STR's Recommended Reading List Explore More Content
Ever wonder what is on the shelves of STR staff? Find out what is considered essential reading for all Christians who want to be well-informed.
Absolutely Essential Reading
Escape from Reason, Francis Schaefer
The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?, F.F. Bruce
Tactics: A Gameplan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, Greg Koukl
The Case for Life, Scott Klusendorf
Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air, Frank Beckwith & Greg Koukl
Love Your God with All Your Mind, J.P. Moreland
Jesus Under Fire, J.P. Moreland & Michael Wilkins
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
Know What You Believe, Paul Little
Introduction to Biblical Hermenutics, Walter C. Kaiser Jr. and Moises Silva
Recovering the Unity of the Bible: One Continuous Story, Plan, and Purpose, Waler C. Kaiser Jr.
Highly Recommended Reading
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Wayne Grudem
This introduction to systematic theology has several distinctive features, including a strong emphasis on the scriptural basis for each doctrine and teaching, clear writing, with technical terms kept to a minimum, a contemporary approach, treating subjects of special interest to the church today, and frequent application to life.
Christian Theology, Millard Erickson
Christian Theology is a comprehensive study of historical Christian theology that takes into account changes in the theological world as well as changes in the intellectual, political, economic, and social worlds. This is an excellent textbook to learn basic Christian doctrine.
The Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewis
Addressing some of the most difficult issues we face in our day-to-day lives, C. S. Lewis's ardent and timeless words provide an unparalleled path to greater spiritual understanding. Considered by many to be his most moving address, "The Weight of Glory" extols a compassionate vision of Christianity and includes lucid and compelling discussions on forgiveness and faith.
God in the Dock, C.S. Lewis
Lewis addresses theological and ethical questions with profoundly Christian insight in these 48 essays. Drawn from a variety of sources and written to meet a variety of needs, the essays range from popular newspaper pieces to learned defenses of the faith.
Trilogy, Francis Schaeffer
Schaeffer provides incisive insight into the trends of modernism influencing the culture and Christianity. Most fundamentally, he clarifies the issue of truth and the new understanding of faith that is conflict with reason. This is a fundamental. Must-read for Christians.
Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its’ Cultural Captivity, Nancy Pearcey
In today's cultural etiquette, it is not considered polite to mix public and private, or sacred and secular. Pearcey offers a razor-sharp analysis of the public/private split, explaining how it hamstrings our efforts at both personal and cultural renewal. With examples from the lives of real people, she teaches readers how to liberate Christianity from its cultural captivity, and walks readers through practical, hands-on steps for crafting a full-orbed Christian worldview.
Church History in Plain Language, Bruce Shelley
Dr. Bruce Shelley makes church history come alive in a book appreciated for its clarity of language and organization, as well as its careful research and historical accuracy.
The Canon of Scripture, F.F. Bruce
A comprehensive and fascinating history of how the canon came to be as Protestants read it now. He not only lays the historical framework for the canon, but explains how the church has used the rejected books in worship and devotion, providing some new perspective on the early church’s worship practices.
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
Another must-read for all students of the Bible, this book brings the art and science of interpreting Scripture to the layperson in a well-organized, easy-to-read format. The authors unpack the literary dimensions of the Bible and provide genre-specific rules for sound biblical interpretation.
Body & Soul, J.P. Moreland Scott Rae
The rise of science has called into question the existence of the soul. Concurrent with the demise of dualism has been the rise of advanced medical technologies that have brought to the fore difficult issues at both edges of life. J.P. Moreland and Scott Rae argue that the rise of these problems alongside the demise of Christian dualism is no coincidence. They therefore employ a theological realism to meet these pressing issues and to present a reasonable and biblically accurate depiction of human nature as it impinges on critical ethical concerns.
Decision Making & the Will of God, Gary Friesen
Dr. Friesen challenges the major views regarding this vital topic. The solution he presents will give the reader biblically-based freedom in making wise decisions in such practical areas as choosing a spouse, deciding on a career, and using one's resources.
