4 books no Christian can live without

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

This is a foolish way to live. If you read the Bible correct you would know that God has given us teachers for a reason, and we have a body of Christ to edify and build each other up. We live in a day of Individualism and people often was to read the Bible and come to their mystical conclusions and then not read any books as their interpretation is correct, and they are holier than thou, because they only read the Bible and completely ignore what gifted teachers have to say.

This is a totally unfair charge and allegation. The word of God is indeed all we need. If we study His word, sit under godly Bible centred teaching, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit we have all we need.

There are no 'fix all' human books. You were blessed by the four books you listed. That's great! I am an avid reader of Christian books, but from your list I have olny read Platt. I thought it was challenging, but would not call it a book every Christian cannot live without.

I would say 'Pilgrim's Progress'. 'Foxes Book of Martyrs', Ironside's 'Holiness - the False and the True'. and 'Robinson Crusoe' are books that would bless, encourage, and challenge those who would read them. But I certainly would not say they are books that 'No Christian can live without' them. I would really miss 'The Valley of Vision,' a collection of puritan prayers, if I did not have a copy of it.

It is arrogant and presumptuous to say that anyone cannot live without my list of books apart from the Bible.

 

[annsni]

Many of these books can be gotten in the Kindle and you don't even need a Kindle to read them. I got Francis Chan's books for free, have a ton of Andrew Murray books for free and many others are either free or very low cost. Put them on a wish-list and watch for them to go on sale!

 

[reformed_baptist]

Amen to that. But we are given men whom can teach for a reason.

Agreed

Read Romans 12 or 13 I believe about the body of Christ.

A great text, and your point is? To be clear my post was more tongue in cheek then anything else. I guess the point I was trying to make gently is that there are many books that are very useful to the christain, but there is only one book every chjristain needs

Individualism is a lie,

Sadly individualism is not a lie, it is alive and well, however no Christain is an island that is certain and we do benefit from gifted men and their teaching - believe it or not I have quite an extensive library as well as my bible

and the church needs to be united.

Agreed, with a caveat. The church is united by the truth all within hold to, there is no basis of fellwoship where cardinal truths are denied even if we believe some within those bodies may be saved despite the error of the majority (thus speaks a man stung by the ecumenical movement in the past!)

 

[Yeshua1]

I have 2 of these books and they are great. How then should we live is one I have heard of, just never read.

Another one would be the Cross of Christ by John Stott!

 

[Yeshua1]

Agreed



A great text, and your point is? To be clear my post was more tongue in cheek then anything else. I guess the point I was trying to make gently is that there are many books that are very useful to the christain, but there is only one book every chjristain needs



Sadly individualism is not a lie, it is alive and well, however no Christain is an island that is certain and we do benefit from gifted men and their teaching - believe it or not I have quite an extensive library as well as my bible



Agreed, with a caveat. The church is united by the truth all within hold to, there is no basis of fellwoship where cardinal truths are denied even if we believe some within those bodies may be saved despite the error of the majority (thus speaks a man stung by the ecumenical movement in the past!)

the TRUE Church of Christ, the saved ones, are already united, for its the Lord jesus thru the Holy Spirit already united us... Up to us to realise that and be at peace with each other when at all possible!

For we ALL hold to a core ofessential doctrines as Christians, up to us to walk in love and agree to disagree in a charitable fashion!

 

[stilllearning]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I have just added “The Holy war” & “Foxes Book of Martyrs” & “Ironside's 'Holiness, the False and the True”, to my Kindle for no cost at all.

Am looking forward to reading them.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

T “Ironside's 'Holiness, the False and the True”, to my Kindle for no cost at all.

I love that book - I found a 99 cent link but would love the free one if you can find the link again.

 

[stilllearning]

Hi C4K

Here is the link....
http://www.wholesomewords.org/etexts/ironside/holiness.pdf

This is a pdf version, but I sent it to Kindle(asking them to convert it for free), and within 2 or 3 minutes, I received it back in Kindle format.

Do me a favor and check this pdf version out. “Is this a complete version of this book?”
I ask this because it is under 100 pages long.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Hi C4K

Here is the link....
http://www.wholesomewords.org/etexts/ironside/holiness.pdf

This is a pdf version, but I sent it to Kindle(asking them to convert it for free), and within 2 or 3 minutes, I received it back in Kindle format.

Do me a favor and check this pdf version out. “Is this a complete version of this book?”
I ask this because it is under 100 pages long.

The book is quite short - it sounds right. That looks like the full thing.

It is by far my favourite book dealing with holiness and I am very sad it is out of print. Thanks for the find.



I will probably pay the 99 cents because I don't really like reading pdfs on the Kindle.

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Another Great Book....

One of the Authors I referred to in my original post was F.J.Huegel. He wrote a book by the name of "Bone Of His Bone" which is now out of print in it's original form. It can be read in it's entirety on-line at the following link:

F. J. Huegel:Bone of His Bone.Table of Contents (flag To Your Favs file)

This book was a tremendous blessing to me in my early Christian life and I try to re-read it every so often.I have a print copy of it that was published by Zondervan which I obtained in the late 70's which is the same as the above on-live version. I know it is out there in an updated format by another publisher but it just didn't have the same feeling or power to it from what I read of it in the new version.

Greg

 

[Aaron]

1. Radical by David Platt--- A excellent read that challenges us to live like Jesus and take on Jesus's call to evangelism and discipleship. This book challenges the reader to re-think the american dream. As a result of God using this book I have donated far more to compassion International the the Bible League

2. Slave by John MacArthur--- Discover your true identity in Christ. Is life all about you pursuing your dreams? Or does life have a greater purpose? Who is your master? God, Satan, the world, or yourself?

