Featured Best & Worst Christian Books You've Read

you mean that you did not go for the newspaper healines theology of brother hal?

I am a Dispy, and that book was NOT what i would call a literary masterpiece!

 

A surprise. Packer is quite biblical, hence Calvinistic, in that book.

 

yes, as its reformed theology on the practical side, for those who have neither need nor desire to wade thru Calvin/Spurgeon/Hodgh etc!

 

Experiencing God by Blackaby
Prayer by E M Bounds
Reformed Doctrine Predestination by Loraine Boettner
Christian Theology by Millard Erickson
Church Members Handbook by Joe T Odle, former pastor of our church
Why I Believe by D James Kennedy

Worst
Anything by Hal Lindsey
Left Behind Series
Assorted writings of Ellen White

 

what did you think of the systematic theology by a moderate calvinistic, Eirickson you read?

 

Packer wrote in the popular and non-technical vein;but did you have to say "wade through" when it comes to Calvin and Spurgeon?

We already know that Spurgeon preached/commented/lectured quite plainly. Calvin was rather non-prolix himself. He rarely used long sentences. I'm aware that he originally wrote in French and Latin. But,at least when it came to his native tongue he is refreshingly clear and biblical. His work hols up today.

Charles Hodge,on the other hand is not my personal cup of tea. I'm not taking anything away from his stature as a leading Christian scholar;but he waxed too long and philosophically for my taste.Of course that being said,some will take that to be a recommendation of his works.:laugh: Now I like the writings of his son,A.A. Hodge though.

 

CH was the FIRST systematic theology read, and that was NOT theone to start with for new saved!

Would say 2 best ones read so far were Grudem and Erickson!

 

I know I am going to leave some out,and then exclaim;"How did I miss those?!" However,since my list will only be considering the best,and that list is more extended than most here,I will not list any of the worst ones.

The Sov.of God by A.W.Pink
The Life of A.W.Pink by Iain Murray
Romans by Robert Haldane
Romans series by Dr.M-L-J
Ephesians series by James Boice
The God Who Justifies by James White
The Potter's Freedom by James White
The Challenge of Bible Translation by Scorgie,Strauss,Carson,Barker,Moo,Waltke,Kostenberger,Silva...to name a few!
A New Systematic Theology by Robert Reymond
Systematic Theology by Robert Duncan Culver
The Gagging of God by D.A. Carson
The Tolerance of Intolerance by D.A.Carson
Sermons in Micah by John Calvin
Commentary on Galatians by John Calvin
The Death of Death In The death Of The Lord Jesus Christ by John Owen
Knowing God by J.I.Packer
___________________________________________________

I could go on and on!

 

It's so much easier to pick the bad books - but there are so many good ones that it's hard to pick.

BEST (books that affected me)
1. Bernard Ramm: The Christian View of Science and Scripture (old and moldy but still a favorite of mine)
2. Victor Hugo: Les Miserables (fiction)
3. Moises Silva (ed): Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation
4. John Walton: The Lost World of Genesis One **** newer addition
5. N. T. Wright: Scripture and the Authority of God **** newer addition


WORST
1. Harold Camping: 1994?
2. Henry Morris and John Whitcomb: The Genesis Flood
3. Bruce Wilkinson: The Prayer of Jabez
4. Hal Lindsey: The Late Great Planet Earth
5. Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins: Left Behind

Rob

 

Correction

It should have been :The Intolerance of Tolerance by D.A. Carson

 

According to Oliver and many Others....

The following is a book review from Oliver Kimokeo @ Azusa Pacific University dated February 23, 2007. Oliver is the Student Newspaper On Line Editor, and he reviews books by Alumni. Please enjoy this review. I was thoroughly blessed to discover this very postive review.


ZIMMER EXPOSES OWN SINS IN "PRODIGAL DAZE"

OLIVER KIMOKEO | online manager

In an autobiographical novel of dark life decisions, APU alumnus Rev. Paul Zimmer shows how his prodigal days became a "Prodigal Daze.!"

Zimmer has seen his share of trials and tribulations throughout his life.

The rise and fall of his ventures detailed in his book would be worthy of a made-for-television movie script including story lines involving pornography, failed ministries, two rocky divorces and unsteady employment.

Zimmer should be applauded for his honesty, but not for his poor life decisions.

The first big event of the autobiography begins on the day that Zimmer becomes a born-again Christian. Even though he was a regular church attendee on Sundays, he didn't truly understand the meaning of what it meant to be a Christian until his then-girlfriend and future first-wife showed him the way.

Zimmer accepted Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve 1966. This was an especially turbulent time for Zimmer as he was failing classes at his junior college and was issued a Vietnam draft notice a month later.

If there were a prototype for a draft dodger, it would be Zimmer. He made every attempt to alleviate the draft, but his efforts still garnered a 14-month stay in the Army. His release was based on medical reasons.

