Resources
Redeemer is glad to recommend materials to assist you in spiritual growth. Whether you are one who is investigating the faith, or one who desires to be established in the faith, the sources noted on this page, and the following pages, will be beneficial. If we can aid you in your search, please don’t hesitate to contact us for information. Take up and read!
Institutes of the Christian Religion,2 vols., John Calvin
The Holiness of God,R. C. Sproul (video)
In The Holiness of God , R.C. Sproul demonstrates that encountering God’s holy presence is a terrifying experience. Dr. Sproul argues that this struggle is nonetheless necessary because it is the only way to cure our propensity to trust in ourselves and our own righteousness for salvation.
What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics,R. C. Sproul
There is something healthy about returning to one’s roots. When it comes to evangelical Christianity, its roots are found in the soil of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation. Just as the Reformers protested the corrupt teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, so today evangelicalism itself is in need of a modern reformation. In What Is Reformed Theology?, Dr. R.C. Sproul offers a comprehensive introduction to Reformed theology. Simply put, it is the theology of the Protestant Reformers and the heart of historical evangelicalism. As C.H. Spurgeon once said, Reformed theology is nothing other than biblical Christianity.
Chosen by God,R. C. Sproul (video)
Many people reject Reformed theology or Calvinism because they believe it teaches that God drags people kicking and screaming into the church against their will. This, however, is a gross distortion of the biblical doctrine of election, which is grounded in God’s love for His people. In this book or series, Dr. Sproul carefully explains the meaning of God’s sovereignty in the work of redemption and shows how it relates to the will of man.
Knowing God,J. I. Packer
Stemming from Packer’s profound theological knowledge, Knowing God brings together two important facets of the Christian faith— knowing about God and also knowing God through the context of a close relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. Written in an engaging and practical tone, this thought-provoking work seeks to transform and enrich the Christian understanding of God. Explaining both who God is and how we can relate to him, Packer divides his book into three sections: The first directs our attention to how and why we know God, the second to the attributes of God and the third to the benefits enjoyed by a those who know him intimately. This guide leads readers into a greater understanding of God while providing advice to gaining a closer relationship with him as a result.
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J. I. Packer
If God is in control of everything, can Christians sit back and not bother to evangelize? Or does active evangelism imply that God is not really sovereign at all? J. I. Packer shows how both of these attitudes are false. In a careful review of the biblical evidence, he shows how a right understanding of God’s sovereignty is not so much a barrier to evangelism as an incentive and powerful support for it. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God is truly a classic that should be read by every Christian.
The Sovereignty of God, A. W. Pink
This early book by Pink lays Scripture end to end to prove God’s control over all persons and events. It is uncompromising, and as such it raises the hackles on the necks of many new students of this doctrine.
A Journey in Grace: A Theological Novel, Richard P. Belcher
The story of a young pastor, who is satisfied with the typical theology of his day, until he is unexpectedly challenged through his first experience with a pulpit search committee by the question, “Young man! Are you a Calvinist?” This is the story of a young man’s quest for the truth. This is an excellent read and introduction to the doctrines of grace.
Basic Christianity, John R. W. Stott
In this book, John Stott embarks on a compelling course of study that first defends the fundamental claims of Christianity and then defines the proper outworkings of these basic beliefs in the daily lives of believers. Here is a sound, sensible guide for those who are seeking an intellectually satisfying presentation of the Christian faith.
Redemption Accomplished and Applied, John Murray
Murray systematically explains the two sides of redemption: its accomplishment by Christ and its application to the life of the redeemed. In Part I he considers the necessity, nature, perfection, and extent of the atonement. In Part II Murray offers careful expositions of the scriptural teaching about calling, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.
Theology of the Reformers, Timothy George
Theology of the Reformers articulates the theological self-understanding of five principal figures from the period of the Reformation: Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, Menno Simons, and William Tyndale. George establishes the context for their work by describing the spiritual climate of their time. Then he profiles each reformer, providing a picture of their theology that does justice to the scope of their involvement in the reforming effort.
