Book Recommendations (2024)

Introductory:

• Horton, Michael. Pilgrim Theology: Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.
• Bray, Gerald. God Is Love: A Biblical and Systematic Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012.

Medium:

• Allen, Michael, and Scott Swain, eds. Christian Dogmatics: Reformed Theology for the Church Catholic. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2016.

Advanced:

• Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. 1559 ed. Translated by F. L. Battles. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1960.

Introductory:

• Kapic, Kelly. A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology. Downers Grove: IVP, 2012.

Medium:

• Webster, John. Confessing God. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 2005.

Advanced:

• Vanhoozer, Kevin. The Drama of Doctrine. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2005.

Introductory:

• Ward, Timothy. Words of Life. Nottingham: IVP, 2009.

Medium:

• Jensen, Peter F. The Revelation of God. Leicester: IVP, 2002.
• Thompson, Mark. A Clear and Present Word. Leicester: IVP, 2006.

Advanced:

• Carson, D. A., ed. The Enduring Authority of the Christian Scriptures. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2016.

Introductory:

• Reeves, Michael. Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith. London: IVP, 2012.

Medium:

• Sanders, Fred. The Deep Things of God. Crossway, 2017.

Advanced:

• Augustine. The Trinity. Translated by Edmund Hill. 21st Century translation series, 1991.

Medium:

• Gunton, Colin E. The Doctrine of Creation. London: Continuum, 2004.
• Hoekema, Anthony A. Created in God’s Image. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.

Advanced:

• Levering, Matthew. Engaging the Doctrine of Creation: Cosmos, Creatures, and the Wise and Good Creator. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2017.

Introductory:

• Campbell, Iain D. The Doctrine of Sin. Fearn: Christian Focus, 1999.

Medium:

• Morgan, Christopher, and Robert A. Peterson, eds. Fallen: A Theology of Sin. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013.

Advanced:

• Blocher, Henri. Original Sin: Illuminating the Riddle. Leicester: IVP, 1997.
• McFarland, Ian A. In Adam’s Fall: A Meditation on the Christian Doctrine of Sin. Maldon, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.

Introductory:

• Reeves, Michael. Christ Our Life. Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2014.

Medium:

• Macleod, Donald. The Person of Christ. Leicester: IVP, 1998.
• Weinandy, Thomas. Does God Suffer? Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 2001.

Advanced:

• Wellum, Stephen. God the Son Incarnate. Wheaton: Crossway, 2017.

Introductory:

• Stott, John R. W. The Cross of Christ. Leicester: IVP, 1986.

Medium:

• Cole, Graham A. God the Peacemaker: How Atonement Brings Shalom. Downers Grove: IVP, 2009.
• Letham, Robert. The Work of Christ. Leicester: IVP, 1993.

Advanced:

• Hill, Charles, and Frank James III. The Glory of the Atonement: Biblical Historical and Practical Perspectives. Nottingham: IVP, 2004.

Introductory:

• Jensen, Peter. The Coming of the Holy Spirit. Matthias Media, 2023.

Medium:

• Cole, Graham. He Who Gives Life. Crossway, 2007.

Advanced:

• Zahl, Simeon. The Holy Spirit and the Christian Experience. Oxford, 2020.

Introductory:

• Kapic, Kelly M. God So Loved He Gave. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.

Advanced:

• Allen, R. Michael. Justification and the Gospel. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013.
• Kapic, Kelly M. Sanctification: Explorations in Theology and Practice. Downers Grove: IVP, 2014.
• Allen, R. Michael. Sanctification. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017.

Introductory:

• Venema, Cornelis. Christ and the Future: The Bible’s Teaching about the Last Things. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2008.
• Wright, N. T. Surprised by Hope. SPCK, 2007.

Medium:

• Middleton, J. Richard. A New Heaven and a New Earth. Baker Academic, 2014.
• Williamson, Paul R. Death and the Afterlife: Biblical Perspectives on Ultimate Questions. London: IVP, 2017.

Advanced:

• Brower, Kent E., and Mark W. Elliot, eds. Eschatology in Bible and Theology: Evangelical Essays at the Dawn of a New Millennium. Downers Grove: IVP, 1997.
• Höhne, David A. The Last Things. IVP, 2019.

Introductory:

• Bray, Gerald. The Church: A Theological and Historical Account. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2016.

Medium:

• Clowney, Edmund. The Church. Leicester: IVP, 1995.

