Many surveys of the evangelical church over the past several decades have consistently revealed the paucity of Biblical understanding resident in the life of the average American “Christian.” Before one can move onto a deeper understanding of God’s Word (and what to do with it), it is vital that the basics be mastered. These few books (there are many others) may help the reader to do just that. They are also a good review for the seasoned Christian.
Carl F.H. Henry, Basic Christian Doctrines
This Book has forty-three short chapters that you may find to be helpful as a reference regarding basic biblical subjects, as well as an introductory primer on the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. I am not sure it is still in print if not J.I. Packer has a similar book called “Concise Theology”[also see his book “God’s Words”] and R.C. Sproul another called “Essentials Truths of the Christian Faith.”
John Stott, Basic Christianity
This is a classic on the fundamentals of the Christian faith; it answers basic questions like: Who is God? Who is Christ? What is sin? What does it mean to be Christian? What do the Ten Commandments have to do with being Christian?
Sinclair Ferguson, The Christian Life
This is a great introduction to some essential doctrinal themes in Scripture. The subject matter is not as expansive as the books mentioned above by Henry, Packer or Sproul but he deals much more thoroughly with the subjects found in each of his 18 chapters.
D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians
“Basics” is a short easy read that, if carefully read, would help the new believer to focus on the things that matter and serves as a reminder for the seasoned believer to keep his eye on the ball if he wants to stay in the game.
- - - The God Who is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story
This is a basic primer on what the Bible teaches. It assumes the reader has no knowledge whatever of the content of Scripture and Carson lays out the great theme of redemption in Christ. I have found it a useful for evangelism and for helping people learn to communicate the truth of the gospel.
J. I. Packer, Knowing God
I’ve listed this book last but it should probably be first on the new believer’s reading list. The book is often listed as one of the classics of Christian reading and, considering it’s content and impact on the Christian’s heart and mind, rightly so. Consider these questions: What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. What is the best theological in life? Knowledge of God. What in man gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself.
J. I. Packer, I Want to be a Christian
This is a companion book to “Knowing God” it is not necessary to understand the content of Packer’s previous book, nor is it as dense, but it is a worthwhile read.
In addition to the aforementioned books, or perhaps it is better said, as a foundational approach to the aforementioned books the Christian would greatly profit from a thorough familiarization with at least the two most common basic Christian creeds (Nicene, Apostle) and some of the better known reformation’s catechisms; like the Westminster Confession or the Heidelberg Confession (I find this one particularly enjoyable). The “London Baptist Confession of 1689” is good if you have Baptistic inclinations.
John Frame -- A History of Western Philosophy and Theology
Joshua Abraham Heshel noted in his book God in Search of Man that philosophy is man in search of God (or meaning in life) and that theology is God is search of Man. Frame, I believe, would agree that philosophy and theology are both systems of thought whose end goal is a coherent worldview that gives meaning to life. The former is anthropocentric (man centered) and the latter is Theocentric (God centered). Frame's book is a distillation of western philosophy and theology albeit filtered through the lens of a reformed theologian. In an interview regarding the writing of this book Frame says: "As history has developed, 'philosophy' and 'theology' have developed different traditions: What we call philosophy is usually, but not necessarily, non-Christian. What we call Theology usually emphasizes the study of the Bible and Christian tradition, It is often authentically Christian, but not necessarily so."
He continues: "I think we need to study both, because they cannot be sharply separated, and because they have determined different intellectual and cultural traditions. Christians need to study philosophy because they need to be more aware of the primary principles underlying recent culture and thought. Our Lord call us to speak the gospel, and we need to be ready to answer questions from the unbelieving world (1 Peter 3.15). Then, everyone needs to study theology, for in theology, rightly understood, can be found God's provision for our eternal salvation, including the salvation of human thought."
Though the book may seem lengthy it is very well organized with marginal notes to help guide the reader, an extensive glossary, and a series of questions at the end of each chapter, which is read before undertaking the reading of the chopper will help the reader grasp more thoroughly the content in each section. The book should prove to be an excellent resource for years to come for those seeking to give answer to an orthodox faith and for those who simply want a basic understanding of the progress of western thought and philosophy.
