Kevin Stilley

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Marriage and Home book recommendations

Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has recommended the following books on Marriage and Home.  What do you think?  What changes would you make to the list?

Akin, Daniel L. God on Sex: The Creator’s Ideas about Love, Intimacy and Marriage from the Song of Songs. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003.

Crabb, Lawrence J. The Marriage Builder: A Blueprint for Couples and Counselors. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982.

Cutrer, William, and Sandra Glahn. When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden: Encouragement for Couples Facing Infertility. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997.

Dobson James. Parenting Isn’t for Cowards. Dallas: Word, 1987.

_______ . The New Dare to Discipline. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1992.

Harley, Williard F., Jr. His Needs, Her Needs. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.

Lahaye, Tim and Beverly. The Act of Marriage. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976.

Powlison, David. Seeing With New Eyes. Phillipsberg, N.J.: P & R, 2003.

Smalley, Gary, and John Trent. The Gift of the Blessing. upd. and exp. Nashville: Nelson, 1993.

Thomas, Gary. Sacred Marriage. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

Tripp, Paul David. Shepherding a Child’s Heart. rev. ed. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 1998.

Wheat, Ed, and Gaye. Intended for Pleasure. rev. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981.

Wright, H. Norman. Marital Counseling: A Biblically-Based Behavioral, Cognitive Approach. Denver: Christian Marriage Enrichment, 1981.

_______ . Pre-Marital Counseling. Chicago: Moody, 1977.

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Recommended books on Pastoral Duties

Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has recommended the following books on Pastoral Duties. What do you think of the books on his list?  What books would you add to this list?

Anderson, Robert C. The Effective Pastor: A Practical Guide to the Ministry. Chicago: Moody, 1985.

Baxter, Richard. The Reformed Pastor. Edinburg: Banner of Truth, 1981.

Cedar, Paul, Kent Hughes, and Ben Patterson. Mastering the Pastoral Role. Portland: Multnomah, 1991.

*Criswell, W.A. Criswell’s Guidebook for Pastors. Nashville: Broadman, 1980.

Graham, Larry Kent. Care of Persons, Care of Worlds. Nashville: Abingdon, 1992.

*MacArthur, John., Jr., ed. Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry: Shaping Contemporary Ministry with Biblical Mandates. Dallas: Word, 1995.

Oden, Thomas. Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry. San Francisco: Harper, 1983.

Piper, John. Brothers, We are Not Professionals. Nashville: Broadman, 2002.

Tidball, Derek. Skilful Shepherds: Explorations in Pastoral Theology. Leicester: Apollos, 1986.

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Christian Education and Teaching Book Recommendations

Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has recommended the following books on Christian Education and Teaching.  What would you add to his list

Anthony, Michael J., ed. Foundations of Ministry: An Introduction to Christian Education. Wheaton: Bridgeport, 1992.

Bertolini, Dewey. Back to the Heart of Youth Ministry. Colorado Springs: Sonflower, 1994.

Bigge, Morris L., and S. Samuel Shermis. Learning Theories for Teachers. 5th ed. New York: HarperCollins, 1992.

Burtchaell, James T. The Dying of the Light: The Disengagement of Colleges and Universities from Their Christian Churches. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

DeVries, Mark. Family Based Youth Ministry. Downers Grove: IVP, 1994.

Edge, Findley B. Teaching for Results. Revised ed. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1995.

Gangel, Kenneth O., and Howard G. Hendricks. The Christian Educator’s Handbook on Teaching. Wheaton: Victor, 1988.

Gangel, Kenneth O., and Warren S. Benson. Christian Education: Its History & Philosophy. Chicago: Moody, 1983.

Gibbs, Eugene, ed. A Reader in Christian Education: Foundations and Basic Perspectives. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.

*Hendricks, Howard. Teaching to Change Lives: Seven Proven Ways to Make Your Teaching Come Alive. Multnomah, 2003.

Holmes, Arthur F. The Idea of A Christian College. Revised. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.

