Recommended Books for New Believers.

[kyredneck]

https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Backgrounds-Testament-Julius-Scott/dp/0801022401

Some comments from the reviews:

"...It makes clear that the Jewish religion between the two Testaments was significantly different from both the religion of the Old Testament and the Jewish religion of the modern age...."

"...extremely pertinent to contextualize the culture and time of the mindsets of the authors and audience of the NT...."

"...excellent book on the subject of judaism in the period between the OT and the NT...."

Albert Edersheim covers this era thoroughly in his 'Life And Times Of Jesus The Messiah', which I reference often. I have both volumes in one book.

 

[1689Dave]

The above is the only book/author I haven't heard of before. The rest of your recommendations are excellent, with some qualifications. Generally (there will be an exception in my list) the books should be slim. Remember, we're speaking of a new believer.
Instead of The Sovereignty Of God, which I highly value, I would suggest another book by A.W. Pink --The Attributes Of God. It's 92 pages.
Instead of The Death Of Death In The Death Of Christ, I would suggest Life By His Death which is an abridged version of the John Owen classic. It was prepared by H. J. Appleby. It is 87 pages. Or the booklet by J.I. Packer which was the introductory essay by Packer published by Banner Of Truth.
The Pundit's Folly by Sinclair B. Ferguson. It's 88 pages.
The Milk Of The Word by Peter Barnes. It's 79 pages.
The Golden Book Of The Christian Life by John Calvin. It's 96 pages.
The Plight Of Man And The Power Of God by Dr. M-L-J. 94 pages.
The Thought Of God by Maurice Roberts. 230 pages.
The Wonder Of Grace by Herman Hoeksema. 127 pages.
John Calvin's Institutes Of The Christian Religion edited by Tony Lane and Hilary Osborne. It's an abridgement of course at merely 271 pages. Even though Lane studied under T.H.L. Parker, he and Hilary based their work on Henry Beveridge's edition of The Institutes.
All right. The big exception to my rule is Basic Bible Doctrine by Donald S. Fortner (1950-2020)The text clocks in at 626 pages.

Above all, the new believer who comes from an unchurched background should probably get an NLT Bible.

Nobody makes things more simple and clear than Herman Hoeksema. Triple Knowledge Or God's Eternal Good Pleasure is where books speak volumes.

 

[RipponRedeaux]

This is what I did. Do you recommend books on the level of Chick Tracts?

You need some integrity. Read my post #6. Then you can apologize.

 

[RipponRedeaux]

Nobody makes things more simple and clear than Herman Hoeksema. Triple Knowledge Or God's Eternal Good Pleasure is where books speak volumes.

I have his When I Survey, Righteous By Faith Alone, and In The Sanctuary. Also, as I mentioned in post #6 I have his Wonder of Grace.

I have his son Homer's book The Voice Of Our Fathers.

All of the above are enriching, Bible-centered material.

 

[Mikey]

Knowing God
mere Christianity
the Cross of Christ
My upmost for His Highest
How to read the Bible for all its worth
Grace Awakening
Pilgrims Progress
The Bondage of the Will
Knowing scriptures
Berkhof systematic theology

Some great books here.(I recogise most most of them except for a couple) Knowing God is a classic and really should be on my list!

 

[Marooncat79]

So what is your current plan?

Charles Hodge wasn't a Reformer. He died in 1878.

he was a reformed baptist

 

[Mikey]

he was a reformed baptist

Charles Hodge was a Presbyterian.

 

[Marooncat79]

Just as we encourage children to read beyond the Bible and want to equip them with good literature, steering them away from bad literature, the same can be said of new believers who might not have had the privilege of a Christian family home. I think that is the loving mindset behind the OP, whose premise involves generously gifting the said books.

Even without extra books, it would be thoughtful to ensure that the new believer is equipped with the following, either as part of their Bible or as separate pamphlets.
1. Timeline
2. Notes about dates, authorship, context of each book
3. Cross references
4. General concordance/index
5. Maps

New believers may also feel lost without some grasp of church history (2000 years as well as their particular denomination). I'm not sure what church history books would be good to recommend though.

