What you read shapes your life. It is a given that the Bible has changed my life more than any other book. However, I have been blessed to have read a lot of books by amazing people who helped to develop who I am today.
I am going to share with you my personal collection of books that have been most influential in shaping my life and worldview. I have tried to pick only one book from each author, although many of these authors have written numerous books that impacted me. These are not listed in any particular order of importance.
- Absolute Surrender — Andrew Murray
- Cost of Discipleship — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- True Spirituality — Francis Schaeffer
- Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
- Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan
- Ablaze With His Glory — Del Fehsenfeld
- The Lie— Ken Ham
- Right from Wrong — Josh McDowell
- I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist — Norman Geisler & Frank Turek
- How Now Shall We Live — Charles Colson & Nancy Pearcey
- Tortured for Christ — Richard Wurmbrand
- The Kingdom Agenda: Life Under God – Tony Evans
- Experiencing God — Henry Blackaby & Claude King
- Walk of Repentance — Steve Gallagher
- Understanding the Times — Jeff Myers & David Noebel
- God’s Smuggler — Brother Andrew
- Knowing God — J.I. Packer
- Seeking Him — Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grissom
- Pursuit of Holiness — Jerry Bridges
- Knowledge of the Holy — A.W. Tozer
- Why Revival Tarries — Leonard Ravenhill
- The Holy Spirit — R.A. Torrey
- The Holiness of God — R.C. Sproul
- Basic Christianity — John Stott
- Disciplines of a Godly Man — R. Kent Hughes
- The Cross and the Switchblade — David Wilkerson
- The Heart of Homeschooling — Christopher J. Klicka
- Is Public Education Necessary — Samuel Blumenfeld
- Shepherding a Child’s Heart — Tedd Tripp
- Foxe’s Book of Martyrs — John Foxe
Israel Wayne is an Author and Conference Speaker. He is the Director of Family Renewal, LLC.
Great list. Need to read the few I have not yet read. I would add Affliction by Edith Schaeffer. If you have not read I highly recommend it.
I would like to know if and where “Cold Case Christian” would be on this list. I heard your show on the radio and want to read this book. Can you rank this book?
Lisa,
I have just recently been introduced to that book, although I don’t own a copy yet. It has been highly recommended by friends of mine who say it is exceptional. I’m looking forward to reading a copy for myself. If you beat me to it, please let me know what you think!
Israel
Thank you. I went ahead and purchased the Kindle copy and started reading it last night. I’m working a lot of hours right now, so it will be a little while before I can get through it! So far, it is interesting.
I have heard several comment on C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” That must really be a good book.
Another good book right along with Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe is the Martyr’s Mirror by Thieleman J. van Braght. Martyr’s Mirror is a book that has 1,158 pages of pure gold detailing martyrdom for the first 17 centuries of the Christian Church.
The Hiding Place.
Great classic!
The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun is an excellent read.
Good list. So I see Gieser’s book. Does that mean you’re not a presup apologist? Also, are you Reformed, Israel? I have wondered that. I lof of Reformed people like your stuff, as I do. But wondered if you hold to Reformed theology.
I have also read Van Til, Rushdoony, Bahnsen, Frame, et. al.
I read very widely from a very broad cross-section of the Christian community. A lot of people only read books that reinforce their own biases. I want to read all sides. I think it helps you to be more well-rounded, and understand the issues better.
Surprised to see Blackaby’s book on your list. I read it about ten years ago and found it neo-orthodox and mystical. I could be wrong; I often am. Thanks for sharing the list. I’m always interested in what others find profitable to read.
Thinking of making some of these read-alouds with my kids and was wondering if there are any that might be too much/too intense for the elementary set?
Heather, most of these would be too deep theologically for most elementary-aged children.
I would recommend this set as read-aloud for your children. They will love them.
https://www.ywampublishing.com/c-70-christian-heroes-then-now.aspx
^^My older elementary kids DEVOUR those YWAM missionary books on their own. I have read some aloud from these. I consider these true stories of people really walking out the faith to be pretty much second to the Bible 😊. They aren’t theoretical, not that there isn’t a place for theory. Wonderful real-life accounts of God showing up again and again as people trust him. The reading level is definitely basic, but I wouldn’t poo-poo them for adults either. If adults read them to their children, everyone is sure to be edified!
Was somewhat surprised to see absent from the list the 2- volume biography of Hudson Taylor. My all-time favorite Christian read.
I most definitely agree with C.S.Lewis, A.W. Tozer, and Chuck Colson. With regard to Tedd Tripp, the seminar based on the book is what really made a difference in my life as a parent. I still rank Heaven by Randy Alcorn high on my personal list.
The Christian in Complete Armor by William Gurnall is on our list; also Him or It by LG Harvey & GB Tait. Good list!
I agree on both of these!
I agree with Chris, Taylor’s biography is in my top five. Also no MacArthur?!? Too dispensational and cessational?!????
Yes, and smug. I almost like John Mac. So close, and yet…
I love how Piper and D.A. Carson handle many of the same issues. So much more gracious. There is no doubt that Mac is a great defender of the Word…but his style rubs me wrong.
Such a great list!
This summer, the kids and teens in the Homeschool Sisterhood have been reading and discussing Pilgrims Progress weekly (June-August). I know it will have a profound impact in their lives.
Have you read the Heavenly Man? That book had me in tears for days as a missionary overseas years ago. I thought I was doing so much for Christ until I read it. Missionary biographies are a must in our home and homeschool.
Of course this is all to be balanced with the observations from Ecclesiastes that “of the writing of books there is no end” and “much study wearies the body.” We should move our bodies around too, since we are more than just heads being held up by a body. But I understand that the need for exercise would probably be another discussion for another day 😉. I appreciate the reminder to read.
Great list. Several of these books have had profound impacts on the way I think and live. I would like to add two more contemporary books to the list. Cat and Dog Theology, by Bob Sjogren and Gerald Robison, and The Promise of Jonadab, by E. Ray and Gail Moore. Both triggered massive shift in the way I think, pray, and live. Behind the Bible, Cat and Dog Theology has inspired the most change in my life, and literally redirected the path of my adult life when I first read it, many years ago.