Biblical Resources
Recommending reading compiled by Jay Younts
Faith of our Father: Expositions of Genesis 12-25
by Dale Ralph Davis
With typical wit and wisdom Dale Ralph Davis opens up chapters 12-25 of Genesis. These beautiful and insightful expositions guide you through some of the early chapters of the Bible and will deepen your understanding of this important area of Scripture which help shape our understanding. This is an ideal resource for pastors as well small groups and personal study.
by Timothy Keller
Within that parable Jesus reveals God's prodigal grace toward both the irreligious and the moralistic. This book will challenge both the devout and skeptics to see Christianity in a whole new way.
Michael J. Kruger
Writing in the form of a letter to his college-age daughter, Michael Kruger’s Surviving Religion 101 takes a topical approach to examining some of the toughest questions Christian students encounter at secular universities.
by Dale Ralph Davis
This exposition is rooted first in a thorough analysis of the Hebrew text, employing helpful insights from archaeology and linguistics, and second in the major theological and literary themes discovered in each section. Finally the author brings the fragments together in an expository treatment ‘that is not ashamed to stoop to the level of application.’
by Dale Ralph Davis
The Church has a problem with Judges, it is so earthy, puzzling, primitive and violent – so much so that the Church can barely stomach it. It falls under the category ‘embarrassing scripture’. Such an attitude is, of course, wrong so Ralph Davis here makes Judges digestible by analysing the major literary and theological themes discovered in each section, providing a ‘theocentric’ exposition.
by Dale Ralph Davis
Davis brings cultural and historical colour to the task of interpretation and adds a pastor’s heart for personal application. You will find a point of contact with the lives of Samuel, Saul, Jonathan and David as Davis answers the question ‘What does God seek when he looks on the heart?’ Davis presents simple exposition of the literary and theological character of the text in a bright and fascinating way.
by Dale Ralph Davis
Davis brings cultural and historical colour to the task of interpreting one of the most studied parts of the Bible. The lessons in 2 Samuel from the life of Israel, and David in particular, have obvious modern parallels. Davis writes with a pastor’s heart AND the incisive brain of a respected theologian specialising in the Old Testament texts.
by Dale Ralph Davis
1 Kings is a continuation of a narrative of the history of Israel which begins in 1 Samuel and continues through into 1 & 2 Kings. While we so often struggle with the events and issues of the book of 1st Kings, Ralph Davis helps us to see how it we can apply to the contemporary settings of the 21st century. As usual Ralph Davis uses pastoral application and laces it with his own sense of humour. He is noted for tackling scholarship head on.
by Dale Ralph Davis
2 Kings provides a fast–paced narrative of insight into the history of Israel under its monarchy. This book is a continuation of the narrative begun in 1 Samuel, and continued through 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. Ralph finishes it off with a captivating and rewarding journey through 2 Kings.
Written between 561 BC and 538 BC, 2nd Kings gives us a warning about the consequences of sin, especially the catastrophic repercussions of Israel’s love affair with idolatry.
by Dale Ralph Davis
In the opening pages of the Psalms, believers discover foundational truth for right living-and great delight-as children of God. Trusted theologian Dale Ralph Davis leads readers through a careful study of Psalms 1-12 with clear application for daily life.
The Psalmist begins with the most essential truth for mankind, Davis explains: "Nothing is so crucial as your belonging to the congregation of the righteous." And it is the Word of God that provides the direction for the believer's life. It is here, Davis points out, that "the righteous man gets his signals for living." The delight of the righteous is in the "law"-the teachings-of the Lord. Indeed, for those who belong to Him, meditating on God's Word is "the pursuit of pleasure"! The Psalms are a treasure trove for such a pursuit.
As the first 12 Psalms continue, we see basic principles unfold with great clarity. Much like our troubles today, the Psalmist endured wickedness all around, a world hostile to the true God-and on a very personal level-deceit and persecution from his enemies. Readers are pointed toward the glorious rule of the Messiah, to whom the whole world belongs. In light of this realization, we are prepared to face all kinds of troubles that cause despair. The righteous rely on God, and the Psalms teach us how. This book is ideal for use by small groups, as a teaching guide or for reference.
by Dale Ralph Davis
Dale Ralph Davis plunges right into the middle of King David's hard times with a study that is resonant for our lives. King David's faith brought him through the muddy parts of life. Will we find that depression is our final response to a hard path? Will faith carry us across?
