Dave Black writes a nice little essay on the top 20 books on the NT that he has read. I’ll throw my list into the ring with a bit of a twist to the rules and call it my top reads for Kingdom Living.
1.) The Bible. – It was late in 2006 when I holed up in a pub at Gunning, and read the N.T right through in 3 days.
2.) There have been a number of significant biographies that have impacted me: 9 O’Clock in the Morning, Dennis Bennett. Smith Wigglesworth. John Wesley. Charles Spurgeon. Luther. Hudson Taylor. Corrie Ten Boon. David Livingstone. Brother Andrew – God Smuggler, Light Force. Nicky Cruz, Run Baby Run. In his Steps – Charles Sheldon
3.) Anything on prayer. Andrew Murray. E/M.Bounds. George. E Muller. The Kneeling Christian. Praying Hyde. Reece Howells Intercessor. David Brainard. Corrie Ten Boon. Don Carson – Spiritual Reformation. (While I don’t hold to a Calvinistic reformed theology – I found his book an excellent read.)
Practicing the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence. I consider this book to be foundational for my own ongoing prayer life. Praying and communing with God where ever we are.
4.) Spiritual Formation. Eugene Peterson. John Stott. C.S Lewis. Dallas Willard. Richard Foster. David Watson. Cloud / Townsend. Phillip Yancy. John Piper – Desiring God. Michael Harper. Gary Chapman (5 love languages) Rick Warren. David Watson.
5.) NT Commentaries – Gordon Fee – Revelation. Tim Gombis – Drama Ephesians.
6.) NT study. Greek is David Black and William Mounce. Gordon Fee – How to read the Bible for all it is worth.
7.) Apologetics. Josh Mcdowell. Ravi Zacharias. R.J Berry (Real Scientists. Real Faith), J. Packer, John Eldridge, C.S Lewis. I love his statement.. Call Jesus Lunatic, Liar, or who he said he was – but, don’t call him a good moral man; because he hasn’t given us that option.
8.) NT Theology – Roger Olsen. Stanley Grenz, Martin Lloyd Jones, John Stott. Clark H Pinnock – Flame of Love. Veli Matti – Pneumatology. Ross Clifford & Phillip Johnson – The Cross is not Enough.
9.) Blogs that make me think. Roger Olsen. Robert Martin- Abnormal Anabaptist, Scripture Zealot, T.C Robinson – New Leaven, Shane Clifton – Australian Pentecostal Theologian, Mark Stevens – The Parsons Patch, Dr. Claude Mariottini (Claude is an OT professor. But, he still makes me think! ) Dan Thompson – Apprentice to Jesus., Dave Black – Southern Baptist Greek Professor. (And a good friend)
10) Christian Writers – Max Lucardo, Phillip Yancy, Bill Hybells.