The sentence that changed changed my life "You have to get off the Super Mario Brothers" lol that brought a smile to my face. Holiness of God is truly a masterpiece.
Pilgrim's Progress ("I will never believe my heart is thus bad." "Then thou never hadst one good thought concerning thyself in thy life.") Indwelling Sin Crime and Punishment (especially the final scene with Svidrigailov)
For me that book was A.W. Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God.” I first read that while I was in Bible College in the 80s. I was struck by his passion and straight forwardness. I try to read it every year.
"Knowing God" by J.I. Packer! I recently reread my 30-something year old copy. (I can't bear to get rid of it and get a new one because it has all my notes/underlining/highlights.) It's still staggering.
I remember reading "Passion and Purity" by Elisabeth Elliot back in the 80's when I was a teenager. It was one of those "haunting" books. I had no idea that such people even existed. I felt confused, angry, amused, ashamed, longing for something that could never exist for me. And although I'm a grandma and have been married for over 30 years now, I still think about that book. I could have just dismissed their relationship as being old-fashioned, but I knew that even during the time of their relationship in the 40s and 50s, their relationship was one of unusual godliness and surrender to Christ. Another one that sticks with me is "Goforth of China" by Rosalind Goforth. She and her husband were missionaries to China in the 30s. And all the things she went through as a missionary's wife with 11 children in a foreign field. More recently, William Hendriksen's book "More Than Conquerors"-- to say that this book changed my point of view would be an understatement; it's more like it changed my spiritual DNA.
"flee from the wrath to come" "Life! Life! Eternal Life!" “Nonsense!” said Obstinate. “Away with your book. Will you come back with us or not?” “No!” said Christian. “I have laid my hand to the plow and cannot look back. I have started this journey, and I must finish it.”
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Saint Augustine wrote in his Confessions. When I read this instantly, I knew my heart belonged to the Lord, and it changed me.
Absolutely, RC Sproul’s “Holiness of God”. Arthur Pink’s “The Attributes of God”. Roland Bainton, “Here I Stand”. RC Sproul’s “Willing to Believe”. John Piper “Don’t waste your life”. J I Packer “knowing God”. RC Sproul’s “The invisible hand”. J. V. Fesko “The Theology of the Westminster Standards”. Too many to name. My life has been touched very deeply by God and many of the writings of His saints.
I like The Sovereignty of God by AW Pink so much i bought my 4 grown kids copies. I bought the audible version and have listened to it at least 3 times. It may have affected me more than In Pursuit of God by AW Tozer and I've given away many copies of that also. I read Holiness of God by RC Sproul asked really really liked it but the book with the same title by JC Ryle is right there with Sovereignty of God. I'm listening to it for the 3rd time now. CS Lewis' Problem of Pain and Mere Christianity are two favorites. For a contemporary author i recommend Psalm 23 by David Roper.
@@thomassiharath9078 absolutely. I own that on audible too and just finished it a couple days ago. I noticed he covers some of the same things regarding election in Attributes but it makes sense as naturally he would cover God's sovereignty as one of His attributes.
I read Pilgrim Progress when a fairly new believer & I would say it had a fairly profound effect on my life. I have taken several random college level bible classes. I’ve never read C.S. Lewis. I was in an adult ‘Sunday school’ class recently at a Bible church a few years back that had the most profound effect on me since my salvation. It was an 8-week course on Christology & the appearances, illusions to, prophecies, types, foreshadowing of the preincarnate Christ….. I was blown away & I still am years later! I have searched for books on this subject since & have not found any satisfactory ones aimed at the layman. I think the knowledge of just how central Jesus is to the scriptures would set the church world on its ear!!!
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder. I read it before I became a follower of Christ, when I was still a confirmed atheist, and it made me think long and hard about Christianity. The book was inspired by Luke 13:4. The last paragraph is beautiful and memorable, but this sentence also haunts me: “Some say that we shall never know and that to the gods we are like the flies that the boys kill on a summer day, and some say, on the contrary, that the very sparrows do not lose a feather that has not been brushed away by the finger of God.” I love this book and reflect on it often.
After a difficult time emtionally and spiritually, I read 'A Scandalous Freedom' by Steve Brown. It allowed me to experience my walk with Christ like the day I was first born again.
