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People often ask me what books I’d recommend and what books have most impacted my life. While I’ve read thousands of books over the years, here is my “short” list of books I think will greatly edify your spiritual life.

Three Thoughts and Warnings …

  1. No book should replace the authority and position Scripture must have in your life. While some books may help with understanding Scripture and the preciousness of our Savior, we must guard the propensity to spend time in other books at the neglect of God’s Word. If you find yourself wanting to know more ABOUT the Bible or God Himself, then your priorities are misaligned.
  2. I do not endorse every concept or word within the books below (and I may not agree with everything the authors listed may have ever said, done, or written elsewhere). In short, be discerning. While I think the books are overall great, there are some that I am weary to list as they need biblical discernment. Again, we must be in the Word and allow the Bible to be the authority in our lives, giving discernment to everything else we read or listen to.
  3. Clicking the link for the book will take you to that book on Amazon (buying it helps supports deeperChristian at no additional cost to you). If you choose to purchase any of these books, I encourage you to use these links. Amazon gives a portion of whatever you buy (within 24 hours of clicking the link) back to Deeper Christian (at no additional cost to you). It’s a great way to support the work and ministry of Deeper Christian and allows us the opportunity to create future resources.

Where Do I Start?

If you spend time perusing the recommended books you might ask, “Where do I start?”  Great question!  Several books contained herein are more suitable after you gain a foundation from others.  Though you can start anywhere, below are several lists you may want to consider jumping into to get started (the books are not listed in any order).

 NRJohnson’s Twenty Books to Read First

If you desire a great primer on the Christian life, here are twenty books to give you a great start.  These twenty books make up some of my absolute favorites – the books I return to time and again to comb their depths.

The Victorious Christian Life

The Christian life is one of victory and triumph!  Here are several great classics that articulate what such a life is to be.  If you are experiencing defeat, dread, or deadness, this list of books should be a piercing fire to your soul.  They are in no particular order

  • Helps to Holiness – Samuel Brengle
  • They Found the Secret – V. Raymond Edman
  • Continuous Revival: The Secret of Victorious Living – Norman Grubb
  • Absolute Surrender – Andrew Murray
  • Abide in Christ – Andrew Murray
  • Deeper Christian Life – Andrew Murray
  • Mystery of Godliness – Ian Thomas
  • Saving Life of Christ – Ian Thomas
  • The Indwelling Life of Christ – Ian Thomas
  • Victory in Christ – Charles Trumbull
  • The Victorious Christian Life – Unknown Christian

Some of my favorite authors

  • Andrew Murray
  • Major Ian Thomas
  • Leonard Ravenhill
  • Eric & Leslie Ludy
  • Stephen Manley
  • Oswald Chambers
  • AW Tozer
  • Unknown Christian
  • Samuel Brengle
  • Jonathan Edwards
  • Amy Carmichael
  • EM Bounds
  • Authors who write Christian biographies & missionary stories

Prayer

  • EM Bounds
    • Complete Works of EM Bounds on Prayer
    • Power Through Prayer
  • Samuel Chadwick
    • Path of Prayer
  • PT Forsyth
    • Soul of Prayer
  • E. Stanley Jones
    • How to Pray
  • Stephen & Alex Kendrick
    • The Battle Plan for Prayer
  • David McIntyre
    • Hidden Life of Prayer
  • Andrew Murray
    • With Christ in the School of Prayer
  • Watchman Nee
    • Let Us Pray
  • Leonard Ravenhill
    • Revival Praying
    • Why Revival Tarries
  • RA Torrey
    • How to Pray
    • The Power of Prayer
  • Operation World
    • Pray for the World
    • Operation World

Great Books for the Christian Life

Alphabetical by author’s last name
Symbol Key:
* – my favorites on this list
(any) – any books by this author are amazing but I’ve included some highly recommended ones
(p) puritan author 

