I was recently asked for a list of the top books I have ever read. It did not take me long to compile a list. Out of the hundreds of books I have read over the years, there have been some that have made a particular impression on me more than others. Although I am young and still have many more years of reading to do, the following list encompasses the best books I have read up to this point in my life.
1. The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.
Standing at the top of my list is an influential and profound classic by one of the greatest theologians of the Christian church. I have been reading through Calvin’s Institutes this past year and I am absolutely amazed at the profundity of his insight into the biblical text and the precision of his theological formulation. On top of this, I have found Calvin’s tome to be devotional and edifying. There is no wonder in my mind why The Institutes makes so many modern theologians’ top ten lists. I really cannot say enough about it. Highly, highly recommended.
2. Redemption: Accomplished and Applied by John Murray.
This book helped me formulate a biblical perspective of salvation. It presents one of the best (and convincing!) treatments of the doctrine of definite atonement that I have ever read. No Christian should go through life without reading this book at least once.
3. Saved by Grace by Anthony Hoekema.
After I first read this book by Hoekema, I was absolutely stunned that I had never heard of it before. It was that good! Similar to Murray’s book in content, it convincingly offers a systematic treatment of soteriology in brief compass.
4. Knowing God by J.I. Packer.
My theology professor in college assigned this book to his students every year. He informed us that when we came to the last page of this book we would be utterly disappointed that we were finished with it! After reading this book twice since then, I can testify to the truthfulness of that sentiment. Packer’s book is concise, clear, and extremely deep. No believer can afford to miss out on this one!
5. The Cross of Christ by John Stott.
In light of Stott’s death this past year, it is fitting that his weighty book makes my list. I found his book to be extremely helpful in centering my mind on the core of the Christian message—the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no doubt in my mind that Stott’s book will go down in the annals of church history.
6. The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur.
What can I say about this book? MacArthur’s work had a profound impact on my life when I first read it. He crystalizes what it means to truly believe in Jesus Christ. All of his books on the Gospel since then—The Gospel According the Apostles, Hard to Believe, and Slave, among others—have reemphasized this same theme. Anyone who desires to know what salvation is all about—an active and submissive trust in the Lord Jesus Christ—should read this now classic work.
7. We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry by G.K. Beale
Although this book is fairly recent (being written in 2008), I include it here because it was somewhat paradigm shifting for me. It was my first introduction to the discipline of biblical theology and really advanced a compelling thesis. Since reading it, I have never read the Bible (particularly its statements on idolatry) the same.
8. The Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle
Since becoming a father almost two years ago, I have read several parenting books. None of them have been as penetrating as J.C. Ryle’s classic. In fact, I would say that many of the modern parenting books have simply rehashed and reproduced the substance of Ryle’s book. Every Christian parent needs to read this book. It is a book you can read in one sitting and it will shape your understanding of the role of a parent more than any other book.
9. Paradise Restored by David Chilton
I need to qualify this book right from the get-go lest I be mistaken for a Reconstructionist. I greatly disagree with many of Chilton’s other works—especially those on theonomy—and I do not see eye to eye with him on everything. I include this book, however, because it had an unusual impact on my life when I was younger. I first read this book after high school and it shook the foundations of my dispensationalism (the reverberations of which are still in effect!). Chilton writes from a partial-preterist/postmillennial perspective (which I entertained for a number of years after reading it). Although I disagree with him now, I still look back on this book as formative and influential.
10. The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink
I had a professor in college tell me that this book made him a Calvinist overnight. After reading it, I can see why. Pink’s approach to God’s sovereignty is thoroughly biblical and organized in such a way that makes it difficult to deny God’s exhaustive, intricate, detailed, and all-encompassing sovereignty in all things—including the salvation of some and the damnation of others. If someone asks me for a good introduction to the doctrines of sovereign grace, I usually first recommend this book by Pink.
What are your favorite, most impacting books?
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