Recommended Resources ● Expanded List

{for Christian Living and Gospel Ministry}

by Marcus Johnson ● Pastor of Lake Region Bible Church

Last updated on 08/13/2010.

● Red titles = easier reads (high school level or below) ● Blue titles = average reads (high school to college level)

● Green titles = more difficult reads (college to graduate level) ●   Yellow = a website    

●   Yellow = an article posted on-line 

Discipleship & Spiritual Growth (see also "Christian Theology" below)  

Living the Spirit Formed Life, by Jack W. Hayford (charismatic pastor, The Church on the Way)

My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling, by John Stott

Reflections on the Gospels, by John Michael Talbot

Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe, by Mark Driscoll and Gary Breshear

The God Who is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story, by D.A. Carson  

Bible Doctrine, by Wayne Grudem and Jeff Purswell

The Africa Bible Commentary, Tokunboh Adeyemo (General Editor)

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A. Kempis

Biographical & Inspirational

Sojourner Truth (American Abolitionist), by W. Terry Whalin (a freed slave turned evangelist; c.1800's)

Black and Free, by Tom Skinner (former Harlem gang member turned evangelist; c. 1950's)

Quiet Strength, by Rosa Parks (the faith, hope, and heart of a woman who changed a nation)

What's So Amazing about Grace?, by Philip Yancey

Let the Fire Fall, by Father Michael Scanlan

Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur, by Frank L. Houghton (missionary to India; started a children's orphanage; c. early 1900's)

C.T. Studd, by Norman Grubb (missionary to China; c.1900)

Rees Howells Intercessor, by Norman Grubb (miner turned missionary to southern Africa; early 1900's)

In Pursuit of God: the Life of A.W. Tozer, by James L. Snyder

The Shame & the Sacrifice: the Life & Martyrdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, by Edwin Robertson (a pastor executed under Hitler)

Just as I Am, autobiography of Billy Graham (world famous evangelist)

In-God’s Underground (Christ in the Communist Prisons), by Richard Wurmbrand (founder of Voice of the Martyrs)

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor, by D.A. Carson

A Prophet with Honor: the Billy Graham Story, William C. Martin

Here I Stand: a Life of Martin Luther, by Roland H. Burton
Judges/Ruth, by K. Lawson Younger Jr. (see the section on "Ruth") (NIV Application Commentary)

Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, by James Bruckner (see the sections on "Jonah & Nahum") NIV Application Commentary

Godly Living (Relationships, Stewardship, Work, Citizenship)

Fit to Be Tied: Making Marriage Last a Lifetime, Bill & Lynne Hybels

Winning God's Way, by Loren Cunningham (founder of Youth With a Mission)

 Joni and Friends  (International Disability Ministry: Serving Special Needs Persons)

Beyond Belief to Convictions, by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler

Boundaries with Teens, by John Townsend (co-authored Boundaries & Boundaries in Marriage)

How to Manage Your Money, by Larry Burkett (an in-depth Bible study on personal finances)

Faith in the Game: Lessons on Football, Work, and Life, by Tom Osborne

The Man in the Mirror, by Patrick Morley

Every Man's Battle, by Stephen Arterburn & Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey

Crossroads: Navigating Your Calling and Career, by Colin Creel (helping those in their 20's navigate their future)

Tender Warrior: God's Intention for a Man, by Stu Weber

God and Government, by Chuck Colson

Torn Asunder: Recovering from Extramarital Affaris, by Dave Carder

William and Catherine, with Love, compiled by Betty McCaughey (letters between William & Catherine Booth)

The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus (Guard the Truth), by John Stott (Bible Speaks Today Series)

Loving God, by Chuck Colson

 CCDA  (equipping the church to bear witness to the Kingdom of God by reclaiming and restoring under-resourced communities)

Restoring At-Risk Communities, John M. Perkins (Editor)

Keeping Ex-Offenders Free!, by Donald Smarto

Revival, by Richard Owen Roberts

The Mark of Jesus, by Timothy George and John Woodbridge
Being the Body, by Chuck Colson

The Church in the World, by Robert E. Webber

 Vision for Ministry  from The Gospel Coalition

 Contrasting Missional & Church Growth Perspectives , by Gailyn Van Rheenen (from "www.Missiology.org")

The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity, Philip Jenkins

Companion to the Poor, by Viv Grigg

In Darkest England and The Way Out, by General William Booth

Acts, by Ajith Fernando (NIV Application Commentary)

Gospel Ministry (Evangelism, Making Disciples, Missiology)

How to Give Away Your Faith, by Paul E. Little

Master Plan of Evangelism, by Robert E. Coleman

The Biblical Principles of Discipleship, by Allan Coppedge

 Voice of the Martyrs  (updates on the persecuted church)

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J.I. Packer

 The Gospel Coalition  (evangelical organization: offers theological resources, sermons, devotionals, conferences, etc.)

 The Gospel of Jesus Christ , by D.A. Carson (The Gospel Coalition)

 Missiology  (for Missions education & effective cross-cultural gospel ministry).

 Sacred Tribes Journal  (Christian, Academic-based study of new religious movements: Trinity Graduate School)

 Contextualization & Syncretism , by Gailyn Van Rheenen (on-line posting of the 1st chapter of the book listed below)

Contextualization and Syncretism, Gailyn Van Rheenen (Editor) (missiological insights written by multiple authors)

The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, by Leslie Newbigin (long time missionary to India)

Foolishness to the Greeks, by Leslie Newbigin

The Great Commission, Martin Klauber & Scott Manetsch (Editors).

Globalizing Theology, Craig Ott & Harold A. Netland (Editors)

1 Corinthians, by David E. Garland (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

Prayer & Spiritual Warfare

Historical, Cross-Cultural & Educational

The New Foxe's Book of Martyrs, John Foxe (updated by Harold J. Chadwick)

Why We Can’t Wait, by Martin Luther King Jr. (includes his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley

Breaking Down Walls, by Raleigh Washington and Glen Kehrein (on racial reconciliation)

He's My Brother: a Black Activist and a Former Klansman Tell Their Stories, by John Perkins & Thomas A. Tarrants

 CCDA  (equipping the church to bear witness to the Kingdom of God by reclaiming and restoring under-resourced communities).

 Sojourners  (promoting the biblical call to social justice)

 Real Clear Politics  (daily-updated links to articles written from multiple-political perspectives)

Christian Education: Its History & Philosophy, by Gengel and Benson

 Christian Schools: Training God's Soliders or God's Peacemakers , by Laurie Matthias (Sacred Tribes Journal)

The Rise of Christianity, by Rodney Stark (How the obscure, marginal Jesus movement became a dominant force in the Western World)

 Worldview (United States Relations with Native Americans) , by Michael T. Cooper (Sacred Tribes Journal)

Harvest of Empire (A History of Latinos in America), by Juan Gonzalez

The Hispanic Challenge, Manuel Ortiz

Ministering Cross-Culturally, by Sherwood Lingenfelter and Marvin Mayers

The Souls of Black Folk, by W.E.B. Dubois

Race Matters, by Cornell West

The Black Church in the African American Experience, by C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence Mamiya

The Middle East (The History, The Cultures, The Conflicts, The Faiths), published by TIME Books, Kelly Knauer (Editor)

Pocket History of the Church, by D. Jeffrey Bingham

The History of Christianity, Tim Dowley (Editor)

The Great Commission, Martin Klauber & Scott Manetsch (Editors)

Documents of the Christian Church, Henry Bettenson & Chris Maunder (Editors)

The Apostolic Fathers, Michael W. Holmes (Editor)

Apologetics & World Religions
 Rose Publishing  (offers full-color easy-to-use Bible reference materials)

Who is this Jesus?, by Michael Green

The Case for Faith, by Lee Strobel

 Voice of the Martyrs  (updates on the persecuted church)

Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis

Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad, by Timothy George

Creation vs. Evolution Debate, by Ron Rhodes (10 Things You Should Know...)

The Answers Book, Don Batten (Editor) (the 30 most-asked questions about Creation-Evolution, & Genesis)

 Answers in Genesis  (an evangelistic ministry focusing on six-day creationism and apologetics)

The New Tolerance, by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler

Breaking the Da Vinci Code, by Darrell L. Bock

 Ravi Zacharias  (RZIM: a highly respected and biblically-faithful evangelist-apologist)

A Ready Defense, by Josh McDowell (complied by Bill Wilson)

 Sacred Tribes Journal  (Christian/Academic-based study of new religious movements: Trinity Graduate School)

The Kingdom of the Cults, by Walter Martin (Ravi Zacharias – Editor)

ESV Study Bible, by Crossway (includes a section on how the Bible was put together and on other religions)

The Historical Reliability of the Gospels, by Craig Blomberg

The New Testament Documents: Are they Reliable?, by F.F. Bruce

Leadership & Pastoral Ministry

In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Master Plan of Evangelism, by Robert E. Coleman

Mentoring for Mission, by Gunter Krallmann (handbook on leadership principles exemplified by Jesus Christ)

 The Gospel Coalition  (conservative-evangelical organization: offers theological resources, sermons, devotionals, conferences, etc.)