  • Isaac Ambrose (P)
    • Looking Unto Jesus
  • Rex Andrews
    • Mercy Studies*
    • Meditations in the Revelation
  • Richard Baxter
    • Reformed Pastor
  • J. Sidlow Baxter 
    • Awake, My Heart
    • Going Deeper
    • Explore the Book
  • Dietrich Boenhoffer 
    • The Cost of Discipleship
  • Samuel Brengle (any)
    • Helps to Holiness*
    • Guest of the Soul
    • Way of Holiness
    • Heart Talks on Holiness*
    • Love Slaves*
    • Ancient Prophets
    • Soul Winner’s Secret
  • Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
    • Honey and Salt (collection of his writings)
  • Thomas Boston (P)
    • The Crook in the Lot
  • EM Bounds (any)
    • Complete Works of EM Bounds on Prayer*
    • Power Through Prayer*
  • Thomas Brooks (P)
    • Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices
  • AB Bruce
    • The Training of the Twelve
  • John Bunyan (P)
    • All Loves Excelling
    • The Fear of God
  • Amy Carmichael (any)
    • God’s Missionary*
    • If
    • Gold Cord
    • Mountain Breezes
  • Samuel Chadwick
    • Way to Pentecost
  • Oswald Chambers (any)
    • Complete Works of Chambers (compiled by David McCasland)*
    • My Utmost for His Highest*
  • GK Chesterton
    • Orthodoxy
  • LB Cowman
    • Streams in the Desert
  • Ralph Cushman
    • Practicing The Presence
  • Henry Drummond
    • Greatest Thing in the World
  • Wesley Duewel (any)
    • Touching the World Through Prayer
    • Ablaze for God
  • Gene Edwards
    • The Highest Life
    • The Secret to the Christian Life
    • 100 Days in the Secret Place
    • The Inward Journey
    • Living By the Highest Life
  • Jonathan Edwards
    • Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
    • Surprising Work of God
  • Elisabeth Elliot
    • Discipline: The Glad Surrender
    • Keep a Quiet Heart
  • François Fenelon
    • The Seeking Heart
  • John Flavel (P)
    • Preparation for Suffering
  • PT Forsyth (any)
    • The Soul of Prayer
  • Bob George
    • Classic Christianity
  • John Gillies
    • Historical Collections of Accounts of Revival
  • Norman Grubb
    • Continuous Revival: The Secret of Victorious Living
  • William Gurnall
    • The Christian in Complete Armour (I recommend the 3 volume set that David Wilkerson edited)
  • Madam Guyon
    • Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ*
    • Intimacy with Christ*
    • Final Steps in Christian Maturity
    • Union with God
    • Spiritual Torrents
    • Song of the Bride
  • Roy Hession
    • The Calvary Road
  • Evan H. Hopkins
    • Law of Liberty in the Spiritual Life
  • FJ Huegel
    • Bone of His Bone*
  • JH Howett
    • School of Calvary*
    • The Passion for Souls
  • Thomas Kelly
    • Testament of Devotion
  • Thomas aKempis
    • Imitation of Christ*
  • William Law (any)
    • A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life
    • Power of the Spirit*
  • Brother Lawrence
    • The Practice of the Presence of God*
    • Note: there are several great editions of Lawrence’s book – some contain additional letters and writings and others just have the main text itself.  The edition I think is best to start with (and easy to understand) is entitled “Practicing His Presence” which Gene Edwards edited.  It not only contains the main thoughts of Lawrence, but it also includes an abridged version of Frank Laubach’s writings (very similar to Lawrence but written in the early 1900s).  For quick finding, the ISBN of this edition is: 9780940232013.
  • CS Lewis (any)
    • Mere Christianity
  • Martin Lloyd-Jones
    • Revival
  • LE Maxwell
    • Crowded to Christ*
    • Born Crucified
    • Embraced by the Cross
  • Michael Molinos
    • The Spiritual Guide*
  • DL Moody
    • How to Study the Bible
  • Andrew Murray (any)
    • Absolute Surrender*
    • Humility*
    • Abide in Christ*
    • The Apostle’s Inner Life
    • With Christ in the School of Prayer
    • Deeper Christian Life*
    • Holiest of All
    • Holy in Christ
    • School of Obedience
    • True Vine
    • Like Christ
    • Waiting on God
  • Watchman Nee 
    • Normal Christian Life*
    • Sit, Walk, Stand
    • Spiritual Man
    • Release of the Spirit
    • Christ the Sum of all Spiritual Things
  • John Owen (P)
    • Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers
  • Joseph Parker
    • The Inner Life of Christ
  • Edward Payson
    • Works of Edward Payson (3 volumes)
  • Leonard Ravenhill (any)
    • Why Revival Tarries*
    • Revival God’s Way
    • Revival Praying
    • Sodom Had No Bible*
    • America is Too Young to Die
    • Meat for Men
    • Refiner’s Fire
  • Samuel Rutherford (P)
    • The Loveliness of Christ
    • Letters of Rutherford
  • Henry Scougal
    • The Life of God in the Soul of Man*
  • Robert Shank 
    • Elect in the Son 
    • Life in the Son
  • Richard Sibbes (P)
    • The Bruised Reed
  • Hannah Whitall Smith
    • The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life
  • T.Austin Sparks (any)
    • School of Christ*
    • Rivers of Living Water
    • The Power of His Resurrection
    • Things of the Spirit
    • Ministry
    • The On-High Calling
    • Prayer (prayer sect?)
  • Charles Spurgeon
    • Sermons (any)
    • Treasury of David*
    • Lectures to My Students*
    • Faith’s Checkbook
    • Spurgeon on the Centrality of Christ*
    • Morning and Evening*
  • G. Steinberger 
    • In the Footprints of the Lamb
  • John Stott
    • The Cross of Christ
    • Basic Christianity
    • Between Two Worlds*
    • Focus on Christ*
  • CT Studd (any)
    • Chocolate Soldier*
    • DCD
  • Corrie ten Boom
    • Amazing Love
    • I Stand at the Door and Knock 
  • Teresa of Avila
    • Interior Castle*
  • Gerhard Tersteegen 
    •  True Godliness
  • Ian Thomas (any)
    • Mystery of Godliness*
    • Saving Life of Christ*
    • The Indwelling Life of Christ*
  • AW Tozer (any)
    • Divine Conquest (now called: God’s Pursuit of Man)*
    • Pursuit of God*
    • Knowledge of the Holy*
    • How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
    • Of God and Men*
    • Keys to the Deeper Life
    • Man: The Dwelling Place of God*
    • Root of Righteousness*
    • Fire of God’s Presence 
    • God Tells the Man Who Cares
  • Charles Trumbull
    • Victory in Christ*
  • Unknown Christian (any)
    • The Victorious Christian Life*
    • The Kneeling Christian*
  • Henry Daniel Voss
    • Jesus – 100% Man of Faith: We Can Be Like Christ 
  • Thomas Watson (p)
    • The Great Gain of Godliness
    • The Godly Man’s Picture
  • John White
    • The Fight
  • John Wesley
    • Wesley’s 52 Standard Sermons*
  • Puritan Collections + Prayers
    • Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans (Robert Elmer)*
    • Valley of Vision (Arthur Bennett)*

