Good Reformed Book Recommendations?

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InSlaveryToChrist

Puritan Board Junior
I'm currently planning on bying a lot of reformed books, all at once (thinking economically here). I have searched the PB for best reformed books, and best books on particular subjects. Although I've managed to collect some good books to my shopping list, it's still very lacking and in need of advice from old, experienced readers.

Here is what I have so far:

The church of Christ - James Bannerman

The Promise of the Future - Cornelis P. Venema

The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning (2-Volume Set) - Hugh Binning

Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics (4-Volume Set) - Richard A. Muller

The Christ of the Covenants - O. Palmer Robertson

The Christ of the Prophets - O. Palmer Robertson

Holiness - J.C. Ryle

The Christian's Great Interest - William Guthrie

The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Walter Marshall

The Marrow of Modern Divinity - Edward Fisher

Institutes of Elenctic Theology (3-Volume Set) - Francis Turrettin

Gospel Life Series (6-Volume Set) - Jeremiah Burroughs

Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment - Jeremiah Burroughs

The Godly Man's Picture - Thomas Watson

The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church (7-Volume Set) - Hughes Oliphant Old

Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions - Arthur G. Bennett

The Confessions of St. Augustine - St. Augustine

The City of God - St. Augustine

Freedom of the Will - Jonathan Edwards

The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and the Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Choosen But Free - James R. White

The Bondage of the Will - Martin Luther

God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology - Michael Horton

The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man (2-Volume Set) - Herman Witsius

The commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg catechism - Zacharias Ursinus

The Forgotten Trinity - James R. White

Institutes of the Christian Religion - John Calvin

The works of John Owen - John Owen

The works of John Flavel - John Flavel

Institutes of the Christian Religion - John Calvin

Calvin's Commentaries - John Calvin

The Three Forms of Unity (The Belgic Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism, The Canons of Dort)

WHICH ONE IS BETTER FOR A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO CALVINISM?

Lectures on Calvinism - Abraham Kuyper

OR

What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics - R. C. Sproul


BOOKS I ALREADY POSSESS:

Westminster Confession of Faith: For Study Classes - G.I. Williamson

The Westminster Shorter Catechism: For Study Classes - G.I. Williamson

The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary - Johannes Geerhardus Vos, edited by G. I. Williamson

Pilgrim's Progress (2-Volume Set) - John Bunyan

Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God - John Piper

NOTE: I have lots of good books on my computer, but these are really the only physical books I have...


~Please, make recommendations, criticise and comment!~


In Christ our Lord,

Brother Samuel
 
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Puritan paperbacks are good, you should check those out. The Puritans are deep in their doctrine but they are devotional too, a good balance that makes for an excellent read. I would recommend "The Godly Man's Picture" by Thomas Watson: Godly Man's Picture (PP) :: Thomas Watson (c.1620-1686) :: Puritan Authors :: Classic Authors :: Monergism Books :: Reformed Books - Discount Prices - Free Shipping

Added to my shopping list!

---------- Post added at 11:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:41 AM ----------

Burrough's Gospel Worship

Have you read the whole Gospel Life Series (6 Vol. Set)? If, would you recommend it? I found the whole series from monergismbooks.com, and it had the following description,

This series of books shows us how to live the Gospel. We are to adorn the doctrine of God in our worship (Gospel Worship); we are to adorn the doctrine of God in our reverence (Gospel Fear); and we are to adorn the doctrine of God in our conduct (Gospel Conversation). To adorn the doctrine of God, we must know God and Christ (Gospel Revelation); we must know the blessedness that comes from having our sins forgiven (Gospel Remission); and we must know the marvelous plan of salvation that God offers to us (Gospel Reconciliation). The Gospel Life Series is a compilation of sermons from one of the most revered and beloved Puritans of all time: Jeremiah Burroughs. He opens to us a well that we will never empty — the well of the knowledge of God, Christ, and the great salvation that is ours through Him.

Sounds convincing. Besides, he is a much-respected Puritan.
 
I have tried to find out who has the best systematic theology. There has been a few votings on this here on PB, and I was surprised to find out that Charles Hodge was never even in the top 5! John Calvin, Louis Berkhof and Robert Reymond seemed to be the top 3 systematic theologians. I already have John Calvin's institutes, so I don't have to worry about that. However, what about Berkhof and Reymond? Who is better? AND WHAT ABOUT Charles Hodge? Is his Systematic Theology (3-Volume set) even worth bying, if Berkhof and Reymond have better material?
 
Samuel, for what it's worth, here is what I think you should add. Apart from Calvin's Institutes I would recommend reading these three before the other things on your list.

William Guthrie, The Christian's Great Interest
Walter Marshall, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification
Edward Fisher, The Marrow of Modern Divinity

If you want to buy just one multi-volume systematic theology, I think Herman Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics might give you better value for your money than the items you've mentioned on your list. Also very informative is Francis Turrettin's, Institutes of Elenctic Theology.
 
I think Berkof is better than Reymond. If memory serves me, Hodge uses alot of Latin in his Systematics. So unless you have some knowledge of Latin it is hard to follow along.

As for Burroughs. I have not read the entire set. After reading Gospel Worship, I am more and more interested in doing so.
 
Samuel, is there a particular topic/subject you are interested in learning more about? The others have given you some great suggestions. An all-time favorite of mine is Holiness by J.C. Ryle
 
Samuel, is there a particular topic/subject you are interested in learning more about? The others have given you some great suggestions. An all-time favorite of mine is Holiness by J.C. Ryle

Well, for now, I want to dig into ESSENTIAL subjects, such as church history (I think Hughes Oliphant Old does a great job on that), God's trinity (James White helps on that), worship (there are many good books already, such as Augustine's the City of God. And if I still add Jeremiah Burroughs's Gospel Worship, I think it will be sufficient), the Holy Spirit (John Owen's The Holy Spirit seems to be one, if not the best book ever written on the Holy Spirit), anthropology (Here I think I will try Herman Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics, and Francis Turrettin's, Institutes of Elenctic Theology), prayer (Valley of Vision!), etc.

