For Your Christmas Wish List: Pastor Book Recommendations
As Christmas swiftly approaches and you choose gifts for your loved ones, consider this: would your brother-in-law be better off with a tacky Bengals beanie or a resource of sound biblical exegesis? As any discerning, Bible-focused member of this fellowship could tell you, the answer is of course the latter.
In-depth reading is becoming an increasingly lost art. While the spiritual imperative of reading the Scriptures is clearly evident, and the only necessary reading material of any believer, one can benefit from the writings of faithful and learned men. Whether it be by perusing a commentary exegeting from a particular passage (much like listening to any good sermon), learning ways to practically live out the truths of God’s Word, or simply being better educated on how men’s minds operate (and have throughout history), there is a temporary treasure to be gleaned. The issue, however, is to separate the wheat from the chaff, what is good an profitable from the host of false teachings, perverse doctrines, and popular worldly thinking that disguises itself as spiritual truth.
Luckily for you, several pastors from across the Living Faith Fellowship have been so kind as to share personal recommendations of books they have found interesting and impactful. While there may be caveats to some works, these have been selected with a broad audience of believers in mind. If you are looking for material for your personal reading or the benefit of others, take a look at the lists below and grab a copy of something appealing.
Randy Foster is the missions pastor at Heartland Baptist Church in Harrisonville, MO. He recommended the following books:
Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee
In this book, Nee sheds a light on the biblical nature of spiritual authority, as well as principles of obedience and submission under it.
The Names of God by Andrew Jukes
Here Jukes takes a scholarly look at the usage of the names of God in Scripture, demonstrating how they display the unity of the Word, rather than the disunity some claim.
The Law of the Offerings by Andrew Jukes
Another book from Andrew Jukes. Here he explores the connection of the sacrifices in Leviticus as a spiritual picture of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Mere Apologetics by Alister McGrath
McGrath supplies a method of biblical apologetics that can be applied to the arguments and questions of a variety of audiences.
Study of the Types by Ada R. Habershon
Habershon takes the reader through a study of biblical typology, in which types and symbols in the Old Testament provide prophetic illustrations of Christ’s life, nature, and work.
Alan Shelby is the pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Blue Springs, MO. Alan is also dean of the Living Faith Bible Institute. Here are his recommendations in his own words:
Easy English: The Parts of Speech by Nancy Ragno
A wonderful book for learning the ins-and-outs of the English language for the sake of Bible exegesis.
6 Complete Books - Kindle Edition by Clarence Larkin
A staple to the formalizing of dispensational theology and its impact on prophecy. Larkin is always good for a brush up on the things we may already know.
Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic by Tom Holland
Well, since we are the New Romans, it's always good to learn our history.
The Visions and Prophecies of Zechariah by David Baron
An overall great exegesis of the book of Zechariah with relevant Jewish input.
C.H. Spurgeon: A Biography by Willliam Young Fullerton
This book is not just the chronological story of Spurgeon's life but a topical biography as well.
Brandon Briscoe is the pastor of the College and Young Adults ministry at Midtown Baptist Temple in Kansas City, MO. Brandon is also the provost of Living Faith Bible Institute. Here are his selections:
Calling Out the Called by Scott Pace & Shane Pruitt
This book does a wonderful job of instructing pastors in what it means to teach and train the leaders that God is raising up in our ministries.
Uprooting Anger by Robert D. Jones
A wonderful study of anger in scripture that weaves anecdotes and counsel to help one better understand our emotions and how to keep them yielded to Christ.
The Atonement: A Biblical, Theological and Historical Study of the Cross of Christ by David L. Allen
A fantastically thorough study of the abounding grace and atoning work of Christ. This analysis is so thorough that there is not a Calvinist who could honestly hold their "limited" view after reading it.
Three Views of the Rapture: Pre Tribulation, Pre-Wrath & Post Tribulation by Gundry & Hultberg
This book evenly presents the three theological views on the rapture in a debate style format. This book was good for sharpening my pre-tribulation rapture perspective while fairly assessing the opposing views. For a work that more thoroughly represents our pre-tribulation position, consider the required reading for LFBI’s Eschatology course, Things to Come by Dwight Pentecost.
God’s Provision For All by Leighton Flowers
Having recently interviewed Flowers on the Postscript, I felt it appropriate to once again share his book that addresses a biblical-view of God’s grace and provision for all people. While this book isn’t an overt argument against Calvinism, it does present a theology that clearly counters that of the Calvinist.
Thomas Harding is the discipleship pastor at Oakland Heights Baptist Church in Cartersville, GA. He recommends the following books:
Transforming Prayer by Daniel Henderson
Describes the connection of worship to prayer, with practical tools for more effective prayer beyond the typical request laundry-list approach.
Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald
Proposes the submission to God, ordering, and disciplining of the inner self (thoughts and heart) to live a more effective, less exhausting external life.
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
A guide to spiritual disciplines that better cultivate personal holiness in day-to-day life.
Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer Towns
A book outlining 9 biblical fasts to apply to particular issues, as well as principles for fasting as a whole.
Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp
Addresses unhealthy problems in pastoral culture with strategies to combat these issues as well as others that plague ministry membership and leadership.
James Fyffe is a missions pastor at Midtown Baptist Temple in Kansas City, MO. Here are several books he recommends:
The Long War Against God by Henry M. Morris
A look at the impacts of evolutionary theory on all other areas of thought, science, culture etc. Has lots of references.
Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain by David Eagleman
A look at neuroscience, consciousness, our unconscious mind. He makes applications to social interactions and free will. Entertaining, simple science read.
Who's in Charge by Michael Gazzaniga
Another discussion on the brain and free will. He argues against determinism.
The Islamic Antichrist by Joel Richardson
If you are interested in Islamic eschatology and how it aligns with Biblical truth then this is worth a read. I don't agree with his conclusions, but he covers the details of the belief system in detail. For balance also read Islamic Antichrist Debunked by Chris White for another viewpoint.
The Three Mrs. Judsons by Cecil B. Hartley
A biographic account of the three missionary’s who were married to the famed missionary to Burma, Adoniram Judson.
