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Reformed / Confessional Reading Starter Kit
“What do you recommend I start reading” is a question we receive often. It’s understandable. Many have spent years accruing resources to benefit their Christian life, only to one day look up and realize their bookshelves are stocked primarily with pietistic legalism or weak evangelical self-help books. The list below is designed to help you start (or grow) your reformed and confessional reading list.
A quick note: We’ve been trained to look for the timeless truth or easy principles we can apply. Thus, many of our modern evangelical books jump straight to an application. They focus primarily on what you need to do. The resources below take a different path. The focus is primarily on what has been done in God’s divine plan of redemption. We are definitely a part of that story, albeit less than we might like. But reformed confessional authors know that we need to first understand what’s been done before we focus on what we need to do. What we’re trying to say is, “give it time.” Don’t be discouraged if you don’t know how to apply what you’re reading immediately. Trust the process. Enjoy!
Stage 1
The books of stage one are written for those who are beginning the journey into a confessional world. If your theological vocabulary is limited, don’t worry these were written with you in mind. Some of the concepts are challenging and some of the language will stretch you, but these are more or less focused on the “big picture.”
A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to see the glory of God’s love (Milton Vincent)
Saved or lost, the Good News is needed every day. The Gospel Primer is a great read to remind us to preach the gospel to ourselves daily. It will strengthen your faith and define what you believe and why
A Primer On Pietism (Ryan Haskins, Jon Moffitt, Jeremy Litts, Byron Yawn)
The most common question we get asked concerns our use of the terms “pietism” and “confessionalism.” These two descriptors are in constant rotation among the boys of Theocast. This brief little overview is intended to help catch you up on our conversation. It’s quite possible that we’ll simply put words to what you are already thinking.
Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored (Michael Brown and Zach Keele)
Looking for a book that will describe the basics of covenant theology? If so, Sacred Bond is your book. Not only will you receive a clear understanding of Covenant Theology, but you will also come away better understanding the redemptive storyline of the Bible. No prerequisite knowledge is required. Michael Brown starts with the basics and builds from there.
Living in God’s Two Kingdoms: A Biblical Vision for Christianity and Culture (David VanDrunen)
“Be in the world but not of the world.” It’s a common phrase thrown around the church. What does it mean? Many books have been written on the subject of Christ and Culture. But many of them are simply lists of do’s and don’ts. Rules that a Christian must follow to protect his or her witness in the world. Living in God’s two kingdoms tackles the question of how a Christian should live a little differently. It’s a great book on how not to over-Christianize our normal affairs. It takes the complicated “Christian” system and un-complicates it.
Redemption Accomplished and Applied (John Murray)
This is by far the most advanced of the starter kit. However, it’s worth all the effort. Murray explores the biblical passages dealing with the nature of our atonement. He goes on to identify the distinct steps in the Bible’s presentation of how the redemption accomplished by Christ is applied progressively to the life of the redeemed, including the role of faith and repentance. It’s a must read
