Recommended Reading

At Celebration Church we believe that a healthy Christian is a growing, maturing Christian. The primary means of grace God has given us for this maturing process is His Word, which the Holy Spirit illuminates and makes clear to us. In addition to His Word, God has also given us other believers, who in different ways, come alongside us in our Christian walk and help us press on.

One of the ways other believers help us is through the books they’ve written. These books can edify us, encourage us, cause us to think clearly and correctly about God or a particular subject or circumstance in life…they are a complement to the Word of God, but never a substitute.

We believe every person is a theologian and a thinker, but the question is, are you thinking about theology correctly? Our elders have compiled a list of helpful books and commend them to you for consideration as you seek to grow in your faith.

“…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” – Ephesians 4:13-15
Apologetics
  • The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism ~ Tim Keller
  • Tactics ~ Greg Koukl
  • Cold Case Christianity ~ J. Warner Wallace
  • The Gathering Storm ~ Al Mohler
  • Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word ~ Voddie Baucham Jr.
  • The Case for Christ ~ Lee Strobel

Assurance
  • Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart ~ J.D. Greear
  • How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian ~ Donald S. Whitney
  • Chosen by God ~ R.C. Sproul

Biblical Counseling
  • Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically ~ John MacArthur
  • Counseling the Hard Cases ~ Heath Lambert & Stuart Scott
  • Instrument's in the Redeemer's Hands ~ Paul Tripp
  • Uprooting Anger ~ Robert Jones
  • Men Counseling Men ~ John Street
  • Counseling One Another: A Theology of Interpersonal Discipleship ~ Paul Tautges
  • Competent to Counsel ~ Jay Adams
  • The Christian Counselor's Manual: The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling ~ Jay Adams
  • A Theology of Christian Counseling ~ Jay Adams
  • Seeing with New Eyes: Counseling and the Human Condition Through the Lens of Scripture ~ David Powlison
  • When People are Big and God is Small: Overcoming Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man ~ Edward T. Welch 
  • The Gospel for Disordered Lives: An Introduction to Christ-centered Biblical Counseling ~ Robert Jones

Biblical Studies / Theology
  • A General Introduction to the Bible ~ Norman Geisler
  • Basic Bible Interpretation ~ Roy Zuck
  • Living by the Book ~ Howard Hendricks 
  • Taking God at His Word ~ Kevin DeYoung
  • What Does the Bible Teach About Lust? ~ Owen Strachan & Gavin Peacock
  • Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe ~ Voddie Baucham Jr. 
  • Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel - and the Way to Stop It ~ Owen Strachan
  • The Essential Scriptures: A Handbook of the Biblical Texts for Key Doctrines ~ Kevin Zuber
  • God vs Government: Taking a Biblical Stand When Christ and Compliance Collide ~ Nathan Busenitz
  • Wilmington's Guide to the Bible ~ H.L. Wilmington
  • Knowing God ~ J.I. Packer
  • Basic Theology ~ Charles Ryrie
  • The Moody Handbook of Theology ~ Paul Enns
  • Systematic Theology vol. 2 ~ Wayne Grudem
  • Worshipping Trinity ~ Robert Parry
  • Biblical Doctrine ~ John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue

Biographies
  • Fearless Pilgrim: The Life and Times of John Bunyan ~ Faith Cook
  • Calvin ~ Bruce Gordon
  • Oswald Chambers: Abdandoned to God ~ David McCasland
  • Jonathan Edwards: A Life ~ George Marsden
  • C.S. Lewis - A Life ~ Alister McGrath
  • David Livingstone ~ Vance Christie
  • DL Moody: A Life ~ Kevin Belmonte
  • John Newton ~ Jonathan Aitken
  • Francis Shaeffer: An Authentic Life ~ Colin Duriez
  • Spurgeon ~ Arnold Dallimore
  • William Tyndale: A Biography ~ David Daniell
  • George Whitfield ~ Arnold Dallimore
  • Amy Carmichael: Beauty for Ashes ~ Ian Murray
  • Adoniram Judson ~ Vance Christie
  • Eric Liddel Pure Gold ~ David McCasland
  • Hudson Taylor: Gospel Pioneer to China ~ Vance Christie