I think I need some help distinguishing which subject each book especially focuses on, and what subjects are ESSENTIAL subjects. Your help is appreciated!

---------- Post added at 01:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:01 PM ----------

Samuel, is there a particular topic/subject you are interested in learning more about? The others have given you some great suggestions. An all-time favorite of mine is Holiness by J.C. Ryle

Added Holiness by J.C. Ryle to my list!
 
I would be greatly surprised if Hodge (3 volumes) was not available in full, online, and free of charge.
 
Samuel, for what it's worth, here is what I think you should add. Apart from Calvin's Institutes I would recommend reading these three before the other things on your list.

William Guthrie, The Christian's Great Interest
Walter Marshall, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification
Edward Fisher, The Marrow of Modern Divinity

If you want to buy just one multi-volume systematic theology, I think Herman Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics might give you better value for your money than the items you've mentioned on your list. Also very informative is Francis Turrettin's, Institutes of Elenctic Theology.

Which one would you recommend more than the other: Bavinck or Turrettin?
 
Probably Turretin, but it's not an easy choice. Either one of those systematics will give you some understanding of the essential themes you want to get a handle on. Then the others books I recommended will give you superb treatments of conversion, sanctification, and the covenants (obviously with some overlap).
 
Probably Turretin, but it's not an easy choice. Either one of those systematics will give you some understanding of the essential themes you want to get a handle on. Then the others books I recommended will give you superb treatments of conversion, sanctification, and the covenants (obviously with some overlap).

I must think economically here, so Turrettin wins.
 
Probably Turretin, but it's not an easy choice. Either one of those systematics will give you some understanding of the essential themes you want to get a handle on. Then the others books I recommended will give you superb treatments of conversion, sanctification, and the covenants (obviously with some overlap).

I must think economically here, so Turrettin wins.

This seems just a tad ironic, seeing that in its English form Turretin's Institutes consist of about 2400 pages of rather small print!
 
So you don't spend a lot of effort on a fruitless journey, there is no Freedom of the Will by Martin Luther, only the "Bondage" version.

Also, for $15, add this one by Van Mastricht about Regeneration. A Treatise on Regeneration :: Other Classic Authors :: Classic Authors :: Monergism Books :: Reformed Books - Discount Prices - Free Shipping I've found none better!

Oh! I subconsciously wrote Martin Luther! Well, I'm a bit tired... I will think about adding Van Mastricht's book.

Edit: Added to my shopping list! I didn't have any book particularly focusing on regeneration yet.
 
I would suggest that Edwards isn't as high of a priority as other authors.
 
Don't buy Van Mastricht. In a couple of years, his entire systematic theology will be published, in which case buying the treatise on regeneration will be superfluous. I think Hodge is excellent value, as is Bavinck and Turretin. Don't forget a'Brakel's A Christian's Reasonable Service. Also, you seem to be very light on church history in your list. A good starting book is B.K. Kuiper's book The Church in History. Good and more in-depth church histories would be Schaff's 8-volume History of the Christian Church, as well as the new Baker Church History series. For apologetics, get the books by Scott Oliphint, Van Til, and Greg Bahnsen. Also, and maybe most importantly, you need some good commentaries. Get Matthew Henry, and then get individual commentaries on each book of the Bible.
 
What do you think about O. Palmer Robertson's The Christ of the Covenants, and The Christ of the Prophets? I think I will buy at least either of those, but should I buy both?
 
Don't buy Van Mastricht. In a couple of years, his entire systematic theology will be published, in which case buying the treatise on regeneration will be superfluous. I think Hodge is excellent value, as is Bavinck and Turretin. Don't forget a'Brakel's A Christian's Reasonable Service. Also, you seem to be very light on church history in your list. A good starting book is B.K. Kuiper's book The Church in History. Good and more in-depth church histories would be Schaff's 8-volume History of the Christian Church, as well as the new Baker Church History series. For apologetics, get the books by Scott Oliphint, Van Til, and Greg Bahnsen. Also, and maybe most importantly, you need some good commentaries. Get Matthew Henry, and then get individual commentaries on each book of the Bible.

Many thanks!!!

---------- Post added at 02:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------

Are ALL John Owen's and John Flavel's works worth purchasing? Or should I just choose the best books from them? If, WHAT would they be?
 
One more thing. Don't buy Turretin unless you also buy Muller's Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics. Turretin is very heavy slogging (though one of the very best out there). You will understand Turretin a lot more if you read Muller first, for then you will be able to "breathe Turretin's air."
 
One more thing. Don't buy Turretin unless you also buy Muller's Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics. Turretin is very heavy slogging (though one of the very best out there). You will understand Turretin a lot more if you read Muller first, for then you will be able to "breathe Turretin's air."

Thank you for your advice! Will get Muller's book first!
 
One more thing. Don't buy Turretin unless you also buy Muller's Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics. Turretin is very heavy slogging (though one of the very best out there). You will understand Turretin a lot more if you read Muller first, for then you will be able to "breathe Turretin's air."

Thank you for your advice! Will get Muller's book first!

It's a 4-volume set. I would highly recommend Muller, anyway, even if you don't get Turretin.
 
I'm planning on buying Michael Horton's The Christian Faith. You can buy the ebook version now or you can wait next month to buy a hard copy.
 
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