The following is a list of recommended books for the gainful reading of all Christians in Church History, Systematic Theology, and Biblical theology/exegesis. I have selected these from books which I have read personally, which I think form a good starting point for a broad and sound foundation in Christian theology, history, and biblical interpretation. Nearly all of the books listed below are available for purchase from either Reformation Heritage Books or Christian Book Distributors. Some of this material is also downloadable for free online, (i. e. Calvin, Matthew Henry, Turretin, Spurgeon, Charles Hodge, The Westminster Confession of Faith, and Larger and Shorter Catechisms.)

I. For Beginners

Basic Christian doctrine:

Williamson, G. I. Westminster Confession of Faith: for Study Classes. Philadelphia: P&R publications, 2003.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism. the Westminster Assembly of Divines, 1646.

Basic Christian History:

Forbush, William, ed. Fox's book of Martyrs. Zondervan, 1978.

Bible helps:

The Children's 'King James' Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2006.
The 1599 Geneva Bible. White Hall, WV: Tolle Lege Press, 2007.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Whole Bible, complete and unabridged in 6 volumes. Hendrickson Publishers, 1991.



II. Intermediate level/preparation for church leadership

theology:

Hodge, A. A., The Westminster Confession, a Commentary. Banner of Truth, 1998.
Calvin, John, Institutes of the Christian Religion. Hendrickson Publishers, 2009.
The Westminster Larger Catechism. the Westminster Assembly of Divines, 1646.

Church History:

Brown, Harold O. J.Heresies. Hendrickson Publishers, 1984.
Latourette, Kenneth Scott, A History of Christianity, vols. I and II. Prince Press, 1997.

Biblical exegesis:

Calvin, John. Calvin's Commentaries, 22 vols. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1995.


III. Advanced/pre-seminary/pastors

Systematic Theology:

Beeke, Joel, ed. Reformed Confessions Harmonized. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999.
Heppe, Heinrich. Reformed Dogmatics. Buy here
Turretin, Francis, Institutes of Elenctic Theology. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed Publications, 1992.
Hodge, Charles, Systematic Theology. Hendrickson Publishers.

biblical theology/exegesis

Witsius, Herman, Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man. Philadelphia. Presbyterian and Reformed Publications, 1990.
Commentaries by Owen, puritans, Hodge published by Banner of truth, Eerdmans, etc.


I, II, III. Recommended sermon books for all reading levels:

The Complete Sermons of Martin Luther. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2000.
John Calvin's sermons published by Banner of Truth, Old Paths Publications, Presbyterian and Reformed Publications, etc.
The Sermons of Jonathan Edwards, A Reader. Yale University Press, 1999.
The Blessing of God, Previously Unpublished Sermons of Jonathan Edwards, Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003.
Spurgeon's Sermons, 5 volumes. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1996.




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