Decker
The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership that Matter by R. Albert Mohler
Brothers, We are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry by John Piper
Called to Lead: 26 Leadership Lessons from the Life of the Apostle Paul by John MacArthur
Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders
Saint Peter’s Principles: Leadership for Those Who Already Know Their Incompetence by Peter Lillback
Leadership in an Age of Anxiety by Joe Rigney
The Pastor as Leader by John Currie
When Sinners Say ‘I do’: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey
The Household and the War for the Cosmos: Recovering a Christian Vision for the Family by C.R. Wiley
Married for God: Making Your Marriage the Best it Can Be by Christopher Ash
Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage: Critical Questions and Answers by Jim Newheiser
Raising Children God’s Way by D. Martyn Lloyd Jones
Family Worship by Donald Whitney
Family Worship Bible Guide by Reformation Heritage Books
Why Children Matter by Douglas Wilson
The Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges
Worship: The Regulative Principle and the Biblical Principle of Accommodation by Tom Nettles
Regenerate Church Membership by Tom Ascol
Green Pastures: A Primer on the Ordinary Means of Grace by J. Ryan Davidson
A Covenant Feast: Reflections on the Lord’s Table by J. Ryan Davidson
The Lord’s Supper as a Means of Grace by Richard Barcellos
The Book of Pastoral Rule by Gregory the Great
The Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil
Classical Pastoral Care by Thomas Oden
A Way to Pray by Matthew Henry
Prayer by John Bunyan
Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney
A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World by Paul E. Miller
The Lord’s Prayer by Kevin DeYoung
The Prayers of Jesus by Mark Jones
What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman
Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies
Redeeming Productivity by Reagan Rose
Puritan Paperback Series from Banner of Truth Trust (a good place to start)
Institutes of Christian Religion (1541 Edition) by John Calvin
The Doctrine of Justification by James Buchanan
The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit by George Smeaton
Going Beyond the Five Points:Pursuing a More Comprehensive Reformation Edited by Rob Ventura
The Holy Spirit by Geoffrey Thomas
Reformed Dogmatics (4 vols) by Herman Bavinck
The Distinctiveness of Baptist Covenant Theology by Paschal Denault
Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof
Abstract of Systematic Theology by James P. Boyce
Foundations of the Christian Faith: A Comprehensive and Readable Theology by James Montgomery Boice
A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life by Joel Beeke and Mark Jones
Signs of the Apostles: Observations on Pentecostalism Old and New by Walter Chantry
Satan Cast Out: A Study in Biblical Demonology by Frederick Leahy
Reformed Systematic Theology (Multivolume) by Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley
The Mystery of Christ, His Covenant, His Kingdom by Samuel Renihan
Crux, Mors, Inferi: A Primer and Reader on Christ’s Descent by Samuel Renihan
Deity and Decree by Sameul Renihan
Getting the Garden Right by Richard Barcellos
Post Reformation Reformed Dogmatics (multivolume) by Richard Mueller
Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God by C.J. Mahaney
What is the Meaning of Sex by Denny Burk
Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace by Heath Lambert
More than a Battle by Joe Rigney
Sexual Detox: A Guide for Guys who are Sick of Porn by Tim Challies
Closing the Window: Steps to Living Porn Free by Tim Chester
What does the Bible Really Teaches about Homosexuality by Kevin Deyoung
Transgender by Vaughan Roberts
Strange New World by Carl Trueman
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into the Christian Faith by Rosaria Butterfield
5 Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age by Rosaria Butterfield
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Wingfeather Saga (4 vols) by Andrew Peterson
100 Cupboards series by N.D. Wilson
J.R.R. Tolkein’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Series
The Light Princess by George MacDonald
The Fiddler’s Green by A.S. Peterson
The Fiddler’s Gun by A.S. Peterson
Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
The Space (Ransom) Trilogy by C.S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia (7 volume set) by C.S. Lewis
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande
Pursuing Peace: A Christian Guide to Handling our Conflict by Robert D. Jones
Uprooting Anger: Biblical Help for a Common Problem by Robert D. Jones
Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures by Martyn Lloyd Jones
Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch
Christians Get Depressed Too by David Murray
In the Day of Trouble: Depression, Scripture and the God Who is Near by Joey Tomlinson
Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression by Zack Eswine
Thinking Through Anxiety: A Brief Christian Look by J. Ryan Davidson
Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace by Heath Lambert
Suffering and Sovereignty: John Flavel and the Puritans on Afflictive Providence by Brian Cosby
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline by Brian Hedges
Transforming Homosexuality: What the Bible Says About Sexual Orientation and Change by Heath Lambert and Denny Burk
Learning Contentment by Nancy Wilson
5 Puritan Women by Jenny-Lyn De Klerk
Elisabeth Elliot: A Life by Lucy Austen
How Can Women Thrive in the Local Church by Keri Folmar
Growing in Gratitude by Mary K. Mohler
Refresh: Living a Grace Paced Life in a World of Endless Demands by Shona and David Murray
Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes
Suffering is Not For Nothing by Elizabeth Elliot
Sophron Bible Studies Edited by Keri Folmar
You Who? Why You Matter And How to Deal With It by Rachel Jankovic
The Clouds Ye So Much Dread by Hannah Grieser
The Accidental Feminist by Courtney Reissig
Popes and Feminists by Elise Crapuchettes
Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle