10 Books to Read and Ponder Over

Note: I do not necessarily agree with every assumption, insight or view presented by the authors of the following volumes. Nevertheless, I applaud and support the overall intent of each book.

1. Armstrong, John H. True Revival: What Happens When God's Spirit Moves. (Harvest House, 2001) Erwin Lutzer, pastor of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, says of this book, "No one who reads these pages will ever think of revival in the same way again." (304 pp., beginner)

2. Carson, D.A., ed. Worship By The Book. (Zondervan, 2002) In the midst of various conflicting opinions about what constitutes sound Christian worship, this book's contributors (Mark Ashton, Kent Hughes, Tim Keller and Don Carson) dig deeper than many "worship experts" tend to, by going back to the Scriptures. (208 pp., intermediate)

3. Horton, Michael H. Beyond Culture Wars. (Moody, 1994) Horton, professor at California's Westminster Seminary, prefaces this provocative volume with these words: "This book is not going to take sides in the "culture war" (i.e. between "liberals" and "conservatives"), not because I do not have an interest in such things, but because the church is no longer pursuing its authentic mission, generally speaking, and ministers are supposed to ring the bell when that happens. As we shall see...the greatest issues of the day do not have to do with whether one is politically left or right of center. The real division is between those, on the one hand, who believe that revelation, salvation, and the kingdom of God come down from heaven as the sovereign intervention of God breaking into human history and, on the other hand, those who assume that we can save ourselves (either as individuals or as a nation) and bring in the kingdom of God by our own works of righteousness." (287 pp., intermediate)

4. Murray, Iain H. Evangelicalism Divided: A Record of Crucial Change in the Years 1950-2000. (Banner of Truth, 2000) A fascinating and disturbing account of how several well-meaning evangelical leaders in Britain and America have attempted to gain "respectability" for the church in the world - either by forming ecumenical coalitions with mainline denominations, or adapting the mindset of the academic arena. In the process, Murray argues, the authority of Scripture and the gospel message have been greatly compromised. Some will be greatly perturbed by many of Murray's conclusions, but they mustn't dismiss them without coming to terms with his forceful, well-researched arguments. (342 pp., intermediate)

5. Packer, J.I. Knowing God. (Revised, IVP, 1993). A great, readable study of God's attributes as they are presented in Scripture. Millions of Christians have been greatly strengthened in their understanding of God and Christ since it was first published in 1973. (286 pp., intermediate)

6. Piper, John. The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God's Delight in Being God. (2nd Ed., Multnomah, 2000) I can't improve upon The Christian Courier's comments regarding this stirring volume: "This rich and profound work is for anyone who has grown weary of the shallow, cotton candy ideas of God that blight our contemporary landscape." (328 pp., beginner)

7. Schreiner, Thomas R. and Caneday, Ardel B. The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance & Assurance. (IVP, 2001) Simply put, if you read only one book on Christian living and growth this year, make this the one! It is with few reservations that I recommend this profound work; not many other books have impacted my thinking about the Christian life to the same degree since I first read J.I. Packer's "Knowing God" in 1991. The main thrust of the book is to answer the question, "If Christians have assurance from God that they are secure in their salvation, how are they to understand the numerous warnings from Scripture which seem to indicate otherwise?" In dealing with this question, the authors describe - and refute - four typical positions (some of which, incidentally, are held by "Calvinists" as well as "Arminians"!) and then present their own, which in my mind is more faithful to the whole counsel of Scripture. Be warned: this is pretty heavy stuff, but if serious Christians read and reflect upon it sincerely and prayerfully, I'm confident that their discernment, and appreciation of God's sovereign wisdom, will grow considerably. (344 pp., intermediate/advanced)

8. Veith, Gene Edward. Postmodern Times: A Christian Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture. (Crossway, 1994) A dean of Concordia University in Wisconsin examines the worldview known as postmodernism (which denies the very notion of truth), shows how it is fast becoming the prominent philosophy of our culture, and explains the dangers and opportunities it presents for Christians. (256 pp., intermediate)

9. Ware, Bruce. Their God is Too Small. (Crossway, 2003) "Open theism" is the formal name for a troubling new teaching that's making its mark upon many seminaries and evangelical churches - undoubtedly in part because its proponents are so well-meaning and subtle in their arguments. In short, "OT" ultimately denies God's omniscience on the basis of interesting (but faulty) interpretations of various isolated biblical texts. Ware, a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, provides a much-needed critical analysis. Not only does he show the doctrine to be unscriptural, but he even explains how damaging it is to Christian life and practice. (142 pp., beginner)

10. Wells, David F. God in the Wasteland: The Reality of Truth in a World of Fading Dreams. (Eerdmans, 1994) In this sequel to the groundbreaking 1993 book entitled "No Place for Truth" (which is also strongly recommended), a professor from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary shows how evangelical churches have slowly but surely fallen for the values of postmodern society. Christian ministers in particular should pay close attention to Wells' thoughts, as he calls for a return to preaching God's holiness as an antidote to the church's compromised state. (278 pp., intermediate-advanced)


© 2002-07 Sean McCausland