If you’ve been around me for very long, you know that I love to read and I love “a good book.”  The category usually doesn’t matter.  I love history, theology, health and wellness, sports, business and finance, leadership, marriage and family, even an occasional fiction by John Grisham… about the only thing I don’t read are sappy romance novels.  I’m romantic enough already:)

People frequently ask me what I believe about certain subjects.  Since I’m a pastor, those subjects usually deal with theology.  So, following are some of the books that have influenced my theology the most.  Some are apologetic in nature, some are issue oriented, but all of them have helped me to understand and teach God’s word more accurately.

1.  Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem.  If you are going to buy one theology book, make it this one.  It is not necessarily a book that you sit down and read cover to cover, but at 1264 pages, it encompasses a wealth of material.  Dr. Grudem’s book does what a good systematic theology should do.  He gives you all points of views on a particular belief.  While at the same time, he’s not afraid to tell you what he believes and why.  He also published a shorter, more user friendly version of the same book called Bible Doctrine.

2.  Essential Christianity by Walter Martin.  This book has a special place in my heart because I came across it in college when I was being challenged by a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  I believed in the Trinity and the Deity of Christ and salvation by faith because someone said I should.  I had never answered the question, “Why do I believe in the Trinity?”  Dr. Martin’s little book strengthened my faith in God’s word and really put me on a lifetime path of knowing God through His word.  The book is out of print but if you can get a hold of it, I highly recommend it.

3.  The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin.  Another great book by the late Dr. Walter Martin.  If you want to know what Muslims believe, why Mormonism is considered a cult, how to share your faith with a Buddhist, and a plethora of other questions answered, this is the book for you.  Again, this one is more of a resource book than one you read from cover to cover.

4.  Christianity in Crisis by Hank Hanegraaff.  Hanegraaff took Martin’s place as the Bible Answer Man.  The Bible Answer Man is a call in radio show that is televised on many Christian radio stations.  His book is a fascinating read.  It basically takes apart the “name and claim it” theology that has swept through Christian television and much of the charismatic movement.  If you’ve ever sent money to Benny Henn or thought Kenneth Copeland was a prophet from God, please read this book.

5.  The Story of Christianity by Justo Gonzalez.  This is a 2 volume set that was written for the beginner church historian.  I read it in seminary and it was my first taste of church history.  As you read church history it helps you understand your faith in a deeper way and see that God didn’t stop working just because the Canon of Scripture was closed.  The Story of Christianity is still being written today.

6.  How Good is Good Enough by Andy Stanley.  No list of mine is complete without something by Andy Stanley.  No preacher has influenced my life and ministry as much.  His book Communicating For A Change influenced me much more than How Good is Good Enough.  But I know several people whose entire theology was changed overnight by reading this short little book.  You can read it in one sitting and understand grace in a whole new way.

7.  The Gospel According To Jesus by John MacArthur.  Another book that came at a pivotal time in my life when I was trying to “work out my own salvation.”  If you are looking for a book that explains from scripture salvation according to Jesus Christ, I highly recommend this book.  If you are wondering where I fall on the “Lordship Salvation” controversy, I agree 100% with MacArthur.

8.  Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell.  There are many good apologetic books on the market by everyone from Lee Strobel to Ravi Zacharias to C.S. Lewis.  McDowell’s book happens to the one that influenced my life the most when I needed some answers.  A shorter version of similar material about Jesus is one by McDowell called More Than A Carpenter.

9.  Growing Deep In The Christian Life by Charles Swindoll.  This is a very user friendly book that covers several areas of theology.  Chuck Swindoll is a great author who uses humor and stories to explain God’s Word in a way anyone can understand.  My wife Tabitha said God used this book to really shape her theology and grow her faith.  I concur.