Knowing God, J.I. Packer
Over the past twenty years J.I. Packer's classic has revealed to over a million Christians around the world the wonder, the glory and the joy of knowing God. R.C. Sproul says, "A masterpiece by a master theologian."
The Historical Jesus, Gary Habermas
Habermas takes historical methodology and applies it diligently to the life of Christ. The genius of his approach is that he uses only evidence that the most skeptical critics would accept and requires it to meet even stricter historical criteria. The result is a powerful apologetic for the historicity of the biblical accounts of Jesus and His resurrection.
Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview, William Lane Craig and J.P. Moreland
What is real? What is truth? What can we know? What should we believe? What should we do and why? Is there a God? Can we know him? Do Christian doctrines make sense? Can we believe in God in the face of evil? These are fundamental questions that any thinking person wants answers to. These are questions that philosophy addresses. And the answers we give to these kinds of questions serve as the foundation stones for constructing any kind of worldview.
The Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts that Shaped Our World, R.C. Sproul
Sproul traces the history of philosophy and the influence of these ideas. This is a great, basic but comprehensive history.
Reasonable Faith: Christian Faith and Apologetics, William Lane Craig
This is an invaluable scholarly resource for all committed defenders of the Christian faith. It equips believers in the successful proclamation of biblical truth claims. William Lane Craig gives careful attention to crucial questions and concerns, including: How Do I Know Christianity Is True?, The Absurdity of Life Without God, The Existence of God, The Problem of Miracles, and The Resurrection of Jesus.
Christianity and the Nature of Science: A Philosophical Investigation, J.P. Moreland
Are science and Christianity inherently incompatible? Is creation science a contradiction in terms? In this pioneering analysis, J.P. Moreland not only answers with a resounding no but makes an impressive contribution to the integration of Christianity and science
Worldviews in Conflict, Ron Nash
In this book, Ronald Nash outlines the Christian way of looking at God, self, and the world, holding the Christian worldview up against the tests of reason, logic, and experience.
Christian Theology, Millard Erickson
Christian Theology is a comprehensive study of historical Christian theology that takes into account changes in the theological world as well as changes in the intellectual, political, economic, and social worlds. This is an excellent textbook to learn basic Christian doctrine.
How to Stay a Christian in College, J. Budzieszewski
When you go to college, you're leaving behind your network of support and heading to a world with different perspectives, responsibilities, and expectations. Even if you're going to a "Christian" college, there's no guarantee you won't face challenges to your faith. This is an interactive guide through the maze of college realities. The foundations of the Christian faith are discussed as well as the different world views and myths that students encounter at college. Filled with quotes, statistics, resources, stories and encouragement, it will equip you to conquer the dangers that lie ahead.
Our Father Abraham: The Jewish Roots of Christianity, Marvin Wilson
This volume delineates the link between Judaism and Christianity, between Old and the New Testaments, and calls Christians to reexamine their Hebrew roots so as to effect a more authentically biblical lifestyle.
A Rulebook for Arguments, Anthony Weston
This is a handy guide organized around specific rules of rhetoric, illustrated and explained soundly and briefly. The goal is to help you compose, explore, and assess an argument. Chapters include: composing a short argument, arguments by example, arguments by analogy, arguments from authority, arguments about causes, deductive arguments (modus ponens, modus tollens, etc.). And composing an argumentative essay (exploring the issue, main point of essay writing), fallacies, and an appendix on definition.
Come, Let Us Reason: An Introduction to Logical Thinking, Norman Geisler and Ronald Brooks
This book shows how Christians can greatly improve their thinking skills. After defining logic and delineating its value, the authors focus on two types of reasoning: deductive and inductive. They articulate rules to form syllogisms and list formal and informal fallacies to be avoided. Numerous charts and diagrams illustrate the authors' principles, and a glossary explains the technical terminology.
