Non-Fiction

Non-Fictional Works Every Christian Should Read

There are two main reasons to read: one is for recreation/amusement and the other is for instruction. A lot of people love to read but only read fiction, which is a shame because there’s so much profit that can be gained by reading other works as well. As Christians, we should always be trying to make the most of our time. This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy forms of entertainment or read for fun. But it’s good to be balanced and moderate in the use of our time and in our reading selections. Reading non-fiction is not necessarily fun; it can even be hard work. But chosen well, non-fiction works (including history and biographies, as well as science and even poetry), can be very profitable for improving the mind and nurturing the soul. Of course every Christian should be a faithful reader of the Bible, but there are many other authors and works that you can benefit from by reading as well. Consider the following suggestions:

Note: This list is a “work in progress.” Watch for new titles to be added in the future!

Titles are listed in chronological order by publication date.

#1       The Bible!
430AD  Confessions by Augustine of Hippo
1525   The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther
1550   A Little Book on the Christian Life by John Calvin
1630   Poetry of George Herbert
1646   The Westminster Confession of Faith
1648   The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs
1650   Poetry of Anne Bradstreet
1656   The Mortification of Sin by John Owen
1663   All Things for Good by Thomas Watson
1666   The Godly Man’s Picture, Drawn with a Scripture-Pencil by Thomas Watson
1678   The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel
1689   The London Baptist Confession of Faith
1728   A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law
1748   Divine and Moral Songs and other poems by Isaac Watts
1742   “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards
1866   Morning and Evening: Daily Readings by Charles H. Spurgeon
1874   (Love:) The Greatest Thing in the World by Henry Drummond
1882   Poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
1885   All of Grace by Charles H. Spurgeon
1909-49 Poetry of Edgar Guest
1917   The Sovereignty of God by Arthur W. Pink
1930   The Attributes of God by Arthur W. Pink
1939   More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation by William Hendricksen
1952   Holiness by J. C. Ryle
1959   J. I. Packer’s Introduction to The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen
1961   The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
1970   A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Philip Keller
1970   Today’s Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic? by Walter Chantry
1972   Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
1973   Knowing God by J. I. Packer
1975   How Should We Then Live? by Francis A. Schaeffer
1975   The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett
1978   The Pursuit of Holiness and The Practice of Godliness (1983) by Jerry Bridges
1986   Foundations of the Christian Faith by James Montgomery Boice
1986   The Cross of Christ by John Stott
1988   Trusting God, Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges
1991   Call the Sabbath a Delight by Walter Chantry
1993   Liberating the Nations by Stephen McDowell and Mark Beliles
1994   Chosen by God by R. C. Sproul
1995   The King James Only Controversy by James R. White
1998   The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
1998   The Forgotten Trinity by James R. White
2000   The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul
2000   The Potter’s Freedom by James R. White
2001   Equipped to Love: Idolatry-Free Relationships by Norm Wakefield
2004   Heaven by Randy Alcorn
2006   50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper
2007   In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life by Sinclair Ferguson
2007   Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges
2008   10 Books that Screwed Up the World (And Another 5 That Didn’t Help) by Benjamin Wiker
2010   Jesus Loves the Church and So Should You by Earl M. Blackburn
2013   Better than the Beginning: Creation in Biblical Perspective by Richard Barcellos
2015   God without Passions: a Primer by Samuel Renihan