Top Ten Books for “Serious” Christians
This week I was hanging out with Greg, a guy I hadn’t seen since April. Back then he shared with me how a simple 10 minute prayer strategy had changed his life (I wrote about it here). This week he said, “Since I last saw you I’ve read two books: Desiring God by John Piper and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. I can’t believe I’ve lived this long without reading those books. Those should be required reading for every Christian!” He then went on to share how Piper’s book especially had completely renewed his joy and his walk with Christ.
Then he asked, “It makes me wonder what other books are out there I’ve never heard of that I should be reading. What are the top ten books you would recommend to a serious Christian?” By ‘serious’ he meant someone who has been a Christian a while, but now is seeking to be more intentional with their spiritual growth. After thinking about it for a few days, here’s what I told him:
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem – The title might sound intimidating, but I think this is a must read for every Christian. Grudem has a way of taking the complex and making it accessible and also worshipful. It’s a big book, over 1,000 pages, and I’ve known many who have spent years working through it a few pages at a time as a part of their morning devotion. If you have an ESV Study Bible, you’ll find a condensed version of his book (only 40 pages) in the back. It’s also a tremendous value as a reference work. Whenever you have a question about a topic of theology, you’re likely to find an answer here.
The Story of Christianity by Justo Gonzalez (2vols) – Understanding the roots of our faith builds excitement and confidence, especially when you read the faithful stories of so many who have gone before us. Many Christians are unaware of the many significant moments and people in the 2,000 plus years of history of the growth of Christianity. These two volumes are the best I’ve read.
In the Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot – I thought it important that one of the ten books be about missions. This is the story of a group of enthusiastic young couples and their journey to reach a remote tribe in Ecuador with the gospel. The story centers on Jim Elliot and is written by his wife who was also there with him. There are many others that could be mentioned, like Peace Child, Bruchko, or Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, but this one is a great starting point to increase one’s passion for missions.
The Apostolic Fathers – I was shocked when I first learned about this collection of writings written by the next generation of leaders in the church after the New Testament Apostles. These letters read like many of the well known Epistles, chocked full of Scripture quotes, and complemented with stories of courage under persecution (Ignatius, Polycarp) and our first early church manual (the Didache).
The Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes – There are numerous books on spiritual disciplines of the Christian life (i.e. prayer, Bible reading, fasting, giving, serving, community, etc.). Any one of them will help you see the value in developing habits of spiritual growth. I read this one in college and found it to be a huge encouragement. Our children’s minister, Lauren Bramley, likes recommending (and handing out) Habits of the Household to young families.
The Meaning of Marriage by Tim and Kathy Keller – I’ve found a number of Keller’s books to be foundational to my faith (such as Prodigal God and The Reason for God). This is one that every Christian (married or not) should read to come to understand the broader purpose of marriage; how its primary purpose and meaning is to reflect Christ’s love for His church. In a world where marriage is continually under attack, this book roots the institution in an eternal standard rather than fleeting whims and passions.
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn – It’s critical for Christians to understand that all of our resources, especially our finances, are on loan from God. Alcorn paints a powerful picture of stewardship in this short book while also calling for radical generosity, and modeling it in his own life.
God’s Big Picture by Von Roberts – This book helps one see how the whole Bible fits together with Jesus as the central plot and story line. Short and accessible.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis – One area where Christians should seek to grow is in the ability to defend their faith (often referred to as ‘apologetics’). Lewis is one of my favorite Christian writers, and he had a burden to help the average person see that there are good reasons to be a Christian. Originally delivered as a series of radio broadcasts, this book has influenced millions of Christians for almost 100 years.
Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards – This book is by far the most difficult to read on this list. I hesitated to add it until Colby also mentioned it as an important book for him. Jonathan Edwards was likely the most influential Christian thinker in American history, flourishing as a pastor, then a missionary, and finally as the President of Yale University. He also was a key figure in the first “Great Awakening” revival movement in early America. This book taught me about the incredible power of the will, how God directs and uses our desires for His glory. Much like for my friend, Greg, this mindset revolutionized my Christian walk.
This certainly isn’t a perfect or exhaustive list, but it’s a starting point. I’d love to hear from you if there’s one you think should be added. And if you read one from the list, please let me know what you think. The goal of reading these books, or any books, is to grow our church for the sake of the gospel in the South End of Louisville!
Photo by Gülfer ERGİN on Unsplash