 Desiring God  (God-centered resources from the ministry of John Piper).

Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century, by John R.W. Stott

Spiritual Leadership, by J. Oswald Sanders

The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus (Guard the Truth), by John Stott (BST)

Christian Theology/Doctrine 

Who is this Jesus?, by Michael Green

How to Be Born Again, by Billy Graham

The Holy Spirit, by Billy Graham

Knowing Scripture, by R. C Sproul

  LRBC Doctrine  Statement of Faith of the Evangelical Free Church of America
 Confessional Statement  from The Gospel Coalition

 The Gospel of Jesus Christ , by D.A. Carson (The Gospel Coalition)

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J.I. Packer

Lectures on Revival, by Charles G. Finney

The Essential C.S. Lewis, Lyle W. Dorsett (Editor)

Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe, by Mark Driscoll and Gary Breshears

The God Who is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story, by D.A. Carson 
Bible Doctrine, by Wayne Grudem and Jeff Purswel (abbreviated version of Systematic Theology)

Systematic Theology, by Wayne Grudem (the original & longer version of Bible Doctrine)

Christian Theology, by Millard J. Erickson

Arminian Theology, by Roger E. Olson

Cathechism of the Catholic Church, by Liberia Editrice Vaticana

Pocket History of Theology, by Roger E. Olson and Adam C. English

Pocket History of Evangelical Theology, by Roger E. Olson

The Person of Christ, Donald Macleod

The Cross and Salvation: the Doctrine of Salvation, by Bruce Demarest

Globalizing Theology, Craig Ott & Harold A. Netland (Editors)

Cross Words, by Paul Wells

John Wesley, Albert C. Outler (Editor)

The Gospel of Life, by Pope John Paul II

Three Views on Creation and Evolution, J.P. Moreland & John Mark Reynolds (General Editors)

Two Views on Women in Ministry, James R. Beck & Craig L. Blomberg (Editors)

Four Views on the Book of Revelation, Stanley N. Gundry (Series Editor)

Three Views on the Rapture, Stanley Gundry (Series Editor)

On the Incarnation, by St. Athanasius

The Gospel According to John, by D.A. Caron (Pillar New Testament Commentary)

The Epistle to the Romans, by Douglas J. Moo (New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Biblical Studies

Knowing Scripture, by R. C Sproul

ESV Study Bible, by Crossway

New Bible Commentary, IVP Eerdmans (one volume commentary on the Bible)

Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, by Grenz, Guretzki & Nordling

Effective Bible Teaching, by Jim Wilhoit and Leland Ryken

How to Read the Bible as Literature: and Get More Out of It, by Leland Ryken

Encountering the Old Testament, by Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer

Encountering the New Testament, by Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough

New Testament History, by F.F. Bruce

Jesus and the Rise of Early Christianity, by Paul Barnett

The Historical Reliability of the Gospels, by Craig L. Blomberg

The New Testament Documents: Are they Reliable?, by F.F. Bruce

Old Testament Commentary Survey, by Tremper Longman III (for recommendations on OT Commentaries)

New Testament Commentary Survey, by D.A. Carson (for recommendations on NT Commentaries)

Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible, Kevin Vanhoozer (Editor)

Please note the following: 1) The information above references websites, books and other sources related to Christian living and gospel ministry (including related subjects such as history and culture). 2) Some of these materials referenced are not written from a Christian perspective, but give helpful insights into various topics nonetheless. 3) In some cases, resources have been recommended that offer different or contrasting perspectives with one another, which help us think more deeply through the issues (challenging our own preconceptions and biases) and better understand, with humility, the perspectives we disagree with. 4) I do not endorse everything promoted or stated in these resources (including those written by Christians), but nevertheless, believe these materials contain helpful insights for us.  For biblically sound doctrine, see our Statement of Faith.  I also strongly recommend the theology and ministry of The Gospel Coalition.  5) I have not read all of the information contained in these resources below. Obviously websites are continually updated, and I also wanted to create a list that was not limited to my own studies. Some of the books referenced are ones that I have not read (or have only skimmed), but they are written by authors who I respect, and/or they are books recommended by others who have insights greater than myself. This is a work in progress and will be updated as time goes on.