This booklist is meant to serve those believers who are either new to the faith or are not used to reading and may feel inhibited at the prospect of beginning to study or at a loss as to what pick up and read in a day when we are awash with Christian books.
I should say immediately that there must be a willingness to read good books. We live in a day when many Christians are reluctant to take advice on such matters. We also live in a day when many of God’s people underestimate themselves and their ability to comprehend so-called “serious” Christian literature. There is great release in realizing the truth that this is just not the case.
I have chosen those books which I think will both inform and encourage the reader while not leading them astray and not over-taxing them. This is not to say that these works are somehow inferior or of less value than “scholarly” tomes. On the contrary, any who read these books, whether new to the faith or seasoned student, will be blessed. Happy reading.
A Beginner’s Christian Bookshelf:
The Enemy Within – Kris Lundgaard. An brief but excellent guide to personal holiness.
The Attributes of God – A. W. Pink. Great thoughts on God’s majesty and perfections
The Lie: Evolution – Ken Ham. A fine work explaining the fallacies and fruit of evolution.
Basic Christianity – John Stott. A superb introduction to the key doctrines.
The Call to Joy and Pain – Ajith Fernando. A recent and excellent book on the realities of Christian living in a fallen world.
Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis. Still a classic common-sense defense of Christianity
Family-Driven Faith – Voddie Baucham. Straight-talking and Bible centered instruction on building and maintaining a godly home.
The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love and Self-Image – Jay Adams. A needed corrective.
Because of Christ – Juan de Valdes/Don Benedetto. Don’t be put off by the strange names. This book is wonderful.
Profiting from the Word – A.W. Pink. Selective studies on important subjects.
The Call – Os Guinness. Sound advice on finding your true calling.
God in the Dark – Os Guinness. Doubts can afflict believers. This offers sage counsel.
The Mischief of Sin – Thomas Watson. A terrific little book.
The Cross – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Great messages on the central theme of Christianity
Spiritual Depression – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Rousing messages and superb expositions to encourage saints.
Prayer – John Bunyan. The best book on the subject. Partly written from prison.
The Battle Belongs to the Lord – K. Scott Oliphint. Directions on thinking through and applying Scripture to defend the faith.
Church History: A Crash Course for the Curious – Christopher Catherwood. Self-explanatory.
