Have you ever asked or been asked these questions?
- Who is God?
- Why should I believe in God?
- Why does God allow bad things to happen?
- Did God create evil?
- Is God more powerful than the devil?
- Has science and the big bang disproved the Bible and Christianity?
- Who wrote the Bible?
- Why is the Bible full of apparent contradictions?
- Is the Bible relevant?
- Are biblical miracles just magic tricks that fooled simple primitive people?
- Why is there so much evil in the world?
- How was Mary a virgin?
- Who is Jesus and why is he the only way to God?
- Is Jesus really the Son of God?
- What’s the meaning of Christmas?
- What’s the meaning of Easter?
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
- What does ‘born again’ mean?
- What is salvation?
- Why does God forgive bad people?
- Why are there so many different churches and denominations?
- Is there an afterlife?
- What happens after death?
- What do I need to do to get to heaven?
- What about those who have never heard or will never hear about Jesus; will they go to heaven?
- What are the end times, and are we living in them?
- Who is the antichrist?
- Why do college students lose their faith?
These are important questions! We want to help you find biblical solutions and articulate biblical answers to these real-life struggles.
Below is a brief list of recommended books we believe will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible, church history, doctrine, and theology. Many of these books are available at the library at First Baptist Church.
*A recommendation does not mean we agree with everything in the book or with the author’s total theology. We believe we can learn from other brothers and sisters even though we may disagree on secondary or tertiary matters. We encourage everyone to follow the example of the Bereans (Acts 17:11) and test everything by Scripture and hold fast to what is true (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
To see more recommended reading, check out our book lists for Christian Living and Christian Relationships.
RECOMMENDED READING ON CHRISTIAN BELIEFS
Biblical Theology
- The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God’s Story by D. A. Carson
- According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible by Graeme Goldsworthy
- Christ from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Trent Hunter and Stephen Wellum
- Biblical Theology: How the Church Faithfully Teaches the Gospel by Nick Roark & Robert Cline
- God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible by Vaughan Roberts
- Covenant and God’s Purpose for the World by Thomas R. Schreiner
Historical Theology & Biography
- To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson by Courtney Anderson
- Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton
- Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan
- Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
- The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World by Stephen J. Nichols
- 27 Servants of Sovereign Joy: Faithful, Flawed, and Fruitful by John Piper
- The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves
- Eighteenth Century Christian Leaders by J. C. Ryle
- Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley
Systematic Theology—General Titles
- Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know by Wayne Grudem
- Sound Doctrine: How a Church Grows in the Love and Holiness of God by Bobby Jamieson
- Bitesize Theology: An ABC of the Christian Faith by Peter Jeffery
- Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen
- Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs by J. I. Packer
- Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology by R. C. Sproul
Systematic Theology—God
- Where was God When that Happened? And Other Questions about God’s Goodness, Power and the Way He Works in the World by Christopher Ash
- The Existence and Attributes of God by Stephen Charnock
- The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel
- 40 Questions About Creation and Evolution by Kenneth Keathley and Mark Rooker
- Knowing God by J. I. Packer
- The Attributes of God by Arthur W. Pink
- Providence by John Piper
- The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God’s Delight in Being God by John Piper
- Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves
- Chosen by God by R. C. Sproul
- The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul
- The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good? by R. C. Sproul
- The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer
- God’s Glory Alone – The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life: What the Reformers Taught and Why It Still Matters by David Vandrunen
Systematic Theology—Scripture
- God’s Word Alone – The Authority of Scripture: What the Reformers Taught and Why It Still Matters by Matthew Barrett
- Why Trust the Bible? by Greg Gilbert
- Inspiration by Archibald A. Hodge and Benjamin B. Warfield
- A Peculiar Glory: How the Christian Scriptures Reveal Their Complete Truthfulness by John Piper
Systematic Theology—Angels, Humans, and Sin
- Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical and Balanced Perspective by Brian Borgman and Rob Ventura
- Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges
- Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction by Kevin DeYoung
- Created in God’s Image by Anthony Hoekema
- The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther
- The Christian View of Man by J. Gresham Machen
- Did the Devil Make Me Do It? And Other Questions about Satan, Demons and Evil Spirits by Mike McKinley
- What Makes Us Human? And Other Questions about God, Jesus and Human Identity by Mark Meynell
- Conscience: What It is, How to Train it, and Loving Those Who Differ by Andrew David Naselli and J. D. Crowley
- The Mortification of Sin by John Owen
- Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism ed. by John Piper and Wayne Grudem
- Willing to Believe: Understanding the Role of the Human Will in Salvation by R. C. Sproul
- The Sinfulness of Sin by Ralph Venning
Systematic Theology—Christ
- Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation by Joel R. Beeke & William Boekestein
