Your Most Influential Book Under the Bible

[Ryan&Amber2013]

I'm looking to expand my library a bit, but I don't want to just fill the shelves with random books.

Therefore, I want to look to you guys for some recommendations of books that will help my soul flourish. What would you say has been the best book you have ever read under the Bible? You know, like a book that just impacted your life so much and you know you will always go back to it. I know we always say every book we read is really good, but I'm referring to one that you will keep close to you all the days your live, because you know how beautiful it is.

As for me, "Heaven Taken By Storm" and "Home Making" by J.R. Miller are books I always want to stay close to.

Thanks!

 

[Guido's Brother]

Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith (Third Edition). Made a huge impact when I read it back in my university days.

 

[arapahoepark]

Holiness of God.

Matthew Henry's Commentaries

Matthew Henry's A Method for Prayer

Anything from Puritan Publications.

There are others but particularly the middle two I could live with if there were no other books in my library.

 

[KeithW]

"The Attributes Of God" by Arthur W. Pink. Things about how God describes Himself in the Bible beyond the standard things we typically think of.

"The Sovereignty Of God" by Arthur W. Pink. Not the edition published by Banner Of Truth Trust which is heavily abridged. Convinced me of God's sovereignty.

 

[Taylor]

Most of the the books by J.C. Ryle has been particularly impactful for me. Also, without trying to sound cliché at all, Calvin's Institutes is having quite an impact in me right now, as well.

 

[mgkortus]

Life is filled with trials. "Trusting God" by Jerry Bridges lays the foundation for how to respond to trials, but emphasizing the sovereignty, wisdom, and love of God. I still think back on this book anytime life hurts.

Also "Bondage of the Will" by Martin Luther. For me, reading this book settled decisively the fact that there is medium or middle ground between the complete sovereignty of God in salvation on the one hand and man contributing to his salvation on the other.

 

[DMcFadden]

For putting to bed (or the grave) synergism - "The Bondage of the Will" (Luther)
For an easy entry into the joys of theology - almost anything by R.C. Sproul
For one of the greatest Christian classics of history - "Pilgrim's Progress"
For a classic of Christology - "On the Incarnation" (Athanasius)
For the best of Calvinist scholasticism - "Institutes of Elenctic Theology" (Turretin)
For the best of Lutheran scholasticism - "Loci Theologici" (Gerhard) (10 of 17 of his theological commonplaces are in a new series being published now)
For theology with a warmth and devotional feel - "The Christian's Reasonable Service" (aBrakel)
For an emphasis on seeing the "do" vs. the "done" in the Bible - "The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel" (Walther)
For the most brilliant defense of the definite atonement - "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ" (Owen)
For satirical mockery and anti-Christian skepticism at its "best," Voltaire's "Candide"
For kindling to start your fall fire in the fireplace, "Your Best Life Now" (Osteen)

 

[Warren]

The Socialist Phenomenon by Igor Shafarevich

Its an excellent book, by a soviet-era mathematician, for penetrating history. I couldn't recommend any other book in it's field. Should be required reading in the West.

 

[reaganmarsh]

Of those now with the Lord:

Anything by John Flavel or J.C. Ryle
"A Body of Divinity," by Thomas Watson
The 2-vol Works of Jonathan Edwards
"The Marrow of Theology," by William Ames
And another vote for "The Christian's Reasonable Service," by Wilhelmus a'Brakel
The sermons of C.H. Spurgeon
"The Cross of Christ," by John Stott

Of those still living:

Anything by Joel Beeke, especially his "A Puritan Theology"
Anything by Sinclair Ferguson
"The Distinctiveness of Baptist Covenant Theology," by Pascal Denault
"Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God," and "A Quest for Godliness," by J.I. Packer
"The Holiness of God," by R.C. Sproul
Anything by Jay Adams, especially his "Competent to Counsel" and "A Theology of Christian Counseling"
"A Gospel Primer," by Milton Vincent

 

[Deleted User 21]

Is it okay to list several even though you requested one? That would be difficult for me because the following all represent doctrinal milestones as well as some poignant and beautiful pieces of literature which have both comforted and well directed me, so they hold a special place in my heart and a permanent place on my shelf.

The Westminster Standards (with The Directory for Public Worship) (original)

A good English dictionary

The Psalms of David in Meter (black book without notes)

The Antinomian Controversy, 1636-1638 (chapters 8 and 9) Edited by David D. Hall

The Five Points of Calvinism by David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas

Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life (Inst.III, Chs. 6 to 10, sixth edition, 50th Anniversary Edition, Henry J. Van Andel, Translator)

The Redeemed Captive by Rev. John Williams

A Little Treatise Against the Libertines and the Anabaptists by John Calvin

We Lived in a Cabin in the Backyard (I do not remember the author, but this is a tiny compilation of autobiographies/narratives of some American slaves)

 

[Pilgrim72]

A book that truly changed my life (at the way I look at life, and how I live) is The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burroughs.