Children
  • Tiny Church History ~ Tiny Theologians
  • Tiny Systematics ~ Tiny Theologians 
  • Boys Who Seek God ~ Tiny Theologians
  • Girls Who Seek God ~ Tiny Theologians
  • Little Pilgrims Big Journey Part 1: John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress Fully Illustrated and Adapted for Kids ~ Tyler Van Halteren (Lithos Kids)
  • Little Pilgrims Big Journey Part 2: Christiana & The Celestial City  ~ Tyler Van Halteren (Lithos Kids)
  • Little Pilgrims Big Journey Part 3: The End of Day and the Eternal Kingdom ~ Tyler Van Halteren (Lithos Kids)
  • The Parables of Jesus: Short Stories, Timeless Truths ~ Tyler Van Halteren (Lithos Kids)

Church
  • Nine Marks of a Healthy Church ~ Mark Dever
  • Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace? ~ James Boice
  • Life in the Father's House ~ Wayne Mack
  • Spurgeon the Pastor: Receovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry ~ Geoffrey Chang
  • Elders in Congregational Life: Rediscovering the Biblical Model for Church Leadership ~ Phil A. Newton
  • 40 Questions About Church Membership and Discipline (40 Questions and Answers) ~ Jeremy Kimble
  • Handbook of Church Discipline ~ Jay Adams
  • Love Your Church: 8 Great Things About Being a Church Member ~ Tony Merida
  • The Master's Plan for the Church ~ John MacArthur
  • The Trellis and the Vine ~ Collin Marshall & Tony Payne
  • The Deliberate Church ~ Mark Dever & Paul Alexander

Church History
  • 2000 Years of Christ's Power ~ Nick Needham
  • Church History 101 ~ Sinclair Ferguson, Joel Beeke, & Michael Haykin
  • Church History in Plain Language ~ Bruce Shelley
  • The Reformation ~ Stephen Nichols
  • Meet the Puritans ~ Joel Beeke & Randall Pederson

Death & Suffering
  • Seasons of Sorrow ~ Tim Challies
  • The Last Enemy ~ Michael Wittmer
  • Safe in the Arms of God ~ John MacArthur
  • Surprised by Suffering ~ R.C. Sproul

Discipleship
  • Thoughts for Young Men ~ J.C. Ryle
  • Grounded in Faith ~ Kenneth Erisman
  • The Master Plan for Evangelicalism ~ Robert Coleman
  • Following Jesus, the Servant King: A Biblical Theology of Covenantal Discipleship ~ Jonathan Lunde
  • The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ ~ Bill Hull

Gender Identity
  • What Does the Bible Teach About Transgenderism? ~ Owen Strachan & Gavin Peacock
  • The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self ~ Carl Trueman
  • Does God Care About Gender Identity? ~ Samuel Ferguson
  • The Gender Revolution ~ Patricia Weerakoon
  • Affirming God's Image ~ J. Alan Branch
  • Pride ~ Matthew Roberts
  • Irreversible Damage ~ Abigail Shrier
  • Love Into Light ~ Peter Hubbard
  • Is God Anti-Gay? ~ Sam Allberry
  • Desire and Deceit ~ Al Mohler

Growth
  • Anxious for Nothing ~ John MacArthur
  • Consider the Lillies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God ~ Jonny Ardavanis
  • Trusting God ~ Jerry Bridges
  • Don't Waste Your Life ~ John Piper
  • Counter Culture ~ David Platt
  • The Knowledge of the Holy ~ A.W. Tozer
  • The Pursuit of God ~ A.W. Tozer
  • Desiring God ~ John Piper
  • Men of God ~ Tim Thornborough & Trevor Archer

