Pastor's Recommended Resources

Why?

One of the things I, as a pastor of HC, pray for is knowledge for our people. But not knowledge for knowledge's sake, but knowledge that would lead us to Christ and gospel living. I think of Colossians 1:

9 For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects—bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.

I will sometimes get asked about good quality resources for Christians. We fill our lives with many things, and if we can fill our lives with knowledge of Christ and His Word, how much better off would we be in life and godliness? Some of this can happen through the Word itself and the teaching of the Word. Many of us have time to read or listen to an audiobook or podcast. Many of us are already listening to or reading other things. To be clear, I don't condemn wholesome secular content (Phil 4:8); we should be free to explore our God-given passions and interests! However, if you're looking to fill your life with a bit more of Christ and His Word, here are some resources I would recommend.

If you read/listen to something on this list and find it impactful or have a question, it would be my joy to discuss it with you. Send me a text!

Bibles:

Here are the Bibles we recommend in order:

• ESV (English Standard Version): This translation is embraced by our church as a standard for preaching and teaching, known for its "essentially literal" approach that prioritizes word-for-word accuracy while maintaining readability. Also, if you love

• NET (New English Translation): The NET Bible is highly valued for its easy readability and comprehension, accompanied by extensive and insightful translation notes that provide unparalleled transparency into the translation process. This is the translation Erika and I favor and use.

• CSB (Christian Standard Bible): This is an easy-to-read translation, often favored by Baptists, that employs an "optimal equivalence" philosophy to strike a balance between linguistic precision and clear, contemporary English.

• NIV (New International Version): The NIV is a widely popular translation known for its "dynamic equivalence" approach, aiming for clarity and ease of understanding by conveying the thought of the original text in modern English.

• NLT (New Living Translation): Although considered more of a paraphrase, the NLT is excellent for reading large sections of Scripture to grasp overarching themes and the main emphasis, due to its highly accessible and natural English.

• KJV (King James Version): A classic and historically significant translation, the KJV is renowned for its majestic literary style and has had a profound influence on the English language.

Books:

Here are some books I would recommend in no particular order. Disclaimer: Although I don't condone or agree with everything in these books or the authors, they have still had a profound impact on my life. I would encourage a "eat the meat, spit out the bones" philosophy as you read.

• Mere Christianity: C.S. Lewis presents a foundational case for Christian belief, distilled from his wartime radio broadcasts, explaining the common ground of the Christian faith.

• Another Gospel?: Alisa Childers shares her journey of grappling with and ultimately refuting the tenets of progressive Christianity, offering a defense of historic Christian doctrine.

• The Pilgrim's Progress (Fiction): John Bunyan's classic allegory vividly narrates the spiritual journey of Christian from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, encountering various trials and characters along the way.

• Hoping for Happiness: This book offers a biblical framework for living a grounded, hopeful, and genuinely happy life, encouraging Christians to find their ultimate satisfaction in God rather than fleeting earthly desires.

• Here I Stand: Roland Bainton's authoritative biography provides a comprehensive and unforgettable account of the life of Martin Luther, detailing his pivotal role in shattering the medieval church and igniting the Reformation.

• Respectable Sins: Jerry Bridges identifies and addresses "respectable sins"—those seemingly minor or overlooked sins that Christians often tolerate in their lives—calling readers to greater holiness and self-examination.

• Noah Primeval (Fiction): This is a speculative retelling of the biblical story of Noah, envisioning an ancient world where fallen angels rule and Noah must contend with supernatural evil to save humanity.

• Desiring God: John Piper famously argues for "Christian Hedonism," asserting that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, thus making the pursuit of joy in God a central act of worship.

• Foxe's Book of Martyrs: This historical work by John Foxe chronicles the sufferings and deaths of Christian martyrs, particularly focusing on Protestants persecuted under the Catholic Church in England and Scotland.

• Conviction to Lead: Albert Mohler outlines 25 principles for effective Christian leadership, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in deep theological conviction and a passion for truth.

• Reenchanting Humanity: Owen Strachan explores a Christian understanding of humanity, addressing contemporary anthropological questions like transgenderism and technology from a biblical perspective.

• Just Do Something: Kevin DeYoung offers a liberating approach to finding God's will, encouraging Christians to make decisions based on wisdom and biblical principles rather than waiting for a mystical sign.

• Found: God's Will: John MacArthur examines biblical principles that illuminate God's will for every believer, emphasizing a life lived in salvation, filled with the Spirit, sanctified, submissive, and willing to suffer for Christ.

• God and the Transgender Debate: Andrew T. Walker provides a compassionate and biblical perspective on gender identity, exploring what the Bible says about being male and female and how churches can lovingly engage with this topic.

• What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?: Kevin DeYoung examines key biblical passages related to homosexuality, comparing conservative biblical hermeneutics with contemporary revisionist interpretations, and concluding that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is immoral behavior and marriage should only be between one man and one woman.

• Bearing God's Image: Carmen Joy Imes explores the profound biblical teaching of humanity being created in God's image, unpacking its implications for identity, purpose, and the human vocation to rule on God's behalf in the world.

• Life Together: Dietrich Bonhoeffer reflects on the nature of Christian community, drawing from his experiences in an underground seminary, and offering insights into fellowship, worship, and service.

• The Cost of Discipleship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's seminal work explores the radical demands of following Jesus, contrasting "cheap grace" with "costly grace" and calling believers to a life of obedience and sacrifice.

Podcasts:

Here are some podcasts I would recommend in no particular order. Disclaimer: Although I don't condone or agree with everything in these podcasts, they have still had a profound impact on my life. I would encourage a "eat the meat, spit out the bones" philosophy as you listen.

• The Bible Project: This podcast offers in-depth conversations that explore biblical theology, aiming to make the Bible more accessible and understandable.

• Exploring my Strange Bible: Tim Mackie's personal podcast (from BibleProject) compiles his lectures, sermons, and classroom teachings that delve into the surprising and extraordinary story of the Bible and its invitation into the mission of Jesus.

• The Briefing (Albert Mohler): Albert Mohler provides a daily analysis of news and events from a consistent Christian worldview, offering a theological perspective on current affairs.

• Ask Pastor John (John Piper): John Piper answers tough theological and pastoral questions, offering biblical insights on Christian living, doctrine, and scripture.

• You're Not Crazy: This podcast encourages pastors and ministry leaders by discussing essential elements of pastoral ministry, aiming to equip them to build a gospel-centered culture in their churches and overcome ministry challenges.

• Grace and Truth: Owen Strachan's podcast equips listeners to engage with theology, culture, politics, and the arts from a distinctly biblical perspective, aiming to foster worldview formation and an unleashed church that demonstrates the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. Owen Strachan is a Mainer who graduated from Bowdoin College.

• The Re-Enchanting Podcast (Seen & Unseen): Hosted by Justin Brierley and Belle Tindall, this podcast explores how Christianity can re-enchant various aspects of culture, politics, the arts, sciences, and history, inviting listeners to discover a deeper story beyond modern materialism. As a warning, this podcast has some strong Anglican leanings, but it is so impactful that I had to include it on the list.

• Premier Unbelievable?: This podcast features conversations and debates between Christians and non-Christians on significant questions of faith, reason, science, and culture, aiming to foster understanding and help Christians confidently articulate their beliefs.