We live in a world filled with opinions and perspectives, where the truth is no longer absolute but simply another perspective. Sadly, the Church is often tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. With so many authors and books out there, who can we trust and what should we read? Pillar Baptist offers recommendations that we trust will draw readers to a deeper love for the Author of life and truth itself.

Academic

Single Biography

  • Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan
  • Spurgeon by Arnold A. Dallimore
  • Here I Stand by Roland Herbert Bainton
  • Married to a Difficult Man by Elisabeth Dodds
  • Katherine Von Bora by Randolf K. Markwald & Marilynn Morris Markwald
  • John Calvin by T. H. L. Parker
  • R. C. Sproul: A Life by Stephen J. Nichols
  • George Whitefield by Arnold A. Dallimore, 2 vols.
  • D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones by Iain H. Murray, 2 vols.
  • C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography by C.H. Spurgeon, 2 vols.
  • William Tyndale: A Biography by David Daniell
  • Calvin by F. Bruce Gordon
  • Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George M. Marsden
  • Luther: Man Between God and the Devil by Heiko A. Oberman
  • George Müller: Delighted in God by Roger Steer
  • Augustine of Hippo by Peter Brown

Collective Biography

  • The Swans are not Silent by John Piper, Crossway Books, 6 vols.
  • A Long Line of Godly Men Profiles by Ligonier Ministries

General History

  • Sketches in Church History by S. M. Houghton
  • Church History by Simonetta Carr
  • 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by Nick Needham, 5 vols.
  • The History of the Christians Church by Philip Shaff, 8 vols.
  • Evangelicalism Divided by Iain H. Murray
  • Introduction to the History of Christianity by Tim Dowley

Ancient Church

  • The Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God by Robert Louis Wilken
  • Early Christian Doctrines by J. N. D. Kelly
  • The Early Church by Henry Chadwick
  • The First Thousand Years by Robert Louis Wilken
  • Early Church Fathers eds. Michael A. G. Haykin & Shawn J. Wilhite
  • Rediscovering the Church Fathers: Who They Were and How They Shaped the Church by Michael A. G. Haykin

Medieval Church

  • Reclaiming the “Dark Ages”: How the Gospel Light Shone from 500 to 1500 by John Wright & Yannick Imbert
  • Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works by Anselm; ed. Brian Davies, G. R. Evans
  • St. Leo’s Letter to Flavian: The Tome of St. Leo’s Tome by Leo, trans. Charles A. Heurtely
  • Maximus the Confessor by Andrew Louth (The Early Church Fathers series)

The Reformation

  • Unquenchable Flame by Michael Reeves
  • The Reformation: A History by Diarmaid MacCulloch
  • The Reformation as Renewal: Reviving the One Holy and Catholic Church by Matthew Barrett
  • The Roots of the Reformation: Tradition, Emergence, and Rupture by G. R. Evans
  • The Reformers and the Theology of the Reformation by William Cunningham
  • Five English Reformers by J.C. Ryle

The Puritans

  • The American Puritans by Dustin Benge & Nathan Pickowicz
  • The English Puritans: The Rise and Fall of the Puritan Movement by John Brown
  • A Scottish Christian Heritage by Ian H. Murray
  • Meet the Puritans: A Guide to Modern Reprints by Joel Beeke & R. J. Pederson
  • The Puritans: Their Origins and Successors by Martin Lloyd Jones
  • A Quest for Godliness by J.I. Packer
  • Thriving in Grace: 12 Ways the Puritans Fuel Spiritual Growth by Joel R. Beeke & Brian G. Hedges
  • Puritan Paperback Series by Various Puritans, 49 vols.

The Baptists

  • The 1689 London Baptist Confession
  • The Distinctiveness of Baptist Covenant Theology by Pascal Denault
  • Kiffen, Knollys, and Keach: Rediscovering Our English Baptist Heritage by Michael Hayken
  • The Baptists by Thomas J. Nettles, 3 vols.
  • The Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement by Anthony L. Chute, Nathan A. Finn & Michael G. Haykin

Commentaries

  • Calvin’s Commentary by John Calvin, 22 vols.
  • Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry, 6 vols.
  • Matthew Poole’s Commentary on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole, 3 vols.
  • Geneva Commentary Set, 16 vols.