Biography

Symbol Key:
Note: The name that begins the line is the subject of the biography
* – my favorites on this list
(____) – author, if not an autobiography

  • Gladys Aylward – The Little Woman*
  • Brother Andrew – God’s Smuggler
  • T. Austin-Sparks – Shaped by Vision (Rex Beck)
  • Richard Baxter – Autobiography
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy (Eric Metaxas)
  • William and Catherine Booth – The Life and Legacy (Trevor Yaxley)
  • William and Catherine Booth – William and Catherine (??) 
  • EM Bounds – EM Bounds: Man of Prayer (Lyle Dorsett)
  • David Brainerd – David Brainerd’s Journal (Jonathan Edwards)
  • Samuel Brengle – Portrait of a Prophet (Clarence Hall)**
  • Amy Carmichael – A Chance to Die (Elizabeth Elliot)*
  • Oswald Chambers – Abandoned to God (David McCasland)**
  • Oswald Chambers – An Unbribed Soul (DW Lambert)
  • Marie Chapian – Of Whom the World was not Worthy
  • CLC International – Leap of Faith (Norman Grubb)*
  • Jim Elliot – Shadow of the Almighty (Elizabeth Elliot)
  • Jim Elliot – Through the Gates of Splendor (Elizabeth Elliot)
  • Bob Fu – God’s Double Agent
  • Keith Green – No Compromise (Melody Green)*
  • Jeanne Guyon – Autobiography
  • Thomas Haire – Praying Plumber of Lisburn (AW Tozer)
  • Rees Howells – Rees Howells Intercessor (Norman Grubb)**
  • John Hyde – Praying Hyde (EG Carre)
  • Esther Kim – If I Perish 
  • Robert Murray McCheyne – Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray McCheyne (Andrew Bonar)
  • DL Moody – Passion for Souls (Lyle Dorsett)*
  • Samuel Morris – Samuel Morris (Lindley Baldwin)
  • Samuel Morris – Samuel Morris (W. Terry Whalin)
  • George Müller – Autobiography*
  • George Müller – George Müller of Bristol (Arthur Pierson)
  • Andrew Murray – Authorized Bio (Leona Choy)*
  • Watchman Nee – Against the Tide (Angus Kinnear)
  • Bruce Olson – Bruchko
  • Jackie Pullinger – Chasing the Dragon (Pullinger)
  • Leonard Ravenhill – In Light of Eternity (Mack Tomlinson)*
  • Don Richardson – Peace Child
  • Don Richardson – Lords of the Earth
  • Evan Roberts – Invasion of Wales by the Spirit through Evan Roberts (James A. Stewart)
  • Darlene Deibler Rose – Evidence Not Seen
  • Bilquis Sheikh – I Dared to Call Him Father
  • CT Studd – Cricketer and Pioneer (Norman Grubb)**
  • Hudson Taylor – Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret (Howard Taylor)**
  • Hudson Taylor – A Retrospect (?)
  • Hudson Taylor – Hudson Taylor: The Man Who Believed God (Marshall Broomhall)
  • Corrie Ten Boom – The Hiding Place
  • Corrie Ten Boom – Tramp for the Lord**
  • RA Torrey –
  • AW Tozer – Passion for God (Lyle Dorsett)
  • John Wesley – A Real Christian (Kenneth Collins)
  • William Wilberforce – Amazing Grace (Eric Metaxas)
  • David Wilkerson – Cross and the Switchblade
  • David Wilkerson – David Wilkerson (Gary Wilkerson)
  • Richard Wurmbrand – Tortured for Christ**
  • Sabina Wurmbrand – The Pastor’s Wife 
  • Most Hassan Yousef – Son of Hamas
  • Brother Yun – Heavenly Man