3. One Minute after you die by Erwin Lutzer--- How will you spend eternity? Will you be in hell or heaven? What will hell or heaven be like? A most excellent book on individual eschatology and death.

4. Until Christ Returns by David Jeremiah-- A great read on how we should live our lives awaiting the return of Christ. Should we be spending all our time earning money to pay for our dream houses and cars? Should we be spending all our time working on the Lords day in our effort to be financially free? How should we live and what should we do as we await Christ's return, or our death?

I would say:

The Bible

The Pilgrim's Progress

Strong's Concordance

The Institutes of the Christian Religion

 

[evangelist6589]

That bears repeating.

Especially for those in debt and are looking for quick fixes and easy solutions to relieve themselves of their self induced slavery to their debtors to pay their obligations. Those chains really chafe when the lure of a good time calls, as Loreiei called from the rocks.

Additionally, we know what happened in 2008/2009 as the result of all those chasing "Golden Parachutes" on Wall Street. Can't help but wonder how many of those chasing that dream are now working two jobs to feed their families? Chances are that the author of that book isn't one of them.

The Bible is the only book that we truly need to guide our lives. Books with instructions on auto engine repairs, national electrical codes, laying tile, etc. are nice to have for reference. However, a skilled craftsman doesn't refer to them very often. The Bible should be the only book that we use for guidance every day for the rest of our lives.

This is true to an extent. However God has given the church teachers for a reason, do you not believe in the book of Ephesians? Do you go to church? Why? The pastor preaching is like a book, and in some cases a sermon turns into a book.

 

[evangelist6589]

I must have misunderstood you, my bad. Yes the one book every christian needs is the Bible. I have a pile of 16 books on my desk, and this is not including the many I have on my bookshelf. I chatted with someone today whom told me that my career books are not good enough and she let me borrow her 438 page book on Interviews. Yes looking at the pages its 10 times more exhaustive on interviews than What Color is your Parachute, or 48 days to the work you love. Then she recommended some more books for me to buy! I would love to do so, but I am on a book budget of up to 3 a month and I have already met that mark.

Agreed



A great text, and your point is? To be clear my post was more tongue in cheek then anything else. I guess the point I was trying to make gently is that there are many books that are very useful to the christain, but there is only one book every chjristain needs



Sadly individualism is not a lie, it is alive and well, however no Christain is an island that is certain and we do benefit from gifted men and their teaching - believe it or not I have quite an extensive library as well as my bible



Agreed, with a caveat. The church is united by the truth all within hold to, there is no basis of fellwoship where cardinal truths are denied even if we believe some within those bodies may be saved despite the error of the majority (thus speaks a man stung by the ecumenical movement in the past!)

 

[Oldtimer]

This is true to an extent. However God has given the church teachers for a reason, do you not believe in the book of Ephesians? Do you go to church? Why? The pastor preaching is like a book, and in some cases a sermon turns into a book.

You've put a qualifier on the Bible! The Bible is the ONLY book we NEED to guide our lives. Period. Everything else is based on our wants.

Are "church teachers" writing all those books you have piled on your desk and in your bookcase? Are all those books based on sermons given by God-called pastors?

Yes, I go to church to worship our Lord and to hear my pastor preach the word of God from the Bible. He has never come to the pulpit carrying any one of the "motivational" books that are under discussion. I've never heard him preach a sermon on how to climb the corporate ladder of success using man-made tips and tricks of the trade.

It's sad that you haven't come to the realization, yet, that time spent in studing piles of "Golden Parachute" books would be better spent with the word of God. That the money you are spending every month would better serve our Lord by paying your debts, as He directs us to do.

Perhaps, one day, with the help of the Holy Spirit you'll understand what this oldtimer has been trying to say. Putting your trust in the Lord instead of the latest best selling "self" success focused how-to author.

 

[Arbo]

Sage advice, Oldtimer.

 

[plain_n_simple]

Andrew Murray is awesome

 

[evangelist6589]

Perhaps, one day, with the help of the Holy Spirit you'll understand what this oldtimer has been trying to say. Putting your trust in the Lord instead of the latest best selling "self" success focused how-to author.

Except that this oldtimer misunderstands me and takes me out of context way too often.

SOME of the books on my desk are as follows

The Five Love Languages
The Harbinger
Standing Strong
Radical
The Battle for the Beginning
Be Decisive-Commentary on Jeremiah
Turning toward Joy-Commentary on Philippians
The Gay Gospel
Seven Reasons why we can trust the Bible
Deliver us from evil
Angels
The king is coming

These are all commentaries, theology, apologetics, christian living, and bible prophecy books. None are self-help. I am sorry if I am not communicating correctly sometimes.


John

 

[Arbo]

Except that this oldtimer misunderstands me and takes me out of context way too often.

SOME of the books on my desk are as follows

The Five Love Languages
The Harbinger
Standing Strong
Radical
The Battle for the Beginning
Be Decisive-Commentary on Jeremiah
Turning toward Joy-Commentary on Philippians
The Gay Gospel
Seven Reasons why we can trust the Bible
Deliver us from evil
Angels
The king is coming

These are all commentaries, theology, apologetics, christian living, and bible prophecy books. None are self-help. I am sorry if I am not communicating correctly sometimes.


John

The Gay Gospel?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The Gay Gospel?

You. Just know that was thrown in to insight controvercy right?!? Consider the word "Gay" as happy...not queer.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Alive in Christ]

I would have to go with...

Romans

Galatians

Ephesians

Hebrews