Theology

The Bible (Authority & Inerrancy)

  • The Canon of Scripture by F. F. Bruce
  • New Testament History by F. F. Bruce
  • The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible by B.B. Warfield
  • Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books by Michael J. Kruger
  • The Enduring Authority of the Christian Scriptures by D.A. Carson
  • Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams

Systematic Theology

  • Concise Theology by J. I. Packer
  • Daily Doctrine by Kevin DeYoung
  • Introducing Evangelical Theology by Daniel J. Treier
  • Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof
  • The Wonderful Works of God by Herman Bavinck
  • Reformed Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck, 4 vols
  • Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge
  • A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson
  • Reformed Systematic Theology by Joel Beeke, 3 vols.
  • The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin, 2 vols.
  • What is Reformed Theology: Understanding the Basics by R. C. Sproul
  • Institutes of Elenctic Theology by Francis Turretin, 3 vols.
  • The Christians Reasonable Service by Wilhelmus a Brakel, 4 vols.
  • Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics by Richard A. Muller, 4 vols.
  • The Reformation in England by J H Merle D’Aubign
  • Collected Writings of John Murray (Volume 2) by John Murray

Biblical Theology

  • Unfolding Mystery by Edmund P. Clowney
  • 40 Questions about Biblical Theology by Jason DeRouchie, Oren Martin & Andrew Naselli
  • Christ from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Trent Hunter & Stephen Wellum
  • Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos
  • The History and Work of Redemption by Jonathan Edwards
  • God to Us by Stephen G. Myers
  • Covenant Theology: From Adam to Christ by Nehemiah Coxe & John Owen

Historical Theology

  • Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine by Gregg Allison
  • Historical Theology by William Cunningham, 2 vols.
  • Historical Theology: Continuity and Change in Christian Doctrine by Jaroslav Pelikan
  • Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought by Alister McGrath

God (Theology Proper)

  • Beholding the Triune God by Matthew Y. Emerson & Brandon D. Smith
  • The Trinity: An Introduction by Scott R. Swain
  • All That Is In God by James E. Dolezal
  • Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett
  • The Existence and Attributes of God, Stephen Charnock
  • The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
  • The Attributes of God by A. W. Pink
  • The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul
  • Knowing God by J. I. Packer

Christology

  • God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen J. Wellum
  • The Two Natures of Christ by Martin Chennitz
  • The Glory of Christ by John Owen
  • The Person of Christ by Donald Macleod
  • The Last Adam: A Theology of the Obedient Life of Jesus in the Gospels by Brandon D. Crowe
  • The Son Who Learned Obedience by D. Glenn Butner Jr.
  • Cur Deus Homo by Anselm of Canterbury
  • The Emotional Life of Our Lord by B.B. Warfield
  • The Atonement by Hugh Martin

Pneumatology

  • The Holy Spirit: An Introduction by Fred Sanders
  • The Holy Spirit by Sinclair B. Ferguson
  • The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit by George Smeaton
  • On the Holy Spirit by St. Basil the Great
  • The Holy Spirit by John Owen

Soteriology

  • Justification by James Buchanan
  • The Law and the Gospel by Ernie Reisinger
  • Grace Alone: Salvation as a Gift of God by Carl Trueman
  • Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification by R. C. Sproul
  • Justification Vindicated by Robert Traill
  • Redemption: Accomplished and Applied by John Murray
  • The Shadow of Calvary by Hugh Martin
  • The Cross He Bore by Frederick S. Leahy

Sanctification

  • The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall
  • The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson
  • The Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson
  • Holiness by Grace: Delighting in the Joy That is Our Strength by Bryan Chapell
  • The Mortification of Sin by John Owen

Anthropology

  • Adam and the Covenant of Works by J. V. Fesko
  • The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther
  • The Mischief of Sin by Thomas Watson
  • Created in God’s Image by Anthony A. Hoekema
  • The Quest for the Historical Adam: Genesis, Hermeneutics, and Human Origins by William VanDoodewaard

Ecclesiology

  • 9 Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever
  • Deliberate Church by Mark Dever
  • Compelling Community by Mark Dever & Jamie Dunlop
  • Calvin’s Company of Pastors by Scott M. Manetsch
  • The Reformation of the Church by Iain H. Murray
  • The Loveliest Place by Dustin Benge

Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms

  • Creed, Confessions, and Catechisms: A Reader’s Edition ed. Chad VanDixhoorn
  • Documents of the Christian Church ed. Henry Bettenson
  • The Creedal Imperative by Carl. R. Trueman
  • Crisis of Confidence by Carl R. Trueman
  • The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism by Kevin DeYoung
  • Reformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation by James T. Dennison, Jr.