Kendall Easley. 52 Words Every Xian should know
Timothy Paul Jones. Xian History made Easy
Kendall Easley. Holman Quiccksource to Understanding the Bible. For individual books of the Bible

for an overview of the Bible Story either
Charles Pfieffer
Or
Kendall Easly

I can wait for these responses!

 

[Marooncat79]

Charles Hodge was a Presbyterian.

my bad. I meant to respond to CH Spurgeon

 

[Yeshua1]

Some great books here.(I recogise most most of them except for a couple) Knowing God is a classic and really should be on my list!

My systematic theology choice would be a great primer, even though disagree with his take on infant baptism!

 

[Dave G]

Imagine that you are able to give 10 books for free to a new believer, what books would you chose?

The Bible ( perhaps even in multiple languages ) and...
Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

Add in select writings by men like George Mueller that point them to God's words and that encourage the believer to pray and to trust the Lord in all our ways, and I think that that would about cover it.

But...
I don't think that anyone really needs the last two items.

 

[Mikey]

There are many children of God molesters in many churches, not only the pedophiles but those who deceive and bring into bondage the new convert. I speak from experience. It's best to give them the truth of the Ecumenical Creeds as embodied in Reformed books. And then to expose them to historic Baptist thought. The books I listed do this with a dictionary in hand.

Many are on a level of Chick Tracks every Sunday morning and feel good about this. Converts need a lot more.

I agree that there is too much shallow christian theology, coming from books and the pulpit! However, it takes time to teach someone up to certain level. In the same way that we don't start at the university level before we understand high school level first. A foundation needs to be established before it can be built upon.

John Stott, J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul etc are by no means "Chick Track" writers.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Know the Truth by Bruce Ware. An excellent book tp help Christians grasp the overall pattern of the N.T.

 

[Mikey]

My systematic theology choice would be a great primer, even though disagree with his take on infant baptism!

Louis Berkof's systematic theology is an exceptional work, and is why it is still so widely used.

I chose Essential Truths of the Christian Faith as it is a bit more manageable than a full ST but was also considering Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology/ Bible Doctrine

 

[Marooncat79]

Louis Berkof's systematic theology is an exceptional work, and is why it is still so widely used.

I chose Essential Truths of the Christian Faith as it is a bit more manageable than a full ST but was also considering Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology/ Bible Doctrine

I’ve never read either! Shame me mercilessly

 

[Mikey]

I’ve never read either! Shame me mercilessly

only joking.

Berkof's ST online for free if you are interested.
Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof

 

[Marooncat79]

only joking.

Berkof's ST online for free if you are interested.
Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof

Thanks!! I did not know that

 

[Rob_BW]

Some comments from the reviews:

"...It makes clear that the Jewish religion between the two Testaments was significantly different from both the religion of the Old Testament and the Jewish religion of the modern age...."

"...extremely pertinent to contextualize the culture and time of the mindsets of the authors and audience of the NT...."

"...excellent book on the subject of judaism in the period between the OT and the NT...."

Albert Edersheim covers this era thoroughly in his 'Life And Times Of Jesus The Messiah', which I reference often. I have both volumes in one book.

Whether you call it the Second Temple Period or the Intertestamental Period, a good book on those times is a great help, in my opinion.

 

[1689Dave]

You need some integrity. Read my post #6. Then you can apologize.

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:3–5 (KJV 1900)

 

[1689Dave]

I agree that there is too much shallow christian theology, coming from books and the pulpit! However, it takes time to teach someone up to certain level. In the same way that we don't start at the university level before we understand high school level first. A foundation needs to be established before it can be built upon.

John Stott, J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul etc are by no means "Chick Track" writers.

It is the Holy Spirit that teaches, not you. You are judging people by your own inabilities. Give them a dictionary and turn them loose on some real food. You'll be surprised.