Reading

Recommended Reading

A while ago I was asked for a list of ten books, in addition to the Bible, which I would recommend reading. Here are my suggestions:

John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied, The Banner of Truth Trust, 1961, © Eerdmans, 1951. The best book in print dealing with what is involved in the atonement Christ provided and how he applies it to us.

J. I. Packer. Knowing God, Intervarsity Press, © 1973 by J. I Packer, also a slightly revised edition. Puts knowing God at the center of our thinking and living.

Richard B. Gaffin, Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul’s Soteriology, Presbyterian and Reformed, 1987, © Baker Book House, 1978. This is Gaffin’s doctoral dissertation, not light reading, but rewarding.

Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, © Eerdmans, 1948.

Geerhardus Vos, The Pauline Eschatology, Eerdmans, 1961. These two books by Vos are the place to start in looking at the flow of redemptive history revealed in the Bible.

Herman Ridderbos, The Coming of the Kingdom, © Presbyterian and Reformed, 1962. The kingdom of our Lord revealed in the Gospels.

Herman Ridderbos, Paul: An Outline of His Theology, © Eerdmans, 1975 . Very helpful in understanding the Pauline corpus.

Cornelius Van Til, Why I Believe in God, My copy is a 16 page pamphlet published by Great Commission Publications. It is also available on the web: http://www.reformed.org/apologetics/index.html?mainframe=why_I_believe_cvt.html . Very brief, but a good place to start with Van Til and with apologetics.

Greg L. Bahnsen, Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings & Analysis, © 1998 by the Van Til Committee, published by Presbyterian and Reformed. Not a light book (0ver 750 pages), but Bahnsen does an excellent job of giving Van Til in his own words, and then providing comment – which helps explain the size of the book.

William Edgar, Truth in All Its Glory: Commending the Reformed Faith, © 2004 by William Edgar, published by Presbyterian and Reformed. On my own "must read" list, but highly enough recommended that I include it here, even before having read it myself.

Loraine Boettner, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, © 1932 by Loraine Boettner, published by Eerdmans. An excellent introduction to the topic.

Of course it goes without saying that reading any of the above is enhanced by large doses of John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. Calvin has a Christocentric focus and a balance that is too easily lost today.

So many books, so little time!

John W. Mahaffy

May 3, 2005

	John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied, The Banner of Truth Trust, 1961, © Eerdmans, 1951. The best book in print dealing with what is involved in the atonement Christ provided and how he applies it to us.
	J. I. Packer. Knowing God, Intervarsity Press, © 1973 by J. I Packer, also a slightly revised edition. Puts knowing God at the center of our thinking and living.
	Richard B. Gaffin, Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul’s Soteriology, Presbyterian and Reformed, 1987, © Baker Book House, 1978. This is Gaffin’s doctoral dissertation, not light reading, but rewarding.
	Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, © Eerdmans, 1948.
	Geerhardus Vos, The Pauline Eschatology, Eerdmans, 1961. These two books by Vos are the place to start in looking at the flow of redemptive history revealed in the Bible.
	Herman Ridderbos, The Coming of the Kingdom, © Presbyterian and Reformed, 1962. The kingdom of our Lord revealed in the Gospels.
	Herman Ridderbos, Paul: An Outline of His Theology, © Eerdmans, 1975 . Very helpful in understanding the Pauline corpus.
	Cornelius Van Til, Why I Believe in God, My copy is a 16 page pamphlet published by Great Commission Publications. It is also available on the web: http://www.reformed.org/apologetics/index.html?mainframe=why_I_believe_cvt.html . Very brief, but a good place to start with Van Til and with apologetics.
	Greg L. Bahnsen, Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings & Analysis, © 1998 by the Van Til Committee, published by Presbyterian and Reformed. Not a light book (0ver 750 pages), but Bahnsen does an excellent job of giving Van Til in his own words, and then providing comment – which helps explain the size of the book.
	William Edgar, Truth in All Its Glory: Commending the Reformed Faith, © 2004 by William Edgar, published by Presbyterian and Reformed. On my own "must read" list, but highly enough recommended that I include it here, even before having read it myself.
	Loraine Boettner, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, © 1932 by Loraine Boettner, published by Eerdmans. An excellent introduction to the topic.