20 Books that Christians Should Read

“Visit many good books but live in the Bible.” -Charles Spurgeon

I love the quote from Spurgeon, and within a few moments of being inside my office, you would see that books are a large part of my ministry, study, and life. And even though I have moved multiple times, I find their value enough to carry with me.

A version of this writing resided on the original website (click here to find out what happened). However, I think the first iteration suggested authors instead of books. But rarely do I recommend authors first. Instead, I recommend books and then, after conversations will then recommend other authors.

What I find unique about myself is that some of my tastes have changed as I get older, and I continue to return to certain books for my enjoyment. I do not know if I would make the same recommendations five years ago. Also, this list is in no specific order (neither alphabetical nor by priority). However, I tried to limit an author to only one book. For example, CS Lewis has many great books, but I continue to recommend The Screwtape Letters above everything else he did, and he did a lot of great work.

Below, I have listed 20 books that I recommend to you, as a Christian, should consider reading, with a few quick thoughts on each. Many of the titles below have a clickable link to show where you can purchase a copy. (As a bonus, many of the books below can also be found in audio form.)

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The Screwtape Letters – CS Lewis

In Christian circles, we often don’t get to read about something that is satire (humor and exaggeration to point us to the truth). And yet, what CS Lewis can do with The Screwtape Letters is incredible. This work plays off the idea that if everyone has a guardian angel, then everyone would also be assigned a guardian demon. And this work is written from the demon’s perspective. If you can find the extended version with Screwtape Proposes a Toast, I highly recommend that one. The “Toast” is possibly my favorite entry.

12 Ordinary Men – John MacArthur

A unique look at the men that Jesus called to be disciples. An aspect that makes them unique is that they are ordinary men, and MacArthur focuses on the humanity of each disciple. One of my favorites of this book is how MacArthur describes Peter. He shows Peter as “the disciple with a foot-shaped mouth.” This view of Peter is especially enjoyable as I recently contrasted that study to the older, more mature Peter who wrote his two epistles.

The Sunflower – Simon Wiesenthal

Are you able to forgive? Do you have the right to refuse forgiveness if someone asks? This unique book by Simon Wiesenthal deals with similar questions. What I love about this book is that the story stops without the main character answering the question. The book then turns and gives answers from different people with varying viewpoints.

Basic Theology – Charles Ryrie  

I have lost count of times that I have recommended Christians purchase Basic Theology or referenced the author Charles Ryrie in papers, sermons, and conversations. I love the way the book goes through a progression of the different terms and points of theology. Plus, this book is indexed well to offer a quick reference for reviewing an idea or theme.

I am a Church Member – Thom Rainer

It’s one of my favorite small books from Thom Rainer. The book is physically small, which makes it easy to carry or give as a gift, and it is easy to read. This is another very practical book from Rainer that helps lead the reader to how we should approach being a church member. What should we expect of others? Or, more importantly, what should I expect from myself as a church member?

Point Man – Steve Farrar

Are we raising men to be on point? While this book has been updated, The image I chose looks like my copy. Today’s world is very loud about what men should or shouldn’t do. And if we are not careful, the men in our church will begin reflecting that cultural view instead of a biblical one. Farrar does a beautiful job of pointing men back to biblical principles of leading their families.

How to Help People Change -Jay Adams

A disclaimer: I own a lot of Jay Adams books. However, the one that I often return to is one that also excited me about biblical counseling. How do we help people change? This is a question that I continually ask in my teaching and preaching time. The entire reason for going to church, reading our Bible, and investing in others’ lives is to change and become more like Christ.

Don’t Waste Your Cancer – John Piper

Yes, I understand this may not be the John Piper book you would recommend. (See Desiring God or Don’t Waste Your Life.) However, this short writing titled Don’t Waste Your Cancer is on my annual reading list. Due to being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I would often pray and ask questions about why. However, my mindset changed after reading this little book/pamphlet. If I do not use my sickness (diabetes) to glorify God, then I have wasted an opportunity.

Self-Image – Lou Priolo

With the never-ending assault of Social Media on how we should look, what we should wear, and in 2024, what version of a Stanley Cup we should own. It is no wonder that many of us struggle with our self-image. But how should I think about my image? We can read in the Bible that we are created in the image of God, but do we take the time to understand and try to live it out?

