What books are you reading?

I'm an avid reader, I love books on revival. I love to read about transformed lives most of all. A lot of tedious theology bores me, and I'm not big on fiction. Right now I'm reading C.T. Studd's biography by Norman Grubb. Here is an excerpt:

"What a difference love makes. The Saviour knew it and commanded it. Can't we all love out here? Must we deny our Lord by unworthy suspicion out here? Suspicions subtract, faith adds, but love multiplies; it blesses twice, him who gets and him who gives. Oh, how I long for love to dominate every soul-when each loves everyone else but himself, and seeks everyone's good, while he goes, like Paul, collecting all other people's sufferings and sorrows to bear them himself. Let this be the rule of H.A.M. (Heart of Africa Mission), then there will be no rules, for the rule of love keeps automatically all good rules. His ministers He has made ' a flame of fire'~not flames, but 'a flame', for there is and must be a blessed unity, else the Lord cannot bless as he would."

That's powerful! One of the best books I have ever read.

So I'm curious as to what everyone is reading, and if you have any recommendations.

Thanks, I will check out those books. I have a few other books to read before I can get around to those. One is I Saw The Welsh Revival by David Matthews and America Is Too Young To Die by Ravenhill.

Another highly recommended book is The Unlisted Legion by Jock Purves.

Also anything by Nicky Cruz.

I just recently finished,

"The New Christian Zionism: Fresh Perspectives on Israel and the Land." By Craig Blaising, Darrell Brock, David Rudolph, Joel Willitts and others. A review is below.

Can a theological case be made from Scripture that Israel still has a claim to the Promised Land? Christian Zionism is often seen as the offspring of premillennial dispensationalism. But the historical roots of Christian Zionism came long before the rise of the Plymouth Brethren and John Nelson Darby. In fact, the authors of The New Christian Zionism contend that the biblical and theological connections between covenant and land are nearly as close in the New Testament as in the Old. Written with academic rigor by experts in the field, this book proposes that Zionism can be defended historically, theologically, politically and morally. While this does not sanctify every policy and practice of the current Israeli government, the authors include recommendations for how twenty-first-century Christian theology should rethink its understanding of both ancient and contemporary Israel, the Bible and Christian theology more broadly. This provocative volume proposes a place for Christian Zionism in an integrated biblical vision.

Doc: It was a good read of over 250 pages. Very sound and thorough research and exegesis went into the book and its chapters. It underscored again for me how any belief in a prophetically forecast return of a Jewish presence to the land is many times automatically seen as dispensationalism when this is far from the truth. It ably demonstrated that a belief in a Jewish return to the land never really died out in church history and began to gain increased momentum again around the 1600s. And people such as Balfour etc. were just not wacky Zionists captured by the demands of secular Zionists wanting a homeland but were men steeped in Biblical knowledge and insight. This present return is a against all odds miracle that essentially defies natural explanations. Christian Zionists need not hang their heads because of the many deragatory lables that have been heaped upon them. Chapters are devoted to Israel and international law and justice and fair play while a strong spiritual and theological case is made that Isarel and the land are still relevant to the highest degree in God's thinking and plan. I recommend it as a scripturally thought provoking read.

Wow, my reading is fluffy light, I'm reading a book called Imagine Heaven, it's about near-death experiences & God's promises. It's very interesting if you like that sort of reading!!

God bless

It would be more interesting to have a study of a book in the Bible and everyone who wants to chime in on their take of what it spoke to them. Just a thought.

/It would be more interesting to have a study of a book in the Bible and everyone who wants to chime in on their take of what it spoke to them. Just a thought/

Not a bad idea at all.

Thank David and Lisa. My list of books to read is certainly growing!

Manners Customs of the Bible, Freeman//OT Bible History Edersheim// and The life of Christ in Stereo Cheney

Currently reading;

The Fourfold Gospel by A.B. Simpson
The Walk That Pleases God by Evan Henry Hopkins

Been especially blessed by Evan Hopkins' writings recently, he was associated with the early Keswick days, his books The Law of Liberty in the Spiritual Life and Thoughts on Life and Godliness are very good, would like to find more from him.

In Christ,

Currently reading:
Sodom Had No Bible by Leonard Ravenhill

That's a good one, I have it. Can't go wrong with Ravenhill.

Greetings beloved Brethren.

I haven’t posted here before but I do love to read although I must say I don’t get as much private reading time because we have little children.

Some of my favourites are;

‘We Would See Jesus’ ”“ Roy Hession, also ‘Calvary Road’ mentioned in the OP above.
‘The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit’ ”“ R A Torrey
‘The Life of God in the Soul of Man ‘”“ Henry Scougal
‘Path to prayer’ and ‘Way to Pentecost’ by Samuel Chadwick
‘Power through prayer’ by E M Bounds.
I’ve just read ‘The gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit by Lester Sumrall’ and currently ploughing through;
‘Christian in Complete Armour’ ”“W. Gurnall

I've recently been given 'Why Revival Tarries' Ravenhill however I'm as yet to read it.