In the early 1970s, Zimmer attended Azusa Pacific College. APC was just another destination along his road of many enterprises. Throughout his university days, Zimmer was involved in youth activities with a local church group.

After graduation from APC, Zimmer became a senior pastor for a Napa church. His inexperience with the gospel led to confrontations with the elders and eventually led to his resignation.

The story goes on and on like this. Zimmer finds one avenue and then leaves it the next year for something different whether it was his own doing or not.

Zimmer continued to put himself in leadership positions in church jobs and non-church jobs even though he was in much need of a leader himself. He continued to struggle with his sins while being an example for others in the limelight.

The sins that Zimmer struggled with the most were a secret that he kept from others. He had a major addiction to sex and his outlet was pornography and adultery.

Instead of facing his battles head-on through the help of Jesus Christ, Zimmer was a persistent sinner.

Eventually, the climax of the autobiography brought a resolution to his struggles. After the events of the book, Zimmer began a fruitful career in helping others in crisis.

The consequences of Zimmers sins were a personal test in the development of his testimony.

It was truly refreshing to read about a Christian battle that did not sugarcoat the sin. Zimmer put his past sins out in the open so that people who have struggled with a similar sin can see a journey back into the arms of the Father.

I enjoyed reading Prodigal Daze￾ for its straight forward honesty and Zimmers blunt standpoint on the framework of sin.

ALSO:​

Well, a fella by the name of Paul Zimmer wrote a book and I wasn't able to put it down until I finished it. It’s a fascinating book and when the word gets out, I’m sure its going to minister to lots of people; and not just those who may have had the same sin as you. This book should speak to any one with an addiction they can't overcome by themselves. Praise the Lord for His love, mercy and the tenacity in which He watches over us.

Mr. Wayne Bixler
Retired Assistant Engineer
Perris, CA


Thank God for Good Books like this
One of the best books of this type I've read. I can relate to the author and his experiences almost as if they were my own. I thought the book would be good when I got it, but once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.

Todd McVickar
CWO2 US Army

God does not quantify sin – From Prodigal Son Magazine:

Praise the Lord for Rev. Zimmers open, frank and honest testimony. Thank you Lord that what the devil meant for harm you will turn for your glory. There is no better testimony than "I've been there." The devil always oversteps the line. Beacause of this fact, when sin is confessed (1 John 1:9) his power is broken and we are free to give God the glory for his grace and mercy. Remember. God does not quantify sin. We do.

Rhonda Sherlock

What an amazing tourney!

I took it home and finished it. My first reaction is wow! What an amazing tourney! It was a great reminder to me how God continues to love us in spite of our sinfulness. I know that you know you're not alone when it comes to Satan's trap with lust and all the sexual temptations in our world. I can relate to some of the struggles that you have dealt with. My other thought is this could be a helpful resource for some of our alums.

Craig Wallace '81
AzusaPacificUniversity
Director of Alumni Relations


A Modern Day Samson

Many Christians live a “double life”, driven by fleshly addictions who chose to “run with the flesh” with its eventual downward spiral. Such life cycles are clearly described by God in the book of Judges. Paul is a modern day Samson, feasting on the best flesh offers, yet having that “hound of heaven” constantly pursuing, reminding him that he belongs to another. Unlike Samson and many “hero’s” in the book of Judges, this book ends with God’s mercy and grace on beautiful display through the life of Rev. Paul Zimmer.

Warren Currie​

Hey, you asked, for the best books ever read, I can''t help it if some think it is one I just happened to put the ink to! :type:

 

Best

Radical - David Platt (very convicting read for me)
Unashamed - Robby Gallaty (Basically a Commentary/Bible Study on 2 Timothy)
A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life - William Law (VERY heavy read for me... Still haven't finished actually but terrific thus far!)
A Theology of the New Testament- George Ladd (great study and something that really helped me out of dispensationalism)
One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven - Mark Cahill (Great book about evangelism)
Conquer Your Fear, Share your Faith - Ray Comfort (as above)
More Than a Carpenter - Josh McDowell (Great Apologetics book)
The Knowledge of the Holy - A.W. Tozer (Fantastic book about the attributes of God)

Worst
Revelation Unveiled - Tim Lahaye (More like "Revelation, as confusing as we can possibly make it...")
Left Behind - Tim Lahaye, Jerry Jenkins (I'm ashamed to say I used to like these...)

 

My Most Favorite Books of all time are...

Of course the Holy Bible, Amplified and NKJV

then.....Destined for the Throne by Dr. Paul E. Billheimer.

The Blessed Hope by George Eldon Ladd

Angels by Billy Graham

Worst books of all time....

The Audacity of Hope by you know who
and Dreams of my Father, again by you know who!

The absolute worse - Change we Can Believe In - Sorry, but you know who wrote it too!

 

That is in my Amazon wishlist. I've been wanting to read it since I got his Theology of the NT. Good huh?