Carl F.H. Henry, Basic Christian Doctrines
This Book has forty-three short chapters that you may find to be helpful as a reference regarding basic biblical subjects, as well as an introductory primer on the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. I am not sure it is still in print if not J.I. Packer has a similar book called “Concise Theology”[also see his book “God’s Words”] and R.C. Sproul another called “Essentials Truths of the Christian Faith.”
John Stott, Basic Christianity
This is a classic on the fundamentals of the Christian faith; it answers basic questions like: Who is God? Who is Christ? What is sin? What does it mean to be Christian? What do the Ten Commandments have to do with being Christian?
Sinclair Ferguson, The Christian Life
This is a great introduction to some essential doctrinal themes in Scripture. The subject matter is not as expansive as the books mentioned above by Henry, Packer or Sproul but he deals much more thoroughly with the subjects found in each of his 18 chapters.
D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians
“Basics” is a short easy read that, if carefully read, would help the new believer to focus on the things that matter and serves as a reminder for the seasoned believer to keep his eye on the ball if he wants to stay in the game.
- - - The God Who is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story
This is a basic primer on what the Bible teaches. It assumes the reader has no knowledge whatever of the content of Scripture and Carson lays out the great theme of redemption in Christ. I have found it a useful for evangelism and for helping people learn to communicate the truth of the gospel.
J. I. Packer, Knowing God
I’ve listed this book last but it should probably be first on the new believer’s reading list. The book is often listed as one of the classics of Christian reading and, considering it’s content and impact on the Christian’s heart and mind, rightly so. Consider these questions: What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. What is the best theological in life? Knowledge of God. What in man gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself.
J. I. Packer, I Want to be a Christian
This is a companion book to “Knowing God” it is not necessary to understand the content of Packer’s previous book, nor is it as dense, but it is a worthwhile read.
In addition to the aforementioned books, or perhaps it is better said, as a foundational approach to the aforementioned books the Christian would greatly profit from a thorough familiarization with at least the two most common basic Christian creeds (Nicene, Apostle) and some of the better known reformation’s catechisms; like the Westminster Confession or the Heidelberg Confession (I find this one particularly enjoyable). The “London Baptist Confession of 1689” is good if you have Baptistic inclinations.
John Frame -- A History of Western Philosophy and Theology
Joshua Abraham Heshel noted in his book God in Search of Man that philosophy is man in search of God (or meaning in life) and that theology is God is search of Man. Frame, I believe, would agree that philosophy and theology are both systems of thought whose end goal is a coherent worldview that gives meaning to life. The former is anthropocentric (man centered) and the latter is Theocentric (God centered). Frame's book is a distillation of western philosophy and theology albeit filtered through the lens of a reformed theologian. In an interview regarding the writing of this book Frame says: "As history has developed, 'philosophy' and 'theology' have developed different traditions: What we call philosophy is usually, but not necessarily, non-Christian. What we call Theology usually emphasizes the study of the Bible and Christian tradition, It is often authentically Christian, but not necessarily so."
He continues: "I think we need to study both, because they cannot be sharply separated, and because they have determined different intellectual and cultural traditions. Christians need to study philosophy because they need to be more aware of the primary principles underlying recent culture and thought. Our Lord call us to speak the gospel, and we need to be ready to answer questions from the unbelieving world (1 Peter 3.15). Then, everyone needs to study theology, for in theology, rightly understood, can be found God's provision for our eternal salvation, including the salvation of human thought."
Though the book may seem lengthy it is very well organized with marginal notes to help guide the reader, an extensive glossary, and a series of questions at the end of each chapter, which is read before undertaking the reading of the chopper will help the reader grasp more thoroughly the content in each section. The book should prove to be an excellent resource for years to come for those seeking to give answer to an orthodox faith and for those who simply want a basic understanding of the progress of western thought and philosophy.