Recommended Books

 

'THE RADICAL DISCIPLE'
In the last book by the leading evangelical churchman of the twentieth century, John Stott opens up what it means at root to be a follower of Jesus. He explores eight aspects of Christian discipleship which are too often neglected and yet deserve to be taken seriously. Here, including the last public sermon he ever preached, Stott offers wisdom gained from a lifetime of consistent Christian commitment. In addition, he poignantly reflects on his last years of life and ministry. The message is simple, classic and personal: Jesus is Lord. He calls. We follow. Click here to buy or find out more.

 

 

'AREN'T THEY LOVELY WHEN THEY'RE ASLEEP?'
Ann Benton used to run parenting skills classes in local schools. People kept saying 'This is great, where do you get this stuff?' She came clean, 'Actually, it's from the Bible.' This book contains the wisdom distilled from Ann's popular seminars on parenting the next generation. She uses a 'God's eye view' of what we're really like in order to help people who seek to be responsible parents in an increasingly child-centred society. You will learn six key concepts: accept, beware, communicate, discipline, evaluate and fear the Lord. These are applied with understanding and sensitivity.  Click here for more or to buy.

 

 

'SCANDALOUS'
Nothing is more central to the Bible than Jesus' death and resurrection, over one weekend in Jerusalem about two thousand years ago. Jesus' own followers did not expect him to be crucified; they certainly did not expect him to rise again. Yet after these events their thinking and attitudes were transformed, and absolutely everything in their lives was changed.  With clarity and conviction, D A Carson unpacks what some of the earliest witnesses wrote, in five New Testament texts, to provide an introductory explanation of Jesus' death & resurrection.  This gripping book looks at the scandal of the cross and provides a great meditation for the Easter season.  Click HERE to buy.

 
'THE VICAR OF BAGHDAD'

'I live with a price on my head...The kind of people that I spend my time engaging with are not usually very nice. On the whole nice people do not cause wars.' Andrew White is one of a tiny handful of people trusted by virtually every side in the complex Middle East. Political and military solutions are constantly put forward, and constantly fail. Andrew offers a different approach, speaking as a man of faith to men of faith. This book is about fighting for peace on the front line in Baghdad.  Andrew White offers not a political solution, but a way forward rooted in faith, dialogue and love.  Click here for more.

 

 

'SECOND CHANCE'
‘God can use anybody. If he could use Peter, Moses, Jonah, David, Judah or Gideon, he can use you and me.'  This is the empowering new book by bestselling Christian writer, R. T. Kendall. All of us have fallen short of God’s standards, and it may be that you have fallen further than most. It is easy for you to believe that you have blown your chance to fulfil God's plan for your life.  But God has not finished yet! He is the God of second chances. His love is everlasting and unconditional, no matter what we have done to grieve him in the past.  Click here to buy.

 

 

'WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN'
John Stott tells his spiritual story, and gives the reasons for his first life-changing step of faith on the path he has followed since that day. It wasn't so much that he found Christ, as that Christ found him. Not because the Christian faith is attractive, but because it is true. Not because he deserved to be saved, but because Christ took his sins, and ours, on himself. It is because the answer to the paradox at the heart of our humanness, because the key to true freedom and fulfilment, are to be found in Jesus Christ alone.  A great book by one of the greatest Christian figures of the 20th century. Click here to buy.

 

'KNOWING GOD'
A lifelong pursuit of knowing God should embody the Christian existence. According to eminent theologian J I Packer, however, Christians have become enchanted by modern scepticism and have joined the "gigantic conspiracy of misdirection" by failing to put first things first. Knowing God aims to redirect our attention to the simple, deep truth that to know God is to love His Word. This is a true spiritual classic.  Click here for more.
  

'CHOOSING TO SEE'
Choosing To See is the new book from Mary Beth Chapman, the wife of Grammy Award winning Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman. It is a personal, intimate biography of how they coped with losing their daughter in a tragic accident. The book tells of Mary Beth's struggle to heal, and the unexpected path God has placed her on. The book covers Mary Beth Chapman's courtship and marriage to Steven, living with grief and her struggles for emotional balance. Chapman's story will resonate with all of us, as we all wonder where God is when the worst happens. In Choosing To See, she shows readers how she wrestled with God even as she allowed him to write her story, during both times of happiness and times of tragedy. Click here for more. 