Currently:
- Evangelism & Prayer (Jennie Penn-Lewis)
- How saved are we (Michael L Brown)

I have just read:
- Chasing the dragon (Jackie Pullinger)
- Joy of the Lord (Bakht Singh)

I read max 1 chapter a day, to really think about what I have read. Before I read many books a week, but I forgot everything and it was not really beneficial.

I picked up a great book last year from a second hand charity shop. I occasionally have a look at the book section and very rarely I find something worth while.

However this day I saw a book on the shelf called 'The Life and Epistles of St Paul' by Conybeare and Howson. I had never heard of it of the authors, but had a good feeling about it and bought it for one pound. Boy, what a find! This probably ranks as one of my all time best books I have ever read!

It was written in 1890s, and there have been some re-prints some years ago, which is what I picked up and there are I think limited available if you search the web.

The book is basically a biography of Paul and "it's purpose is to give a living picture of St Paul himself and the circumstances by which he was surrounded". It is a thoroughly biblical book and draws on the book of Acts and the Epistles as the foundation for all information and supplements that with the history and geography of the time to give a very great understanding of Paul, his missionary life and the early church. Although some of the geopolitical information is a bit dated (1890s), it does not take anything away from the study.

I would thoroughly recommend it. Although some of the geographical and political information is quite hard going at times it rewards you with such a rich understanding when you get into the related biblical accounts of Paul and his endeavours.

I now have an original 1892 copy I purchased from the internet as I have lent my other one out.

HeyDave,

I was interested after reading your post, I found the 2nd Vol on books.google.com. The 1856 edition. I couldn't find the 1st Volume

The life and epistles of st. Paul,
by W.J. Conybeare and J.S. Howson, Volume 2
https://books.google.com/books?id=s7QCAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%27The
+Life+and+Epistles+of+St+Paul%27+by+Conybeare+and+Howson&hl=en&sa=X&ved=
0ahUKEwi7wd7_qJXSAhXollQKHU3WAVwQ6AEIMDAD#v=onepage&q=%27The%20Life
%20and%20Epistles%20of%20St%20Paul%27%20by%20Conybeare%20and%20
Howson&f=false

(Copy the link and take out the "returns")

God bless

Yes that looks like the second half of the book. Don't know why it is in two volumes on here as it is one book. Maybe they had to split it to get it into an ebook. You really could do with the first half, as you may mis some facts previously given, but it will give you a a good read and a flavour of the whole.

I too read quite a bit and have been fortunate to discover some great books that seem to have been somewhat overlooked by many people I interact with. You mentioned that tedious theology bores you so I limited myself to non-theology titles, but I have read about 20 different books on identity in Christ which for me are anything but tedious, so if you're interested I'd be happy to suggest a couple of my favorites.
I love testimonies, and my favorite is "An Apprenticeship of Faith" by J. Edwin Orr.
My favorite biography is "Against the Tide" by Angus Kinnear, a biography of Watchman Nee.
I have benefited from several books that are good as devotionals, but one of my favorites is "The Seeking Heart" by Francois Fenelon.
Finally, my current read is a great book on faith called "16" by Joe Giuffrida, who also happens to be a personal friend. It is an interesting and insightful examination of the 16 Old Testament characters listed in "the hall of faith" from Hebrews 11.
Thanks for starting this thread, now I have more books to put on my list to read!

Agreed.

I no longer read theological works/books - been bit one too many times. I learn to appreciate a writer then later I hear he went off the rails. Anyhow, all these writers do/did is what I personally should be doing and that is doing an in-depth study of the WORD. Currently I am studying Revelation, again. Am loving it. Beats reading the news any day.

Sandra

I just finished

The Blessing of Humility by Jerry Bridges

I just started

Humility by Andrew Murray

I'm halfway through

Jeremiah and Lamentations: From Sorrow to Hope (Preaching the Word) by Philip Graham Ryken

and

Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches by Russell Moore

Has anyone heard of H. S. Vigeveno? I read a book by him called "13 Men Who Changed The World". I thought it was quite good.

The Life and Epistles of St. Paul by W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson

Dozman,

Hope it is as much a blessing to you as it was to me. It's not easy readism (if there is such a word), but I found it gives some great insight and puts context to the establisment of the church. I would love to find similar books on sime of the other apostles such as Peter and John, but there is not so much biblical narative on them I guess.

Let me know how you find it after reading.

Just one chapter in , I'll update ya , usually on first reads I am a little slower because it takes a bit more time for me to wrap my mind around what I am reading. I have a fairly decent library, Flavel, Owens and most of the early church writers, not sure why I put this one off for so long, I've read a good many excerpts from it just never the entire book.

Christ and the Powers by Hendrik Berkhof, a book recommended by Art Katz. I've heard Art teach much of its contents but it's a lot different to read it. I've read through it once but feel that it is so tightly packed it will take another go to get more out.