Huggins, Kevin. Parenting Adolescents. Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1989.

Knight, George R. Philosophy & Education: An Introduction in Christian Perspective. 3d ed. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 1998.

LeBar, Lois. E. Education that is Christian. Revised. Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1995.

Marsden, George M. The Soul of the American University: From Protestant Establishment to Established Nonbelief. New York: Oxford, 1994.

Pazmino, Robert W. Basics of Teaching for Christians. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.

________. Foundational Issues in Christian Education. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1988.

________. Principles & Practices of Christian Education: An Evangelical Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.

Richards, Lawrence O., and Gary J. Bredfeldt. Creative Bible Teaching. Revised. Chicago: Moody, 1998.

Taylor, Bill L. 21 Truths, Traditions, & Trends: Propelling the Sunday School Into the 21st Century. Nashville: Convention, 1996.

Wilhoit, Jim. Christian Education & the Search for Meaning. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1986.

Wilhoit, James C., and John M. Dettoni, ed. Nurture That Is Christian: Developmental Perspectives on Christian Education. Wheaton: Bridgepoint, 1995.

Yount, William R. Created to Learn. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1996.

Zuck, Rob B. Teaching as Jesus Taught. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995.

________. Teaching as Paul Taught. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.

Zuck, Roy B., and Robert E. Clark. Childhood Education in the Church. Chicago: Moody, 1975.

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Leadership and Management Book Recommendations

Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has recommended the following books on Christian Leadership and Management.  What do you think of his suggestions?  What would you add to his list?

Anthony, Michael J. The Effective Church Board: A Handbook for Mentoring and Training Servant Leaders. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.

Anderson, Leith. A Church for the 21st Century. Minneapolis: Bethany, 1992.

Barna, George, ed. Leaders On Leadership. The Leading Edge Series. Ventura, CA: Regal, 1997.

Drucker, F. Peter. 1996. The Effective Executive. New York: Harper, 1967.

________. Managing the Non-corporate Organization. New York: Harper, 1990.

________. Managing for the Future: the 1990’s and Beyond. New York: Dutton, 1992.

Finzel, Hans. The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make. Wheaton: Victor, 1994.

Gangel, Kenneth O. Feeding and Leading. Wheaton: Victor, 1989.

________. Team Leadership in Christian Ministry. Chicago: Moody, 1997.

Hersey, Paul, Kenneth H. Blanchard, and Dewey E. Johnson. Management of Organizational Behavior: Utilizing Human Resources. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1996.

Hesselbein, Frances, Marshall Goldsmith, and Richard Beckhard, ed. The Leader of the Future. Drucker Foundation Future Series. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1996.

________., ed. The Organization of the Future. Drucker Foundation Future Series. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1997.

Hesselbein, Frances, Marshall Goldsmith, Richard Beckhard, and Richard F. Schubert, ed. The Community of the Future. Drucker Foundation Future Series. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1998.

Maxwell, John C. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1998.

Miller, Michael D. Kingdom Leadership: A Call to Christ-Centered Leadership. Nashville: Convention Press, 1996.

Mims, Gene. Kingdom Principles for Church Growth. Nashville: Convention Press, 1994.

Schultz, Glen. Kingdom Education. Nashville: LifeWay, 1998.

Shelley, Marshall, ed. Leading Your Church Through Conflict and Resolution. Library of Leadership Development. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1997.

________., ed. Renewing Your Church Through Vision and Planning. Library of Leadership Development. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1997.

Tidwell, Charles A. The Educational Ministry of a Church: A Comprehensive Model for Students and Ministers. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1996.

Westing, Harold J. Church Staff Handbook: How to Build an Effective Ministry Team. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1997.

Williams, Dennis E., and Kenneth O. Gangel. Volunteers for Today’s Church: How to Recruit and Retain Workers. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.

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Spiritual Growth Book Recommendations

In the book Teknon and the Champion Warriors, Brent Sapp recommends the following books on Spiritual Growth. What do you think of his recommendations? What would you add?