Biography Collections

  • Fair Sunshine (Jock Purves) – about Scottish Covenanters
  • They Found the Secret (V. Raymond Edman)**
  • Heroes of the Holy Life (Wesley Duewel)*
  • They Knew Their God Volumes 1-6 (Harvey/Hey)*
  • Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians (James Lawson)*
  • Great Women of Faith (Edith Deen)
  • Bible Characters from the Bible (Alexander Whyte)
  • Foxe’s Book of Martyrs*
  • Martyrs Mirror (Thieleman J. Van Braght)*
  • Christian Heroes Then and Now Series
  • Hearts of Fire (Voice of the Martyrs)
  • A Fistful of Heroes (John Pollock)

Modern Writers

  • Randy Alcorn
    • Happiness
    • Heaven
    • The Law of Rewards
    • Money, Possessions, and Eternity
  • Jerry Bridges
    • Pursuit of Holiness
    • True Community
  • Rosaria Butterfield
    • The Gospel Comes with a House Key
  • Thomas Cahill 
    • How the Irish Saved Civilization 
  • Michael Card
    • Inexpressible
    • Parable of Joy
  • Francis Chan
    • Until Unity
  • John Mark Comer
    • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
  • Jack S. Deere
    • Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit
  • Norman Geisler
    • Christian Apologetics
  • Howard Hendricks
    • Teaching to Change Lives
  • Gregory Koukl
    • Tactics
  • Eric & Leslie Ludy (any)
    • Bravehearted Gospel*
      Wrestling Prayer*
      When God Writes Your Life Story*
  • Stephen Manley (any)
    • Being What You’ve Become*
  • John MacArthur
    • The Inerrant Word
    • Slave
  • Kim Meeder
    • Encountering Our Wild God
  • Jose Luis Navajo
    • Mondays with My Old Pastor
  • Jeremy Riddle
    • The Reset
  • Nik Ripken
    • Insanity of God
    • Insanity of Obedience
  • Milton Vincent
    • A Gospel Primer*
  • Frank Viola
    • God’s Favorite Place on Earth
  • Bruce Wilkinson
    • Seven Laws of the Learner

Fiction

Note: while some of these are Jesus-focused fiction that inspire faith (like Pilgrim’s Progress), I’ve also included some “fun” Christian fiction that I’ve enjoyed over the years (like Mitford and the O’Malley Series).

  • Randy Alcorn
    • Chasm
    • Safely Home
  • John Bunyon
    • Pilgrim’s Progress
    • Holy War
  • Ted Dekker
    • Circle Series
    • Heaven’s Wager
  • Gene Edwards
    • Divine Romance
    • A Tale of Three Kings
  • Dee Henderson
    • O’Malley Series
  • Hannah Hurnard
    • Hinds Feet on High Places
  • Jan Karen
    • At Home in Mitford (series)
  • CS Lewis
    • Great Divorce
    • Screwtape Letters
    • Chronicles of Narnia
    • Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, etc)
  • Calvin Miller
    • Singer Trilogy
  • Frank Peretti
    • This Present Darkness
    • Piercing the Darkness
  • Jane Porter
    • Scottish Chiefs
  • Francine Rivers
    • Mark of the Lion Series
    • Sons of Encouragement Series
    • Lineage of Grace Series
  • Henryk Sienkiewicz (any)
    • Quo Vadis
    • With Fire and Sword
    • The Duluge
    • Fire in the Steppe

Classics I Enjoy

  • Les Misérables (Victor Hugo)

Relationships / Masculinity / Femininity

  • Elizabeth Elliot (any)
    • Passion and Purity*
    • Quest for Love
    • Marks of Manhood
  • Eric and Leslie Ludy (any)
    • When God Writes Your Love Story*
    • When Dreams Come True
    • God’s Gift to Women* (for men)
    • Authentic Beauty (for women)
    • Set Apart Femininity* (for women)
  • Mike Mason 
    • The Mystery of Marriage 

Health + Fitness

  • Max Lugavere
    • The Genius Life
    • Genius Foods
  • Michael Matthews
    • Bigger Leaner Stronger
  • Michael Pollan
    • Food Rules
    • In Defense of Food

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