Ministry

Church Offices (Elders & Deacons)

  • Baptist Foundations by Mark Dever & Jonathan Leeman
  • The Church of Christ by James Bannerman
  • Polity by Mark Dever
  • On Being A Pastor by Derek J. Prime & Alistair Begg
  • Pastoral Theology by Albert Martin, 3 vols.

Sacraments

  • Calvinism, Communion and the Baptists: A Study of English Calvanistic Baptist from the Late 1600s to the Early 1800s by Peter Naylor
  • Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands: Recovering Sacrament in the Baptist Tradition by Michael A. G. Haykin
  • The Lord’s Supper by Thomas Watson
  • Believer’s Baptism: A Sign of the New Covenant in Christ by Thomas R. Schreiner & Shawn D. Wright
  • Truth We Can Touch by Tim Chester
  • The Lord’s Supper as a Means of Grace: More than a Memory by Richard C. Barcellos
  • The Mystery of the Lord’s Supper by Robert Bruce

Preaching & Teaching

  • The Art of Prophesying by William Perkins
  • The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper
  • Preaching and Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
  • Christ Centered Preaching by Brian Chapell
  • Preaching in the New Testament by Jonathan I. Giffiths
  • Why Johnny Can’t Preach by T. David Gordon
  • Expository Exultation: Christian Preaching as Worship by John Piper
  • Lectures to My Students by C. H. Spurgeon

Worship

  • Engaging with God by David G. Peterson & I. Howard Marshall
  • The Westminster Directory of Public Worship by Sinclair B. Ferguson & Mark Dever
  • Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship by Johnathan Gibson
  • What Happens When We Worship by Jonathan Landry Cruse
  • Worship: The Regulative Principle and the Biblical Practice of Accommodation by Ernest C. Risinger & D. Matthew Allen
  • Worship: The Ultimate Priority by John Macarthur
  • Recalling the Hope of Glory by Allen P. Ross
  • Give Praise to God: A Vision for Reforming Worship by Ryken, Thomas & Duncan
  • Reformation Worship by Jonathan Gibson and Mark Earngey
  • Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Worship by Hughes Oliphant Old
  • Worship: Reformed according to Scripture by Hughes Oliphant Old
  • Worship in Spirit and Truth: A Refreshing Study of the Principles and Practice of Biblical Worship by John Frame
  • Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape our Practice by Bryan Chapell
  • A Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of God-Centered Worship by Michael Horton
  • Reformed Worship: Worship That Is According to Scripture by Terry L. Johnson
  • Worship: Its Priority, Principles, and Practice by J.C. Ryle

Discipleship

  • Behold Our God Workbook by John Synder
  • Maturity by Sinclair Ferguson
  • The Christian’s True Identity, What It Means to Be in Christ by Jonathan Landry Cruse
  • Discipling, How to Help Others Follow Jesus by Mark Dever

Counseling

  • Pursuing Peace: A Christian Guide to Handling Our Conflicts by Rober D. Jones
  • The Gospel for Disordered Lives: An Introduction to Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling by Robert D. Jones
  • The Pastor and Counseling: The Basics of Shepherding Members in Need by Jeremy Pierre & Deepak Reju
  • Counsel from the Cross: Connecting Broken People to the Love of Christ by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick & Dennis E. Johnson
  • Speaking Truth in Love: Counsel in Community by David Powlison

Evangelism

  • What is the Gospel by Greg Gilbert
  • Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J. I. Packer
  • The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever
  • Tell the Truth by Will Metzger
  • Let the Nations be Glad by John Piper
  • Soul Winner by Charles Hadden Spurgeon
  • Invitation to Evangelism: Sharing the Gospel with Compassion and Conviction by Timothy Beougher
  • The Brokenhearted Evangelist by Jeremy Walker