Experiencing God, by Henry Blackaby and Claude King
The Disciplines of a Godly Man, by R. Kent Hughes
Ecclesiastes audio series by Tommy Nelson
A Godward Life, by John Piper
A Godward Life Book Two, by John Piper
How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth, by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart
The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis
Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, by Charles Swindoll

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Holy Spirit Book Recommendations

What are some of your favorite books on the Holy Spirit? Here are some recommendations from D.A. Carson, Danny Akin, Timothy George, Keith Mathison, Sinclair Ferguson, and others.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

The following books appear on the Comprehensive Reading List for PhD Students in Systematic Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  • Congar, Yves. Je crois en l’Esprit Saint. (ET: I Believe in the Holy Spirit.)
  • Fee, Gordon. God’s Empowering Presence.
  • Ferguson, Sinclair. The Holy Spirit.

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Danny Akin

Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has recommended the following books on Pneumatology.

  • Badcock, Gary D. Light of Truth and Fire of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.
  • Bruner, Fredrick Dale. A Theology of the Holy Spirit: The Pentecostal Experience and the New Testament Witness. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970.
  • Fee, Gordon. God’s Empowering Presence. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994.
  • Ferguson, Sinclair B. The Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids: IVP, 1996.
  • Green, Michael. I Believe in the Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975.
  • Grudem, Wayne A., ed. Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.
  • Hanegraaff, Hank. Counterfeit Revial: Looking for God in All the Wrong Places. Exp. and updated. Waco: Word, 2001.
  • MacArthur, John, Jr. Charismatic Chaos. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992.
  • Packer, J.I. Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit. Old Tappan: Revell, 1984.
  • Turner, Max. The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1998.
  • Williams, Donald. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. Nashville: Broadman, 1994.

* * *

Grace Baptist Church

Grace Baptist Church of Cape Coral, Florida (pastored by Tom Ascol) shares on its website the following list of recommended books on the Holy Spirit.

  • The Works of John Owen vol. 3, by John Owen
  • Keep in Step with the Spirit: Finding Fullness in Our Walk with God, by J.I. Packer
  • God’s Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments, by James Hamilton Jr.
  • The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, by B.B. Warfield
  • He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, by Graham Cole
  • The Holy Spirit, by Sinclair Ferguson
  • Joy Unspeakable: Power and Renewal in the Holy Spirit, by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
  • The Work of the Holy Spirit, by Octavius Winslow
  • The Gifts of the Spirit, by C.R. Vaughn
  • The New Covenant Ministry of the Holy Spirit, by Larry Pettegrew
  • The Holy Spirit, by A.W. Pink
  • The Presence and the Power: The Significance of the Holy Spirit in the Life and Ministry of Jesus, by Gerald Hawthorne

* * *

Keith Mathison

Keith Mathison of Ligonier has recommended the following books on the Holy Spirit.

  • Sinclair Ferguson – The Holy Spirit.
  • Basil the Great – On the Holy Spirit.
  • George Smeaton – The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit.
  • Abraham Kuyper – The Work of the Holy Spirit.
  • Graham Cole – He Who Gives Life.
  • A. Edward Siecienski – The Filioque: History of a Doctrinal Controversy.
  • Geerhardus Vos – The Eschatological Aspects of the Pauline Concept of the Spirit
  • R.C. Sproul – The Mystery of the Holy Spirit.

* * *

Sinclair B. Ferguson

Sinclair B. Ferguson used these books in the course entitle The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit that the taught at Reformed Theological Seminary

  • Bavinck, Herman. The Certainty of Faith. St. Catharines, Ontario: Paideia Press, 1980.
  • Gaffin, Richard B. Perspectives on Pentecost. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1979.
  • Murray, John. Redemption Accomplished and Applied. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1955.
  • Smeaton, George. The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. 1889. Reprint, Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1974.

