Some Christians give the impression that it’s bad to know too much. Mark Noll wrote an entire book on evangelical Christians not caring enough about higher education. Since Noll’s came out, many American Christians have talked more about honoring God with their minds and using education to become wiser followers. These books—some for academic readers, some for general readers—are a great way to start learning about crucial Christian subjects like calling, religious history, and evangelism.
Table of Contents
- Best Christian Books on Calling
- Best Christian Books on Church
- Best Christian Books on the Future
- Best Christian Books on Culture
- Best Christian Books on Literature
- Best Christian Books on History
- Best Christian Books on Famous Christian Leaders
- Best Christian Books on Politics
- Best Christian Books on Apologetics
- Best Christian Books on Evangelism
5 Best Christian Books on Calling
The concept of calling can be confusing. Does it mean God will give us work we love or that we will give us work that challenges us? These authors provide solid answers to these and related questions, showing how understanding one’s calling leads to a wiser, more fulfilling life.
1. The Call by Os Guinness
2. Calling in Context by Susan L. Marcos
3. It’s Your Call by Gary Barkalow
4. Redeeming Heartache by Dan B. Allender and Cathy Loerzel
5. Culture Making by Andy Crouch
Further Reading: 100 Good Christian Books You Haven’t Read Yet
5 Best Christian Books on Church
There are few things more frustrating and inspiring than Christians in community. Churches can do great things and bless their members and neighbors in unexpected ways. Churches can do selfish things, which may mean years of unraveling the trauma and consequences. These authors consider what churches are for, how to plan healthy ones, and how to heal them after things go wrong.
1. Why Church? by Scott W. Sunquist
2. Planting a Church Without Losing Your Soul by Tim Morey
3. Together for the City by Neil Powell and John James
4. A Big Gospel in Small Places by Stephen Wittmer
5. Analog Church by Jay Y. Kim
Further Reading: 30 Top Christian Books on Faith and Community
5 Best Christian Books on the Future
As secularism becomes more prominent in western culture, many Christians wonder about the next step. Has the church had its day or just entered a new phase? These authors take an honest look at the church’s struggles today and chart a redemptive vision for its coming days.
1. In Search of the Common Good by Jake Meador
2. Breaking Ground edited by Anne Snyder and Susannah Black
3. Uncommon Ground edited by Timothy Keller and John Inazu
4. Next Sunday by Nancy Beach and Samantha Beach Kiley
5. The State of the Evangelical Mind edited by Todd C. Ream, Jerry Pattengale, and Christopher Devers
Further Reading: Does God Know the Future and Does He Let Us Know It?
5 Best Christian Books on Culture
Some Christians dismiss all culture—art, technology, anything humans make—as worldly. However, the Bible doesn’t say that only some things he created were good in the beginning: he said all of it was good. Sin has complicated creation, but the Bible still refuses to say that all physical things are bad. These authors consider how Christians can navigate this conflict—how to enjoy the good things God gives, and how to use them for his glory while avoiding truly sinful things.
1. Virtuous Worlds by John Stanifer
2. Cultural Engagement edited by Joshua Chatraw and Karen Swallow Prior
3. Making a Difference by R.C. Sproul
4. Popcultured by Steve Turner
5. Culture Care by Makoto Fujimura
Further Reading: 50 Great Books on Christian Art
5 Best Christian Books on Literature
Many activities help Christians become wiser, more mature people. One activity that has always helped is reading—finding good books, considering what they say, seeing what happens when we live out what we have learned. Even fiction can stretch our minds in ways we don’t expect, preparing us to be better human beings. These books consider the benefits of reading good books and guide readers through good ones they may not know.
1. The Scandal of Holiness by Jessica Hooten Wilson
2. Subversive by Crystal Downing
3. Reading Buechner by Jeffrey Munroe
4. Reading Evangelicals by Daniel Silliman
5. Songs from the Silent Passage edited by Matthew Dickerson and Anne M. Doe Overstreet
Further Reading: 100 Christian Novels You Haven’t Read Yet
5 Best Christian Books on History
It was 1905 when George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” It’s still true today—and perhaps especially true of evangelical Christians. These writers discuss Christian history, the big and the small picture, to show that Christians need to know about their heritage.
1. America’s Religious History by Thomas S. Kidd
2. Christian History in Seven Sentences by Jennifer Woodruff Tait
3. A Faith for All Seasons by Ted Dorman
4. The Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History by Stephen Backhouse
5. Fundamentalism and American Culture by George Marsden
Further Reading: What Lessons Should We Learn from Church History?
5 Best Christian Books on Famous Christians
Whether you’re seeking stories about famous pastors or Christians who served God in small ways that had unexpectedly huge impacts, these books provide great insights into what it means to be a Christian leader.
1. 50 Women Every Christian Should Know by Michelle DeRusha
2. The Leadership of C.S. Lewis by Crystal Hurd
3. Moral Leadership for a Divided Age by David P. Gushee and Colin Holtz
4. Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906-1945 by Ferdinand Schlingensiepen
5. 12 Faithful Men by Collin Hansen and Jeff Robinson
Further Reading: 50 Christian Authors You Should Know
5 Best Christian Books on Politics
Christians haven’t always used politics well. However, as the authors of The Politics of Ministry point out, we can’t escape politics. Any time more than one person is involved in something, political strategies become involved as people try to defend their position and achieve their goals. Therefore, Christians need to learn how to use politics wisely and well to deal with political questions. These authors provide important tools for understanding political history and navigating the murky field of politics and faith.
1. The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk
2. How to be A Patriotic Christian by Richard J. Mouw
3. Politics after Christendom by David VanDrunen
4. Live Not by Lies by Rod Dreher
5. The Magna Carta of Humanity by Os Guinness
Further Reading: Should Christians be Involved in Politics?
5 Best Christian Books on Apologetics
Used poorly, apologetics becomes another way to pick a fight with people. Used well, it becomes a great way to give a reason for one’s faith and maybe help people see what Christianity provides. These authors use a variety of approaches—from arguments for God’s existence to discussions about what we’re left with if we don’t believe in God. Each shows how apologetics can be a great tool in the right hands.
1. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
2. Making Sense of God by Timothy Keller
3. Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
4. Cultural Apologetics by Paul M. Gould
5. The History of Apologetics edited by Benjamin K. Forrest, Joshua D. Chatraw, and Alister E. McGrath.
Further Reading: Why Should Christians Study Apologetics?
5 Best Christian Books on Evangelism
The Great Commission is one of the Bible’s clearest commands but not easy to practice. What is the line between passionately sharing the gospel and being a jerk? These authors have dived into that question and others, showing how to evangelize in a God-honoring way.
1. How to Revive Evangelism by Craig Springer
2. How to talk about Jesus (Without Being THAT GUY) by Sam Chan
3. A Gentle Answer by Scott Sauls
4. Truth Plus Love by Matt Brown
5. Tactics by Gregory Koukl
Further Reading: What Is Evangelism and Should We All Be Evangelists?
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