JesusSaidFollowMe Blog

Here are some of my favorite training books for pastors and church leaders. Most of these books, I’ve at least skimmed. Many of them, I’ve read. And, the rest I plan to read soon.

Each book was chosen because of its doctrinal faithfulness, the author’s reputation, endorsements, reviews, and clear and simple communication style. Most of the books are by pastors or seminary professors from several denominations. Many of the books are the same ones used in top seminaries in the U.S.

At the end of this list, you’ll also see links to 6 other lists…

1. Bible Study Tools

The Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance by Edward Goodrick, and John Kohlenberger

Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words by William Mounce

New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition by Don Carson, R.T. France, J.A. Motyer, and Gordan Wenham

2. Apologetics Books: Defending the faith. How to discern truth from error.

The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Stobel

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Tim Keller

Far from Rome, Near to God: Testimonies of Fifty Converted Roman Catholic Priests by Richard Bennett and Martin Buckingham

The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin and Ravi Zacharias

Health and Wealth: Material Blessings and Suffering in the Christian Life by Christopher Pope (Prosperity theology; free)

3. Hermeneutics Books: Principles for how to interpret the Bible.

The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation by Grant Osborne

4. Preaching Books: How to preach. Man-centered vs. Christ-centered. Topical vs. expository. Motivating disciples to holiness.

Biblical Preaching,: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages by Haddon Robinson

Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon by Bryan Chappel

Preaching the Whole Bible As Christian Scripture: The Application of Biblical Theology to Expository Preaching by Graeme Goldsworthy

Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon

5. Biblical Theology Books: Understanding the story plot and outline of the whole Bible from Genesis – Revelation.

God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Story-Line of the Bible by Vaughn Roberts

The Symphony of Scripture: Making Sense of the Bible’s Many Themes by Mark Strom

According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible by Graeme Goldsworthy

New Dictionary of Biblical Theology: Exploring the Unity & Diversity of Scripture by Brian S. Rosner, T. Desmond Alexander, Graeme Goldsworthy, and D. A. Carson

6. Old Testament Survey Books: History, outlines, and themes of each book in the O.T.

Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey by Bill Arnold and Bryan Beyer

7. New Testament Survey Books: History, outlines, and themes of each book in the N.T.

Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey by Walter Elwell and Robert Yarbrough

8. Systematic Theology Books: Topical doctrine

The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction by Sinclair Ferguson

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem (18 chapters below)

     1. Bible: Inspiration, Inerrancy, Canon, Authority

     2. God: Trinity, Attributes, Predestination, Election

The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life by A.W. Tozer

The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, Documented by David Steele, Curtis Thomas, and Lance Quinn

     3. Jesus: Deity, Christ, Atonement, Resurrection, Priest,
      King

The Cross of Christ by John Stott

     4. Holy Spirit: Deity, Baptism, Filling, Gifts

Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? by Wayne Grudem (4 Views)

     5. Creation: Providential rule

The Sovereignty of God in Providence by John Reisinger (Free)

     6. Angels: Satan, Demons

     7. Man: Image of God, Fall

     8. Gospel: Messiah, Son of God, miracles, died, rose,
     reigns, prophecy, and return

Appendix: Catalogue of Gospel Declarations in Acts by Andrew Fountain (Content of the gospel defined; free)

     9. Calling

     10. Regeneration: Human decisions vs. regeneration by
     God, signs of regeneration

     11. Repentance

     12. Faith

     13. Justification: By faith, without works

     14. Sanctification: Assurance, adoption, and union
     with Christ

ALL Old Testament Laws Canceled: 23 Reasons Why All Old Testament Laws Are Cancelled and All New Testament Laws Are for Our Obedience by Greg Gibson (Coming soon)

     15. Perseverance: Preservation, Apostasy

     16. Death: Hades, Heaven, Hell

     17. Church: Baptism, Lord’s Supper, Government,
     Dictatorship vs. plural elders

Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership by Alexander Strauch

     18. End Times: Return, rapture, resurrection, glorification,
     new earth

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

The End Times Made Simple: How Could Everybody Be So Wrong about Biblical Prophecy by Sam Waldron

A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times by Kim Riddlebarger

9. Prayer Books: How to pray effectually

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God’s Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People by Jim Cymbala

The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds on Prayer: Experience the Wonders of God through Prayer by E.M. Bounds

Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus Name by Bryan Chapell

10. Evangelism Books: How to evangelize. Man-centered vs. God-centered. Why most churches have 80+% apostasy rates, but some have 95% perseverance rates.

Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People by Will Metzger

11. Pastoral Theology Books: Popular issues

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul Tripp (How to counsel)

Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn

The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

Strengthening Your Marriage by Wayne Mack

12. Church History Books: What can we learn from movements’ strengths and weaknesses?

Church History In Plain Language Updated 2nd Edition by Bruce Shelley

Other, Pastors’ Book Lists:

Recommended Reading by Chad Knudson

Top Ten Books on Biblical Theology by Chad Knudson

C.J.’s Book List by C.J. Mahaney

Reading List: Pastors by Mark Dever

List of Recommended Commentaries and Reference Works by Moore Theological College

Recommended Biblical Studies Resources and Commentaries by Two-Age.org

P.S. See more Bible studies, blogs, and books at JesusSaidFollowMe.org

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm and is filed under Pastors' Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.