Recommended Books - Theology

Click on each book picture for a link to purchase the book.

bitesize theology

Bitesize Theology: In this easy-to-read book, Peter Jeffery shows us just how tantalizingly enjoyable Bible teaching can be. With short but solid chapters on key subjects, he outlines the ABCs of the Christian faith. Each of the chapters is bite sized. There is just enough to manage at one time, and you will find there is much to nourish the mind as well as to warm the heart and inspire the will. Quotations from other writers are also included, as is as a list of recommended books for additional reading. There is also a guide for reading the New Testament and Psalms through in a year.

 

god is the gospelGod is the Gospel: God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 4:6. This book is a cry from the heart of John Piper. He is pleading that God himself, as revealed in Christ’s death and resurrection, is the ultimate and greatest gift of the gospel. None of Christ’s gospel deeds and none of our gospel blessings are good news except as means of seeing and savoring the glory of Christ. Forgiveness is good news because it opens the way to the enjoyment of God himself. Justification is good news because it wins access to the presence and pleasures of God himself. Eternal life is good news because it becomes the everlasting enjoyment of Christ. All God’s gifts are loving only to the degree that they lead us to God himself. That is what God’s love is: his commitment to do everything necessary (most painfully the death of his only Son) to enthrall us with what is most deeply and durably satisfying—namely, himself. Saturated with Scripture, centered on the cross, and seriously joyful, this book leads us to satisfaction for the deep hungers of the soul. It touches us at the root of life where practical transformation gets its daily power. It awakens our longing for Christ and opens our eyes to his beauty. Piper writes for the soul-thirsty who have turned away empty and in desperation from the mirage of methodology. He invites us to slow down and drink from a deeper spring. “This is eternal life,” Jesus said, “that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” This is what makes the gospel—and this book—good news.

God's love sproulGod's Love: Encounter a God who not only loves but is love. Love has come to mean many things. It's used to describe emotions. It's the glue for relationships. It frames countless stories. And the greatest of these stories opens before time began and echoes throughout eternity. It's the story of God's unrelenting, overwhelming love for His people. Yet the truth of love is even more majestic, more staggering, and more extraordinary than we can understand: God doesn't just love us. He is love. Renowned theologian and teacher Dr. R. C. Sproul takes a remarkable look at this most profound truth. God's Love delves deep into Scripture to explore this dynamic attribute of God, which finds its ultimate expression in His Son. Dr. Sproul also examines seeming paradoxes, such as a loving God and divine hate, and how love coexists with God's sovereignty Practical, insightful, and revolutionary, God's Love compels and calls us to reflect His nature of unconditional love.

holiness of godHoliness of God, The: Central to God’s character is the quality of holiness. Yet, even so, most people are hard-pressed to define what God’s holiness precisely is. Many preachers today avoid the topic altogether because people today don’t quite know what to do with words like “awe” or “fear.” R. C. Sproul, in this classic work, puts the holiness of God in its proper and central place in the Christian life. He paints an awe-inspiring vision of God that encourages Christian to become holy just as God is holy. Once you encounter the holiness of God, your life will never be the same.

 

 

knowable wordKnowable Word: Observe...Interpet...Apply People with Bibles don't always know how to use them. They're good at absorbing and repeating material from sermons, commentaries, and blogs, but they miss the fullness and joy that comes from studying the Bible for themselves. The power to change the world is available, but it goes untapped. Though study aids are helpful, imagine if your primary ministry curriculum was Scripture itself. You could study the Bible, teach people how to study it themselves, and expect those folks to lead their own Bible studies with their neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Each year, you'd see an increasing number of men and women wield the sword of the Spirit, piercing hearts and drawing the lost to Jesus. Ordinary people can learn to study the Bible. These people may not have been to seminary. They don't have much free time. But they love Jesus and want to be more like him. They want to know him. Knowable Word offers a foundation on why and how to study the Bible. Using a running study of the first chapter of Genesis, it illustrates how to observe, interpret, and apply the Scripture-and gives the vision behind each step. It also shows how to read each Bible passage in light of salvation history. But besides being just a how-to on Bible study, it fuels the desire to learn and grow through studying the Scriptures. This book will appeal to three kinds of people: 1. Beginners who love God and his Word 2.Mature Christians who want to improve their Bible study skills 3.Leaders who long not only to teach but also to equip Knowable Word offers what each group needs: a sensible Bible study method. By learning to observe, interpret, and apply, ordinary people will grow extraordinarily close to Jesus Christ as they learn to study his knowable Word.

