I read a lot–fiction and nonfiction, Christian and secular. And in my reading, there have been a few books that have stuck out as “must-reads”, especially for people of faith. And I want to share seven (7) of those book recommendations with you here.
These books are seven (7) of the very best Christian nonfiction books available–in my opinion.
That qualifier is important. My opinion. Please do not interpret this list as a divinely inspired, authoritative list that represents the very best of every single Christian book ever written. These are among the best Christian books that I have read. And I base that assessment on those books which impacted me as well as which books effectively cover topics that are indispensable to the day and age in which we live.
Please note that of all the books I’ve read, the one that towers above all the rest is of course the Bible. And if you’ve not read the Bible, please don’t even think about reading anything else until you do so.
There is no book greater than the word of God. No book will make a bigger difference in your life than that one. So, please read the Bible.
Assuming you have done so (or are doing so), then here are some great Christian books to supplement your Bible reading:
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
This all-time classic belongs in the library of every believer in Christ. Originally given as a series of BBC radio lectures during the Second World War, Lewis’s work was later compiled into book form. It lays out the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a manner that’s still easily approachable for most teen and adult readers today.
It’s also a great book for non-Christians to read as one of its original purposes was to introduce basic (“mere”) Christianity to a skeptical or doubting audience.
Am I Just My Brain? by Sharon Dirckx
Have you ever wondered how the human brain interacts with the spiritual world? Perhaps you’ve doubted the existence of the soul. Maybe you just want to have some scientific facts that will bolster your own faith or help you talk to your skeptical friend or family member. If any of those scenarios strikes home, this book is for you.
“A large part of who I am comes from an unseen inner life consisting of thoughts, memories, emotions and decisions, none of which are captured by cell voltages, neurotransmitters and blood-flow changes. ‘You are just your brain’ instinctively fails to explain the inner ‘me’.”
Sharon Dirckx, Am I Just My Brain?
Sharon Dirckx is a brain imaging scientist. And her little book (135 pages) delves into the mind, the brain, and a person’s conscious identity as a human being. Definitely worth your time.
How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds by Alan Jacobs
Most people don’t want to think and don’t know how to think. That’s the central contention of this wonderful book by Alan Jacobs, a literary critic and humanities professor at Baylor University in Texas. Jacobs explains the many reasons why people prefer not to think–at least not too hard. And he shows why our society has suffered because of it.
He doesn’t stop there, of course. He explains how we can rise above mediocrity ourselves and think more effectively. In so doing, we will help ourselves, our loved ones, and our society.
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy J. Keller
In my view (and that of many others), Keller’s The Reason for God is the 21st-century update (even replacement) for Mere Christianity. This isn’t to suggest that you shouldn’t read Lewis’s iconic classic, but the inexperienced (and certainly inexperienced American) reader today will likely find Keller’s book much easier to digest.
If you want a reasonable case for Christianity that also addresses some of the more common objections within our culture, you can’t go wrong with Keller’s The Reason for God. He addresses sensitive questions and issues in a wise, calm, grandfatherly manner that has endeared him to millions of fans.
Disappointment With God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud by Philip Yancey
I read this book years ago when struggling with anger toward God. It was the right book at the right time. And I found myself having all kinds of “Aha!” moments throughout. It really helped me understand God on a relational and emotional level.
If you have difficulty understanding why God does things the way He does or you find yourself disappointed in your Christian life, I strongly recommend this modern classic.
Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better by Brant Hansen
This was one of the most convicting books I’ve ever read! It puts a question right in your face that few people have ever considered: “Do we really have a right to be offended…ever?”
Hansen’s book really unpacks “pride” and the “ego” in ways that make any conscientious Christian uncomfortable. There’s just no escaping his logic or the indictment that he calmly, but irrefutably, lays down on the church today.
This book will make you uncomfortable–but ultimately in a good way. It will show you how you can remove a lot of unnecessary drama, stress, and conflict from your life—and how you can be a more joyful follower of Christ.
How (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-women, Anti-science, Pro-violence, Pro-slavery and Other Crazy-Sounding Parts of Scripture by Dan Kimball
I strongly recommend reading this book if you have difficulties or serious questions about some of the Bible’s content. And if you haven’t read through the Bible yet, I recommend reading Kimball’s book while you do so. You can read it before, during, or after read through the Bible.
Kimball reminds us that the Bible is a collection of books—books written by different people, in different cultures, in different genres (literary styles), and over a span of 1,600 years. Those of us living in the United States in the twenty-first century can easily be confused, troubled, and even offended simply by forgetting the fact that we’re reading a book written at a time quite distant from our own and in cultural settings that are quite foreign to ours.
This doesn’t mean that the Bible is obsolete or irrelevant. It just means you have to understand the context of a passage before you can get to the meaning and application.
If you want to better understand the Bible, this is a great entry point. Highly recommended!
Winning With People: Discover the People Principles that Work for You Every Time by John Maxwell
This is the most practical book on this list of recommendations. Please note that this book is not written for Christian audiences per se, but it is written by a Christian—and is very much based on Christian principles. For this reason, it makes our list.
John Maxwell is a bestselling author, leadership consultant, and pastor. Respected as a guru on leadership and communication skills, he consults regularly with Fortune 500 companies and even international leaders. But he got his start training and equipping pastors and church leaders.
This book is one of his all-time best! If you want to know how to get along with people (including difficult people), you MUST read this book. And don’t borrow it. Buy it. You’ll want to read and review it often. It’s that good!
Well, there you go! Seven book recommendations. I believe every Christian will benefit from reading the above seven titles.
If you’ve read any of these, let us know your thoughts in the comments. And feel free to share your thoughts after you’ve read them.
God bless you and Happy Reading!
