Resources

Book Recommendations

The fact that a book is included on this list does not mean that DSC agrees with absolutely everything in the book, however, all of these books have been selected because they are excellent in their respective topics. In other words, their inclusion here represents DSC's hearty endorsement for use in personal or group study, but discernment is still necessary. When you purchase books through these links, a portion of the proceeds is given back to DSC. If you want to support DSC, but the book you are interested in is not listed on this page, you can use the search widget below.

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Biblical Studies

Bibles

ESV Study Bible

NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible

Interpretation

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart

How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour
by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart

New Testament *

The Message of the New Testament
by F. F. Bruce

The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept
by Mark Dever

The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?
by F. F. Bruce – Free Online

An Introduction to the New Testament
by D. A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament
by G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson

Old Testament *

The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made
by Mark Dever

Survey of the Old Testament
by Paul N. Benware

An Introduction to the Old Testament (2nd Edition)
by Tremper Longman III and Raymond B. Dillard

The Old Testament Documents: Are They Reliable & Relevant?
by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.

An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach
by Bruce K. Waltke and Charles Yu

Christian Life and Growth

General

Desiring God
by John Piper – Free Online

The Pleasures of God
by John Piper

Don't Waste Your Life
by John Piper – Free Online

When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy
by John Piper – Free Online

Growing in Christ
by J. I. Packer

The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction
by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Through the Looking Glass: Reflections on Christ That Change Us
by Kris Lundgaard

The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin
by Kris Lundgaard

Holiness by Grace: Delighting in the Joy That Is Our Strength
by Bryan Chapell

Whiter than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy
by Paul David Tripp

Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing
by C. J. Mahaney

The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ
by Walter Marshall

Simplify Your Spiritual Life: Spiritual Disciplines for the Overwhelmed
by Donald S. Whitney

Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate
by Jerry Bridges

Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians
by D. A. Carson

The Fruitful Life: The Overflow of God's Love Through You
by Jerry Bridges

The Gospel for Real Life
by Jerry Bridges

Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love
by Jerry Bridges

The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness
by Jerry Bridges

The Joy of Fearing God
by Jerry Bridges

The Pursuit of Holiness
by Jerry Bridges

Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God's Grace
Edited by Burk Parsons

How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian?: What the Bible Says about Assurance of Salvation
by Donald S. Whitney

The Pursuit of God
by A. W. Tozer

Your God Is Too Small: A Guide for Believers and Skeptics Alike
by J. B. Phillips

Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin
by Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community
by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Humility: True Greatness
by C. J. Mahaney

The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing
by C. J. Mahaney

Pleasures Evermore: The Life-Changing Power of Enjoying God
by Sam Storms

One Thing
by Sam Storms

Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure
by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

The Pilgrim's Progress
by John Bunyan

Overcoming Sin and Temptation
by John Owen (Edited by Kelly M. Kapic and Justin Taylor)

For New Christians

Christian Basics: An Invitation to Discipleship
by John Stott

The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction
by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love
by Jerry Bridges

The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness
by Jerry Bridges

Devotional

Morning and Evening: A New Edition of the Classic Devotional Based on the Holy Bible, English Standard Version
by Charles H. Spurgeon

For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word (Volume 1)
by D. A. Carson – Free Online

For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word (Volume 2)
by D. A. Carson – Free Online

A Godward Life: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life
by John Piper

Life As a Vapor: Thirty-One Meditations for Your Faith
by John Piper

Pierced by the Word: Thirty-One Meditations for Your Soul
by John Piper

More Precious than Gold: 50 Daily Meditations on the Psalms
by Sam Storms

The Hope of Glory: 100 Daily Meditations on Colossians
by Sam Storms

To the One Who Conquers: 50 Daily Meditations on the Seven Letters of Revelation 2-3
by Sam Storms

A Passion for God: Prayers and Meditations on the Book of Romans
by Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr.

Prayer *

A Simple Way to Pray
by Martin Luther

A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers
by D. A. Carson

The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
Edited by Arthur G. Bennett

Praying: Finding Our Way through Duty to Delight
by J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom

The Heart of Prayer: What Jesus Teaches Us
by Jerram Barrs

The Struggle of Prayer
by Donald G. Bloesch

The Soul of Prayer
by P. T. Forsyth

Spiritual Disciplines

A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer
by John Piper – Free Online

Spiritual Disciples for the Christian Life
by Donald S. Whitney

Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health
by Donald S. Whitney

Disciplines of a Godly Man
by R. Kent Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Woman
by Barbara Hughes

Depression

Depression: A Stubborn Darkness – Light for the Path
by Edward T. Welch

Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure
by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy
by John Piper – Free Online

Suffering *

Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts
by Jerry Bridges

Is God Really in Control: Trusting God in a World of Hurt
by Jerry Bridges

When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty
by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God
Edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor – Free Online

How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil
by D. A. Carson

Christianity and Culture

The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out without Selling Out
by Mark Driscoll

Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth
by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Where in the World Is the Church?: A Christian View of Culture and Your Role in It
by Michael Horton

My Father's World: Meditations on Christianity and Culture
by Philip Graham Ryken

He Speaks to Me Everywhere: Meditations on Christianity and Culture
by Philip Graham Ryken

Learning the Language of Babylon
by Terry M. Crist

Business for the Glory of God: The Bible's Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business
by Wayne Grudem

Angels in the Architecture: A Protestant Vision for Middle Earth
by Douglas Jones and Douglas Wilson

Faith, God and Rock & Roll: How People of Faith Are Transforming American Popular Music
by Mark Joseph

Christians in a .com World: Getting Connected without Being Consumed
by Gene Edward Veith, Jr. and Christopher L. Stamper

Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case against Abortion Choice
by Francis J. Beckwith

Truth Decay: Defending Christianity against the Challenges of Postmodernism
by Douglas Groothuis

The Courage to Be Protestant: Truth-lovers, Marketers, and Emergents in the Postmodern World
by David F. Wells

Christ & Culture Revisited
by D. A. Carson

The Church

What Is a Healthy Church?
by Mark Dever

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
by Mark Dever

Spiritual Disciplines within the Church: Participating Fully in the Body of Christ
by Donald S. Whitney

Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership
by Alexander Strauch

Stop Dating the Church!: Fall in Love with the Family of God
by Joshua Harris

What Is a Healthy Church Member?
by Thabiti M. Anyabwile

The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel
by Mark Dever

The Master's Plan for the Church
by John MacArthur

The Transforming Community: The Practice of the Gospel in Church Discipline
by Mark Lauterbach

Biography

Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity
by Mark A. Noll

The History of Christianity (A Lion Handbook)
Edited by Tim Dowley and Pat Alexander

Worldly Saints: The Puritans as They Really Were
by Leland Ryken

Theology of the Reformers
by Timothy George

Introduction to Puritan Theology: A Reader
Edited by Edward E. Hindson

The Reformation
by Owen Chadwick

Church History in Plain Language (3rd Edition)
by Bruce L. Shelley

The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform
by Roger E. Olson

The Genius of Puritanism
by Peter Lewis

The Story of Christianity, Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation
by Justo L. Gonzalez

The Story of Christianity, Volume 2: The Reformation to the Present Day
by Justo L. Gonzalez

2,000 Years of Christ's Power, Part One: The Age of the Early Church Fathers
by N. R. Needham

2,000 Years of Christ's Power, Part Two: The Middle Ages
by N. R. Needham

2,000 Years of Christ's Power, Part Three: Renaissance and Reformation
by N. R. Needham

The Reformation
by Diarmaid MacCulloch

Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought
by Alister E. McGrath

Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church
by Harold O. J. Brown

Evangelism

The Gospel & Personal Evangelism
by Mark Dever

The Heart of Evangelism
by Jerram Barrs

Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People
by Will Metzger

Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People's Hearts the Way Jesus Did
by Randy Newman

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
by Gregory Koukl

Telling the Truth: Evangelizing Postmoderns
Edited by D. A. Carson

Apologetics and Worldview *

The Gospel & Personal Evangelism
by Mark Dever

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
by Timothy Keller

Who Was Jesus?
by N. T. Wright

Escape from Reason: A Penetrating Analysis of Trends in Modern Thoughts
by Francis A. Schaeffer

Can We Trust the Gospels?: Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
by Mark D. Roberts

Telling the Truth: Evangelizing Postmoderns
Edited by D. A. Carson

The Historical Reliability of the Gospels
by Craig Blomberg

Jesus under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus
by Michael J. Wilkins and J. P. Moreland

Exploring Christianity

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
by Timothy Keller

Christianity Explored
by Rico Tice and Barry Cooper

Basic Christianity
by John Stott

Why I Am a Christian
by John Stott

Vintage Church: Timeless Truths and Timely Methods
by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears

Life's Big Questions: Six Major Themes Traced through the Bible
by Vaughan Roberts

Men's Issues

Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is): Sexual Purity in a Lust-Saturated World
by Joshua Harris

Fidelity: What It Means to be a One-Woman Man
by Douglas Wilson

Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism
Edited by John Piper and Wayne Grudem – Free Online

Disciplines of a Godly Man
by R. Kent Hughes

Sex and the Supremacy of Christ
Edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor – Free Online

Dating / Courtship

Her Hand in Marriage: Biblical Courtship in the Modern World
by Douglas Wilson

Holding Hands, Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating
by Richard D. Phillips and Sharon L. Phillips

Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship
by Joshua Harris

Passion & Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control
by Elisabeth Elliot

Relationships and Conflict *

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change
by Paul David Tripp

The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande

To Love Mercy
by C. Samuel Storms

Speaking Truth in Love: Counsel in Community
by David Powlison

War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles
by Paul David Tripp

Love in Hard Places
by D. A. Carson – Free Online

Marriage and Family

This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence
by John Piper – Free Online