- From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective ed. by David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson
- Who Is Jesus? by Greg Gilbert
- The Son of God and the New Creation by Graeme Goldsworthy
- A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Jesus Christ: An Introduction to Christology by Mark Jones
- The Cross He Bore by Frederick S. Leahy
- The Work of Christ by Robert Letham
- The Person of Christ by Donald Macleod
- Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners by Dane Ortlund
- The Glory of Christ: His Office and Grace by John Owen
- The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen
- Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper
- What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper
- Rejoicing in Christ by Michael Reeves
- Saved from What? by R. C. Sproul
- The Truth of the Cross by R. C. Sproul
- The Cross of Christ by John R. W. Stott
- Christ Alone – The Uniqueness of Jesus as Savior: What the Reformers Taught and Why It Still Matters by Stephen Wellum
- God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum
Systematic Theology—Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit by Sinclair Ferguson
- Perspectives on Pentecost: New Testament Teaching on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit by Richard Gaffin
- Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship by John MacArthur
- Keep in Step with the Spirit by J. I. Packer
- The Mystery of the Holy Spirit by R. C. Sproul
- Spiritual Gifts: What They Are and Why They Matter by Thomas Schreiner
- Counterfeit Miracles: A History of Fake Miracles and Healings in the Christian and Catholic Traditions, with Arguments in Favor of Cessationism by B. B. Warfield
Systematic Theology—Salvation
- The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel by James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken
- The Art of Turning from Sin to Christ for a Joyfully Clear Conscience by Kevin DeYoung
- What Is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert
- Saved By Grace by Anthony Hoekema
- Conversion: How God Creates a People by Michael Lawrence
- The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? by John MacArthur
- Slave: The Hidden Truth about Your Identity in Christ by John MacArthur
- Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray
- No Quick Fix: Where Higher Life Theology Came From, What It Is, and Why It’s Harmful by Andrew David Naselli
- The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ by Ray Ortlund
- Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots by J. C. Ryle
- Faith Alone – The Doctrine of Justification: What the Reformers Taught and Why It Still Matters by Thomas R. Schreiner
- Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification by R. C. Sproul
- Grace Alone – Salvation as a Gift of God: What the Reformers Taught and Why It Still Matters by Carl R. Trueman
- A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God’s Love by Milton Vincent
- The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson
Systematic Theology—Church
- 9 Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever
- The Church: The Gospel Made Visible by Mark Dever
- Understanding the Great Commission by Mark Dever
- Understanding Church Leadership by Mark Dever
- What Is a Healthy Church? by Mark Dever
- Why Should I Join a Church? by Mark Dever
- How to Build a Healthy Church: A Practical Guide for Deliberate Leadership by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander
- The Compelling Community by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop
- What Is the Mission of the Church? Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert
- Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential by Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman
- Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God’s Word Today by David Helm
- Going Public: Why Baptism is Required for Church Membership by Bobby Jamieson
- Understanding Baptism by Bobby Jamieson
- Understanding the Lord’s Supper by Bobby Jamieson
- Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global by Andy Johnson
- Church Membership: How the Worlds Knows Who Represents Jesus by Jonathan Leeman
- Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus by Jonathan Leeman
- Is It Loving to Practice Church Discipline? by Jonathan Leeman
- Understanding Church Discipline by Jonathan Leeman
- Understanding the Congregation’s Authority by Jonathan Leeman
- The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-shift That Changes Everything by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
- Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions by John Piper
- Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus by Jeramie Rinne
- Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church by Matt Smethurst
Systematic Theology—Last Things
- We Shall See God: Charles Spurgeon’s Classic Devotional Thoughts on Heaven by Randy Alcorn
- The Bible and the Future by Anthony Hoekema
- What Happens When I Die? And Other Questions about Heaven, Hell and the Life to Come by Marcus Nodder
- How Will the World End? And Other Questions about the Last Things and the Second Coming of Christ by Jeramie Rinne
Worldview & Ethics
- Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe by Voddie Baucham
- Good and Bad Ways to Think about Religion and Politics by Robert Benne
- Innocent Blood: Challenging the Powers of Death with the Gospel of Life by John Ensor
- Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl
- Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College by Michael J. Kruger
- Health, Wealth, and Happiness: Has the Prosperity Gospel Overshadowed the Gospel of Christ? by David W. Jones and Russell S. Woodbridge
- We Cannot Be Silent: Speaking Truth to a Culture Redefining Sex, Marriage, and the Very Meaning of Right & Wrong by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
- Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity by Nancy Pearcey
- Assisted Suicide by Vaughan Roberts
- Abortion: A Rational Look at an Emotional Issue by R. C. Sproul
- Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution by Carl Trueman