* * *

D. A. Carson, Timothy George, R. Kent Hughes, Greg Waybright

And, here are some recommendations for Engaging the Holy Spirit: Real Questions, Practical Answers, by Graham A. Cole which seeks to answer six crucial questions that affect a believer’s relationship to the Holy Spirit:

* What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
* How does a person resist him?
* Ought we to pray to the Spirit?
* How do we quench the Spirit?
* How do we grieve the Spirit? and
* How does he fill us?

“I cannot imagine that there are many pastors who have not heard each of the six questions that Graham Cole raises. Here are serious, careful, practical, theologically alert answers. This book deserves the widest circulation.”
– D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Pneumatology has been sadly neglected in recent evangelical theology, and when it has been touched upon, it has trended toward either the speculative or the sensational. But here is a book on the Holy Spirit that is practical, relevant, balanced, and useful in the lives of God’s people everywhere. This book provides important grounding for a fuller theology of the Holy Spirit, and I commend it to all believers who are serious about the Christian life.”
– Timothy George, Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University; Senior Editor, Christianity Today

“Drawing from the well of his extensive and rigorous study of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Graham Cole gives refreshingly clear answers to six crucial questions that earnest Christians invariably ask. The answers are sure to grace the church, because what Christians believe about the third Person of the Trinity will determine how they live. This is an important, accessible, life-giving book.”
– R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois

“When churches wrestle with division over contradictory views related to the work of the Holy Spirit, this book will provide lucid and succinct guidance. When individuals fear they have grieved the Holy Spirit, Dr. Cole’s teaching will provide clarity and encouragement. When church leaders long for their congregations to know the filling of the Spirit of God, they will find wisdom in this book. I recommend it highly.”
– Greg Waybright, Former President, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Senior Pastor, Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, California

* * *

C. J. Mahaney

C. J. Mahaney of Sovereign Grace ministries, who is reformed and charismatic, has recommended the following books on the Holy Spirit.

  • Showing the Spirit: A Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians, 12-14, by D.A. Carson
  • Engaging with the Holy Spirit: Six Crucial Questions, by Graham A. Cole
  • He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, by Graham A. Cole
  • The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts, by Max Turner
  • Systematic Theology, by Wayne Grudem (especially pages 1,016–1,090)
  • Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views, edited by Wayne Grudem
  • Perspectives on Spirit Baptism: Five Views, edited by Chad Owen Brand
  • God’s Empowering Presence, by Gordon Fee
  • The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today, by Wayne Grudem
  • The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts, by Sam Storms.

* * *

Abraham Kuyper

In the Preface to Abraham Kuyper’s book The Work of the Holy Spirit, he notes that “The work of John Owen on this subject is most widely known and still unsurpassed.” In addition to John Owen’s three works on the Holy Spirit he recommends the following works.

  • David Rungius, Proof of the Eternity and Eternal Godhead of the Holy Spirit, Wittenberg, 1599.
  • Seb. Nieman, On the Holy Spirit, Jena, 1655.
  • Joannes Ernest Gerhard, On the Person of the Holy Spirit, Jena, 1660.
  • Theod. Hackspann, Dissertation on the Holy Spirit, Jena, 1655.
  • J. G. Dorsche, On the Person of the Holy Spirit, Köningsberg, 1690.
  • Fr. Deutsch, On the Personality of the Holy Spirit, Leipsic, 1711.
  • Gottfr. Olearius (John F. Burgius), On the Adoration and Worship of the Holy Spirit, Jena, 1727.
  • J. F. Buddeuss, On the Godhead of the Holy Spirit, Jena, 1727.
  • J. C. Pfeiffer, On the Godhead of the Holy Spirit, Jena, 1740.
  • G. F. Gude, On the Martyrs as Witnesses for the Godhead or the Holy Spirit, Leipsic, 1741.
  • J. C. Danhauer, On the Procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son, Strasburg, 1663. J. Senstius, Rostock, 1718, and J. A. Butstett, Wolfenbüttel, 1749. John Schmid, John Meisner, P. Havercorn, G. Wegner, and C. M. Pfaff.

