Topic: what christain books ave people read an

+ what christain books ave people read an could recomend
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orange 05 Feb 04, 16:41	+ what christain books ave people read an could recomend i avnt really read much apart from the bible a ave read out of the saltshaker by rebecca manley pippert an is all about the call 2 b missionaires in our wold an culture
james 05 Feb 04, 16:46	+ Im not the greatest reader of Christian literature but I have just read and can recommend Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray. Its a tough read by tis on a great topic and is dealt with well. So try that one. HOwever, I would still say that the bible is the best book to read. Use Matthew henrys commentary if you want which explains the whole bible in great detail... The pamphlets by john Blanchard are great t read. "Ultimate Questions" "Where was God on Spetember 11th?" "Evolution: Fact or Fiction" There we go those are ones I enjoyed. Remember john Murrays book is heavy going...
Damo 06 Feb 04, 00:01	+ There are lots of much better bible study aids than Matthew Henry - mainly in terms of ease of reading but also most woudl agree that his theology is patchy in places. Also he often doesn't comment on the more difficult verses so I find him wanting at times (yes I do use him and really like some of what he says and the way he says it - but it wouldn't be the first book I'd recommend to someone)
Damo 06 Feb 04, 00:16	+ In terms of bible study aids it depends what you are looking for. Itis important to start at the level you are at - "don't try to run before you can walk". So many Christians fail because they set unrealistic goals. There are lots of more devotional study aids available and often a good place to start. Warren Wiersbe's 'Be' series for example. If you want more indepth study without losing the devotional then I can highly recommend the Welwyn Commentaries - especially 'The Gospel as it realy is - Romans simply explained' by Stuart Olyott which is fantastic. Bible Speaks Today are more academic and less devotional. There are many older commentaries with much treasure in them (but takes a lot more digging) Start realsitic and move up from there.
Damo 06 Feb 04, 00:13	+ As to books there are loads to choose from. Again I would say that it is important to start at the right level - aim at somethign too hard and you'll end up demoralised and maybe giving up altogether. Choose somethign realistic and complete it and you are more likely to go on from strngth to strength. I would highly recommend biographies - especially missionary biographies (but choose carefully as come can be heavy going). Ask me if you want some specific recommendations. Perhaps my most recommended book is The Fight by John White (IVP) - great for new and old Christians - covers the essentials of the Chrsitian walk - definately a must read. Too Busy NOT to Pray by Bill Hybels is a good book too (actually I think I could do with reading that one again) Of course there are lots of books on specific subjects eg creation, suffering etc etc. Depends on your interests
orange 06 Feb 04, 08:08	+ yea ive read to busy not 2 pray an found it gd
Jon 06 Feb 04, 12:08	+ Warren Wiersbe and John White are by far MORE patchy than Matthew Henry. I thought you were a Doctor? That should make you clever
james 06 Feb 04, 16:06	+ Stuart Olyott is good. his one on Lamentations is good but true the Romans one is great. Erm... Sorry to mention John Blanchard again but I read a while ago his commentary on the book of James. That is really good. Theres one quote of Spurgeon there on Predestination ill post it on here. Made me smile
james 06 Feb 04, 17:38	+ Ok now I am back armed both with the quote and with the title of the book. By John Blanchard its called "Truth for Life" its published by Evangelical Press and is well worth a read. The quote comes in chapter 13 and I love it... "It is perfectly obvious that God chose me, because I know I would never have chosen him, and it is equally clear that he must have chosen me before I was born, for i know that he would not have chosen me afterwards!"