Find the encouragement that Psalms 13-24 hold for the Scripture-filled life.
by Dale Ralph Davis
The Psalms can be very helpful, but they can also be hard. Following on from The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life and Slogging Along the Paths of Righteousness, Dale Ralph Davis delves into Psalms 25 to 37. Using his own recognisable humour and razor–sharp observations these expositions help us to engage with the conflict in these twelve psalms.
by Dale Ralph Davis
Esteemed biblical scholar Dale Ralph Davis examines the treasure to be found in Luke’s gospel. His humor and love for his Saviour shine through in this addition to the Focus on the Bible series. Taking a few verses at a time, the exegesis draws the reader into the fascination that Luke has for this man Jesus. Volume one covers chapters 1–13 of Luke, while volume two covers chapters 14–24.
by Dale Ralph Davis
This layman’s commentary on the gospel of Luke will encourage you to take a fresh look at what can feel like a very familiar book. Let Dale Ralph Davis to guide you through Luke’s investigation into the man Jesus, who has come to seek and to save the lost. Following on from volume one, this book picks up at the beginning of chapter 14 and includes a number of Jesus’ parables, as well as his crucifixion and resurrection.
by Geerhardus Vos (Author
To read these pages- the fruit of Vos's 39 years of teaching biblical theology at Princeton- is to appreciate the late John Murray's suggestion that Geerhardus Vos was the most incisive exegete in the English-speaking world of the twentieth century.
ESV Bibles
Over 1 Million Copies Sold
Winner of the ECPA Book of the Year Award
The ESV Study Bible was designed to help you understand the Bible in a deeper way.
Extensive study notes, charts, maps, and articles make this study Bible a valuable resource for serious readers, students, and teachers of God’s Word.
- 20,000+ study notes
by Bruce K. Waltke and Ivan D. V. De Silva
An abridged and revised version of Bruce Waltke’s magisterial two-volume NICOT commentary on the book of Proverbs.
Since 2004, Bruce Waltke’s magisterial two-volume NICOT commentary on the book of Proverbs has been recognized as a definitive exegesis of the Hebrew text, groundbreaking in its illuminating analysis that the authors and redactors of Proverbs had organized their material into discernible clusters and groupings. Waltke and Ivan De Silva here offer an abridged and revised version of the preeminent commentary, which is more accessible to students, pastors, and Bible readers in general. In place of a technical analysis of the Hebrew text, Waltke and De Silva interpret the translated text, while also including their own theological reflections and personal anecdotes where appropriate. A topical index is added to help expositors with a book that is difficult to preach or teach verse by verse.
At its heart, this shorter commentary on Proverbs preserves the exegetical depth, erudition, and poetic insight of Waltke’s original and maintains the core conviction that the ancient wisdom of Proverbs holds profound, ongoing relevance for Christian faith and life today.
by Bruce K. Waltke
Over twenty-five years in the making, this much-anticipated commentary promises to be the standard study of Proverbs for years to come. Written by eminent Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke, this two-volume commentary is unquestionably the most comprehensive work on Proverbs available.
Grounded in the new literary criticism that has so strengthened biblical interpretation of late, Waltke's commentary on Proverbs demonstrates the profound, ongoing relevance of this Old Testament book for Christian faith and life. A thorough introduction addresses such issues as text and versions, structure, authorship, and theology. The detailed commentary itself explains and elucidates Proverbs as "theological literature." Waltke's highly readable style -- evident even in his original translation of the Hebrew text -- makes his scholarly work accessible to teachers, pastors, Bible students, and general readers alike.
by Bruce K. Waltke
Over twenty-five years in the making, this much-anticipated commentary promises to be the standard study of Proverbs for years to come. Written by eminent Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke, this two-volume commentary is unquestionably the most comprehensive work on Proverbs available.
Grounded in the new literary criticism that has so strengthened biblical interpretation of late, Waltke's commentary on Proverbs demonstrates the profound, ongoing relevance of this Old Testament book for Christian faith and life. A thorough introduction addresses such issues as text and versions, structure, authorship, and theology. The detailed commentary itself explains and elucidates Proverbs as "theological literature." Waltke's highly readable style -- evident even in his original translation of the Hebrew text -- makes his scholarly work accessible to teachers, pastors, Bible students, and general readers alike.
by Paul David Tripp
Paul Tripp uncovers the heart issues that affect parents and their teenage children during the often-chaotic adolescent years. With wit, wisdom, humility, and compassion, he shows parents how to seize the countless opportunities to deepen communication and learn and grow with their teens.
by Tedd Tripp
Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child's heart into the paths of life. Shepherding a Child's Heart gives fresh biblical approaches to child rearing.
by Tedd Trip
The Parent's Handbook is not just a fill-in-the-blank study guide that rehearses the material in Shepherding a Child's Heart. In the ten years since publication, Tedd Tripp has had the opportunity to teach on parenting to thousands of young parents across the country and in many other parts of the world. That, coupled with ten years of insights into God's Word on the subject, has resulted in a broader and deeper understanding of the content and application of Shepherding a Child's Heart. Here are questions about the meaning and application of Scripture texts to the challenges of shepherding children.