Wow! I was SO influenced by Keith Green, although he had already passed before I was introduced to him, his life & ministry. I was really very fortunate to find his story very early in my Christian life to be influenced by Keith’s passion & no compromise lifestyle! Very honestly, I probably wouldn’t agree with everything that he believed but our lives aren’t static, I certainly agree that he was a man of God! The Prodigal Suite!!!! Incredible music & a heart so obviously changed & being molded by God! Thank you for mentioning him & the book! 🙏🏼
So many come to mind, but two that immediately struck me: Knowing God by J.I. Packer, particularly Ch. 21 These Inward Trials Prayer of Jehoshaphat by Stanley Gale, a PCA pastor
Sentences from Tim Keller Meaning of Marriage" opened my eyes to the Gospel even though the book was about marriage "To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us."
All good recommendations. The three I often return to: With Christ in the School of Prayer (Murray); Mere Christianity (Lewis); Life Together (Bonhoeffer).
One of the most profound teachings was John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life and the teachings of R.C. Sproul in general shaped my Reformed Theology. I have a copy of Johnathan Edwards's book I have to read it.
Christless Christianity by Michael Horton - really helped me focus A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie- the way the man prayed and the way he expressed the prayers.
A couple of the books that have really resonated with me are Brennan Manning's, Ruthless Trust and The Furious Longing of God. Books that have deeply touched me about depth of love and care our God has for each of His children.
“Discipline of Grace” by Jerry Bridges. I believe it is chapter 3 entitled preach the Gospel to yourself everyday. Simple, clear, true- has been meaningful to me since I read it 17 years ago
I'm not sure if it was that book or one of his others, but I remember as youngish Christian how much of an impact it had on me. Before then I used to think we were justified by grace, but then somehow we stayed saved and were sanctified by works. Reading Bridges was life changing for me as that was when I first grasped that the gospel message was as relevant for Christians as for non-Christians.
Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Critique of Dispensationalism Book by John Gerstner I was a lifelong “Justification by my decision” Baptist, and this book introduced me to the Reformed faith. And there was no going back!❤
Only I think "Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth" is by Harry Ironside. Unless there are two books by that name, of course. It is available for free, pdf download at Wholesome words. ("Regular" end of URL). Oh, I see. Ironside's book was in favor of moderate dispensationalism, but against hyper-dispensationalism, For some reason, hyper-dispensationalism is always connected to an antinomian "Free Grace" movement. And they condemn anyone who says repentance has anything to with salvation.
As a college study…quit some time ago…I read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. It opened up my mind on a lot of things. Another would be Renovation of the Heart. By Dallas Willard. Hearing God by Willard and A long Obedience in the Same Direction by Peterson just to mention a few. Theology for the Community of God by Stanley Grenz would be one more. Okay okay I’ll stop😊
"The Sovereignty of God" by A. W. Pink, "The Pleasures of God" by John Piper, "The Bond of Love" by David McKay, "Generous Justice" by Tim Keller and "Surprised by Hope" by Tom Wright.
When I read Why Revival Tarries, it made me tear up.. Other impactful books I've read are The Autobiography of George Müller, Redemption at Hacksaw Ridge, Theologia Germanica, and of course Disciplines of a Godly Man (reading it now). Next I'm planning to read The Life and Diary of David Brainerd. Thank you Matthew, you are a blessing!
love reading bios of godly men and women. I may not see any great miracles in my life, but reading them helps me keep my faith in reading howGod moves. I have over 50 bios. Their lives inspire me.
“These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that [the] I [Am] was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.” Psalm 50:21 ESV The 1st half of this verse has been haunting me recently. Coming out of nominal Christianity to a reformed understanding I see what a low view of the Triune God I had. His Sovereignty and Holiness is beyond my comprehension. And I am nothing without Him. I’m now a 1689 confessional baptist although there are no reformed congregations near us. I would gladly join a WCF congregation like yours because our differences are insignificant compared to the dispensational or seeker type churches that dominate this area. Thanks for the book recommendations. I have read RCs “What is Reformed Theology”. It has helped me immensely.
Meditate on that in combination with Isaiah 55, and it will melt your heart! We assume God is like us in more ways than one...we assume he doesn't mind our sin (confronted in the verse you mentioned), but then we also assume He couldn't possibly forgive sinners (confronted in Isaiah 55). He gives salvation so freely to repentant sinners! "7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
I am a lifelong reader and have been a Christian for about 60 years, so there are many influential books in my life. The following ones were instrumental at different times in my life for the reasons listed. Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy. (One of the foundational books of my Christian life) Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God. (Kickstarted my prayer life) Francis MacNutt, Healing. (Sent me to a healing prayer team at church and miracles I witnessed) David Roper, In Quietness & Confidence: The Making of a Man. (Best devotional book I’ve read) John Piper, Rethinking Retirement. (Reordered my retirement and sent me to seminary) R. C. Sproul, Chosen by God. (Introduced me to reformed theology and a PCA church)
Those three are great books. These two have been really "haunting" to me and my walk. Holiness by J.C. Ryle Memoir And Remains Of The Rev. Robert Murray M'Cheyne
@He is Risen I agree I can't tell you how much it's helped me in my walk with Christ. If you haven't already, check out the audible version read by Ralph Cosham. It's become my favorite version to listen along to when I dint have the paperback.