Damo 08 Feb 04, 14:27	+ Good quote James. Also I agree that John Blanchard has written some really helpful books. I am a doctor Jon, although that doesn't automatically make me clever! My point about Matthew Henry was not that he was bad but just like all writers he is not perfect and certainly not the be all and end all of commentaries. Plus the language he uses can be hard to follow it is not always the best place to start (though often well worth referring to when studying a passage of scripture). John White has unfortunately developed some dodgy theology of late but a lot of his older books are still excellent and would be a great shame to throw out the baby with the bath water. We have to be careful not to spend so much time taking the spec out of someone else's eye that we miss the plank in our own.
james 08 Feb 04, 21:00	+ You are right. I guess there are specific commentaries that are more helpful than Matthew Henry. But then again you get the whole bible in one go. It is pretty helpful AND i have it in modern english which helps a lot so it is easier to understand. And we dont have to just read commentaries on the bible. Theology is good to read although needs time to digest. Just as worth reading are biographies and autobiographies talking about the lives of great men and their great conversions. In reading these you see the greatness of God. For example, read the life of John Newton. He must have been one of the last men you would have said could have become a christian and yet look at what a great man he was. John Bunyans autobiography "Grace Abounding" is good, written in old english but with parts which are well worth a read. (And pilgrims progress is good too) But to be honest and I quote a Sunday School song.... "The Best Book to read is the Bible"
james 08 Feb 04, 21:01	+ Now I remember Damo said biographies were good too so I am sorry for being inattentive. The two people I recommended are good to read though....
Damo 10 Feb 04, 19:10	+ I'll let you off just this once! Some other good biographies are Helen Roseveare (missionary) Lord Shaftsbury (Great example of Christian faith and Social Action combined) Spurgeon Hudson Taylor (not read it myself but it's on my list to do)
Rich_Rocks 10 Feb 04, 21:28	+ In my personal opinion William Hendrikson is a fine commentator. He only ever covered the New Testement but he is very thorough and easy to read. I also use John Calvin in my studies as a preference over Henry (but thats mainly because it's easier to read one of Calvin's small commentaries on a specific book the Henry's huge one of the whole bible) I have also enjoyed the works of Blanchard and Olyott aswell as that of the Puritans Richard Baxter and Charles Hodge (although i havent read lots of their works) Spurgeon is of course also a brilliant writer and as a family we are currently using his morning by morning (although we do it in the evening ) study guide
james 10 Feb 04, 21:35	+ Calvin is of course a great theologian. His institutes are good. I am slowly reading through them. They are easy enough to read (takes getting used to the style) and theres loads of stuff in them which is helpful and interesting.
orange 16 Feb 04, 11:12	+ i also like spurgeon what do people think about him
Catz 26 Mar 04, 20:39	+ I like spurgeon a lot, hes to the point and passionate about the love of Christ, i love his 'morning and evening' daliy bible study and his 'checkbook for the bank of faith'. I like John Blanchards 'truth for life' (the comentry of James), John Blanchards books are great and hes an elder of my church....so if ne1 wants cheep books or him to speak publicaly i can give you his details. I like 'the shock of your life' which is a teen book but it really makes you think. I like 'dare to stand alone' by stewart ollyot, and if your a girlie i think that the soul sita book 'truth for life' is really kewl, its a bit cheesy but it makes ne girl feel gud about herself and think about what she can do for God! (so it rocks!)
Catz 26 Mar 04, 20:41	+ My Child… You may not know me, but I know everything about you …Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up …Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways …Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered …Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image …Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being …Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring …Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived …Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation …Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book …Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live …Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made …Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb …Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born …Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me …John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love …1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you …1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your father …1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could …Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect father …Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand …James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs …Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope …Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love …Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ...Psalms 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing …Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you …Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession …Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul …Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things …Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me …Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart …Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires …Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine …Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager …2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles …2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you …Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart …Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes …Revelation 21:3-4 And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth …Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus …John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed …John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being …Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you …Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins …2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled …2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you …1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love …Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me …1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again …Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen …Luke 15:7 I have always been Father, and will always be Father …Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is…Will you be my child? …John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you …Luke 15:11-32 Love, Your Dad. Almighty God (written/selected by Bee Hughs)
Catz 26 Mar 04, 20:41	+ I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made - I'm a disciple of his. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colourless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognised, praised, rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in his presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and I labour with power. My life is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me. And when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognising me. My banner will be clear! Bee Hughes
orange 27 Mar 04, 10:27	+ yea spurgeon is gd