And, he refers to the following which discuss The Work of the Holy Spirit:

  • Anton, The Holy Spirit Indispensable.
  • Carsov, On the Holy Spirit in Conviction.
  • Wensdorf, On the Holy Spirit as a Teacher.
  • Boerner, The Anointing of the Holy Spirit.
  • Neuman, The Anointing which Teaches All Things.
  • Fries, The Office of the Holy Spirit in General.
  • Weiss, The Holy Spirit Bringing into Remembrance.
  • Foertsch, On the Holy Spirit’s Leading of the Children of God.
  • Hoepfner, On the Intercession of the Holy Spirit.
  • Beltheim, Arnold, Gunther, Wendler, and Dummerick, On the Groaning of the Holy Spirit.
  • Meen, On the Adoration of the Holy Spirit.
  • Henning and Crusius, On the Earnest of the Holy Spirit.

* * *

Craig Blomberg

The following books appear on Craig Blomberg’s (Denver Seminary) Biblical Bibliography for New Testament study:

  • Deere, Jack. Surprised by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.
  • Dunn, James D. G. Baptism in the Holy Spirit. London: SCM; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, rev. 2010.
  • Green, Michael. I Believe in the Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids and Cambridge: Eerdmans, rev. 2004.
  • Grudem, Wayne A., ed. Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.
  • Hamilton, James M., Jr. God’s Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments. Nashville: B & H, 2006.
  • Keener, Craig S. 3 Crucial Questions about the Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.
  • Menzies, William W. and Robert P. Menzies. Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal Experience. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
  • Packer, J. I. Keep in Step with the Spirit: Finding Fullness in Our Walk with God. Grand Rapids: Baker, rev. 2005.
  • Stanton, Graham N., Bruce W. Longenecker and Stephen C. Barton, eds. The Holy Spirit and Christian Origins. Grand Rapids and Cambridge, 2004.
  • Turner, Max. The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts: In the New Testament Church and Today. Carlisle: Paternoster, 1999; Peabody: Hendrickson, 2005.

* * *

Dennis M. Swanson

And, here is a link to Dennis M Swanson’s bibliography of books on Cessationism.

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Christianity and Pagan Systems of Thought

In Ronald H. Nash’s book Christianity & The Hellenistic World, he has a section entitled For Further Reading which lists books that support his claims that Christianity did not borrow any of its essential beliefs from pagan systems of thought. They are shared below along with his annotations:

Armstrong, A. H. An Introduction to Ancient Philosophy. Boston: Beacon, 1963
Armstrong’s book is the clearest and best-written introduction to ancient and Hellenistic philosophy available.

Clark, Gordon H. Selections From Hellenistic Philosophy. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1940.
Clark not only supplies lengthy selections from major Hellenistic thinkers but also provides helpful introductions that often relate the subject to Christianity.

Cullmann, Oscar. The Christology of the New Testament. Rev. ed. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1963.
Cullmann’s account includes important criticisms of Bousset and others who argued that early Christianity’s picture of Jesus was influenced by paganism.

Davies, W.D. and Dabue, D., eds. The Background of the New Testament and its Eschatology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1956.
This collection of scholarly essays contains a number of chapters that deal with questions raised in this book [Christianity & The Hellenistic World].

Kim, Seyoon. The Origin of Paul’s Gospel. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.
A Korean scholar updates the argument of Machen’s Origin of Paul’s Religion.

Machen, J. Gresham. The Origin of Paul’s Religion. New York: Macmillan, 1925
Still a classic in spite of its age, Machen’s work is outdated for the most part only in its treatment of Gnosticism.

Marshall, I. Howard, ed. New Testament Interpretation: Essays on Principles and Methods. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977.
Another collection of essays, many of which are relevant to the concerns of this book [Christianity & The Hellenistic World].

Metzger, Bruce M. “Methodology in the Study of the Mystery Religions and Early Christianity.” Chapter 1 in Historical and Literary Studies: Pagan, Jewish, and Christian. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1968.
Required reading on the relationship between Christianity and the mystery religions.