the PlanPlan, The: Delivers a concise overview of God's plan for the world by outlining its presence in Scripture. From eternity past God has had a perfect plan for the world. The Fall and entrance of sin into the world did not surprise him, nor did it detract from his plan. All things have been sovereignly worked to this end. What exactly is this plan, and where do we learn about it? In this new booklet from the Gospel Coalition, Colin Smith demonstrates that God's plan is shown in the Bible and centers around his promise to bring sinners to eternal life, through Christ, for his glory. The Old Testament tells the story of the making of the promise, which is fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God's people, the church, spread the good news of this promise to the world, and the Holy Spirit is given to believers as the seal of the promise. The Plan offers a thoughtful explanation for point 5 of the Gospel Coalition's confessional statement. The Gospel Coalition is an evangelical renewal movement dedicated to a scripture-based reformation of ministry practices.

what is atonementWhat is Atonement?: he atonement, and its significance to Christ's death on the cross, is a doctrine sadly fading from focus in our modern evangelical churches. Yet Richard Phillips asserts that it is a necessary truth for Christian salvation. As soon as we start to ask questions like "How is Jesus the Christ?", Why do we need a Savior?", and "What did he do to save us?" the answers take us directly to Christ's atoning work. This booklet explores and defends the importance of the atonement in terms of its centrality, terminology, theories, extent, and role in ministry - the "why," "what," "how," "for whom," and "what then" of the atonement.

 

what is faithWhat is Faith?: The Bible teaches us that Christians are those who believe in Christ. But what does true saving faith look like? Is it a blind leap in the dark? Is it knowing about God? Does it translate into something that those around us can see? How much faith is enough? Here Christian faith is examined from biblical, theological, and historical perspectives. Its aspects of intellect, relationship, trust, works, and maturity are explored to answer these questions and to show us what faith truly is.

 

 

What is GraceWhat is Grace?: The doctrine of grace is at the heart of the Reformed faith. It is at the center of our best hymns, our truest expositions of Scripture, and our theological systems. Yet, even though it is such an important word, many people use it with little understanding of what it means. Even Christians familiar with the idea sometimes fail to grasp all that grace implies. Here Sean Michael Luchas cuts through popular misconceptions about grace and exposes inadequate definitions of the word. He turns to the authority of the Bible to understand what grace truly is and all that it entails. This theologically rich and pastorally sensitive approach to grace is accessible to all Christians - Pastors and laypeople alike.

 

what is the gospelWhat is the Gospel?: What is the gospel? Bryan Chapell explains that the gospel is the message that God sent a savior to rescue broken people, restore creation's glory, and rule over all with compassion and justice. This new booklet from the Gospel Coalition examines the gospel's proclamation that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides for those who believe all that God requires and leads to eternal life. But this ancient, unfolding story of salvation is not limited to personal spiritual realities. God's rescue, restoration, and rule through Christ renew hearts, empower lives, and transform the world. What Is the Gospel? examines how the salvation that unfolds in Scripture grants to God's people the right to participate in the furthering of the kingdom that transforms all things for his glory. What Is the Gospel? offers a thoughtful explanation for point 6 of the Gospel Coalition's confessional statement. The Gospel Coalition is an evangelical renewal movement dedicated to a scripture-based reformation of ministry practices.

What is the gospel 9 marksWhat is the Gospel? (IX marks): This newest addition to the IXMarks series presents a clear, straightforward statement of the gospel, the third mark of a healthy church. What Is the Gospel? It seems like a simple question, yet it has been known to incite some heated responses, even in the church. How are we to formulate a clear, biblical understanding of the gospel? Tradition, reason, and experience all leave us ultimately disappointed. If we want answers, we must turn to the Word of God. Greg Gilbert does so in What Is the Gospel? Beginning with Paul’s systematic presentation of the gospel in Romans and moving through the sermons in Acts, Gilbert argues that the central structure of the gospel consists of four main subjects: God, man, Christ, and a response. The book carefully examines each and then explores the effects the gospel can have in individuals, churches, and the world. Both Christian and non–Christian readers will gain a clearer understanding of the gospel in this valuable resource.