The Basic Christian Home Library

Many people want a good, home, Christian library, but – unintentionally – end up wasting a lot of money on relatively insignificant books. If you’re thinking about creating a home library and want resources that are helpful and/or worth re-reading over and over again, here are my suggestions (in the order I think you should purchase them):

NRSV XL Print Bible (Black)
Published by HarperOne
ISBN-10: 0061946532
ISBN-13: 978-0061946530
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Christianbooks.com

A couple of things to keep in mind when buying a Bible: First, the NRSV is the “industry standard” for biblical studies, however if your church or Bible study uses a different version, you may prefer to buy the version they use. Also, there are a million different editions out there. My preference is one without a lot of study materials – most people end up trusting the study notes more than the text itself! This is the one I use and prefer – and it isn’t too expensive.

New Bible Dictionary
Published by InterVarsity Press
ISBN-10: 0830814396
ISBN-13: 978-0830814398
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Christianbooks.com

RCA Creeds & Confessions

Unfortunately, there is not currently a single-volume available of the RCA Standards. Hopefully the denomination will fix this sooner rather than later. They are available online at rca.org. However, for the sake of ease, if you want a printed version I’d recommend the slightly altered one published by the CRCNA (even thou it lacks the Belhar Confession.)

The Complete Idiots’ Guide to the Bible
by James Stuart Bell, Jr.
ISBN-10: 1592573894
ISBN-13: 978-1592573899
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Christianbooks.com

I know, someone’s going to be offended that I’m recommending an “Idiots” book, but it really worth your money!

Hinds’ Feet on High Places
by Hannah Hurnard
ISBN-10: 1577489187
ISBN-13: 978-1577489184
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Christianbooks.com

Worship the Lord
Published by the Reformed Church in America
ISBN-13: 978-0-91646-609-1
Faith Alive Ministries

Note: Most of the content of this book is available (for free) online at rca.org — I put it here since the book form is more convenient for many people.

The Celebration of Discipline
by Richard Foster
ISBN-10: 0060628391
ISBN-13: 978-0060628390
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Christianbooks.com

The Isaiah Vision
By Raymond Fung
ISBN-10: 1606089072
ISBN-13: 978-1606089071
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble

The Anxious Bench, Antichrist & the sermon Catholic Unity
by John Nevin
ISBN-10: 1579104290
ISBN-13: 978-1579104290
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Christianbooks.com

This book contains 3 very important (although sadly ignored) sermons/lectures by John Nevin – they’re a bit difficult to read, but well worth reading multiple times.

Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion
by John Calvin (Any modern translation is good; this is the “Battles” Translation)
ISBN-10: 0664220282
ISBN-13: 978-0664220280
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Chrsitianbooks.com