The Minimal

Reading Lists
 The Minimal
Reading Lists:
Not the six best classics,
nor the 10 most thoughtful books on
theology,
but
two short lists of star books
across the theological domains.
The Minimal Reading
Lists
 * Especially worth careful study
 AR Book reviewed on Amazon
Most Reading List titles have
customer reviews on Amazon,

a good place to get an idea of

the book’s worth.
The Minimal Reading List

 Class Cat
Refers to the catalogue number in
‘A Progressive Classification’
of theological topics
used in the syllabus and library of
Gujranwala Theological Seminary,
Pakistan (2008 ed.)
e.g. 210: Theology of God
The Minimal Reading
Lists:
1.
A Revolutionary
Reading List
Ten Paradigm Shifting Books
A Revolutionary Reading
List
THIS LIST

contains titles of books

that could change your thinking on
ten issues relating to
Christian living and faith.
A Revolutionary Reading
List

Area
Biblical Theology
The Jesus I Never Knew: AR
Philip Yancey, Zondervan, 1995, 288pp
Class Cat 164.1

This fresh look at the Saviour of the world

portrayed in the Gospels
enables the reader to meet a radical Jesus
who will transform their life
and stretch their faith
Marriage: Sex in the Service of God:
AR

C. Ash, IVP, 2003, 394pp

Class Cat 261
This Biblically revolutionary & counter-cultural
book on
what the Bible teaches about Marriage
will enable the reader to see marriage as
God’s initiative for the blessing of all generations
through a calling to the service of God
beyond the confines of the marriage relationship.
The reader will also gain a thorough grounding in
a biblical theology of sexuality.
A Revolutionary Reading
List

Area
Systematic Theology
Created For Worship: AR
Noel Due, Mentor,, 2005, 311pp
Class Cat 830

This book, showing worship to be for all of life,

not just on Sundays,
will enable the reader to see
The centrality of worship for human existence
and
to trace the theology of worship in the Bible
and
appreciate the essential eternal issues
surrounding our worship of God.
A Revolutionary Reading
List

Area
Contemporary Issues
 Someone I Love Is Gay: AR
A. Worthen / R. Davis, IVP, 1996, 215pp
Class Cat 413.2

This book’s pastoral insight into a modern dilemma

enables the reader,
when confronted by a relative
who has embraced a homosexual identity,
to understand the emotions as well as the truth
about homosexuality
without being judgmental.
 Christian Zionism AR
S. Sizer, IVP, 2006, 298pp
Class Cat 419

This biblical critique of a historical movement

that has had devastating consequences
for world politics today
will enable the reader to understand
the historical, theological, institutional and political
backgrounds of this movement
and so also the ongoing Near East conflict.
Unveiling Islam: AR
E.M./ E.F. Caner, Kregal, 2002, 256pp
Class Cat 450
This insider’s sympathetic but uncompromising look
at Muslim practices, ethics, beliefs and mindset
by two esteemed and learned Cairo professors
will enable the reader to understand
the primary differences
between Christianity and Islam.
This portrayal of Islam by two learned Muslims
who have been there and trodden the both paths
will correct any misconception that
“all religions are basically the same”.
A Revolutionary Reading
List

Area
Church History
China’s Christian Millions: AR
Tony Lambert, Mon., 2006, 288pp
Class Cat 631

This first hand report of

faith and persecution in China
is an eye-opening account of
the present-day church there,
which enables the reader to become aware of
the life and witness of
both the Three-Self churches
and the house churches in that land.
A Revolutionary Reading
List

Area
Practical Theology
 Boundaries: AR
H.Cloud/J.Townsend, Zondervan,1992,
304pp
Class Cat 719.1
This defining study of
personal responsibilities and boundaries
enables you to
identify different kinds of reasonable boundaries
in all kinds of interactions:
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
You will understand biblical guidance
for healthy boundary development and enforcement
in every human relationship.
A Revolutionary Reading
List

Area
Pastoral Theology
Genius, Grief & Grace: AR
G. Davies, Chr Focus, 2001, 383pp
Class Cat 719.8

These immensely encouraging case histories of

Christian leaders
by an experienced psychiatrist
from a biblical perspective,
enables the reader
to gain biblical insights into the lives of
various Christian leaders
who experienced God’s grace
in both suffering and success.
Relational Leadership *: AR
W.C. Wright, Paternoster, 2000, 216pp
Class Cat 840

This biblical corrective to many modern concepts of

leadership
will teach you that leadership is
as much about the welfare of those being led
as it is about the vision and goals
the leader would like to achieve.
It will enable the Christian leader to
empower others to contribute to
achieving these goals.
The Minimal Reading
Lists:
2.
A Classic
Reading List
Six Modern Theological
Classics
A Classical Reading List

THIS LIST

contains titles of modern classics

that will sharpen your thinking
in
six key areas of theological study.
A Classical Reading List

Area
Biblical Theology
Expository Preaching: AR
H.W. Robinson, IVP, 1997, 230pp
Class Cat 522

This defining classic on preaching from Scripture

enables you to understand
ten stages in the process of developing a sermon
that expounds a Scripture text.
It will equip you for
both the preparation
and the delivery of
an expository sermon.
A Classical Reading List

Area
Systematic Theology
Knowing God: AR
J.I. Packer, H & S, 1984, 314pp
Class Cat 210

This profound study of how we can know God

will enable you to understand
who God is,
what He is like,
what He has done for us,
and what he expects of us in return.
It can enable you to know God for yourself.
 The Cross of Christ *: AR
J. Stott, IVP, 1989, 340pp
Class Cat 270

This defining classic on Redemption ,

the work of a lifetime,
from one of the world’s most influential thinkers,
will enable the reader to understand
why and how the finished work of Christ on the cross
is central to the Christian faith,
and what it means to live
under the shadow of that cross.
A Classical Reading List

Area
Apologetics
Mere Christianity: AR
C..S. Lewis, Fontana, 1979
Class Cat 367

This challenging defence of the Christian faith

enables the reader to understand
the rational foundations of Christianity
and to remove popular misconceptions
about Christianity.
A Classical Reading List

Area
Practical Theology
 Christian Giving:
V.S. Azariah, Lutterworth, 1954, 96pp
Class Cat 718.8

This biblically informed classic from an Asian

perspective will enable the reader
to understand Christian generosity
as a responsibility of the entire body
rather than an individual concern.
He or she will see how
failure to teach the Christian faith as culminating in
the gift of God in Christ
often results in using unbiblical incentives for giving.
A Classical Reading List

Area
Pastoral Theology
The Effective Pastor *:
P. White, Christian Focus, 1998, 260pp
Class Cat 804

This wise exposition of the Pastor’s calling

will enhance your understanding
of
the effective pastor’s character.
The End