Advanced:

• Husbands, Mark, and Daniel J. Treier, eds. The Community of the Word: Toward an Evangelical Ecclesiology. Downers Grove: IVP, 2005.

Introductory:

• Davidson, I. J. The Birth of the Church: From Jesus to Constantine AD 30-312. Oxford: Monarch, 2004.
• Davidson, I. J. A Public Faith: From Constantine to the Medieval World AD 312-600. Oxford: Monarch, 2004.
• Evans, G. R. The Church in the Middle Ages. London: IB Taurus, 2007.

Medium:

• Brown, Peter. Augustine of Hippo: A Biography. London: Faber and Faber, 1967.
• Brown, Peter. The Rise of Western Christianity: Triumph and Diversity AD 200-1000. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013.
• Ayers, Lewis. Nicaea and Its Legacy: An Approach to Fourth-Century Trinitarian Thought. Oxford: OUP, 2004.

Introductory:

• Heinze, R. W. Reform and Conflict From the Medieval World to the Wars of Religion 1350-1648. Oxford: Monarch, 2005.

Medium:

• MacCulloch, Diarmaid. Reformation: Europe’s House Divided 1490-1700. London: Penguin Books, 2004.
• MacCulloch, Diarmaid. Cranmer: A Life. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2017.
• Gordon, Bruce. Calvin. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009.
• Gordon, Bruce. Zwingli: God’s Armed Prophet. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2021.
• Marshall, Peter. Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2017.
• Ryrie, Alec. Being Protestant in Reformation Britain. Oxford: OUP, 2013.

Introductory:

• Piggin, Stuart. Evangelical Christianity in Australia: Spirit Word and World. Melbourne: OUP, 1996.

Medium:

• Bebbington, David. Evangelicalism in Modern Britain. London: Routledge, 1993.
• Harris, John. One Blood: 200 Years of Aboriginal Encounter with Christianity: a Story of Hope. Sydney: Albatross, 1994.
• Noll, Mark. The Rise of Evangelicalism. Leicester: IVP, 2004.
• Judd, Stephen, and Ken Cable. Sydney Anglicans: A History of the Diocese of Sydney. Sydney: Anglican Information Office, 1987.

Introductory:

• Johnson, Greg. Still Time to Care. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2021.
• Wilson, Todd. Mere Sexuality. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017.
• Grimmond, Paul. When the Noise Won’t Stop. Matthias Media, 2022.
• Perman, Matt. What’s Best Next? Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.
• Beynon, Graeme, and Jane Tooher. Embracing Complementarianism: Turning Biblical Convictions into Positive Church Culture. Good Book Company, 2022.
• Livermore, David A. Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success. 2nd ed. New York: AMACOM, 2015.

Medium:

• Watkin, Christopher. Biblical Critical Theory. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2022.

Introductory:

• Hamilton, Craig. Wisdom in Leadership. Matthias Media.
• Brown, Jenny. Growing Yourself Up. Exelsia Publishing.
• Grimmond, Paul. Right Side Up. Matthias Media.
• Chan, Sam. Evangelism in a Skeptical World. Zondervan.
• Harrison, Glynn. A Better Story. IVP.
• Patterson, Kerry, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. Crucial Conversations. McGraw Hill.
• Sims, Sally. Together Through the Storm. Matthias Media.
• Carson, Don. How Long O Lord? Baker.
• Beynon, Nigel, and Andrew Sach. Dig Deeper: Tools to Unearth the Bible’s Treasure. IVP, 2005.
• Helm, David. Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God’s Word Today. Crossway.
• Marshall, Colin, and Tony Payne. The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift That Changes Everything. Matthias Media.
• Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community. HarperOne.
• Hanson, Collin, ed. Our Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor. The Gospel Coalition.
• Elmer, Duane. Cross-cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christ-like Humility. IVP.

Medium:

• Berstein, Albert. Emotional Vampires. McGraw Hill.

Introductory:

• Hill, Michael. The How and Why of Love: An Introduction to Evangelical Ethics. Sydney: Matthias Media, 2002.

Medium:

• Cameron, A. J. Joined Up Life: A Christian Account of How Ethics Works. Nottingham: IVP, 2011.

Advanced:

• O’Donovan, Oliver M. T. Resurrection and Moral Order: An Outline for Evangelical Ethics. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

Genesis

• Mid-Level: Longman III, Tremper. Genesis. SoGBC. Zondervan, 2016.
• Entry-Level: Walton, John H. Genesis. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2001.

