12 Books I Wish I Had Read as a New Christian

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There are a lot of books out there on the Christian faith, and it’s not all that easy for a new believer to know which ones are especially helpful to better understand the Bible. After attending a wonderful seminary later in life and reflecting back on my early years as a believer, here are twelve books I wish I had read as a new Christian (some of the below books were available at the time and some have been published more recently).

1. What Is Faith? (Crucial Questions Series Book 8) by R. C. Sproul

Saving faith is not, as is commonly believed, a blind faith. R. C. Sproul gives new and mature believers a correct understanding of what God's gift of faith actually is and how it reveals God's love and mercy for sinners. Click here for Amazon link.

2. Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray

All believers should have as clear an understanding as possible of how redemption has been accomplished and applied in their life. While subjective feelings of peace can come and go depending on our circumstances, Christians can—and should—know that all believers have objective peace with God because Christ has accomplished their redemption in full.

Theologian John Murray explains that "Christ procured redemption and therefore he secured it” (p. 56). Learn more about both Christ’s redemptive work on behalf of all believers and how it is applied in their effectual calling, regeneration, faith and repentance, justification, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, union with Christ, and glorification in this classic book. Click here for Amazon link.

3. The Unfolding Word: The Story of the Bible from Creation to New Creation by Zach Keele

In his latest book The Unfolding Word, pastor and seminary lecturer Zach Keele helps readers make better sense of the Bible from beginning to end, from the garden of Eden in Genesis to the New Jerusalem in Revelation, from man’s creation and fall to his redemption and glorification.

As he surveys each major section of the Bible, Keele connects individual stories and passages to the big picture and helps us better grasp that Scripture is not only a historical story that “unfolded within the lives of real people within the messiness of history,” but also an account of events that took place in ancient cultures with very different ideas and assumptions from our world today. Whether you’re a new or mature believer, this must-read book will not only help you gain a more thorough understanding of God’s redemptive plan but will also cause you to marvel over the cohesiveness of the Bible. Click here for Amazon link.

4. The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul

It's all about holiness! The problem is that God is holy and we aren't. God is pure goodness, and he must uphold all of his attributes of love, truth, justice, and righteousness. R. C. Sproul explains why a better knowledge of God’s holiness will fill us with awe and wonder—and will help us to understand why we need to be holy through the finished work of Christ on our behalf to stand in God’s presence. Click here for Amazon link.

5. The Fruit of the Spirit Is… by J. V. Fesko

New Christians want the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; Gal. 5:22-23), but how do they actually go about getting it? In this helpful little book, theologian J. V. Fesko explains not only how believers produce the fruit of the Spirit but also how the work of the Spirit in the lives of believers in the New Testament era is related to the work of the Spirit throughout the Old Testament. Indeed, when we display the fruit of the Spirit, we are experiencing and manifesting God’s Old Testament promises fulfilled! All Christians should desire to grow in holiness, and this book gently guides new believers on how the Spirit is at work in their lives to the glory of God.

6. God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life by Gene Edward Veith Jr.

New believers may wonder if they should have some kind of ministry. The truth is that the work Christians perform in their daily jobs often is not noticeably different from the work of unbelievers. It can be of similar quality, take just about the same time, and produce similar results.

Theologian Gene Edward Veith Jr. helps us view the Christian's work from God's perspective, encouraging those who find themselves in the grind of their daily occupation and giving guidance regarding how to make wise decisions regarding the work we do in our various callings in life. New Christians will be relieved to know that believers can bring glory to God as they work in all God-honoring vocations in their family, employment, church, and community. Click here for Amazon link.

7. The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness by Kevin DeYoung

New Christians might wonder how they should approach holiness since they are forgiven of their sins solely based upon the finished work of Christ on their behalf. Author Kevin DeYoung writes, "The Bible could not be any clearer. The reason for your entire salvation, the design behind your deliverance, the purpose for which God chose you in the first place is holiness" (pp. 25-26). Sanctification in Christ consists of two parts: the dying of the old self (mortification), and living unto God (vivification). DeYoung explains why every Christian should be focused on growing in holiness. Click here for Amazon link.