There are sections of Bible study, application, strategic questions to help parents commit to change, and gospel encouragement that you can be a better parent because of the power of grace working in you. The Parent's Handbook is a valuable tool for personal or group study new trends in psychology and legal resources for your visitors. Informational articles can be a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field, and keep your visitors engaged.
The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America
by Daniel J. Boorstin
First published in 1962, this wonderfully provocative book introduced the notion of “pseudo-events”—events such as press conferences and presidential debates, which are manufactured solely in order to be reported—and the contemporary definition of celebrity as “a person who is known for his well-knownness.” Since then Daniel J. Boorstin’s prophetic vision of an America inundated by its own illusions has become an essential resource for any reader who wants to distinguish the manifold deceptions of our culture from its few enduring truths.
by Daniel J. Boorstin
First published in 1962, this wonderfully provocative book introduced the notion of “pseudo-events”—events such as press conferences and presidential debates, which are manufactured solely in order to be reported—and the contemporary definition of celebrity as “a person who is known for his well-knownness.” Since then Daniel J. Boorstin’s prophetic vision of an America inundated by its own illusions has become an essential resource for any reader who wants to distinguish the manifold deceptions of our culture from its few enduring truths.
The Americans: The National Experience
by Daniel J. Boorstin
This second volume in "The Americans" trilogy deals with the crucial period of American history from the Revolution to the Civil War. Here we meet the people who shaped, and were shaped by, the American experience—the versatile New Englanders, the Transients and the Boosters. Winner of the Francis Parkman Prize.
by Daniel J. Boorstin
This second volume in "The Americans" trilogy deals with the crucial period of American history from the Revolution to the Civil War. Here we meet the people who shaped, and were shaped by, the American experience—the versatile New Englanders, the Transients and the Boosters. Winner of the Francis Parkman Prize.
by Mark D. Futato
God's people love the Psalms - pray them, sing them, meditate on them. This book will help you understand them more deeply and love them more. Out of the depths of his own suffering and from his extensive study, Mark Futato has found in the Psalms a compelling portrait of Christ himself. The Psalms take us from lament to praise through a life-transforming encounter with their divine Author.
by Timothy Keller
Timothy Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics, and even ardent believers, have about religion. Using literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and potent reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one. To true believers he offers a solid platform on which to stand their ground against the backlash to religion created by the Age of Skepticism. And to skeptics, atheists, and agnostics, he provides a challenging argument for pursuing the reason for God.
Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End
by David Gibson
What if it is death that teaches us how to truly live?
Keeping the end in mind shapes how we live our lives in the here and now. Living life backward means taking the one thing in our future that is certain―death―and letting that inform our journey before we get there.
Looking to the book of Ecclesiastes for wisdom, Living Life Backward was written to shake up our expectations and priorities for what it means to live “the good life.” Considering the reality of death helps us pay attention to our limitations as human beings and receive life as a wondrous gift from God―freeing us to live wisely, generously, and faithfully for God’s glory and the good of his world.
Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy
by Paul David Tripp
What do you do when you've really blown it? Is sin really as dangerous and is grace really as powerful as the Bible says they are? Is there such a thing as a new beginning?
Sin and grace-these are the two themes of our lives. We all blow it and we all need to start over again. In Psalm 51, David tells his story of moral failure, personal awareness, grief, confession, repentance, commitment, and hope. And because David's story is every believer's story, Psalm 51 is every believer's psalm. It tells how we, as broken sinners, can be brutally honest with God and yet stand before him without fear.
Whiter Than Snow unpacks this powerful little psalm in fifty-two meditations, reminding readers that by God's grace there is mercy for every wrong and grace for every new beginning. Designed for busy believers, these brief and engaging meditations are made practical by the reflection questions that conclude each chapter.
Saving Abnormal: The Disorder of Psychiatric Genetics
by Dr. Daniel R. Berger II
In Saving Abnormal, Dr. Daniel Berger II presents an eye-opening account of both the historic origins and development of the current bio-psycho-social/neo-Kraepelinian model of mental illness, as well as how and why creating and asserting concepts of abnormality/degeneracy upon society is vital to sustain psychiatry’s existence.
This book explores the key figures, important historic events, and clear scientific evidence so that the reader can gain understanding about the bio-psycho-social approach to the human soul/psyche, why it continues to fail, and why it must be discarded. More importantly, the book offers an alternative perspective that has historically shown to lead people into genuine hope and deliverance from their mental, emotional, and behavioral struggles. From its genesis in race psychology, through its ushering in the Holocaust, and to its current destructive results, the genetic theory of mental illness continues to be a history of stigmatizing people in need of help and of harming individuals and entire societies.