Exodus

• Mid-Level: Alexander, T. Desmond. Exodus. AOTC. IVP Academic, 2017.
• Entry-Level: Bruckner, James K. Exodus. NIBC. Hendrickson, 2008.

Leviticus

• Mid-Level: Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1979.
• Entry-Level: Sklar, Jay. Leviticus. TOTC. IVP Academic, 2014.

Numbers

• Mid-Level: Ashley, Timothy R. The Book of Numbers. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1993.
• Entry-Level: Duguid, Iain M. Numbers: God’s Presence in the Wilderness. PTW. Crossway, 2006.

Deuteronomy

• Mid-Level: Block, Daniel I. Deuteronomy. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2012.
• Entry-Level: Wright, Christopher J. Deuteronomy. UBCS. Baker Books, 1994.

Joshua

• Mid-Level: Wray Beal, Lissa M. Joshua. SoGBC. Zondervan, 2019.
• Entry-Level: Davis, Dale Ralph. Joshua: No Falling Word. Focus on the Bible. Christian Focus, 2012.

Judges

• Mid-Level: Webb, Barry. The Book of Judges. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2012.
• Entry-Level: Davis, Dale Ralph. Judges: Such a Great Salvation. Focus on the Bible. Christian Focus, 2000.

Ruth

• Mid-Level: Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth. NAC. Broadman and Holman, 1999.
• Entry-Level: Webb, Barry. Judges and Ruth: God in Chaos. PTW. Crossway, 2015.

1 Samuel

• Mid-Level: Tsumura, David Toshio. The First Book of Samuel. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2007.
• Entry-Level: Woodhouse, John. 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader. PTW. Crossway, 2014.

2 Samuel

• Mid-Level: Tsumura, David Toshio. The Second Book of Samuel. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2019.
• Entry-Level: Woodhouse, John. 2 Samuel: Your Kingdom Come. PTW. Crossway, 2015.

1-2 Kings

• Mid-Level: Beal, L. W. 1 & 2 Kings. AOTC. IVP Academic, 2014.
• Entry-Level: Provan, Iain W. 1 & 2 Kings. UBCS. Baker Books, 1993.

1-2 Chronicles

• Mid-Level: Hill, Andrew E. 1 & 2 Chronicles. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2003.
• Entry-Level: Pratt, Richard L. 1 & 2 Chronicles. MOT. Mentor, 2006.

Ezra

• Mid-Level: Shepherd, David J. and Christopher J. H. Wright. Ezra and Nehemiah. THBC. Eerdmans, 2018.
• Entry-Level: Fyall, Robert. The Message of Ezra & Haggai. BST. IVP Academic, 2011.

Nehemiah

• Mid-Level: Shepherd, David J. and Christopher J. H. Wright. Ezra and Nehemiah. THBC. Eerdmans, 2018.
• Entry-Level: Allen, Leslie C.; Laniak, Timothy S. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. UBCS. Baker Books, 1995.

Esther

• Mid-Level: Jobes, Karen H. Esther. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1999.
• Entry-Level: Reid, D. Esther. TOTC. IVP Academic, 2008.

Job

• Mid-Level: Longman III, Temper. Job. BCOTWP. Baker Academic, 2012.
• Entry-Level: Ash, Christopher. Job: The Wisdom of the Cross. PTW. Crossway, 2014.

Psalms

• Mid-Level: Grogan, Geoffrey W. Psalms. THOTC. Eerdmans, 2008.
• Entry-Level: Kidner, D. Psalms (2 Volumes). TOTC. IVP Academic, 2009.

Proverbs

• Mid-Level: Longman III, Temper. Proverbs. BCOTWP. Baker Academic, 2006.
• Entry-Level: Lucas, Ernest. Proverbs. THOTC. Eerdmans, 2015.

Ecclesiastes

• Mid-Level: Bartholomew, Craig G. Ecclesiastes. BCOTWP. Baker Academic, 2014.
• Entry-Level: Provan, Iain W. Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2001.

Song of Songs

• Mid-Level: Fredericks, Daniel C.; Estes, Daniel J. Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. AOTC. IVP Academic, 2010.
• Entry-Level: O’Donnell, Douglas S. The Song of Solomon: An Invitation to Intimacy. PTW. Crossway, 2012.