@RS M you just made my day. I looked a couple of time for the audio version but didn't find one worthy to listening too. They just didn't fall on my ears right. I'm about to start biking again and this will be perfect to implement into my travels. I just read the comment about Valley of Vision and that is in my top selection of books also. I just moved so a majority of my study/personal books are in storage til I complete my study area. Thank you and God bless you
@He is Risen God bless you too! What a blessing it is to know brothers and sisters in Christ enjoy and grow from the same blessings. Have a great time riding and being with Christ. I'll see you in the near future
My Utmost for His Highest devotional by Oswald Chambers. There is a Saint Oswald in England that I would guess Mr and Mrs Chambers named their son after. There is also a St. Oswald Church somewhere in the English countryside. Oh, and this devotional was compiled from his Cambridge lectures to his students, by his wife sometime after his death. As you can imagine, it’s fantastically more popular here than across the pond 😢.
The Holiness of God!! I have recommended this book to everyone I can. So happy you mentioned that one. I binge-read half of the book whilst on a flight and felt ready to die and be with my God. Love the works of RC Sproul.
● A W Tozer, "The pursuit of God" ● Jerry Bridges, "Transforming Grace" ● Web article by Tony Warren of the Mountain Retreat Website, "Predestination: The Doctrine of Grace" ● John Stott, "The Incomparable Christ" (In progress) ● Steve Lawson, "The attributes of God".
Aside from the Bible; Pilgrim's Progress (both parts), Christian Beliefs: Twenty basics every Christian should know by Wayne Grudem, and George Müller: Delighted in God by Roger Steer. (Oh... And basically anything by Don Whitney, particularly Praying the Bible.)
A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel has stayed with me for many years now. I was a believer well before I read it but the clarity that Strobel used in describing the various aspects of the ministry,life,death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ really impacted my heart. I tell everyone I can about this book. I believe it is a great evangelical tool and a source of affirmation for believers.
The three books that have shaped my Christian life are: The Hiding Place, I read this right after I became a Christian and realized that being a Christian wasn’t an easy road, Hinds Feet on High Places. The traveling companions God had given her were Suffering and Sorrow. Those companions have taught me to trust in the Good Shepherd in the circumstances of my life. Pilgrims Progress showed me the pitfalls I was going to fall into during this life and how God sent Evangelists to bring me out of the troubles one gets into during the Christian walk. I do need to say that the book Something More by Catherine Marshall also played a big part in my Christian journey. I just found your channel and subscribed. Thank you. Toni in Colorado
Here are mine: “Holiness” by J.C. Ryle “The Sermon on the Mount” by Lloyd-Jones “Knowing God” by Packer As a counselor, will throw in 2 more: “Spiritual Depression” by Lloyd-Jones and “The Bruised Reed” by Richard Sibbes.
Three books that really grabbed me .... 1) Grace Unknown ... Late retitled What is Reformed Theology? by R C Sproul ... Cleared up a myriad of misconceptions I had about Reformed Theology. I had left the Roman Catholic Church and become Pentecostal Holiness, graduating from.a bible college in 1988. I ended up reading the book 3 times. 2) This one might lead you to turn up your nose ... Charles Finney's 1851 Systematic Theology in 2 volumes. What Finney did was present God as a Benevolent Moral Governor who punishes sin to protect the creation He loves. A Law without s Penalty is no law, merely good advice. That idea and others actually helped me leave Pentecostalism. It took Grace Unknown to help me understand the doctrines of Grace. 3) I'm not Anglican, but the Coverdale Psalter enlisted by Thomas Cranmer for Morning and Evening Prayer gave my prayer life order and stability. I prayed the full Morning and Evening Payer from.the 1662 BCP for a few years. Now, I just go through the Psalter monthly, reading a through an Old Testament book in the mornings and a New Testament book in the evenings. I use Joel Beeke's Family Worship Bible Guide to consider the chapter of two I read each morning and evening. Before I started using Beeke's book, I used Morning.and Evening by Charles Spurgeon. I don't use Finney anymore, obviously. But, I still own the 2 volume set. I still have Sproul's book on my shelf as well. However, praying the Psalter every month has become what Psychologist Dr. William Glasser called a Positive Addiction.
“A guide to Christian Living” by Calvin, basically an excerpt of his Institutes. I am a new Christian and this really helped me get a grasp on sanctification and how short I fall every day.
The life of God in the soul of man, or, The nature and excellency of the Christian religion. Edinburgh, 1750 (also 1751). First edition in English published London, 1667 Author: Henry Scougal
Here are mine 1. “Holiness,” by J.C Ryle (that book is scary) 2. “To The Golden Shore,” by Courtney Anderson (I’m such a wimp compared to Adoniram Judson). 3. Matthew Henry’s Commentary of the Bible (I’m currently reading through the entire thing from start to finish and it’s absolutely amazing. A must read for men in the ministry. 4. A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson (the first book I read by the Puritans. I went through it twice). 5. The Jerusalem Sinner Saved by John Bunyan (anything by John Bunyan is gold). That book made me cry. 6. The Grace of Christ by WM.S Plumer (read it like three times).
Reading, “To The Golden Shore,” is almost like a sermon on the excellent Christian life. It’s ultimately a story of victory and Triumph. Check out “Dr. Bill Wallace of China,” by Jesse Fletcher.
Love these. Thank you! I printed and glued The Resolutions into my Bible. You've probably heard of this one, but I just recently came across "God of All Things" by Andrew Wilson and love it. I think I've highlighted 70% of the book. As I recommend it to others, I find out I've been "living under a rock" when it comes to this one. Thanks again for another great video! This one I have had on my shelf for years but just started to appreciate it - "Basic Theology" by Ryrie. I think because it was a college textbook for me, I've been ignoring it. Not necessarily a fun sit-down-read but a really good reference book.
Holiness of God is a great book indeed. Robert Farrar Capon's Kingdom, Grace, Judgment is a great parables of Jesus book. It'll change the way you see the humanity of Jesus.
This isn't a book but a quote from Rich Mullins ( 1955-1997). Well, it's a near quote He said that every one goes around saying they want to be used by God. Really, I would rather be wanted by by God. For some reason that has stuck with me all these years. Wanted. Desired.
enjoyed the video yes you do discover who you are and have a bond with in the books you read . so for me i love all of watchman nee and recently though on youtube i have discovered john g lake has great wisdom and power
Holiness of God; Pilgrim's Progress; and Beeke and Barrett's A Radical, Comprehensive Call to Holiness are the three books outside of the Bible that God has used to change me forever.
The Bondage of the Will (Martin Luther), The Plan of Salvation (B.B. Warfield), Ben Hur, a Story of the Christ (Gen. Lew Wallace), Quo Vadis are some of the books that had an impact on my thinking.
The Holiness of God, to be sure. Berkhof's Systematic Theology. Gleanings From The Scriptures. And Pastor Matt, thank you for all you do. I only see a sliver of it, but from what I've seen and learned, I am so much more established and joyous. Again, Thanx.
“There are chords in the hearts of the most reckless which cannot be touched without emotion. Even with the utterly lost to whom life and death are equally jests, there are matters of which no jest can be made." -from 'The Masque Of The Red Death’ by Edgar Allan Poe
Taking Heaven by Storm- Thomas Watson The Christian Doctrine of God- Thomas Torrance (except when he gets innovative at the end with passibility) The Gospel According to John- Leon Morris
Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering by David Gregor. Brought a whole new meaning to my life. The last question brought me to the foot of the cross.
Not a Christian book, but the book that haunt me the most was "World War Z" by Max Brooks. It wasn't the zombies that scared me. It was the fact we live such comfortable, easy lives. We really have no idea how to survive if we lost all our creature comforts.
"What monstrosities would walk the streets, were some people's faces as unfinished as their minds." - Eric Hoffer, "Reflections on the Human Condition" (1973)
One with Christ: An Evangelical theology of Salvation by Marcus Peter Johnson. Really helped to understand what it means to be saved in our union with the living Christ. That we are saved by being crucified with him, buried with him., and reserected with him so that he resides within us. our union with Christ is what it means to be saved. Gentle and Lowly I will pick those books up for sure.
