I could go on and on in recommending specific books; so many excellent books are out there!  The main thing to think about is that you only have so much time to read-everyone is busy-so spend the time you have well.  All books are not  created equal!  Many of the books popular among evangelical Christians in the last thirty years or so are just junk.  So the wisest course is to stick with certain authors or particular schools (of thought) within reformed and evangelical circles.


You can't go wrong with men like James Montgomery Boice, Michael Horton, Harold O.J. Brown, David Wells, Francis Schaeffer, R.C. Sproul, Robert Reymond, C.S. Lewis, and J.I. Packer.  That doesn't' mean you'll agree with all they have written. It does mean that you'll never be wasting your time with them.


All the early Princeton theologians, but especially Archibald Alexander, A.A. Hodge, Benjamin Warfield, and Charles Hodge are great.  The old Southern Presbyterian theologians, particularly Robert L. Dabney and James H. Thornwell are very important to me personally. Absolutely everything Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote will challenge and edify.  I believe Francis Turretin's Institutes of Elenctic Theology is as profound and important as Calvin for those wanting to understand reformed theology.


I haven't mentioned any books on family and what might be called Christian living.  There are many, but most of the good ones are written by relatively few authors.  Everything James Dobson wrote is helpful in family matters.  Jay Adams is as solid as they come on counseling and family living.  Tedd Tripp is great in parenting instruction.  There are others as well, but it is important to be careful here.  So many authors writing in this area have been influenced heavily by popular psychology and ideas that may be implicitly anti-Christian.


I don't have any recommendations in the area usually referred to as "devotional literature" other than The Valley of Vision, which is a collection of Puritan writings.  Generally, I think something like the monthly periodical "Tabletalk" is far superior to what usually passes for "devotional" works.



Montesquieu said, "You have to study a great deal to know a little."  I agree completely.

Recommendations from the Pastor

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How Should We Then Live? by Francis Schaeffer
        Absolutely the best overview of the rise and decline of Western Civilization.  Schaeffer synthesizes many different factors-philosophical, historical, and theological, remaining at an elementary level so that any motivated reader can understand the gist of his thesis-that we are in a heap of trouble!

The Schaeffer Trilogy-composed of these three books (Each can be purchased and read separately.)

Taken from a series of lectures Schaeffer did (as most of his books were), this book lays the foundation for understanding how and why we think the way we do in post-Christian America.  Terminology is daunting at first but becomes clear through repetition.

God in the Wasteland and No Place for Truth, both by David Wells
        No better books are available to explain the present problems facing evangelicals and their churches today.

The Work of Christ by Robert Letham
        Excellent explanation of the various aspects of Christ's redemptive work.  This book is part of a series entitled "Contours of Christian Theology," including books like The Church by Edmund Clowney, The Holy Spirit by  Sinclair Ferguson, and The Person of Christ by Donald Macleod.  In my opinion, one can study each book in this series and get a better theological education than most seminaries offer.

Studies in the Covenant of Grace by J.G. Vos
        Just a simple but really good series of lessons on the Covenant of Grace that are worth the time no matter where one is in understanding covenantal theology-but especially for the beginner.

Understanding Biblical Doctrine: A Workbook in Theology by Ronald Nickerson
        A very clear and straightforward doctrinal study which I've used often in discipling folks.

Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul
        Everything  Sproul writes is solid and easy to understand.  This particular book makes a difficult truth (election) palatable and even attractive to all but the most determined Arminian.

Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
        There is no better super short explanation of fundamental Christian truths.  A good, quick resource to refer to as needed.

Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray        
A classic work explaining the ordo salutis (order of salvation).  Brief but profound.

Classical Apologetics by R.C. Sproul, John Gerstner, and Arthur Lindsley.
        Somewhat formidable for most laymen, but for those who persevere, it could be a watershed experience.

What Do Presbyterians Believe? by Gordon H. Clark
        A great, short commentary on the Westminster Confession.

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey
        Sort of a continuation of Schaeffer's work.  Many have responded positively to her over the years.