Isaiah

• Mid-Level: Oswalt, John N. Isaiah. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2003.
• Entry-Level: Webb, Barry. The Message of Isaiah. BST. IVP Academic, 1997.

Jeremiah

• Mid-Level: Goldingay, John. The Book of Jeremiah. NICOT. Zondervan, 2021.
• Entry-Level: Wright, Christopher J. The Message of Jeremiah. BST. IVP Academic, 2014.

Lamentations

• Mid-Level: Parry, Robin. Lamentations. THOTC. Eerdmans, 2010.
• Entry-Level: Dearman, J. Andrew. Jeremiah, Lamentations. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2002.

Ezekiel

• Mid-Level: Block, Daniel I. The Book of Ezekiel. 2 vols. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1997-1998.
• Entry-Level: Wright, Christopher J. The Message of Ezekiel: A New Heart and a New Spirit. BST. IVP Academic, 2001.

Daniel

• Mid-Level: Widder, Wendy L. Daniel. SoGBC. Zondervan, 2016.
• Entry-Level: Davis, Dale Ralph. The Message of Daniel. BST. IVP Academic, 2013.

Hosea

• Mid-Level: Dearman, Andrew J. The Book of Hosea. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2010.
• Entry-Level: Mackay, John L. Hosea: A Mentor Commentary. MOT. Mentor, 2012.

Joel

• Mid-Level: Dillard, Raymond B. ‘Joel’ in T. E. McComiskey (ed), The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary. Baker Academic, 2009.
• Entry-Level: Baker, David W. Joel, Obadiah, Malachi. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2006.

Amos

• Mid-Level: Niehaus, Jeff. ‘Amos’ in T. E. McComiskey (ed), The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary. Baker Academic, 2009.
• Entry-Level: Motyer, J. Alec. The Message of Amos. BST. IVP Academic, 1984.

Obadiah

• Mid-Level: Block, Daniel I. Obadiah: The Kingship Belongs to YHWH. HMS. Zondervan, 2014.
• Entry-Level: Field, David. Obadiah: A Practical Commentary. EB. DayOne Publications, 2008.

Jonah

• Mid-Level: Alexander, T. Desmond. Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. TOTC. IVP Academic, 2009.
• Entry-Level: Bruckner, James. Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2004.

Micah

• Mid-Level: Waltke, Bruce K. A Commentary on Micah. Eerdmans, 2009.
• Entry-Level: Prior, David. The Message of Joel, Micah and Habakkuk. BST. IVP Academic, 1999.

Nahum

• Mid-Level: Robertson, O. Palmer. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1990.
• Entry-Level: Bridger, Gordon. The Message of Obadiah, Nahum and Zephaniah. BST. IVP Academic, 2010.

Habakkuk

• Mid-Level: Bruce, F. F. ‘Habakkuk’ in T. E. McComiskey (ed), The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary. Baker Academic, 2009.
• Entry-Level: Bruckner, James. Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2004.

Zephaniah

• Mid-Level: Motyer, J. Alec. ‘Zephaniah’ in T. E. McComiskey (ed), The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary. Baker Academic, 2009.
• Entry-Level: Bridger, Gordon. The Message of Obadiah, Nahum and Zephaniah. BST. IVP Academic, 2010.

Haggai

• Mid-Level: Petterson, Anthony R. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. AOTC. IVP Academic, 2015.
• Entry-Level: Fyall, Robert. The Message of Ezra and Haggai. BST. IVP Academic, 2011.

Zechariah

• Mid-Level: Petterson, Anthony R. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. AOTC. IVP Academic, 2015.
• Entry-Level: Webb, Barry. The Message of Zechariah: Your Kingdom Come. BST. IVP Academic, 2004.

Malachi

• Mid-Level: Petterson, Anthony R. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. AOTC. IVP Academic, 2015.
• Entry-Level: Adam, Peter. The Message of Malachi. BST. IVP Academic, 2013.

Matthew

• Mid-Level: Carson, D. A. in Carson, D.A.; Strauss, Mark. L. Matthew and Mark. EBC. Zondervan, 2010.
• Mid-Level: France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. NICNT. Eerdmans, 2007.
• Mid-Level: Quarles, Charles. Matthew. EBTC. Lexham, 2023.