Nock, A. D. “Early Gentile Christianity and Its Hellenistic Background.” In Essays on the Trinity and the Incarnation, edited by A. E. J. Rawlinson. London: Longmans, Green, 1928
As old as it is, Nock’s essay is still relevant to the debate.

Rahner, Hugo. “The Christian Mystery and the Pagan Mysteries.” In Pagan and Christian Mysteries, edited by Joseph Campbell. New York: Harper & Row, 1955.
Another indispensable source, this time by a Roman Catholic scholar.

Wagner, Gunter. Pauline Baptism and the Pagan Mysteries. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1967.
An extremely important book dealing with more than just baptism. It is full of much helpful material on Christianity’s alleged dependence on the mystery religions.

Wilson, Robert McL. Gnosis and the New Testament. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1968.
One of many books and articles by a prominent British scholar on Christianity’s allege dependence on Gnosticism.

Yamauchi, Edwin. Pre-Christian Gnosticism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1973.
This is the first book anyone should read on the subject of Christianity and Gnosticism.

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Commenting on Commentaries on the Book of John

Many years ago I worked for John A. Burns in the Wallace Library. I was always impressed by the breadth of his knowledge of theological literature. Twenty-five years ago the Criswell Theological Journal included an article by Burns entitled Commenting On Commentaries on the Book of John. That has been quite awhile ago, but a survey of his recommendations reveals that most of his suggestions have stood the test of time. Below are some of his recommendations that are still in print.

Books that will assist in the literary study of the Fourth Gospel:

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A study aid for the student that does not require facility of New Testament Greek:

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More resources for the study of key words:

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Resources for background information on John:

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Seminal studies in the Gospel According to John:

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Devotional studies in this gospel:

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For those who can find their way through theological divergences:

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Study guides reinforcing the unity of the book:

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And, four commentaries that are “usable by everyone, their cost is not prohibitive, they have verse-by-verse, exposition of the Greek text, and they are not conditioned by severe and unsympathetic methodologies that are destructive to confidence in the Bible”:

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Evangelism Book Recommendations

What are your favorite books on evangelism?  Here are what some others are recommending.

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Danny Akin

Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has recommended the following books on Evangelism and Church Growth.

  • Abraham, William J. The Logic of Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.
  • Coleman, Robert E. The Master Plan of Evangelism. rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Revell, 1993.
  • Green, Michael. Evangelism in the Early Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970.
  • Little, Paul E. How to Give Away Your Faith. Downers Grove: IVP, 1966.
  • Malphurs, Aubrey. Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.
  • McGavran, Donald. Understanding Church Growth. 3rd ed., rev. and ed. by Peter Wagner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.
  • Packer, J.I. Evangelism and the Sovereignity of God. Downers Grove: IVP, 1961.
  • Rainer, Thom S. The Book of Church Growth: History, Theology, and Principles. Nashville: Broadman, 1993.
  • _______. Effective Evangelistic Churches. Nashville: Broadman, 1996.
  • _______. Suprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.
  • _______. The Unchurched Next Door. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
  • _______. Good to Great Churches. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004.
  • Reid, Alvin. Introduction to Evangelism. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1998.
  • _______. Radically Unchurched: Who They Are and How to Reach Them. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2002.
  • Streett, R. Alan. The Effective Invitation. Old Tappan, NJ: Revell, 1984.
  • Wagner, C. Peter. Church Growth and the Whole Gospel: A Biblical Mandate. San Francisco: Harper, 1981.

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Grace Baptist Church

Grace Baptist Church of Cape Coral, Florida (pastored by Tom Ascol) shares on its website the following list of recommended books on Evangelism.

