Essential Books (feel free to comment and share)

In my 20+ years in the Lord I have read hundreds of books on the topic, and I know others have as well. I wanted to share what I consider to be the best books that evey Christian needs to read. I read dangerously, but the following are the books that the Lord has used most profoundly in my life. Before the list I wanted to make a short list of essential reading that I believe present the central and most profound light I have ever read. I read all of this list through annually, many of them multiple times, as these books are not sufficiently understood with merely one reading.

I am a firm believer in not jumping around to many and varied teachers, and I have sought to learn from mainly 3, as the Lord has led me. Those 3 are Art Katz, Norman Grubb and Oswald Chambers.

Essentials:
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
Summit Living by Norman Grubb

Yes, I am by Norman Grubb (I believe this to be the most important book outside of the Bible for every Christian to read)

God Unlimited by Norman Grubb
The Law of Faith by Norman Grubb
Beyond Personality by CS Lewis
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Oswald Chambers
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Full List:

Yes, I am by Norman Grubb
The Law of Faith by Norman Grubb
God Unlimited by Norman Grubb
Touching The Invisible by Norman Grubb
Who am I by Norman Grubb
Rees Howells: Intercessor by Norman Grubb
The Autobiography of George Muller by ibid
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Oswald Chambers
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Biblical Psychology by Oswald Chambers
Unspoken Sermons Volumes 1-3 by George MacDonald
As He Walked by Oswald Chambers
Getting to Know Jesus by George MacDonald
Beyond Personality by CS Lewis
Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee
The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee
Continuous Revival by Norman Grubb
The Calvary Road by Roy Hession
Christus Victor by Gustaf Aulen
Christ and the Powers by Hendrik Berkhof
Love Not the World by Watchman Nee
The Anatomy of Deception by Art Katz
The Spirit of Truth by Art Katz
Apostolic Foundations by Art Katz
The Holocaust: Where was God by Art Katz
The Life of David as Reflected in His Psalms by Alexander MacLaren
The Greatest Thing in the World by Henry Drummond
Changed Into His Likeness by Watchman Nee
The Latent Power of the Soul by Watchman Nee
Cross Vision by Gregory Boyd
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer
Christ the Sum of all Spiritual Things by Watchman Nee
What is the Bible by Rob Bell
Everything is Spiritual by Rob Bell
Evangelical Theology by Karl Barth
Church Dogmatics by Karl Barth
Union and Communion by Hudson Taylor
CT Studd: Cricketer and Pioneer by Norman Grubb
Knight of Faith (All volumes) by Norman Grubb
Wink of Faith by Paul Volkman
Tramp for The Lord by Corrie Ten Boom
The Practice of The Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
The Spontaneous You by Norman Grubb
Baffled to Fight Better by Oswald Chambers
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I will add some others when I remember them, but I believe a thorough read through this list and you will have a clear and profound understanding of Christianity.

My problem with Norman Grubb is when he talks about "Christ AS you". Boy, that language does not sit well with me at all!

-Daniel

Here is another list of top notch Christian books compiled by Frank Viola:

https://www.frankviola.org/top100/

-Daniel

Most of the watchmen nee books and c s Lewis books I read when I was about 14 I am lot older now I read oswald chambers aswell
I love come ye apart by j r miller

TrueWitness,

It is definitely an expression that, when misunderstood, and not coupled with a firm foundation in the union life of Christ in the believer, would seem like a deification of man (I actually rejected Grubb as a heretic for a long time, but that was decades ago, and since then I have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit). But the vessel and that which it contains is always separate, but the vessel is never anything more that what it contains. The difference is that we are called to merely receive Jesus as our indweller and allow Him to work in us everything we need, and we spontaneously work that out in everyday living. No work necessary, just living in faith that He has worked in us both to will and do. Complete freedom, joy, and the only way anyone can live holy and righteous.

I don't want this thread to go to far off topic, but I can understand the hesitancy in accepting the language, but it is necessary to express it that way. The new testament is clear on this point, and I think if we were to sit with John or Paul today, they would agree with it.

Where does Norman Grubb present a true Biblical Gospel.??
Beware and test all things. .

Markus

Markus,

Have you read any of his books? He presents a more full and scriptural gospel than most teachers I have ever heard.

It's also odd to me, of all the people on my list, Norman Grubb is the one that causes a stir...

I wanted to add:

Tramp for The Lord by Corrie Ten Boom
The Practice of The Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
The Spontaneous You by Norman Grubb
Baffled to Fight Better by Oswald Chambers

Leonard Ravenhill's Top 41 book Recommendations
Gregs post from 2005

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6701&forum=34

Narrowpath,

I've read practically that entire list. Brother Ravenhills preaching was God's instrument for my conversion, and I naturally (I use the word naturally on purpose) gravitated to reading those books.

Many of them were at first deeply stirring for me, especially Samuel Chadwick and Brengles works. But now in rereading some of them, I find they can lead men into a form of pietistic legalism that is harmful. This is in no way reflective on the author, but on the reader. Sadly today, most who read those works have no idea the theological background, or experiences with God those men had; and I thoroughly believe that without that foundation as the reader of those books, they will be law instead of grace (albeit ultimately they will drive you into the death that precedes resurrection).

Brother Ravenhill was deeply rooted in the teachings of second blessing holiness, as are most of the revival centric preachers. In fact, most of them believe revival is in fact God entirely sanctifying His people en masse.

I also have been and always will be a firm proponent of second blessing holiness/entire sanctification/union life or whatever you want to call it, but my emphasis now is "Christ in you" living His life through you, rather than a believer striving to live in freedom from sin (results may be the same depending on the foundation of the person, but I find the emphasis on Christ our life a more freeing and scriptural one).

Anyway, reading brother Ravenhills book list, at least the majority of it, is what I called reading dangerously in my original post. Trust me, I've read through it.

Anyway, just wanted to throw that out there.