Mark

• Mid-Level: Lane, William L. The Gospel of Mark. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1974.
• Entry-Level: Barnett, Paul. Mark: The Servant King. Aquila Press, 1991.
• Entry-Level: Bolt, Peter. The Cross From A Distance: Atonement in Mark’s Gospel. NSBT. IVP Academic, 2005.

Luke

• Mid-Level: Bock, Darrell L. Luke (2 volumes). BECNT. Baker Academic, 1994.
• Mid-Level: Edwards, James R. The Gospel According to Luke. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2015.
• Mid-Level: Garland, David. Luke. ZECNT. Zondervan, 2012.

John

• Advanced: Ridderbos, Herman N. The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary. Eerdmans, 1997.
• Mid-Level: Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John. PNTC. Eerdmans, 1990.

Acts

• Mid-Level: Peterson, David. The Acts of the Apostles. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2009.
• Mid-Level: Longenecker, Richard N. in Longman, Tremper III.; Garland, David. E. (eds). Luke-Acts. EBC. Zondervan, 2007.

Romans

• Mid-Level: Moo, Douglas. The Epistle to the Romans. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1996.
• Mid-Level: Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. BECNT. Baker Academic, 1998.
• Mid-Level: Kruse, Colin. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2012.

1 Corinthians

• Advanced: Thistleton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. NIGTC. Eerdmans, 2000.
• Mid-Level: Ciampa, Roy. E.; Rosner, Brian S. The First Letter to the Corinthians. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2010.
• Mid-Level: Garland, David. 1 Corinthians. BECNT. Baker, 2003.

2 Corinthians

• Mid-Level: Guthrie, George. H. 2 Corinthians. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2015.
• Mid-Level: Barnett, Paul. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1997.
• Mid-Level: Harris, Murray J. in Longman, Tremper III.; Garland, David E. (eds.) Romans-Galatians. EBC. Zondervan, 2007.

Galatians

• Mid-Level: Moo, Douglas J. Galatians. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2013.
• Entry-Level: Schreiner, Thomas R. Galatians. ZECNT. Zondervan, 2010.

Ephesians

• Mid-Level: Thielman, Frank. Ephesians. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2010.
• Advanced: Baugh, S. M. Ephesians. EEC. Lexham, 2015.
• Mid-Level: Hoehner, Harold W. Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary. Baker Academic, 2002.
• Entry-Level: Bock, Darrell L. Ephesians. TNTC. IVP, 2019.

Philippians

• Mid-Level: Fee, Gordon D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1995.
• Advanced: Keown, Mark. Philippians. EEC. Lexham, 2017.

Colossians and Philemon

• Advanced: Beale, G. K. Colossians and Philemon. BECNT. Baker, 2019.
• Mid-Level: Moo, Douglas J. The Letters to Colossians and to Philemon. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2008.
• Entry-Level: Garland, David E. Colossians, Philemon. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1998.

1 and 2 Thessalonians

• Mid-Level: Weima, Jeffrey A. D. 1-2 Thessalonians. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2014.

1 and 2 Timothy, Titus

• Advanced: Knight III, George W. The Pastoral Epistles. NIGTC. Eerdmans, 2013.
• Advanced: Mounce, William D. Pastoral Epistles. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 2000.
• Entry-Level: Green, Chris. 2 Timothy: Finishing the Race. Aquila Press, 2013.

Hebrews

• Advanced: Lane, William L. Hebrews (2 volumes). WBC. Zondervan, 2015.
• Mid-Level: Schreiner, Thomas R. Commentary on Hebrews. BTCP. Holman Reference, 2015.
• Mid-Level: Grindheim, Sigurd. The Letter to the Hebrews. PNTC. IVP, 2023.

James

• Mid-Level: Moo, Douglas. The Letter of James. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2000.
• Mid-Level: McCartney, Dan G. James. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2009.

1 Peter

• Mid-Level: Jobes, Karen H. 1 Peter. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2005.

2 Peter and Jude

• Entry-Level: Lucas, Dick; Green, Chris. The Message of 2 Peter and Jude. BST. IVP Academic, 1995.

1, 2, 3 John

• Mid-Level: Kruse, Colin G. The Letters of John. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2000.
• Entry-Level: Jackman, David. The Message of John’s Letters. BST. IVP Academic, 1988.

Revelation

• Advanced: Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation. NIGTC. Eerdmans, 2013.
• Entry-Level: Barnett, Paul. Revelation: Apocalypse Now and Then. Aquila Press, 2011.