Edit: Added author

Have We Missed the Second Coming?: A Critique of the Hyper-Preterist Error by Kenneth Gentry

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VW876CY/

I haven't finished reading this yet. While I am aware of Escatalogical Preterism which believes that much of what Jesus prophesied in Matt. 24 came to pass in 70 A.D., I was not aware of the Hyper-Preterist movement which apparently is a cult like organism that exists mostly on the internet and believes that ALL prophecy was fulfilled by 70 A.D.

Most preterists I know believe that Jesus will come back to Earth bodily sometime in the future and the dead will rise, etc. I don't have a beef with them too much although I myself am not a preterist. Hyper-preterists, because they believe that the 2nd coming and judgement on the world happened in 70 A.D. and won't happen in the future are quite unorthodox and dangerous, to be frank about it. They employ a theological system that takes verses and forces them to fit their preconceived ideas. They can be compared with Jehovah Witnesses in this regard. The book shows what verses they use and how to be prepared for interacting with them.

-Daniel

Books sometimes can be a distraction really. I know a brother who in his youth used to read a lot of books, but now even when I am trying to persuade him to read something, he says he wants just to read the Bible.

But that is different with every one of us, I guess. I love reading books when I have time to... The main point is that we should not shift our focus from our relationship with Christ. What's your profit when all your theology is right but you don't know Jesus? If God does not speak to you personally? It is really wonderful and encouraging to see God in history and in the life of others but let us always seek to know Him personally!

Having said that, here is my list of books...

- The Normal Christian Life - Watchman Nee
- The Overcoming Life - W. Nee
- Sit, Walk, Stand - W. Nee
- Why Revival tarries - L.Ravenhill
- Absolute Surrender - A. Murray
- Candels in the dark - A. Carmichael
- Mimosa - A. Carmichael
- Struggling but winning - Peter Jeffery
- The Pilgrim's Progress - J. Bunyan
- Tortured for Christ - R. Wurmbrand

I think I have not yet finished one of the books of Amy Carmichael but all these have been a blessing to me. We should always pray that God opens our ears to hear what He is speaking, so that in the end our hearts, not just our heads are changed.

I hope that what we read will not stand against us on the Judgement Day but rather draw our hearts nearer to Him!

The Better Covenant by Ron Bailey. Available on Amazon.

Ron Bailey first goes through the Old Testament giving insight regarding the many covenants found there in order to compare or contrast them with the New Covenant of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He shows also how the New Covenant was promised in several Old Testament passages.

The title for The Better Covenant is taken from Hebrews:

"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises" (Heb. 8:6 NKJV).

I highly recommend this book. In my opinion it ought to be on every Christian's "required reading" list. It will help lay foundational understanding as to this wondrous New Covenant we are involved in.

That will be the next. The way he unpacks scripture is very rare. He has a way in framing questions that can cause you to dig a little deeper in discovering the real you in the answers.

William Gurnall The Christian in Full Armour

Arguably one of the most recommended puritan books and a classic standard, written in a language few of us understand nowadays and somewhat of a hard read.

"Christ In Y'all" by Neil Carter

Neil seeks to explain how spiritual formation is a collective endeavor. After spending nearly a decade meeting in homes with Christians, Carter observes key elements to having a thriving Christian community, and gives practical insights into surviving the pitfalls of home-based fellowships (from the Amazon site).

NOTE: THE AUTHOR IS AN APOSTATE TODAY. HE SAYS THAT HE HAS BEEN AN ATHEIST FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

I've read one volume of this it was quite good.

This is an amazing account and confirmation in my own life, longings, and experiences.

Video Version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlUtfuTYmZA&app=desktop

Online Book Version:
https://www.hopefaithprayer.com/books/Visions_Beyond_the_Veil_HA_Baker.pdf

I read this quite some time ago; good book, well worth reading.

Agreed Nigel, this is probably one of the most encouraging books I have read in a while. There is a very strong and kindred spirit in reading their account and experiences an anointing so to speak.

Once I finish the book I am reading now I'll have to give it another read. If a book is inspired it's always worth re-reading.

Currently reading "A Cry in The Wilderness" a collection of Kieth Green's sermons. I've found them particularly powerful as much of Keith's discipleship came via Leonard Ravenhill.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Samuel Chadwick's work "The Way of Pentecost", I plan on reading "Path of Prayer" next. (Leonard Ravenhill was a student of Samuel Chadwicks at Cliff College UK).

I have "The Path Of Prayer", although I haven't read "The Way To Pentecost". I also have "No Compromise" and "Make My Life A Prayer", which is a collection of Keith Green's journal entries plus some of his sermons. Is "Make My Life A Prayer" the same as "A Cry In The Wilderness" under a different name?

The Treasury of David.
By Spurgeon.

A comforting, faith building, spirit uplifting and beautiful book!

Blessings to you!!!
browny.