God used The Mortification of Sin by John Owen greatly in my life. The reality of the battle against sin can be summed up in his statement: "Be killing your sin, or your sin will be killing you." Once you really understand that I'm your heart you can never look at sin the same way again.
"You may not understand why he leads you now in this way and now in that, but you may, nay, you must believe that perfection is stamped on his every act" Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. Was the first book I read as a young Christian women that was outside of the prosperity gospel and it did haunt me, I've read it at least three times since. Others are Cardiphonia by John Newton, Grace abounding by John Bunyan, The Valley of Vision, and really anything by the Puritans!
"Captured by Grace" by David Jeremiah. It captivated my newly regenerated mind. Good read for new converts. "Knowing God" by J.I. Packer is a great book for newer converts as well. "The Gospel according to Jesus" by John Macaurthur.
I agree with both. I have the privilege of having David Jeremiah as my pastor. I read everything he publishes, same with MacArthur. Both are very biblically sound teachers.
To the untrue man, the whole universe is false,-it is impalpable,-it shrinks to nothing within his grasp. And he himself, in so far as he shows himself in a false light, becomes a shadow, or, indeed, ceases to exist. -Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter
There's are two that have absolutely wrecked me in the past year. 1. "Dangerous Calling" by Paul David Tripp 2. "Gentle and Lowly" by Dane Ortlund They are must reads.
If you liked "Gentle and Lowly", you should read Goodwin directly, as Ortlund drew on "The Heart of Christ" for that book. It's harder to read, but well worth it and not very long. You can find .pdf's online for free.
“You are either completely justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, or you are not justified at all.” - my pastor from my home church (I don’t know if it was original or if he quoted someone) “You should tell the devil: just by telling me that I am a miserable great sinner, you are placing a sword and weapon into my hand, with which I can decisively overcome you. Four if you tell me that I am a poor sinner, high on the other hand, can tell you that Christ died for sinners, and is their Intercessor.” - Martin Luther The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson and The Circle by Ted Dekker were two book series that profoundly influenced my desire as a teenager to truly know God and find out what He wanted for my life.
I recently read Gospel Worship by jeremiah burroughs on reccomendation from rc sproul in one of his sermons. Its a very good book on sanctifying God in your life through the sacraments. Not an easy read though due to the old english. The book is a compilation of sermons from 1645!
Thank you. I have ordered these books. I am always open to suggestions for good reading material. The books that profoundly changed my way of reading/studying the Bible were by a Rabbi David Fohrman: The Beast That Crouches at the Door, The Queen You Thought You Knew, and The Exodus You Almost Passed Over. I have applied his methods to New Testament studies, even thought the transition from Hebrew to Greek is an issue that presents a bit of a challenge. I wish I had been taught Rabbi Fohrman's 3D quality of scripture examination earlier in my life. (The Bible provides so much commentary within itself when the language is carefully examined.) Now, I study the original language using both an interlinear and my ESV because I cannot read either Hebrew or Greek and certainly not Aramaic. When/if I sense a possible scriptural echo (pattern in words, structure, or images which I now believe were deliberately inspired by the Holy Spirit), I dive deeper than the surface. There are also several passages from The Last Battle by CS Lewis that still hit me, though I am more fond of his Space Trilogy. A Tale of three Kings: A Study in Brokenness by Gene Edwards has stayed with me.
I agree with "The Holiness of God", the book that reformed me. I was an Arminian Bapticostal before that. Piper's "Don't Waste Your Life" still stirs me to be done with lesser things. "All of Grace" (Spurgeon), "The Sovereignty of God" (Pink), "Born After Midnight (Tozer), and "The Gospel According to Jesus" (MacArthur) and anything by Thomas Watson are my recommendations.
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyers. I’m not a fan of this Prosperity Gospel preacher. But this book touched me in a profound way. I was going through a bad patch in my life spiritually. I kept getting these thoughts, you’ll never be good enough for God. How can he love you? I was struggling with depression and ptsd. I thought, I’m damaged goods. No one will ever want or love me. I’ll never get better. I’m a basket case. The book was like turning on a light. I understood that these were not my thoughts, but the devil whispering in my ear, trying to get me to off myself, and wanting to drag as many people to hell with him as he can. The devil has come to kill, steal, and destroy Scripture says. I finally was able to stop the negativity, understand where this was from, and know without a shadow of a doubt that God loves me.
Three books have had a very profound effect on my life: The Fountain of Life by John Flavel, Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography; and A Puritan Theology:Doctrine for Life by Joel Beeke and Mark Jones