From Pride to Humility – Dr. Stuart Scott 

From Pride to Humility is another example of a subsection of booklets that I have come to recommend over the years. This booklet contains sections of the book by Stuart Scott, The Exemplary Husband. However, Scott writes on a subject that both men and women deal with in their lives. Pride. This book provides hope that we can address the pride we must put off and the Christian humility we must strive to put on.

Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda – Henry and Richard Blackaby

What is success inside the church? What is success for a Christian? Depending upon how you answer those questions as a church leader will often impact the purpose of ministry, events, and overall discipleship within the church. This book offers the opportunity to think of how we move people to God’s agenda and redefine success within the church. From a personal standpoint, I credit this book with a lot of impact on the way I approach the local ministry of the church.

Age of Opportunity – Paul David Tripp

This is another book that has been updated since I purchased my copy. However, I went with the image that looks like mine. The latest version has been expanded and revised, and I encourage you to find that version. From a former youth pastor and current parent to two teenagers, the challenges faced during this time are unique. All parenting seasons come with challenges; nothing is harder or easier. Teenagers are unique because the child is acquiring more adult responsibilities, and we, as parents, often need the most guidance.

The Lie: Evolution – Ken Ham

Another book that I have recommended or given away so many copies that I am unsure if I own a copy on my shelf (actually, I should look.) Like many others, I was formally educated in public school and was exposed to the religion of evolution, Darwin, and many other non-biblical ideas. However, it wasn’t until listening to Ken Ham and reading The Lie that I felt the need to sit down and work out what I think about Creation, the timeline of humanity, and the science of it all.

The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions – Edited by Arthur Bennett

Have you ever thought about the words that you say when you pray? I have. What are the words of my heart that I speak to a Holy and Righteous God? I continually turn to this book for inspiration on how to pray in my prayer life. Often, the words of one of these prayers have made it into a time of corporate prayer in the church.

The Gospel Primer – Milton Vincent

I enjoy asking a group, typically of older Christians, “Why are you saved?” Most can tell you when or that God saved/redeemed them from their sin. Very few will get to the point of saying to “bring honor to God.” The power of this writing is in the gospel message of Christ that the individual is encouraged to preach/teach to themselves on a daily basis. How do we think about the gospel of Christ? How do I talk about the wonderfulness of God with my family, friends, and work?

 The Attributes of God – Arthur W. Pink

I find it unique that I am currently re-reading this book as I write this article. I find myself jealous of how Pink can think and discuss the attributes of God in a manner that makes sense. But it also encourages me to examine the same scriptures for myself and draw my own conclusions. This work challenges me so much when thinking about how God’s Will, plan, and knowledge work together for our good and His glory.

Spiritual Leadership – J. Oswald Sanders

I almost didn’t include Spiritual Leadership by Sanders in this list because I have only recommended this book to pastors, ministry leaders, or people in full-time ministry for so many years. However, because of another book not on this list, I had to change my thought process to understand that everyone is in full-time ministry. This is a very practical book that touches on many subjects, from your call into leadership to the process of maturation and, eventually, even the replacement of leadership.

The Gospel and Personal Evangelism – Mark Dever 

Evangelism is often a term used inside Christianity with the assumption that everyone “knows” what that word means. We hear the pastor saying that we should evangelize. There may be a small group that is teaching a tool to evangelize. But when did we last think about why God called us to evangelize? Evangelism is personal. And as a result, we need to consider why we evangelize.

Biblical Principles of Sex – Robert Smith

Transparently, Biblical Principles of Sex is the most difficult book in this list to find. However, I began recommending this book as part of marriage counseling requirements and as an annual reading for my youth group. I would often tell my teenage groups that if the church does not teach about biblical principles of sex, the world will teach you its own definition.

3:16 The Numbers of Hope – Max Lucado

For the last two or three Easter sermons that I have had the privilege to speak, Lucado’s book 3:16, the Numbers of Hope, has been mentioned or quoted. Chapter 1 starts off with the most famous conversation, which we find in John chapter three of the Bible. And from then on, as a reader, I am hooked.

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Pastor Mark’s Take Away:

In conclusion, a recommendation is only that. I recommend the books above. With few exceptions, they are probably in my office, I have loaned them to someone, or working their way into my next lesson or sermon. My hope is that you will pick one, and I pray for the impact that it will have on your life.

If you have a suggestion that should be added to this article, please visit the contact page.

This writing was on the original website (click here to read more about that event); fortunately, I recovered a draft that was used as a springboard for this article.