Heaven & Hell
  • The Glory of Heaven ~ John MacArthur
  • Heaven ~ Randy Alcorn
  • Heaven Revealed ~ Paul Enns
  • Biblical Teaching on the Doctrine of Heaven and Hell ~ Edward Donnelly
  • Heaven on Earth ~ Derek Thomas 

Holiness
  • The Holiness of God ~ R.C. Sproul
  • The Pursuit of Holiness ~ Jerry Bridges
  • Respectable Sins ~ Jerry Bridges
  • A Fight to the Death ~ Wayne Mack

Leadership
  • Conviction to Lead ~ Al Mohler
  • The Book on Leadership ~ John MacArthur
  • Spiritual Leadership ~ Oswald Chambers
  • Sticky Teams ~ Larry Osborne

Manhood
  • Man in the Mirror ~ Patrick Morley
  • The Measure of a Man ~ Gene Getz
  • Issues Men Face ~ John Street & John MacArthur
  • Tender Warrior ~ Stu Webber
  • Masculine Mandate: God's Call to Men ~ Richard Phillips
  • Men and Women: Equal Yet Different ~ Alexander Strauch
  • Manly Dominion ~ Mark Chanski
  • What's the Difference: Manhood and Womanhood Defined by the Bible ~ John Piper
  • Man Up! ~ Jody Burkeen
  • A Guide to Biblical Manhood ~ Randy Stinson & Dan Dumas
  • How God Makes Men ~ Patrick Morley
  • The Shepherd Leader at Home: Knowing, Leading, Protecting, and Providing for Your Family ~ Timothy Witmer
  • The Masculine Mandate: God's Calling to Men ~ Richard D. Phillips
  • Disciplines of a Godly Man ~ R. Kent Hughes 
  • The Men We Need ~ Brant Hansen
  • Reclaiming Masculinity ~ Matt Fuller
  • The Toxic War on Masculinity ~ Nancy Pearcey

Marriage
  • The Exemplary Husband ~ Stuart Scott
  • The Excellent Wife ~ Martha Peace
  • Helper by Design: God's Perfect Plan for Women in Marriage ~ Elyse Fitzpatrick
  • Loving Your Wife as Christ Loves the Church ~ Larry E. McCall
  • The Meaning of Marriage ~ Timothy Keller
  • Whole Marriages in a Broken World ~ Gary Inrig
  • When Sinner Say I Do ~ Dave Harvey
  • Strengthening Your Marriage ~ Wayne Mack
  • This Momentary Marriage ~ John Piper

Money
  • Managing God's Money ~ Randy Alcorn
  • The Treasure Principle ~ Randy Alcorn
  • The Money Challenge ~ Art Rainer
  • Money, Debt, and Finances ~ Jim Newheiser
  • Family Money Matters ~ John Temple

Pastoral / Preaching
  • Letters to My Students ~ Charles H. Spurgeon
  • Between Two Worlds ~ John Stott
  • On Preaching ~ H.B. Charles Jr.
  • The Heart is the Target: Preaching Practical Application from Every Text ~ Murray Capill
  • On Pastoring: A Short Guide to Living, Leading, and Ministering as a Pastor ~ H.B. Charles Jr.
  • Preaching with Purpose ~Jay Adams
  • Teaching to Change Lives ~ Howard Hendricks
  • Biblical Preaching ~ Haddon Robinson
  • Why Johnny Can't Preach ~ T. David Gordon
  • Rediscovering Expository Preaching ~ John MacArthur
  • Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God's Word Today ~ David Helm
  • Christ-centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon ~ Brian Chapell
  • Biblical Eldership ~ Alexander Strauch
  • Acts 20: Fierce Wolves are Coming; Guard the Flock ~ Alexander Strauch
  • Bully Pulpit ~ Michael Kruger
  • The Archer and the Arrow ~ Phillip Jensen & Paul Grimmond

