RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Besides reading and studying God’s Word, the Bible, there is a wealth of knowledge out there provided by faithful and educated authors. Below are just a few of the books I’d recommend to new and old “truth-seekers,” alike!
BASIC BIBLE KNOWLEDGE
Books of the Bible Made Easy BY ROSE PUBLISHING
This handy guide offers a quick overview of the 66 books found in the Holy Bible. From the authors to key themes, this book is a great starter guide for those trying to understand the deeper meanings of Scripture.
Christian Beliefs, Revised Edition BY WAYNE A. GRUDEM
Known for his popular textbook Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem’s Christian Beliefs takes the core ideas found in Christian doctrine and explains them in a simple, yet thorough, medium.
The Little Book of Where to Find It in the Bible BY Ken anderson
Have you ever tried to find a Scripture passage related to a specific topic? Maybe you wanted to know what the Bible says about ambition, crowds, fashion, fast food, or even procrastination. With over 3,700 different subjects, circumstances, and situations The Little Book of Where to Find It in the Bible is a pocket-sized index of quick discovery.
Bible Overview BY Rose Publishing
Similar to “Books of the Bible Made Easy,” this book goes EVEN MORE in depth with short summaries, quick-reference charts & diagrams, full-color maps, and illustrations. The book also includes archaeological discoveries that give insight into the culture of the time and how Jesus can be seen in each book.
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
WORLD RELIGIONS Made Easy BY Paul Carden
From Islam and Judaism to Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormonism, quickly get a handle on 30 different belief systems and how they compare to Christianity with this pocket-sized book! Packed with clear overviews of world religions, World Religions Made Easy also compares the key beliefs of each world religion.
See key information at a glance on each religion and cult, including: each religion's origins and founders, key writings, key beliefs, common practices and symbols, perspective on salvation, the Trinity, and the afterlife.
Some belief systems use similar terms, but define them in a totally different way. Strengthen your understanding of Christianity and get practical insight into different faiths so that you can be a more effective witness.
Your Story Has a Villain By jonathan pokluda
There is an Enemy among us. You may know who he is, but you may not know what he is about. Do you know how he wages war? Do you know how he targets you specifically? He's the Villain who wants to change your story in the hopes you live isolated, powerless, discouraged, and defeated.
Satan has waged a war with the Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and his sole desire is to keep you from God's goodness. He knows that he has been defeated by Jesus' death and resurrection, but until the final battle when he is cast into hell for eternity, he and his demons roam the earth like a roaring lion looking for anyone to devour. He is far more disruptive to our lives than we realize, and it's time to take action. In Your Story Has a Villain, bestselling author Jonathan "JP" Pokluda will help you:
Stand against the thief of life, who wants to take you out.
Understand the tactics the Enemy utilizes in your life.
Align yourself with God through prayer as you battle each day.
Rely on the truth and power of Scripture to counter the Enemy's lies and accusations.
Know that Jesus has already defeated Satan, so you can live victoriously.
Yes, your story has a villain, an unseen enemy disrupting your life more than you realize. But remember the hero, Jesus Christ, who came so that we may "have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). We know the grim, eternal outcome for Satan and his demons, but the battle still rages. Are you ready to fight back, find freedom from sin and toxic thinking, and walk in the abundant life available to you?
THEOLOGY
Dispensational Truth: God’s Plan and Purpose in the Ages BY Clarence Larkin
Dispensationalism is a theological system of fundamental beliefs that sees history as the progress of revelation from creation to consummation. Within dispensationalism, there is a particular focus on how God works through different eras and ages known as “dispensations.” It stresses a distinction between these time periods, particularly between the Church and Israel.
Clarence Larkin’s book is a result of thirty years of study. This book is a wonderfully compiled library of information concerning prophetic truth from the past, present, and future. The charts illustrated through this book are from Larkin’s own research and have been known as the “gold standard” concerning pre-tribulation knowledge.
The Portable Seminary: A Master's Level Overview in One Volume BY David Horton
Deepen your biblical and theological knowledge without the time, expense, and formality of seminary. In this extensively updated book, discover all the major topics in a typical seminary master's program authoritatively taught by respected professors, authors, and leaders. This introduction to a biblical studies degree is ideal for the layperson or anyone in vocational ministry who lacks the time or finances to attend classes, who lives where formal training is unavailable, or whose previous education is primarily secular. Study what you want, when you want.
Subjects include: systematic theology, surveys of the Old and New Testaments, apologetics, world religions, church history, homiletics, leadership, Christian education, and much more.
Halley's Bible Handbook, Deluxe Edition BY Henry H. Halley
This revised and updated 25th edition is both comprehensive and inviting, including a concise Bible commentary, important discoveries in archaeology, related historical data, church history, historical geography, and more. It is the culmination of Dr. Halley's mission: that every Christian be enabled and encouraged to consistently and devotedly read and understand their Bible. Whether you've read the Bible many times or are just starting, you'll find insights that give you a firm grasp of God's Word and an appreciation for the cultural, religious, and geographic settings in which the story of the Bible unfolds.
The Deluxe edition features:
Full-color maps, photographs, illustrations, tables, and charts on almost every page.
Practical Bible reading programs.
Helpful tips for deeper Bible study.
Updated archaeological information.
Easy-to-understand sections on how we got the Bible and on church history.
Improved indexes, including a color-coded edge index to easily find your place.
A contemporary design.
APOLOGETICS / EVANGELISM
HOW (NOT) TO READ THE BIBLE BY DAN KIMBALL
For centuries, the Bible was called "the Good Book," a moral and religious text that guides us into a relationship with God and shows us the right way to live. Today, however, some people argue the Bible is outdated and harmful, with many Christians unaware of some of the odd and disturbing things the Bible says.
How (Not) to Read the Bible tackles big questions like:
Does the Bible degrade women?
Is the Bible anti-science?
How could a loving God command such violence in the Old Testament?
Does the Bible endorse slavery?
Bestselling author Dan Kimball guides you step-by-step in how to tackle many of the real questions that people wrestle with when reading the Bible and how to make sense of many of the more difficult and disturbing Bible passages.
Filled with fun stories, visual illustrations, and memes reflecting popular cultural objections, How (Not) to Read the Bible is a lifeline for anyone—Christians and doubters alike—who are confused or discouraged with questions about the Bible.
Yes, there are puzzling and disturbing Bible passages. . . But there are explanations!
Faith Is for Weak People: Responding to the Top 20 Objections to the Gospel BY RAY COMFORT
Every day that we interact with the world, we are in a battle. At stake is the eternal destiny of the souls of our friends, family members, and coworkers. It is a battle we wage not only in prayer but also in words. When we are faced with objections to the faith we profess, are we ready to respond?
Apologist and evangelist Ray Comfort has spent his entire career answering objections to the faith, and he wants you to be equipped to do the same. In this practical book, he shows you how to answer 20 objections to Christianity, including questions such as
- What physical proof is there that God even exists?
- Why does a "loving" God threaten eternal torture for not believing in him?
- If there's an all-powerful God, why is the world so out of control?
Don't go into battle unarmed. Let Ray Comfort train you to be ready with an answer, not so you can be right, but so you can help bring people from darkness into light.