I posted a list sometime ago highlighting a number of recommended apologetic books. See HERE. I primarily had in mind new believers, especially those folks who encounter biblio-skeptic trolls on social media. I wanted to provide a list of books that are a basic introduction to the Christian faith, apologetics, and specific topics like textual criticism and creation. I didn’t want to overwhelm those who were new to reading biblical theology and apologetics, so my recommendations were limited to books that were around 250-300 pages in length.
With this post, I want to expand my list for seasoned readers. Those who desire to go deeper in their studies. Books on this list go beyond 300 pages and may be a bit technical. Though I will say new believers can quickly master the material. Also, some of these books may be available in ebook format or available online for free.
Systematics
I’ll begin with systematic theologies. All Christians should have a handful of solid systematic theologies among their core collection of books. They are foundational with grounding our thinking about God and theology. There are many fine ones, but I return frequently to the following:
Systematic Theology – Louis Berkhof
Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical – Robert Duncan Culver
A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith – Robert Reymond
Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth – John MacArthur & Richard Mayhue
Now I can hear people complaining that I didn’t include Wayne Grudem. While I agree that his systematic theology has a lot of good stuff in it, everything good is derailed by his abhorrent views of the spiritual gifts, especially his heretical view of fallible prophecy.
General Theology
The Sovereignty of God – A.W. Pink (Get the Baker edition. The Banner of Truth edition removes crucial chapters on the doctrine of reprobation).
The Potter’s Freedom – James White
Jesus: Divine Messiah – Robert Reymond (An absolute gem of a book that a lot of folks do not know about)
The Atonement – A.A. Hodge
From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective – David Gibson, Jonathan Gibson, and J.I Packer editors
The God Who Justifies – James White
What About Freewill? Reconciling Our Choices with God’s Sovereignty – Scott Christensen
Death and the Afterlife – Robert Morey
Charismatic Chaos – John MacArthur
Truth or Territory – Jim Osman
Satisfied by the Promise of the Spirit – Thomas Edgar
Textual and Biblical Studies
Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origin and Authority of the NT Books – Michael Kruger
God’s Words in Our Hands: The Bible Preserved for Us – James Williams and Randolph Shaylor ed.
Holy Scriptures: The Ground and Pillar of our Faith (Three Volumes) – William Webster and David King
King James Only Controversy (2nd Edition) – James White
Unbound Scriptures: A Review of King James Only Claims and Publications – Rick Norris
A Survey of Israel’s History – Leon Wood
A Kingdom of Priests: A Survey of OT Israel – Eugene Merrill
An Introduction to the New Testament – D. Edmond Hiebert
New Testament Introduction – Donald Guthrie
Apologetic Matters
Revolutions in Worldview: Understanding the Flow of Western Thought – Andrew Hoffecker ed.
Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought – John Frame
Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis – Greg Bahnsen
Biblical Apologetics: Advancing and Defending the Gospel of Christ – Cliff McManis (Best book you can get on apologetics and apologetic methodology).
Creation, Fall, and Restoration: A Biblical Theology of Creation – Andrew Kulikovsky
Understanding Genesis: How to Analyze, Interpret, and Defend Scripture – Jason Lisle
Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth – Terry Mortenson and Thane Ury, ed.
Refuting Compromise: A Refutation of Progressive Creationism – Jonathan Sarfati
Searching for Adam: Genesis and the Truth of Man’s Origin – Terry Mortenson, ed.
Christianity at the Crossroads: How the 2nd Century Shaped the Future of the Church – Michael Kruger
Destroyer of the gods: Early Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman World – Larry Hurtado
For the Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-Hunts, and the End of Slavery – Rodney Stark
The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics – Robert Gagnon