The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, and Documented, David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas, and S. Lance Quinn
In this updated classic, David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas, and S. Lance Quinn give a brief exposition of each of the five points of Calvinism, and they list the biblical verses that teach each one. This book provides a helpful summary of the teachings of Reformed theology, making it a handy reference for studying the biblical teaching on man’s depravity and the sovereignty of God in salvation.
The Doctrines of Grace, James M. Boice and Philip Ryken
We live in an age of weak theology and casual Christianity. And this situation will continue as long as God’s people insist on substituting intuition for truth, feeling for belief, and immediate gratification for enduring hope. Yet if evangelicalism will again denounce this self-centered faith and place Christ and his cross at the center of its vision, the church will see great days once more. According to authors James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken, this will happen when believers specifically return to the gospel foundation with its doctrines of radical depravity, unconditional election, particular redemption, efficacious grace, and persevering grace.
Letters to a Young Calvinist, James K. A. Smith
Letters to a Young Calvinist provides pastoral and theological counsel, encouraging converts to and participants in this tradition to find in Calvin a vision that’s even bigger than the New Calvinism might suggest.
By His Grace and For His Glory, Tom Nettles
This book provides a historical, theological, and practical Study of the doctrines of grace in Baptist life. This was one of the first books that introduced me to the Doctrines of Grace as a Baptist.
An Unexpected Journey, Robert Godfrey
In an engaging format, Robert Godfrey reveals how he came to believe that Reformed Christianity is the fullness of biblical religion in its best form. Godfrey has written this personal story of how he came to Reformed Christianity to show the “value and vitality” of Calvinism in an individual’s life.
Putting Amazing Back into Grace, Michael Horton
What does it mean to be “saved by grace”? Many believers are confused and intimidated by the doctrine of salvation, and as a result are missing out on the freedom of God’s grace. Michael Horton reminds us of the Reformation’s radical view of God and his saving grace, the liberating yet humbling truth that we contribute nothing to our salvation. Putting Amazing Back into Grace clearly lays out the Scriptural basis for this important doctrine and the implications of this message for a vibrant evangelical faith. Horton’s accessible treatment of who does what in salvation will inspire a fresh amazement at God’s grace.
The Potter’s Freedom, James R. White
This book is written as a reply to Norman Geisler’s Chosen but Free, but is much more; it is a defense of the very principles upon which the Protestant Reformation was founded.
The Joy of Calvinism, Greg Forster
Real Calvinism is all about joy. But too often the defenders of Calvinism explain it only in highly technical, formulaic, and negative terms. As a result, most people today don’t understand what “Calvinism” really is. They’re robbed—in whole or in part—of the everyday experience of devotional joy that a robust and well-formed Calvinistic piety always produces. This book will show you how Calvinism can transform your everyday walk with God by unlocking the purpose of the Christian life, and how you can have the joy of God in spite of trials and suffering. It’s time we rediscovered the joy of Calvinism.
Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism (DVD)
Just what is “Calvinism?” Does this teaching make man a deterministic robot and God the author of sin? What about free will? If the church accepts Calvinism, won’t evangelism be stifled, perhaps even extinguished? How can we balance God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility? Why did the Roman Catholic Church condemn the Reformed teaching of predestination and election and embrace free will theology? And why do so many Protestants, perhaps unwittingly, agree with Rome on this issue?
T.U.L.I.P. seminar, John Piper (video)
John Piper’s ministry has been the lightning rod for many young pastors in learning about the doctrines of grace and how these truths are honey for the soul. In this seminar, John Piper lays out the biblical foundations for the classic “5 Points” of Calvinism. This is a helpful seminar for not only those who are just learning about these truths but for those who love these doctrines, this seminar provides a richer understanding. You will find this seminar at the desiringgod website.