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Let's Get Started…A Reading List for the Christian Faith
A Note on the Reading List
The reading list provided is intended to be introductory but not exhaustive. There are various levels or knowledge needed to fully capture some of these works but none are out of your reach with some study and patience! Take your time to read the materials which you feel are most needed in your life.
Secondly, it should be stated that no reading list, book, or commentary should take the place of constant and consistent reading of Holy Scripture. This is foundational. Therefore it is highly recommended that you develop a reading plan for feasting from God's Word. The type of plan is irrelevant compared to the use of it. So find a system that is easily handled by yourself and useful.
You may have to try several different things until you find something that fits. Some people like to stay in one book, i.e. reading each day out of Romans until that book is completed, while others prefer a wider reading, i.e. reading a OT chapter, NT chapter, and Psalm every day. To each his own. What is most important is regular reading. Joshua 1:8 Do not let this book of the law depart from you mouth, meditate on it day and night in order that you might be prosperous and successful.
For one of the classic reading plans for making it through the Scriptures in a year consult Robert Murray McCheyne. His reading plan can be accessed and downloaded at: www.bibleplan.org/mcheyne.htm
"In the synagogue, in the marketplace, in the homes, and in almost every conceivable kind of situation, Jesus and Paul discussed Christianity. It is likewise the Christian's task to be able to give an honest answer to an honest question and then to give it."
- Francis Schaeffer, The Mark of the Christian
A Word on Commentaries
It has not been the practice of MRPC to recommend any particular commentary series to the congregation. Ideally commentaries are best recommended for the specific book. For examples there are certain authors who are particularly good at one genre of Scripture a particular book.
However, without that knowledge, the best bet is to find a series that you feel comfortable with. This allows you to the flavor of several different authors under one basic editorial motives. There are several sets of commentaries which are generally theologically accurate and well written. Remember though that no man or commentary can replace the authority of Scripture. All thoughts should be checked against the text. II Tim. 3:16-17.
New Testament Commentary, Simon J. Kistemaker, Baker Books.
The NIV Application Commentary Series, Various Authors, Zondervan.
Tyndale NT & OT Commentaries, Various Authors, IVP & Eerdmans.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Frank Gaebelein ed., Zondervan.
Calvin's Commentaries, John Calvin, Baker.
The Bible Speaks Today, Various Authors, IVP.
History
Mark A Noll - Turning Points
S.M. Houghton - Sketches from Church History
John Foxe - Book of Martyrs
Theology
J.I. Packer - Concise Theology
Sinclair Ferguson - The Christian Life
Duane Spencer - TULIP
Sinclair Ferguson - The Holy Spirit
Edmund Clowney - The Church
Westminster Confession of Faith
Heidelberg Confession
Apologetics & Worldview
Francis Schaeffer - He is there and He is not silent
C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity
Jerram Barrs - The Heart of Evangelism
Richard Pratt - Every Thought Captive
John Frame - Apologetics to the Glory of God
Chuck Colson - How Now Shall we live?
R.C. Sproul - That's a good Question
D.A. Caron, ed. - Telling the Truth
Stanley Grenz - A primer on Postmodernism
Understanding the Sacraments
John Sartelle - Infant Baptism
Robert Letham - The Lord's Supper
John Murray - Christian Baptism
Biblical Content & Interpretation
Dan McCartney - Let the Reader Understand
Dan Doriani - Getting the Message
Howard Hendricks - Living by the Book
Jay Douma - The Ten Commandments
Christian Living & Growth
Tim Keller - Ministries of Mercy
Brother Lawrence - Practice the Presence of God
Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Life Together
Robert Coleman - The Master Plan of Evangelism
Richard Pratt - He Gave Us Stories
Richard Foster - Celebration of Discipline
Doug Kelley - If God already knows why pray?
Richard Pratt - Pray with your eyes open
Don Whitney - 10 Questions to Diagnose your Spiritual Health
Richard Foster - Freedom of Simplicity
Bruce Waltke - Finding the Will of God
Kris Lundgaard - The Enemy Within
Jerry Bridges - The Pursuit of Holiness
Paul David Tripp - Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
Edward Welch - Addictions — A Banquet at the Grave
Devotional
C.S. Lewis - Business of Heaven
Charles Spurgeon - Morning and Evening
Arthur Bennett - Valley of Vision
Samuel Bagster - Daily Light
Philip Ryken - My Father's World
The Book of Common Prayer
Missions
John Piper - Let the Nations be Glad
Paul Borthwick - Mind for Missions
Jim Peterson's - Living Proof
Reference
Robert C. Walton - Charts of Church History
H. Wayne House - Charts of Theolology
Nelson Pub. - Nelson's Book of Bible Maps & Charts
Simon Jenkins - 3-D Bible Mapbook
Classics
Augustine - Confessions
John Bunyan - Pilgrims Progress
Richard Baxter - The Saints Everlasting Rest
G.K. Chesterton - Orthodoxy
A.W. Pink - The Sovereignty of God
J.I. Packer - Knowing God
Thomas A Kempis - Imitation of Christ
Blaise Pascal - Pensees
Dietrich Bonhoeffer - The Cost of Discipleship
Francis Schaeffer - The Mark of the Christian
Malcom Muggeridge - The End of Christendom
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