Recommended Reading

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Theology

“Contours of Christian Theology” by various authors

This is a great series from IVP.  Each volume deals with a category of Systematic Theology and represents the best of evangelical scholarship.

Titles in this series
The Revelation of God by Peter Jensen
The Doctrine of God by Gerald Bray
The Providence of God by Paul Helm
The Person of Christ by Donald McCloud
The Work of Christ by Robert Letham
The Holy Spirit by Sinclair Ferguson
The Doctrine of Humanity by Charles Sherlock
The Church by Edmund Clowney

“The Bible Speaks Today” by IVP

This wonderful collection from IVP began with a series of devotional commentaries on the Old and New Testaments. It has now expanded to include a Bible Themes Series. These volumes are wonderful examples of sound biblical theology from great scholars written in a readable style. Highly recommended!

Current titles in this series
The Message of the Cross by Derek Tidball
The Message of the Resurrection by Paul Beasley-Murray
The Message of the Living God by Peter Lewis
The Message of Salvation by Phillip Ryken
The Message of Evil and Suffering by Peter Hicks
The Message of the Trinity by Brian Edgar
The Message of Heaven & Hell by Bruce Milne
The Message of Prayer by Tim Chester

A Body of Divinty by Thomas Watson

One of the greatest works of systematic theology from the Puritan era.  Great for the mind and the heart.

A Faith To Live By by Donald Macleod

This wonderful book covers the spectrum of biblical doctrine in a readable, devotional, and accessible style.  Very helpful!

Behold Your God by Donald Macleod

The author reflects on the attributes of God, particularly His unchanging perfection.

Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem

An excellent condensed version of his Systematic Theology. Grudem intends this volume primarily for a lay audience. Grudem understands that theology must be devotional.  Each chapter concludes with discussions questions.

Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen

A true classic!  Even though it was written in the 1930’s this book could have been written today.  Machen sounds a timeless warning to defend the Gospel against those worldly philosophies within the church that constantly seek its demise.

Concise Theology by J.I. Packer

This is a wonderful introduction to key theological concepts by a contemporary master.  Packer devotes between one and three pages to each topic.

Foundations of the Christian Faith by James Montgomery Boice

A terrific and very readable systematic theology by one of the great pastor/theologians of the 20th century.

God Under Fire by (edited by) Huffman & Johnson

There’s no question about. God, as He has revealed Himself in Scripture is under attack in the church today. This wonderful collection of essays by evangelical scholars like D.A. Carson, Bruce Ware, and Mark Talbot takes aim at modern revisions of biblical theism.

Hell Under Fire by ed. C. Morgan & R. Peterson

A timely collection of essays defending the biblical doctrines of divine wrath and punishment.

Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin

Know the Truth by Bruce Milne

One of the best one-volume systematic theologies for laypeople avalable.  Milne writes in a clear and devotional style. 

No Other God by John Frame

A study of how Open Theism distorts Scripture and reduces God to a pitiful giant.  A wonderful defense of the biblical doctrines of God’s foreknowledge and sovereignty.

No Place For Truth by David Wells

Necessary reading for the church today, particularly for those called to lead.  Wells’ entire collection is a must! God in the Wasteland, Losing Our Virtue, and Above All Earthly Powers are volumes two through four of this outstanding series. 

Only One Way? by Richard Phillips ed.

Contributors include D.A. Carson, David Wells, Philip Ryken and others.  In an age of pluralism it is vital that the church lovingly, but clearly, reaffirm the exclusive truth claims of Christianity.

Ore Reasonable Faith by Herman Bavinck

Our God by Octavius Winslow

A deeply moving study of the attributes of God by the great 19th century pastor.  This book is a wonderful example of theology that raises the heart to worship.

Putting Amazing Back Into Grace by Michael Horton

Do we really believe that we are saved by grace?  Does salvation truly belong to the Lord or is it a joint venture between God and men?  Dr. Horton delivers a very helpful and accessible theology of salvation.  The reader will be reminded why grace is truly amazing.

Shared Life by Donald MacLeod

A great introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity.  McLeod is a true teacher.  He helps the reader understand the relational aspects of Trinity.

Still Sovereign by Thomas Schreiner and Bruce Ware ed.

A wonderful collection of essays defending the Biblical doctrine of God’s sovereignty.  The authors address how God's sovereignty touches on such issues as prayer, the problem of evil, human freedom, and evangelism.

The Attributes of God by A.W. Pink

A classic from one of the great Bible teachers of the 20th Century.

The Case for Traditional Protestantism by Terry Johnson

Okay, so the title isn't exactly exciting, but the book is terrific.  Pastor Johnson takes the reader through the 'solas' of the Protestant Reformation: Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria.  The book effectively demonstrates how these theological 'battle cries' form the basis of biblical Christianity.

The Cross of Christ by John Stott

A must! One of the best contemporary treatments on the subject.  Stott demonstrates why he is one of the greatest evangelical scholars of his generation.  Every Christian should read this book!

The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God by D.A. Carson

Carson’s careful and faithful examination of the Scriptures help us do away with sentimental and unbiblical ideas of God’s love.  Sound biblical scholarship.

The Doctrine of Christian Life by John Frame

The Doctrine of God by John Frame

The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God by John Frame

The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

This is a great example of warm, accessible theology.  Sproul demonstrates that good theology is also doxology.  You will not only learn more about the holiness of God but you will find yourself lifting up worship as you read.

The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

Every Christian ought to read this book.  Tozer challenges the reader to embrace afresh a vision of God’s awesome holiness. This is not the cozy god of contemporary spirituality but the Consuming Fire of Scripture.

The Pleasures of God by John Piper

Listed in Christianity Today as one of the 50 greatest Christian books.  This is a must read.  This is a classic marriage of the devotional and theological.