When Sinners Say "I Do"
by Dave Harvey

Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God: What Every Christian Husband Needs to Know
by C. J. Mahaney

God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation
by Andreas J. Köstenberger and David W. Jones

Reforming Marriage
by Douglas Wilson

Treasuring God in Our Traditions
by Noël Piper – Free Online

Men and Women, Equal yet Different: A Brief Study of the Biblical Passages on Gender
by Alexander Strauch

What's the Difference?: Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible
by John Piper – Free Online

Parenting

Shepherding a Child's Heart
by Tedd Tripp

Successful Christian Parenting: Raising Your Child with Care, Compassion, and Common Sense
by John MacArthur

Instructing a Child's Heart
by Tedd Tripp and Margy Tripp

Don't Make Me Count to Three: A Mom's Look at Heart-Oriented Discipline
by Ginger Plowman

Future Men
by Douglas Wilson

Biblical Theology *

God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible
by Vaughan Roberts

The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament
by Edmund P. Clowney

According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible
by Graeme Goldsworthy

All Things New: The Significance of Newness for Biblical Theology
by Carl B. Hoch, Jr.

Preaching Christ in All of Scripture
by Edmund P. Clowney

The Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation
by Graeme Goldsworthy

Far As the Curse Is Found: The Covenant Story of Redemption
by Michael D. Williams

New Studies in Biblical Theology
Edited by D. A. Carson

Theology

Introductory

Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs
by J. I. Packer

Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know
by Wayne Grudem

Gods Words: Studies of Key Bible Themes
by J. I. Packer

Now, That's a Good Question!
by R. C. Sproul

In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life
by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Knowing God
by J. I. Packer

Theology of God

The Holiness of God
by R. C. Sproul

The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God
by D. A. Carson – Free Online

Father, Son, & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, & Relevance
by Bruce A. Ware

The Sovereignty of God
by A. W. Pink

Salvation

In My Place Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement
by J. I. Packer and Mark Dever

Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification
by R. C. Sproul

Putting Amazing Back into Grace: Embracing the Heart of the Gospel
by Michael Horton

The Cross of Christ
by John Stott

Chosen for Life: The Case for Divine Election
by Sam Storms

Chosen by God: Know God's Perfect Plan for His Glory and His Children
by R. C. Sproul

The Bondage of the Will
by Martin Luther – Old Translation: Free Online

Willing to Believe: The Controversy over Free Will
by R. C. Sproul

Election and Free Will: God's Gracious Choice and Our Responsibility
by Robert A. Peterson

The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel
by James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken

The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, Documented
by David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas, and S. Lance Quinn

Redemption Accomplished and Applied
by John Murray

Systematic Theology

Systematic Theology
by Wayne Grudem

The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God: A Theology of Lordship
by John M. Frame

Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion (2 Volumes)
by John Calvin – Old Translation: Free Online

Women's Issues

Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism
Edited by John Piper and Wayne Grudem – Free Online

Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow
by Nancy Guthrie

Praise Her in the Gates: The Calling of Christian Motherhood
by Nancy Wilson

Biblical Womanhood in the Home
Edited by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother
Carolyn Mahaney

Vocation and Decision Making *

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will or How to Make a Decision without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.
by Kevin DeYoung

God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life
by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.

Business for the Glory of God: The Bible's Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business
by Wayne Grudem

Work and Leisure in Christian Perspective
by Leland Ryken

Decision Making and the Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View
by Garry Friesen

Redeeming the Time: A Christian Approach to Work & Leisure
by Leland Ryken

Luther on Vocation
by Gustaf Wingren

For Kids

Bibles (Preschool and Up)

The Big Picture Story Bible
by David Helm

Bibles (Early Elementary and Up)

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Bibles (Elementary and Up)

The Child's Story Bible
by Catherine F. Vos

ESV Illustrated Family Bible: 270 Selections from the Holy Bible

ESV Children's Bible

Story Books (Preschool and Up)

In the Time of Noah
by N. D. Wilson

The Dragon and the Garden
by N. D. Wilson

Most of All, Jesus Loves You!
by Noël Piper – Free Online

Do You Want a Friend?
by Noël Piper – Free Online

My ABC Bible Verses: Hiding God's Word in Little Hearts
by Susan Hunt

Story Books (Early Elementary and Up)

Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World
by Paul L. Maier

The Prince's Poison Cup
by R. C. Sproul

The Lightlings
by R. C. Sproul

The Priest with Dirty Clothes: A Timeless Story of God's Love and Forgiveness
by R. C. Sproul

Story Books (Elementary and Up)

Tell Me about Heaven
by Randy Alcorn

Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God
by Bruce A. Ware

Keeping Holiday
by Starr Meade

Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress
by Oliver Hunkin

The King without a Shadow
by R. C. Sproul

* Lists marked with an asterisk are categorized from more accessible/popular (at top of list) to more technical/academic (at bottom of list).

Resources

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