 

'THE REASON FOR GOD'
Why does God allow suffering in the world?    How could a loving God send people to Hell? Why isn’t Christianity more inclusive? How can one religion be “right” and the others “wrong”? Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?  These are just a few of the questions & doubts even ardent believers wrestle with today. As the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, Timothy Keller has compiled a list of the most frequently voiced  “doubts” skeptics bring to his church as well as the most important reasons for faith. And inThe Reason for God, he addresses each doubt and explains each reason. A great book for anyone with questions or doubts about the Christian faith. Find out more by clicking here.

 
'REDEEMING LOVE'
California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.  Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs.  Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does…the One who will never let her go.  A life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love. Over 1 million copies sold!  Click here.


'VINTAGE JESUS'
In Vintage Jesus, one of America's most influential young pastors teams up with a seasoned theologian to lead you on a theological journey chasing Jesus through Scripture and pop culture. The authors provide timeless answers to twelve timely questions about the most important man who has ever lived. Each chapter concludes with answers to common questions about each subject.  Click here to find out more.


'GOD'S SECRET LISTENER'
Enver Hoxha, Albania's dictator during the Communist era,  proclaimed his country the world's first atheist state.  Meanwhile  Captain Berti Dosti, one of the elite team monitoring Albania's  borders for American incursions, was leaving his country  unguarded for 15 minutes a week as he tuned into Christian  broadcasts from TWR. Had he been discovered he would  probably have been shot. With churches destroyed and Christian leaders executed or jailed, post-Communist Albania with its  Muslim heritage was tough ground for Christian mission. But  Captain (now Pastor) Dosti helped to lead the new wave of  church planting that has swept the country. Combining  integrity with social compassion, he and his colleagues have  reached thousands: there is now a church in every major community.  A truly  inspiring book.  Click here for more.


'SECRET BELIEVERS'
What happens when a Muslim, born and brought up in a Muslim  family in an Islamic country, converts to Christianity? In this unique  book, Brother Andrew describes the personal, cultural, spiritual and  life-threatening challenges that they face. Most of the book is written as a thrilling novel, tracing the intertwined lives of a small group of believers in an unnamed Islamic country. Click here to find out more.

 

 

'REDEMPTION'
When Kari Baxter Jacobs finds out that her husband is involved in an adulterous relationship and wants a divorce, she decides she will love him and remain faithful to her marriage at all costs. This book shows how God can redeem seemingly hopeless relationships, and it illustrates one of Gary Smalley's key messages: Love is a decision.  This is the first book in a series by Karen Kingsbury - a hugely popular author.  Click here for more.

 

 




'THE DAWKINS LETTERS'
When Richard Dawkins published 'The God Delusion', David Robertson wanted there to be an intelligent Christian response. After some ill-thought-through interventions in the media it was obvious that no one was really answering the real issues - so David wrote an open letter to Richard Dawkins on his church website. This found its way onto Richard Dawkins' website, where it generated the largest response of any posting before or since. The ferocity of the responses spurred David to record the saga,in this manuscript.  This is a very honest book and it is written in a genuine spirit of enquiry. If you want ideas and answers to the challenges of 'The God Delusion' then look no further.  Click here.





'MERE CHRISTIANITY'
You may be familiar with C.S. Lewis through his Chronicles of Narnia  series. He wrote extensively for both adults and children. Regardless  of whether you are already a Christian, or someone who is interested  only in what it is that Christians believe, this concise book explains the  basics in an engaging and very logical fashion.  A true classic that stands  the test of time and reason.  Click here to find out more.  A 'must read'  book!

 




 'COUNTERFEIT GODS'
Success, true love, and the life you've always wanted. Many of us placed our faith in these things, believing they held the key to happiness. The recent economic meltdown has cast a harsh new light on these pursuits. In a matter of months, fortunes, marriages, careers, and a secure retirement have disappeared for millions of people. No wonder so many of us feel lost, alone, disenchanted and resentful. But the truth is that we made gods of these good things - gods that can't give us what we really need. There is only one God who can wholly satisfy our cravings- and now is the perfect time to meet him again, or for the first time.  Click HERE to find out more, or why not BUY the book?

 


'UNDERSTANDING THEOLOGY'
This is a very useful & accessible theology guide. Rather than 'duck' an issue R.T. Kendall explains both sides of an argument - showing its history and logical development. The book is laid out in outline form which enables you to see the clear pattern of the source and development of a doctrine whilst accessing the information as simply as possible. People from a wide spectrum of evangelical belief have found this a very helpful doctrinal series. It has brought them, and will bring you, closer to the Bible in your understanding and closer to God in your life. Click here for more.