The currently held construct of mental illness is simply not an approach to human nature and human phenomena that saves lives or rightly explains the human condition. Instead, it is a phenomenology that judges some people to be categorically “unhealthy”/abnormal, blames it on their biology, and positions them mentally to be hopeless products of mother nature’s selection.
In addition to the history of the medical model, Dr. Berger also discusses in detail the foundational tenets of faith that undergird the currently popular genetic/eugenic theory of mental illness that are embraced by all who promote this paradigm. What should become apparent when the facts are discerned is that psychiatric genetics is primarily a worldview, not an empirical field. Saving Abnormal presents a wealth of evidence to consider and calls for a paradigm shift in the way the human soul/psyche is framed and approached.
by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield
Rosaria, by the standards of many, was living a very good life. She had a tenured position at a large university in a field for which she cared deeply. She owned two homes with her partner, in which they provided hospitality to students and activists that were looking to make a difference in the world. There, her partner rehabilitated abandoned and abused dogs. In the community, Rosaria was involved in volunteer work. At the university, she was a respected advisor of students and her department's curriculum.
Then, in her late 30s, Rosaria encountered something that turned her world upside down-the idea that Christianity, a religion that she had regarded as problematic and sometimes downright damaging, might be right about who God was, an idea that flew in the face of the people and causes that she most loved. What follows is a story of what she describes as a "train wreck" at the hand of the supernatural. These are her secret thoughts about those events, written as only a reflective English professor could.
A History of Western Philosophy and Theology
by John M. Frame
2017 ECPA Christian Book Award winner!
Christians should evaluate philosophy by biblical criteria. This will shed greater light on the developments in the history of philosophy and better prepare us for the intellectual challenges of our time. The fall of Adam brought intellectual as well as moral corruption on the human race, and the effects of the fall can be seen in the work of philosophers, most of whom try to understand the world autonomouslythrough reasoning apart from God's revelation. Some philosophers have appealed to God's revelation, but their work has often been compromised with the wisdom of the world. Revelation should inform reason, and not the other way round. In the past, even Christian theology was corrupted by the movement toward intellectual autonomy, creating the tradition of liberalism, which has unhappily dominated academic theology down to the present day. But there is hopea new generation of Christian thinkers take God's Word seriously. Frame's unique new contribution augments that process.
by John M. Frame
Renowned theologian John Frame sheds much-needed light on the message and method of genuinely Christian apologetics in this landmark title. He insightfully examines apologetics in terms of proof, defense, and offense and clarifies the relationships of reason, proofs, and evidences to faith, biblical authority, and the lordship of Christ.
Two subjects of particular note are Frames fresh look at probability arguments and a stimulating investigation into the problem of evil.
Some of the most valuable elements of this book are Frames extensive use of Scripture and his presentation of specific lines of argument. There is also a model dialogue in the concluding chapter that shows how these lines of argument work in conversation.
This is an extensively redeveloped and expanded version of Frames previous work, Apologetics to the Glory of God.
by C. Gregg Singer
"History does not proceed without the ideas of men behind it -- past, present, and future. Because of this, Gregg Singer's book is a must read for pastors' and people to understand the ideas behind our American history. It is surprising to see how much Calvinism and Calvinistic leaders helped guide our country's founding and achieved stability and freedom, especially for religion. The book is also a challenge to teach sound doctrine in the church to raise up faithful and thinking people to influence the ideas behind our future." --Pastor Fred Malone
by Mark D. Futato
Life is a journey, full of smooth sailing and rocky roads. The Psalms are there for us as we experience life. They can clarify our thinking or release emotions from the deep well of the soul. Joy Comes in the Morning helps readers understand how to utilize the Psalms throughout lifes journey and introduces readers to the concept of genre.
Joy Comes in the Morning is a unique combination of head and heart. It introduces readers to the importance of genre as an interpretive tool and demonstrates this for the three major genres in the Psalms. Interwoven with the authors personal testimony, Joy Comes in the Morning also traces the authors journey and shows how no matter lifes circumstances, joy comes in the morning.
by Alvin Toffler
Future Shock is about what is happening today to people and groups who are overwhelmed by change. Change affects our products, communities, organizations—even our patterns of friendship and love.
Future Shock vividly describes the emerging global civilization: tomorrow’s family life, the rise of new businesses, subcultures, life-styles, and human relationships—all of them temporary, and illuminates the world of tomorrow by exploding countless clichés about today.
Future Shock will intrigue, provoke, frighten, encourage, and, above all, change everyone who reads it.