  • Tell the Truth: A Training Manual on the Message and Methods of God-Centered Witnessing by Will Metzger
  • God-Centered Evangelism by R.B. Kuiper
  • The Soul Winner by Charles Spurgeon
  • Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer
  • A Pastor’s Sketches (2 vol.) by Ichabod Spencer
  • The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever
  • The Heart of Evangelism by Jerram Barrs
  • Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts the Way Jesus Did by Randy Newman
  • Puritan Evangelism: A Biblical Approach by Joel Beeke
  • A Sure Guide to Heaven by Joseph Alleine
  • Today’s Evangelism: Its Message and Methods by Ernest Reisinger

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9Marks

The following titles on EVANGELISM are included in the 9Marks reading list for pastors:

  • The Gospel Blimp, Joe Bayly
  • Tell The Truth, Will Metzer
  • Revival and Revivalism, Iain Murray
  • Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J.I.Packer
  • Speaking of Jesus, J.Mack Stiles
  • Christianity Explained (Workbook)Scripture Union

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Founders Study Center

The following texts are being used in the Founders Study Center for their course on Evangelism and the Excellencies of God.

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Reformed Theological Seminary

Reformed Theological Seminary lists the following Evangelism and Missions books on its Recommended Reading list for prospective students.

  • Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J.I. Packer
  • Right With God, John Blanchard Powerful
  • Evangelism for the Powerless, C. John Miller
  • Tell the Truth, Will Metzger
  • Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper
  • Christian Mission, John Stott
  • An Introduction to the Science of Missions, J. Herman Bavink
  • The Pastor-Evangelist: Preacher, Model, and Mobilizer for Church Growth, Roger Greenway
  • Telling the Truth: Evangelizing Postmoderns, D.A. Carson
  • The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society, Lesslie Newbigin
  • Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or Ours?, Allen Rolland
  • Perspectives on the World Christian Movevment, Ralph Winter
  • Mission in the Old Testament, Walter Kaiser
  • Gospel and Mission in the Writings of St. Paul, Peter T. O’Brien
  • God’s Missionary People, Charles Van Engen
  • A Heart for Mission: Five Pioneer Thinkers, Ron Davies
  • What In the World is God Doing?, C. Gordon Olson

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J.D. Greear

And, the following are from the Recommended Reading list of J.D. Greear.

  • Between Heaven and Hell: A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death with John F. Kennedy, C. S. Lewis & Aldous Huxley, by Peter Kreeft
  • Christianity for Modern Pagans: Pascal’s Pensees, by Peter Kreeft
  • The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out without Selling Out, by Mark Driscoll
  • Socrates Meets Jesus: History’s Greatest Questioner Confronts the Claims of Christ, by Peter Kreeft
  • Becoming A Contagious Christian, by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg
  • Questioning Evangelism, by Randy Newman
  • Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person, by Will Metzger

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Reformation Studies – Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

The following books and articles are some of those appearing on the Comprehensive Reading List for PhD Students in Reformation Studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

1. General Works

  • McGrath, Alister. Reformation Thought: An Introduction, 3rd ed.

2. Premature Reformations

Primary Sources

  • Colet, John. “Sermon to Convocation”
  • Erasmus, Desiderius. On the Freedom of the Will
  • _______. Enchiridion Militis Christiani
  • _______. Paraclesis
  • Gerson, Jean. “Ambulate”
  • More, Thomas. Utopia
  • Wyclif, John. De Simonia

Secondary Sources

  • Leff, Gordon. Heresy in the Later Middle Ages
  • Oakley, Francis. The Conciliarist Tradition

3. The Lutheran Reformation

Primary Sources

  • Luther, Martin. Commentary on Galatians
  • _______. On the Bondage of the Will
  • _______. On Temporal Authority
  • _______. Three Treatises
  • _______. The Marburg Colloquy
  • The Book of Concord

Secondary Sources

  • Althaus, Paul. The Theology of Martin Luther.
  • Lohse, Bernard. Martin Luther: An Introduction to His Life and Work.

