Back in December 2011 I made an appeal that we prioritise the reading of solid Christian literature as a means towards acquiring wisdom. As Solomon instructed us, those who will be wise must walk with the wise (Proverbs 13:20). One very practical way to do so is by paying heed to the printed words of the wise.
It is difficult to fully appreciate the impact that Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press has had, not merely upon the world, but more importantly on the church for the past 500 years.
With the arrival of this invention, the words of the wise, which were for a long time spoken only to the benefit of a particular congregation or lecture hall, were now available to a much wider audience. Thankfully, I can only imagine how spiritually poorer I would be without access to the sermons of Martin Luther, the commentaries of John Calvin, the profound writings of Jonathon Edwards and the pastoral wisdom of Richard Baxter. And the same could be said of more contemporary men such as A. W. Tozer, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John Murray, and J. Gresham Machen!
As I said, I can only imagine such a lack, for I do, in fact, have access to the wisdom of these men through the printed page—and now through the digital page.
I have spent some time going through my library for the purpose of recommending books and authors from which I believe that I have been able to glean some wisdom. This is a small sample but it is at least a good place to begin. Here are some of my “friends.” May they too become your cherished companions on your journey to Christlikeness. My list, which is arranged according to author, is followed by similar suggestions from Christo and Neil. Let me encourage you to take the recommendations of your shepherds as a good place to start as you plan to be a better reader for the rest of your life!
Doug’s List
- R. C. Sproul, The Holiness of God
- R. C. Sproul, Knowing Scripture
- R. C. Sproul, Chosen by God
- R. C. Sproul, What is Reformed Theology: Understanding the Basics
- R. C. Sproul, The Glory of Christ
- J. I. Packer, Knowing God
- J. I. Packer, Keep in Step with the Spirit: Finding Fullness in Our Walk with God
- J. I. Packer, Praying the Lord’s Prayer
- A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
- A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God—Their Meaning in the Christian Life
- A. W. Tozer, Man—The Dwelling Place of God
- A. W. Tozer, When He is Come
- Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness
- Jerry Bridges, Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God’s Unfailing Love
- Jerry Bridges, The Joy of Fearing God
- E. M. Bounds, The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds on Prayer: Experience the Wonders of God through Prayer
- David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
- C. J. Mahaney, Christ our Mediator: Finding Passion at the Cross
- C. J. Mahaney, The Cross-Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing
- C. J. Mahaney, Humility: True Greatness
- Greg Gilbert, What is the Gospel?
- Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God
- Arthur W. Pink, The Attributes of God
- John F. MacArthur, Jr., The Gospel According to Jesus: What is Authentic Faith?
- John F. MacArthur, Jr., Worship: The Ultimate Priority
- John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist
- John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life
- John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions
- Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
- Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
- Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
Christo’s List
I personally appreciate receiving a book or movie recommendation from someone whose judgement and taste I trust. It is a wonderful privilege being surrounded on the eldership by men who are readers and thinkers, and we are constantly recommending books and articles to one another.
If you are feeling convicted that God in His wisdom revealed Himself to mankind and gave us news of His special grace for our eternal benefit in the form of words (rather than sounds or images—He could have sent us an MP3 or a DVD, rather than inspiring the writing and preservation of a book!), and if consequently you are feeling stimulated to discipline yourself to be a better reader of words, then here are a few titles that you could look out for and commit yourself to enjoying in the future.
- Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God
- John F. MacArthur, Jr., The Gospel According to Jesus: What is Authentic Faith?
- Elizabeth Elliot, Through Gates of Splendor: The Event That Shocked the World, Changed a People, and Inspired a Nation
- J. I. Packer, Among God’s Giants: Puritan Vision of the Christian Life
- J. I. Packer, Knowing God
- Frank Morison, Who Moved the Stone?
- John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied
- R. C. Sproul, Chosen by God
- Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
- C. S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life
- Francine Rivers, The Atonement Child
- R. Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man
- Tim Challies, The Next Story: Life and Faith After the Digital Explosion
- Henry Scougal, The Life of God in the Soul of Man
- Bob Davey, The Power to Save: A History of the Gospel in China
- Eric Mataxas, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
- Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
- John Piper, The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God’s Delight in Being God
Neil’s List
- J. I. Packer, Knowing God
- John Blanchard, Does God Believe in Atheists?
- John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life
- Douglas Wilson, Federal Husband
- Douglas Wilson, Fidelity: What it Means to be a One-Woman Man
- Douglas Wilson, Future Men: Raising Boys to Fight Giants
- Ted Tripp, Shepherding a Child’s Heart
- Trevin Wax and Ed Stetzer, Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals
- Scott Klusendorf, The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture
- Eric Mataxas, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
- Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
- Tim Challies, The Next Story: Life and Faith After the Digital Explosion
- N. D. Wilson, The Dragon’s Tooth: Ashtown Burials # 1
- C. S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia