Read chad harrington’s list of thirty christian books everyone should read. each book comes with a brief reason and a link to the book.
I was the guy who read every page of every book assigned to him in school, so the fact that I’m now a book editor at your publications shouldn’t come as a surprise.
You are reading: Great christian books to read
my book list contains my top thirty personal recommendations for vital books that Christians should read as soon as possible, and in this order. I understand that there are many books to read, but what can I say? I love books!
The following list is not my list of the best books of all time, but I think the books that every Christian should read. I met some of them recently and others when I was younger.
the order is not necessarily ranked from best to lowest in the list. I have listed them in the order I suggest you read them. it generally moves from pre-gospel to gospel to spiritual formation.
These are the most valuable and important books in my eyes for Christians in North America (and beyond) to read:
1. a book of the bible in one sitting with no chapter or verse divisions
I am often amazed at the biblical illiteracy I witness among many Christians. so if you find yourself disconnected from the scriptures, this is my recommendation to stoke your fire. Start by reading one book of the bible in one go, and read it without headings or chapter or verse divisions, just full text. you can do this with the book of ephesians through the bible gateway here for example. i remember the first time i did this with paul’s letter to the romans. As a result, I was able to see his main point more clearly than ever.
2. A book in the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. louis
After picking up the bible, I suggest jumping into evangelical fiction because it grabs the heart like nothing else. Although it was written for children, I was in my twenties when I started reading the Chronicles of Narnia, and although the characters are childish, the message of the books certainly isn’t. Read at least one Chronicles of Narnia book to spark your passion for God. For example, His horse and child offer an engaging story and a unique parallel to how God is with us even when we don’t feel His presence.
3. confessions of saint augustine
The Confessions of Augustine is a classic Christian autobiography. find god by reading how an ancient saint found god after a life of sin. Gain perspective through this book with a story that has stood the test of time. I read this entire book on a silent retreat, and Augustine’s story helped me better connect with my story from sin to salvation. I think it can be for you too.
4. the return of the prodigal son by henri nouwen
After reading this book in college when I needed a new experience of God’s love, it went on my must-read list for others who want to go deeper into encountering God. Nouwen guides readers on the Return of the Prodigal Son through her reflections on Rembrandt’s famous painting of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15 to deliver a masterpiece of encountering God. Delve deeper into God’s compassionate love through the eyes of a compassionate man, Henri Nouwen.
5. god’s reason by timothy keller
Most Christians go through a phase of doubt, and this can be an important part of our journey. however, instead of suppressing your doubts about god, i think we should delve into them to find the objective reasons for god’s existence and goodness. Keller helps readers do just that through his captivating and compelling Reason for God.
6. The Most Reluctant Convert by David C. knocking down
before reading mere christianity, you should know c.s. the story of luis helpful and encouraging, downing writes a simple story about how c.s. Lewis went from atheism to pantheism to theism to Christ. Get an inside scoop on how clues were part of Lewis’s conversion to Christ at the most reluctant convert, and even how mythology helped Lewis become a Christian.
7. mere christianity by c.s. louis
This modern classic apologetics book covers basic arguments in a witty and compelling way. In Mere Christianity, Lewis offers the written form of his radio show on World War II, which he delivered while Britain was involved in the war and spiritually desperate for God. When people refer to Lewis’s arguments for believing in Christ, such as the “Liar, Lunatic, or Mister” argument, you’ll want to have read it from Lewis himself.
8. The Gospel Precisely by Matthew W. bats
See Also: How To Write A Book Description That Sells [With Examples]
Christians are debating the nature of the biblical gospel today. are you confused about what the gospel is? Read Matthew Bates’s short book, The Gospel, precisely for a helpful reorientation toward the biblical definition of the gospel. let bates question preconceived notions of him and race to the truth as he reads this quick but insightful and important little book.
9. orthodoxy by g.k. chesterton
chesterton has been vital to my spiritual development, so i must include its orthodoxy. For me, he lays out the foundations of the gospel in this book, and lands in a refreshing place on the role of beauty and joy in the life of a Christian. journey with chesterton, a friend and mentor of c.s. lewis, as you read this intriguing book.
10. me and you by martin buber
while I was writing my master’s thesis at asbury theological seminary, a trusted friend of mine told me to read buber’s book so i can write well. I asked him how this applied to my thesis and he replied: “it applies to all life”. I was right, so I recommend it. while buber himself was jewish and not a christian, his book me and you can serve Christians to help us see people, events, and opportunities through the lens of love rather than how we might unconsciously treat them as a “it” instead of a “you”.
11. the cost of discipleship by dietrich bonhoeffer
Get ready for a challenging read with the cost of bonhoeffer’s discipleship on your face. Originally titled Nachfolge in German, which translates simply as “discipleship” or “follow-up,” this book is the main work for which Bonhoeffer is remembered. Before World War II, Bonhoeffer saw a watered down version of Christianity all around him, so he wrote this book to call disciples in Europe and beyond back to discipleship.
12. the challenge of jesus by n.t. good
I read this when I was in college, and it was one of the first Wright books I read that helped form my mind around the vitality of the kingdom of God for the Christian faith. Jesus’ challenge introduces something from the n.t. Wright’s central thought on the historical person of Jesus. While more eager readers can read the academic version of this book, Jesus and God’s Victory, I recommend this one for most Christians.
13. the divine conspiracy of dallas willard
When you’re ready for this, it could change your life. I say “when you’re ready” because it wasn’t ready the first time I tried to read it. the divine conspiracy presents readers with the “conspiracy” that we can experience the kingdom of god here on earth, through the life, person, and teachings of jesus. willard takes readers through jesus’ sermon on the mount and beyond for a refreshing look at the person of jesus and how his ways can change our lives in the here and now.
14. Desiring God’s Will by David G. benner
Although I don’t agree with all of Benner’s writing, I must say that this title, Wishing God’s Will, which he wrote early in his career, was vital to the journey from my head to my heart on my journey from discipleship Benner is a Christian and clinical psychologist who argues that desire plays a vital role in our journey of discipleship. Without your clear, compelling, and encouraging articulation of this truth, I don’t know where my heart would be!
15. god’s rest by mark buchanan
When I was a senior in college, I had to preach on the subject of the Sabbath, so I found this book on the Sabbath by Buchanan. After reading the entire book the week before I preached on the subject, I was convinced that God’s command to rest still applies in principle today: We need to restore our souls as Christians by restoring some form of the 24-hour Sabbath. I’ll let you read the details on God’s rest, but let me tell you this: The way this book shed light on the biblical concept of rest literally changed my life, and I’ve taken a day off every week since I’ve preached. about this topic at the university.
16. life together by dietrich bonhoeffer
A brief classic on Christian community, Living Together provides the basics of how we should live together as disciples of Jesus. This little book serves as a kind of manual to prepare you to enter into a deeper life of fellowship with other Christians. Bonhoeffer wrote this from the perspective of a member of the underground church in Nazi Germany, but his principles still translate well to our lives today.
17. discipleship in real life by jim putman
I spent time with Jim Putman at his church in Post Falls, Idaho, where the real-life story of discipleship took shape, so I can tell you that Jim and his stories are real. he would be the first to tell you that his church is not perfect (and it is not). But one thing is for sure: the people are real. This book establishes the basic and vital premise of Jim’s message for the modern church: Discipleship requires a relationship. Jim also lays the groundwork for living a life of relational discipleship.
18. revival starts here by dave clayton
in 2019, more than 400 churches came together to pray and fast for the lost in the city of nashville by name. It was called Awakening Nashville, and God used Dave Clayton, author of this book, to help Christians in Nashville cover every home by name in prayer as they prayed and fasted together in some way for 30 days. it was remarkable. then, in 2020, members of more than 700 churches prayed and fasted for eight people with a well-known name, during 30 days of prayer. Dave’s Book Revival Begins Here equipped those tens of thousands of Christians to be inspired to know how to pray and fast together.
19. fresh wind, fresh fire by jim cymbala
jim cymbala, pastor of the brooklyn tabernacle, tells the story of what god did in the hearts and lives of the people in his church to actually bring fresh wind, fresh fire to his church through the holy spirit . Be inspired to pray with your church to do something special as you read the story of a church that saw revival among its people through prayer.
20. when helping hurts by brian fikkert and steve corbett
This is a must read for Americans and Christians from rich countries. Based on their experiences and their understanding of the scriptures, the authors warn Christians about their methods of helping the poor. often, they argue, we can hurt people when we seek to help them, so when helping hurts offers a clarifying framework for understanding appropriate “help” for those who are materially poor. don’t constantly help the materially poor without reading this book. A good friend gave me this advice and I’m so glad I followed his advice.
21. god’s attributes by a.w. tozer
I wouldn’t have as deep an understanding of concepts like god’s immanence without tozer’s god attributes. I didn’t know that simply understanding and contemplating his qualities would foster my affection for him until I read this book. Tozer left an indelible impression of who God is by articulating his attributes, and this gift is well worth a read.
