These are all nonfiction books that have impacted my walk. I love fiction as much as the next guy (probably more). But given the nature of this site, I wanted to offer works that have helped me. They are listed by publication date not by order of preference because that changes based on a person’s spiritual need in that moment.
The Sinfulness of Sin by Ralph Venning
Originally titled Sin, the Plague of Plagues, this short but powerful read was first published in 1669 in the wake of the great plague of London. It explores why sin is so offensive not just to God but also to us as humans made in His image, while also exploring the depths of God’s love and grace. It calls for a deeper understanding of our position in relation to the Creator of the universe and urges meaningful, heartfelt, repentance and holiness.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
What book list would be complete without this gem? First published in 1952, Lewis, who served in France in WW1, originally presented these thoughts in multiple BBC broadcasts from 1941-1944 to a country entrenched in WW2. It is a modern apologetic for the existence of God, Christian theology, Christian ethics, and Christian understanding of God. As you read, remember the world wars as the framework influencing Lewis. He makes many military references and analogies that would have deeply affected the original audience. Despite its original influence by the war, it is a timeless classic with beautiful insights and argumentation still used to great affect by apologists today, like his “liar, lunatic, or Lord” trilemma.
Putting Jesus in His Place: A Case for the Deity of Christ by Robert Bowman and Ed Komoszewski
Published in 2007, this may be one of the most impactful and theologically significant books of my adult life. Have you ever read a book and realized part way through that you were going to immediately read it again to pick up on everything you missed? That was this book for me. Using an easy to engage but deeply informative writing style, Bowman and Komoszewski lay out a very clear, biblical case for the deity of Christ and proofs that Jesus was seen as God by the earliest church. They do this by showing Jesus was given the honors, attributes, names, deeds, and seat (position) that was biblically reserved for God alone. And they give a useful acronym to make it easy to remember, “H.A.N.D.S.”
The Prayer of the Lord by R.C. Sproul
There are many books I would recommend by Sproul. He was a profound theologian. But this one, published in 2009, I’d recommend first because it most directly impacted my walk with God. I struggled with prayer for a long time. Sproul uses the Lord’s Prayer to help you understand that Jesus was not giving us rigid, dogmatic rules devoid of emotions or personal expression, but was instead modeling open and honest communication with a loving Father while still understanding who He really is as God. It helped push my prayer life past that feeling of something I “must do” to the feeling of something I “get to do.” Think about it, we’re privileged to get to talk with the King, Creator, and Sustainer of the whole universe and He loves to hear and help us.
Where God Came Down: The Archeological Evidence by Joel Kramer
Published in 2020, Joel Kramer uses his extensive knowledge as a respected and reputable archeologist and his many years living in the Holy Land to show that the Bible is a dependable source where archeology is concerned. Using an approachable writing style, Kramer treats you like a fledgling archeologist, helping you walk through the layers of history connecting the puzzle pieces yourself into a picture of what was. And, since the book is full of detailed photos and verse references, using it as a study aid while reading your bible can help you better understand where Abraham or Jesus really walked. As a bonus, Joel Kramer has a great YouTube channel where he produces high-quality, independent documentaries about the sites in the book and many more. I’ve given this as a gift multiple times; that should give you a sense of how good this book is.