9 Books Every Christian Should Read (or perhaps My Favorite 9 Books)

I know what this looks like. Obviously, this is me parading around online showing off my cool book collection. Well, that's only partially right. You'll have to forgive me on that one. I needed to post a new and quick blog, so I thought this would suffice. Plus, my life and theology was radically changed when a friend of mine gave me a list of books that he read and told me to go and read. Hopefully you will have the same experience.

#9. How Should We Then Live? by Francis A. Schaeffer
This is a wonderfully short but amazing examination of the history of Western thought and what went wrong. Schaeffer has a knack for identifying unbiblical worldviews in history. Everything the Christian needs to know about Western civilization.

#8. The Weight of Glory by C. S. Lewis
This amazing collection of C. S. Lewis' sermons serves as a theological backdrop for Christian Hedonism.

#7. The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
The chair of the philosophy department at Southern Cal examines closely Christ's message in the gospels. As a result, he determines that Christ came more to exhort us to follow the spirit of love in the law and not just the law itself.

#6. What is Reformed Theology? by R. C. Sproul
A solid defense for the Reformed faith. Here Sproul defends Calvinism as a theological system with the Bible and refutes counterarguments.

#5. A Scandalous Freedom by Steve Brown
Here is Steve's clearest explanation of the grace of God. God is never angry at you if you are found in Christ! Cheer up, you are a lot more sinful that you think you are. Cheer up, God's grace is a lot bigger than you think it is!

#4. Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
Lewis's basic defense for the faith is clear and brilliant. It is sure to number among the most influential works in the history of Christendom.

#3. The Cross of Christ by John Stott
This is the best work on the substitutionary atonement of Christ written in a long time. If you've ever wondered just what it means to be a Christian and why exactly Christ had to die, this is your book.

#2. Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Here is a small systematic theology in one book. This book is one of the best sellers of the 20th century and articulates the Protestant faith in a wonderful way.

#1. Desiring God by John Piper
Piper's theology of Christian Hedonism changed my life and is sure to change yours as well. Who would have known that it is okay to find ultimate joy and pleasure in serving Christ. If you don't read anything else in your life, read this!