22. humility by andrew murray
See Also: 10 Best 7th Grade Curriculum: A Complete Guide for Home & School
I have written in detail about my struggle with pride, and murray’s humility has been a balm to my wounded heart. This short, punchy book will free the heart that is ready to see its need for humility. formative for me, this book can point you in the right direction so you can avoid the pangs of pride. With his light and welcoming tone, Murray gripped my heart limply as he further inspired and converted my heart to Jesus’ path of humility.
23. a tale of three kings by gene edwards
I read this when I was in my twenties and came back to it in my twenties with a whole new perspective. Any Christian, especially those in leadership, should read this book on brokenness. It is a fictional retelling of the biblical stories of King David, King Saul, and Absalom. Navigate the dynamics of authority and submission through a tale of three kings, and learn God’s heart for a broken heart of humility who doesn’t shoot the “lord’s anointed” even when there are every human reason to. do it.
24. listening to god by dallas willard
in 2013, the year dallas willard passed into the next life, i read all the books he wrote, and this was the most impactful book for me. Listening to God, Willard helps Christians discern how to cultivate a conversational relationship with God. he had never heard anyone articulate with such clarity, conviction, and practicality how this can be done. my life was forever changed because of what god did to me as a result of reading this book.
25. the practice of the presence of god by brother lorenzo
going back in time and place to the monastery where the man named “brother lorenzo” lived, the practice of god’s presence transports readers into the heart of a christian mystic (which i define here as one who experiences god in the mundane). eavesdropping on the meditations of a humble saint who found satisfaction and joy with God in the daily experiences of his life in the monastery. It can also inspire you to rest with God in the mundane experiences of your life.
26. celebration of discipline by richard foster
This is one of the best manuals on the fundamental spiritual disciplines of the Christian life. Mentored by Dallas Willard, Richard Foster offers a modern classic on how to activate your faith through practical training. his writing balances both the practical and the theological to give ordinary Christians an introduction to important disciplines of the faith. The celebration of discipline helps Christians enjoy the encounter with God through practices that often involve sacrifice, even pain. Indeed, encountering God is worth celebrating, and Foster helps readers do just that.
27. renewal of the heart by dallas willard
In this book, Dallas Willard describes who we are as humans. Unlike any other resource, Heart Renewal offers an interpretation of biblical notions of human personality in a most helpful way. If you want to understand the difference between “heart” and “soul,” for example, Willard guides you through the differences through responsible and refreshing interpretation of biblical texts and practices. understand how spirit formation works by understanding how god renews the human heart.
28. anchors for the soul by john mark hicks
Life comes quickly, which can mean great pain and anguish. John Mark Hicks tells his stories of loss, pain, and heartbreak in Anchors for the Soul. this is on my list because the book will be relevant and vital to most Christians at one time or another. It so happened that within a year of the publication of this book for dr. Hicks, I experienced a tragedy of my own when our daughter Katharine was stillborn. this resource, along with the accompanying video course, helped me guide my family through the pain of loss. this resource also equips Christians to love others who are currently experiencing some form of loss.
29. the meaning of marriage by timothy keller
I read this when I was single and again when I was engaged, and it has been a source of direction and life for me as I embrace the biblical meaning of marriage. The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller provided me with incredible insight as I prepared for and now experience the joys and challenges of marriage. This is a must read for those who want a lasting, biblical, Christ-centered marriage.
30. redeeming love by francine rivers
I might get some flak for this, but I found it deep and profoundly inspiring. now, i tried not to read it in public because of the cover, but i’m glad i read it. the redeeming love of the rivers is a novel inspired by the biblical story of hosea and framed in a more modern perspective. Set in the 1850s gold rush era of California history, the book introduces readers to a man’s undying love for his cheating wife.
reflections on these thirty Christian books
That’s my list! again, it’s not complete, but it does cover thirty books that I think all Christians should read as soon as possible and in that order.
I often hear Christians say something like, “I can’t find someone to disciple me.” these books can disciple you when you’re having a hard time finding someone to help you with precisely what you need during a particular stage of your life.
if you feel overwhelmed by the whole list, search your heart and pray for a book you can start reading now. then start!
These are many of the books that were exactly what the doctor ordered when I read them. I hope at least some of them are for you as you determine the next book that will help you along your journey of discipleship.
for more from chad, check out his posts.