BOOKS TO READ....Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Ecclesiastes 12:12B  NKJV 

You can buy a book that will tell you how or give you information on many things.  The internet has made many of the most used books available to those who know how to use it.

The Christian book stores have shelves loaded with “how to” books written by experts on anything and everything.  If you have a problem, they have the answer.

But there are good Christian books available.  I would like to suggest twelve that you will profit greatly by reading.

1. First is Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.  Bunyan was a mid-seventeenth century author.  As an Independent he experienced almost continual governmental persecution.  This book is considered to be the greatest allegory ever written.  Up into the 1990’s it was second in sales only to the Bible.  It is considered the most popular Christian book ever and when you read it you will understand why.

2.  The Holy War by John Bunyan was said to be the second best allegory written, but only because Bunyan had earlier written Pilgrim’s Progress.

3.  Bible Characters by Alexander Whyte is without question the best that has ever been given to Christian readers about the familiar personalities in the Scriptures.  His description of Eli is worth the price of the whole set.

The books that follow are not in any order of importance.  The only real concern is their availability.

4. The Holy Spirit by Sinclair Ferguson.  This book is currently available and it is an excellent explanation of the person and work of God the Spirit.

5.  The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards.  This is the one book written by Edwards that Christians should read.  All that he wrote is good.  This is a must.

6.  God’s Way of Holiness by Horatius Bonar.  Bonar was Hymn Writer, Pastor, Theologian, and Author.  This small volume destroys the error of the “two men” teaching about the converted man’s personal walk.

7.  The Christian’s Saving Interest by William Guthrie.  This without a doubt is the greatest Christian book ever written.  An opinion of course but enough said.

8.  Holiness by J.C. Ryle.  Anything by Ryle is excellent.  If you can find it, get it.  Read the introduction.

9.  The Plan of Salvation by B.B. Warfield.  This is the one I re-read.  There is nothing in it that is superfluous.

10.  Darwin’s Black Box by Michael J. Behe.  I can assure you, you will not regret reading this book.  Follow up on Behe after he wrote the book.

11.  Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul.  Who can say which is the best Sproul has done?  But this is profitable for both the young the  old.  If you think I like it—you are right.

12.  A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith by Dr. Robert L. Reymond.  Reymond got his education from the Baccalaureate to his Doctorate at Bob Jones University.  Very early in his education he became Reformed.  The rest of his life (he died in 2013) he grew in his understanding and love for Reformed Theology.

Reymond was an able Hebrew and Greek teacher.  He taught both at the Seminary level.  He was an accomplished musician.  Many would say his greatest ability lay in his Pastoral gifts.  He was a gifted Preacher.   I personally consider him one of the most accomplished Bible Preachers I have ever heard.  And he was a very, very, very good classroom professor.

This Theology is current.  It was published in 1998.  In his descriptive annotations he simply says of himself “Presbyterian and Reformed”.  If you want to own a good dependable Systematic Theology, this will work for you.  Reymond wrote about Reformed and Presbyterian theology as the truth.

Books such as Reymond’s began to be written at least as early as Thomas Aquinas and they have continued to the present.  Then it can be asked, “Do we need another one?”  When it is this good we do.