Parenting
  • The Father Connection ~ Josh McDowell
  • Gospel-powered Parenting ~ William Farley
  • Shepherding a Child's Heart ~ Tedd Tripp
  • Parenting ~ Paul Tripp
  • Raising a Modern Day Knight ~ Robert Lewis
  • Safe Guards: Shielding Our Homes and Equipping Our Kids ~ Julie Lowe

Pornography
  • Fight Like a Man: A Bold, Biblical Battle Plan for Personal Purity ~ Emeal "EZ" Zwayne
  • Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace ~ Heath Lambert
  • Purity is Possible: How to Live Free of the Fantasy Trap ~ Helen Thorne

Prayer 
  • A Praying Life ~ Paul Miller
  • It Happens After Prayer ~ H.B. Charles Jr.
  • The Valley of Vision ~ Arthur Bennet
  • Into His Presence: Praying with the Puritans ~ Tim Chester

Resolving Conflict
  • Peacemaking for Families ~ Ken Sande
  • The Peacemaker ~ Ken Sande
  • Pursuing Peace ~ Robert Jones

Spiritual Disciplines
  • A Man's Guide to Disciplines ~ Patrick Morley
  • Disciplines of a Godly Man ~ R. Kent Hughes
  • Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life ~ Donald S. Whitney
  • Habits of Grace ~ David Mathis

Spiritual Gifts
  • Charismatic Chaos ~ John MacArthur
  • Spiritual Gifts ~ Thomas R. Schreiner
  • Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts ~ William McRae
  • The Final Word ~ O Palmer Robertson

Stubborn Sinfulness
  • Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave ~ Ed T. Welch
  • The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective ~ Mark Shaw
  • Relapse: Biblical Prevention Strategies ~ Mark Shaw

Technology
  • The Next Story ~ Tim Challies
  • Digital Liturgies ~ Samuel James
  • 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You ~ Tony Reinke
  • God, Technology, and the Christian Life ~ Tony Reinke
  • The Tech-wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place ~ Andy Crouch

Womanhood
  • Disciplines of a Godly Woman ~ Barbara Hughes
  • Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free ~ Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
  • In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character ~ Jen Wilkin
  • Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship ~ Ruth Chou Simons
  • Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family ~ Ruth Chou Simons
  • Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home ~ Gloria Furman
  • Fierce Women: The Power of a Soft Warrior ~ Kimberly Wagner
  • Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments ~ Emily A. Jensen & Laura Wifler
  • Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds (Second Edition) ~ Jen Wilkin

Work
  • A Man's Guide to Work ~ Patrick Morley
  • The Gospel at Work: How Working for King Jesus Gives Purpose and Meaning to Our Jobs ~ Greg Gilbert & Sebastian Traeger
  • Business for the Glory of God: The Bible's Teaching on the Moral Good of Business ~ Wayne Grudem
  • Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity ~ Tim Challies
  • Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work ~ Tom Nelson
  • The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life ~ Os Guinness
  • Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will ~ Kevin DeYoung
  • Created for Work: Insights for Young Men ~ Bob Schultz
  • Work, Where Life and Calling Meet ~ Jerry White
  • Redeeming Productivity ~ Reagan Rose
  • What's Best Next ~ Matt Perman
  • Busy ~ Ian Carmichael

Worship
  • On Worship ~ H.B. Charles Jr.
  • Music Through the Eyes of Faith ~ Harold Best
  • Worship Matters ~ Bob Kauflin
  • Worship by the Book ~ D.A. Carson
  • Worship: The Ultimate Priority ~ John MacArthur
  • Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers ~ Patrick Kavanaugh
  • Leading from the Heart ~ Robert B. Munger & Robert C. Larson
  • The Heart of the Artist ~ Rory Noland
  • Up With Worship ~ Anne Ortlund 
  • True Worshippers ~ Bob Kauflin
  • Christ-centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape our Practice ~ Brian Chapell