Missions

  • To the Ends of the Earth: Calvin’s Missional Vision and Legacy by Micahel A. Haykin & C. Jeffrey Robinson Sr.
  • Salvation to the Ends of the Earth: A Biblical Theology of Mission by Andreas Köstenberger, Andreas J. & Peter T. O’Brien.
  • Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions by John Piper
  • The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative by Christopher J. H. Wright
  • Paul Missionary Theologian by Robert L. Reymond

Christian Life

Devotionals

  • Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett
  • Confessions by Augustin
  • Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
  • Charity and It’s Fruits by Jonathan Edwards
  • The Christian Life by Sinclair B. Ferguson
  • A Habitual Sight of Him: The Christ Centered Piety of Thomas Goodwin by Thomas Goodwin; Ed. Joel R. Beeke
  • Thriving in Grace, Twelve Ways the Puritans Fuel Spiritual Growth by Joel Beeke & Brian Hedges
  • The Pleasantness of a Religious Life by Matthew Henry
  • The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction by Sinclair Ferguson
  • Puritan Paperback Series by Various Puritans, 49 vols.

Ethics

  • Liberty for All by Andrew Walker
  • Natural Law: A Short Companion by David VanDrunen
  • The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl R. Trueman
  • Baptist Political Theology by Thomas S. Kidd, Paul D. Miller, et al.
  • Readings in Christian Ethics: A Historical Sourcebook by J. Phili Wogaman, Douglas M. Strong
  • Evangelical Ethics: Issues Facing the Church Today by John Jefferson Davis
  • The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
  • Faithful Reason by Andrew Walker
  • Natural Law: A Brief Introduction and Biblical Defense by David Haines, Andrew A. Fulford
  • An Introduction to Biblical Ethics by David W. Jones, Daniel Heimbach

Apologetics

  • Cold Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospel by J. Warner Wallace
  • Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh Mcdowell
  • What’s Your WorldView? An Interactive Approach to Life’s Biggest Questions by James N. Anderson
  • Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
  • Every Thought Captive by Richard L. Pratt Jr.
  • Defending Your Faith: An Introduction to Apologetics by R. C. Sproul
  • Classical Apologetics by John H. Gerstner, Arthur W. Lindsley
  • Christian Apologetics by Cornelius Van Til
  • Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith by Greg L. Bahnsen
  • No Place for Truth by David F. Wells
  • Christian Apologetics by William Edgar & K. Scott Oliphint, 2 vol.
  • That Hideous Strength: How the West Was Lost by Melvin Tinker
  • Reforming Apologetics by J.V. Fesko
  • Every Believer Confident: Apologetics for the Ordinary Christian by Mark Farnham

Marriage

  • When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey
  • Each for the Other by Brian Chapell & Kathy Chapell
  • The Intimate Marriage by R. C. Sproul
  • Loving Your Wife as Christ Loved the Church by Larry E. McCall
  • Married for God: Making Your Marriage the Best It Can Be by Christopher Ash

Parenting

  • Family Shepherds by Voddie Baucham Jr.
  • The Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle
  • Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
  • The Godly Home by Richard Baxter
  • Parenting by God’s Promises by Joel R. Beeke
  • What do I Say When…? by Andrew T. Walker & Christian Walker

Family Worship

  • A Practical Theology of Family Worship: Richard Baxter’s Timeless Encouragement for Today’s Home by Jonathan Williams
  • Understanding Family Worship: Its History, Theology and Practice by Terry L. Johnson
  • Family Worship: In the Bible, In History, and In Your Home by Donald S. Whitney
  • A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home by Jason Helopoulos

Spiritual Disciplines

  • A Method for Prayer by Matthew Henry
  • Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
  • Prayer by John Bunyan
  • Heaven Taken by Storm by Thomas Watson
  • Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation by D. A. Carson
  • A Treatise on Earthly-Mindedness by Jeremiah Burroughs
  • Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle
  • How to Memorize Scripture for Life by Andrew M. Davis