10 Books, Besides the Bible, that Every Christian Should Read

Initial Apologies:

If someone were to attempt to list all the books that could be beneficial to the life of every single Christian, the list would take days to read, because God, in his wonderful grace, has used many people to communicate the truth about him very beautifully. These ten texts are simply a start, I encourage everyone to be consistently involved in reading wise and godly Christians from the history of the church. So, I am sorry for the essential incomplete nature of this list, but hopefully it will be a strong start for those looking to bolster their reading of texts that seek to teach about our Holy, Triune God. All links below lead to places where the texts can be acquired. The numbers are not a ranking of how I rate the quality of each in relation to the others. 

1. THE FUNDAMENTALS: A TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH

If you ever wonder where the term 'Fundamentalist' comes from, this text is it. BEFORE you immediately disregard it based on your negative perception of the term 'Fundamentalist', bear with me, please. Originally released as a series of essays from the Bible Institute of Los Angelos, (my personal copy is a two volume set) this text seeks to lay out the core essentials of what the Christian faith is in a collection of essays by a variety of scholars from various denominational backgrounds. Notable authors included B.B. Warfield, Thomas Spurgeon, R.A. Torrey, A.C. Dixon, C.I Scofield, and Charles R. Erdman. It addresses numerous topics from atheism to the Trinity, to the nature of Scripture and the Atonement. You can find it on Kindle for $0.99 or on ntslibrary.com for free. 

2. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

This text is possibly the greatest Christian allegory ever written. It is the masterpiece of English Baptist John Bunyan, and it powerfully resonates with those on the Christian walk. Filled with great theological content woven into the fabric of an original story, it is a book that can be of great benefit to children and adults alike. It can be bought rather inexpensively on Amazon or found online for free at ccel.org.

3. FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS

It is vital that Christians understand what their predecessors have suffered for the sake of the Gospel. To lose sight of the all-consuming passion in which those before us have striven to preserve the truth in the face of cultural oppression is to risk allowing ourselves to be lulled to sleep by the rejections of the Gospel in our own culture and era. Time and again, people promoting themselves as 'Christians' have simultaneously promoted the sins and heresies of the world. Such action is not only disrespectful to God, but also to those who died so that we could have the Gospel, today. This book, by John Foxe, is but one of many great texts that draw attention to the struggles of Christians past, and it can be found for as cheaply as $1.00 on Kindle or for free on ccel.  

4. THE NEW TESTAMENT DOCUMENTS: ARE THEY RELIABLE?

F.F. Bruce demonstrates in this concise but brilliant piece of scholarship, that the texts of the New Testament are reliable despite what liberal and atheist scholars have tried to say to the contrary. Being aware of Bruce's argument in this text is a great tool for every Christian to have. This book is $2.00 on Kindle and can be purchased rather cheaply in other formats as well. 

5. THE UNEASY CONSCIENCE OF MODERN FUNDAMENTALISM

Carl F.H. Henry agreed with the theology laid out in The Fundamentals, but he realized that the movement had lost its ability to engage the culture with that truth. In less than ninety pages, he kick-started conservative evangelicalism. This book can be found on Amazon. 

6. ORATIONS AGAINST THE ARIANS

For over half a century Athanasius defended the doctrine of the Trinity against Arianism. This text is the summary of his defense of true Christianity against that heresy. The paperback can be found on Amazon or it can be found on ccel.org for free. 

7. DESIRING GOD

What does it mean to be a Christian hedonist? Essentially, as John Piper argues in his most influential book, it is to fulfill the chief end of man which is to 'glorify God and enjoy him forever'. How does a Christian do this? He tells us that 'God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.' A book centered wholly on the glory of God, this text challenges everything about the modern inclinations of natural man and exhorts him to look heavenward for his satisfaction. This book, and a study guide to go with it, can be found for free at desiringgod.org or can be bought at Amazon.

8. SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD

Easily the shortest inclusion on our list, but nevertheless essential. This sermon by Jonathan Edwards should remind us why the Grace of God is so necessary in our own lives, and why the Gospel is so needed by the world around us. Beyond that, it is considered a classic piece of American literary history. It is free, here, it is read online, here. It can be bought, here.

9. A Christian Manifesto

There are many precise presentations of the Christian faith, and what it means to live it, out there, but Francis Schaeffer provides us with one of the very best in his Manifesto. It is just as relevant now as it was when he first wrote it, and it will continue to be so by virtue of the truth it conveys. This book can be found on Amazon. 

10. THE EARLY CHURCH

Every Christian should know the history of the early church, and Henry Chadwick delivers it to us in a masterful way in this text. This text can be found on Amazon.

Final Thoughts:

As I said, it is impossible to make an exhaustive list of this sort, but I have tried to provide a varied list that addresses the various needs of the Christian life, and I tried to include texts that would helpful both to Christians of a more academic persuasion and also those who simply wish to be faithful laymen in the service of God. How did I do? What would you include that I did not? Which books were you disappointed to see on my list?