8. The Crook in the Lot by Thomas Boston

Jesus told his disciples that they would experience tribulation in this life, so Christians should be prepared as much as possible for such times. Scottish theologian and pastor Thomas Boston (1676–1732) personally faced much hardship as a husband and father: he buried six of his ten children, and his wife most likely suffered from a longterm mental illness.

Based on a seven-part sermon series Boston preached on Ecclesiates 7:13, The Crook in the Lot gives one of the most thorough, helpful, and comforting explanations ever written on God's sovereignty and wisdom in the afflictions we face in this life. You can purchase the book or print out the three-part exposition for free at iclnet.org. All Christians will benefit greatly from this resource regarding God’s purposes in allowing suffering in our lives. Click here for Amazon link.

9. Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored (Second Edition) by Michael G. Brown and Zach Keele

This is a must-read book on the essential connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament. New believers may read the Old Testament and wonder how all the rules and commands apply to Christians today. They will find the answer by learning about God’s covenants. At first glance the covenants of the Bible can seem like strange practices from the long-ago past that have no relevance for us today, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, understanding the significant covenants of the Bible is key to making sense of God’s redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation!

In Sacred Bond, pastors Michael G. Brown and Zach Keele provide easy-to-follow and detailed explanations of each the eight significant covenants of the Bible and what they mean for Christians today. (For more customer reviews, please see the first edition here.) Click here for Amazon link.

10. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith by Douglas Groothuis (IVP Academic)

New believers should expect people to challenge them with tough questions regarding whether Christianity is actually true. Theologian Douglas Groothuis’s purpose in writing his comprehensive textbook Christian Apologetics was to help Christians be better aware of the most common objections and critiques of Christian theism and to better be able to defend the faith by providing biblical and rational answers for the hope they have.

The first part of the book addresses preliminary topics such as the biblical basis and method for apologetics, as well as why truth matters. The next sections extensively examine challenges and proofs for the existence of God and the incarnation of Christ Jesus. He concludes with objections to these truths such as those that come from Islam and the existence of evil. Dr. Groothuis equips his readers with knowledge of worldly objections to God and Christ, and he challenges us to respond and “take it to the streets.” Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith is a must-have book for believers who are seeking to be well prepared to defend their faith. Click here for Amazon link.

11. Know the Creeds and Councils by Justin S. Holcomb

Do Christians need to care about The Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Council of Orange, and the Westminster Confession of Faith, as well as other major historical creeds and confessions of the faith? Absolutely. These documents written long ago matter greatly for Christians today, but sadly relatively few believers have read or are even aware of them.

With this handy and easy-to-read guide on the creeds and confessions of the church, you can better know the Christian faith by learning about the important doctrines the church has fought to uphold over the centuries. Theologian Justin Holcomb describes and explains these essential biblical beliefs every Christian needs to hold today. Be sure to also check out Holcomb’s Know the Heretics. Click here for Amazon link.

12. Manual of Christian Doctrine by Louis Berkhof

New believers can have a lot of questions about Christianity: What exactly is true saving faith? Can I lose my salvation? Do I have to do anything to be sure I will go to heaven? How am I an image-bearer of God? Based on his highly respected and more in-depth Systematic Theology, Louis Berkhof thankfully wrote this concise, convenient, and comprehensive handbook on the essential biblical terms and teachings of the Christian faith. Every new and mature Christian will be blessed to have this trustworthy and easy-to-read resource on the doctrines of creation, revelation, the attributes of God, the work of Christ, faith, grace, justification, sanctification, the church, and much more. Click here for Amazon link.

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• 10 Facts You Need to Know about the Reformation (Rumors and Legends Dispelled)

Le Ann Trees is managing editor of Beautiful Christian Life. This article has been updated since its original publishing date of July 23, 2020.

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