4. The Reformed Tradition

Primary Sources

  • Bucer, Martin. De Regno Christi
  • Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion
  • _______. Commentaries
  • _______. Theological Treatises
  • Cochrane, Arthur C., ed., Reformed Confessions of the Sixteenth Century
  • Zwingli, Huldrych. On the Certainty and Clarity of the Word of God

Secondary Sources

  • Barth, Karl. The Theology of the Reformed Confessions
  • McNeill, John T. The History and Character of Calvinism
  • Wendel, François. Calvin: Sources et Évolution de sa Pensée Religieuse.
  • Articles on Calvin’s Exegesis
  • Gerrish, B.A. “Biblical Authority and the Continental Reformation.” Scottish Journal of Theology 10 (1950): 337–60.
  • Kraus, Hans-Joachim. “Calvin’s Exegetical Principles.” Interpretation 31 (January 1977): 8–18. A Translation of “Calvins Exegetical Prinzipien,” Zeitschrift für Kirchengeschichte 79 (1968): 329–41.
  • Muller, Richard. “The Hermeneutic of Promise and Fulfillment in Calvin’s Exegesis of the Old Testament Prophecies of the Kingdom,” in The Bible in the Sixteenth Century, (Durham: Duke University Press, 1990): 68–82.

4. The Radical Reformation

Primary Sources

  • Bender, Harold, ed. The Complete Writings of Menno Simons
  • Estep, William R., ed. Anabaptist Beginnings, 1523 1533
  • Hubmaier, Balthasar. Theologian of Anabaptism
  • Klassen and Klaassen, eds. The Writings of Pilgrim Marpeck
  • Williams, G.H., and A.M. Mergal, eds. Spiritual and Anabaptist Writers

Secondary Sources

  • Estep, William. The Anabaptist Story, 2nd ed.
  • Littell, Franklin. The Anabaptist View of the Church
  • Williams, G.H. The Radical Reformation, 3rd ed.

5. The English Reformation

Primary Sources

  • Cranmer, Thomas. A Defense of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Our Savior Christ
  • Bray, Gerald, ed. Documents of the English Reformation.
  • Latimer, Hugh. Sermons
  • Tyndale, William. On the Obedience of a Christian Man

Secondary Sources

  • Dickens, A.G. The English Reformation
  • Duffy, Eamon. The Stripping of the Altars
  • MacCulloch, Diarmaid. Thomas Cranmer: A Life
  • Articles on English Reformation Historiography
  • Dickens, A.G. “The Early Expansion of Protestantism in England 1520-1558,” Archiv für Reformationsgeschichte 78 (1987): 187-221
  • _____. “The Shape of Anti-clericalism and the English Reformation,” in E.I. Kouri and Tom Scott, eds. Politics and Society in Reformation Europe: Essays for Geoffrey Elton on his Sixty-fifth Birthday (London: Macmillan, 1987), 379-410
  • Haigh, Christopher. “Anticlericalism and the English Reformation” History 68 (1983): 391-407
  • _____. “Revisionism, the Reformation and the History of English Catholicism,” Journal of Ecclesiastical History 36 (1985): 394-405
  • _____. “The Recent Historiography of the English Reformation,” Historical Journal 25 (1982): 995-1007

6. The Catholic Reformation

Primary Sources

  • Loyola, Ignatius. The Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works
  • Pole, Reginald. Defense of Unity of the Church
  • The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent

Secondary Sources

  • Chemnitz, Martin. Examination of the Council of Trent
  • Fenlon, Dermot. Heresy and Obedience in Tridentine Italy: Cardinal Pole and the Counter Reformation

7. The Long Reformation

Primary Sources

  • An Admonition to Parliament
  • Ames, William. The Marrow of Theology
  • Browne, Robert. A Treatise of Reformation Without Tarrying for Any
  • Articuli Arminiani sive Remonstrantia and Canones Synodi Dordrechtanae
  • Ursinus, Zacharias. Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism

Secondary Sources

  • Collinson, Patrick. The Elizabethan Puritan Movement
  • Kendall, R.T. Calvin and English Calvinism to 1649
  • White, B.R. The English Separatist Tradition

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