Books

In Ecclesiastes 12:12, Solomon said, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body”. There are copious quantities of “Christian” books available today: some are excellent, some heretical, and many, while not terrible, are just pretty “fluffy” and not really worth your time… This recommended reading list is our effort at helping you find books that will help you grow as a Christian and be equipped for various aspects of the Christian life. All the books on this list have been read by Bethel Grace Pastors (unless stated otherwise). A website that might also be of help to you is www.discerningreader.com.

Recommended Reading:

Apologetics and Evangelism:

• Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
• The Reason for God – Tim Keller

Biography:

• Bruchko – Bruce Olsen (an autobiography by a missionary to a previously unreached people group in the Amazon) 
• Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor – D.A. Carson (one of my favorite authors. The book is about his father)

Christian Living:

• The Cross-Centered Life - C.J. Mahaney
• Humility: True Greatness - C.J. Mahaney

Church:

• Nine Marks of a Healthy Church – Mark Dever

Commentaries and Study Bibles:

• Click here.

Counseling/ helping others:

• Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands – Paul David Tripp 

Devotional:

• Taste and See - John Piper
• The Thought of God – Maurice Roberts
• Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ – John Piper  (available on-line for free, here) 

Trusting God/ Trials and Suffering:

• Trusting God – Jerry Bridges
• How Long, O Lord? – D.A. Carson  

Marriage:

• Love and Respect – Emerson Eggerichs
• Love that Lasts – Gary and Betsy Ricucci  
• Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God - CJ Mahaney
• Strengthening Your Marriage – Wayne Mack

Parenting:

• Age of Opportunity – Paul David Tripp
• Family-Driven Faith – Voddie Baucham
• Girl Talk: Mother-Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhood – Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Mahaney Whitacre
• Instructing a Child’s Heart – Tedd and Margy Tripp
• Shepherding a Child’s Heart – Tedd Tripp                                 

 

Prayer:

• A Call to Spiritual Reformation – D.A. Carson 

Purity:

• Sex is not the Problem (Lust is) [formerly released as “Not Even A Hint”] – Joshua Harris 
• The Purity Principle – Randy Alcorn  

Theology:

• God’s Greater Glory – Bruce Ware
• Systematic Theology – Wayne Grudem (an abridged and simplified edition called Bible Doctrine is also available, as is an even more abridged version entitled, Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know)
• The Knowledge of the Holy – A.W. Tozer   

Books by Women, for Women:

While the books mentioned above are of benefit to all Christians, we recognize that ladies often enjoy books written by women, for women. While we can’t claim to have read all these authors, we recommend these lady authors to our sisters in Christ based upon our knowledge of the ministries of their husbands and/or the ministries that endorse their books:  

• Elisabeth Elliott (Formerly married to Missionary martyr, Jim Elliott. Endorsed by John Piper and many other sound pastors and theologians.)
• Nancy Leigh DeMoss (endorsed by Sovereign Grace Ministries and Randy Alcorn)
• Elyse Fitzpatrick (endorsed by CCEF and NANC)
• Elizabeth George (wife of author Jim George)   
• Susan Heck (my good friend’s mother! : ) ) 
• Barbara Hughes (wife of R. Kent Hughes) 
• Susan Hunt (endorsed by Ligon Duncan and CJ Mahaney) 
• Carolyn Custis James (endorsed by CCEF)  
• Carolyn Mahaney (wife of CJ Mahaney)   
• Carolyn McCulley (endorsed by Sovereign Grace Ministries)
• Donna Morley (wife of Brian Morley – professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Apologetics at The Master’s College. He was one of Donovan’s favorite professors)
• Martha Peace (endorsed by NANC) 
• Noel Piper (wife of John Piper) (For her free on-line books click here)    
• Lisa Tatlock (a Home Economics professor at The Master’s College. Her husband is Provost of The Master’s College and a friend of Donovan’s whom he greatly respects)  

Buying/Swapping Books:

At Amazon.com you can see the front and back cover, table of contents, and excerpts for most books. It is also generally the cheapest place to buy books, there’s no sale tax, and all orders of $25 or more ship for free… Also be sure to check for the “used & new” link on the right hand side, where you might find a better price but will have to pay for shipping. You can check also these websites for comparative prices:  

• www.cheapestbookprice.com 
• www.bestwebbuys.com/books  

Half.com is also a very good option. You can make a wish list, specifying the maximum price and minimum condition you are interested in for each book. They will notify you by e-mail if it becomes available.

Another website to check out is Paperbackswap.com. This is how they describe their website: “Mail a book. Get a book. Any book you request is yours to keep, share or swap. No late fees. No processing charges. No hidden charges. Every time you mail a book to another member, you can request one for yourself from over 2.8 Million. -We’re NOT just paperbacks: Enjoy trading Hardbacks, Paperbacks, Audio Books, Textbooks and more!”