Michael and Tim have given you their ultimate Top Ten list, so now it’s my turn.
1) Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist (Multnomah Press), by John Piper.
On a number of occasions I have commented on how powerfully this book has affected my life and thinking. The concept of Christian Hedonism can be reduced to three principles: First, the chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. Second, the God of the Bible takes greater delight in meeting needs than in making demands. Third, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. No Christian should be permitted to depart this life without having read Piper. Newsflash! The 25th anniversary edition of Desiring God has just been released in hardback. Get it!
2) The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God’s Delight in Being God (Multnomah Press), by John Piper. In this sequel to Desiring God, John sets forth another revolutionary thesis: “The chief end of God is to glorify God and enjoy Himself forever.” If you are interested in what ultimately pleases God, Piper will give you the answer.
3) Religious Affections, by Jonathan Edwards. The reason I didn’t list a particular publisher is that the Affections has been released in countless editions by a multitude of publishers over the past 300 years. The best (and most expensive) edition is undoubtedly the one from Yale University Press. If Edwards’ prose (and the price of the book) is a bit too much for you, you may want to start out by reading my book, Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections, published by Crossway in 2007.
4) Institutes of the Christian Religion (Westminster Press, 2 vols.), by John Calvin. Calvin’s writings were probably more influential in giving broad shape to my theology than anyone else. The Institutes are both profound and practical, both substantive and spiritual. Don’t be put off by what others may have told you about Calvin. These volumes are more than meat . . . they are filet mignon!
5) Most everything written by J. I. Packer, in particular Knowing God (IVP). Packer has often confessed he is still surprised that this book became as popular as it did. It isn’t flashy or flamboyant, but it is most assuredly worth your time and effort.
6) The Presence and the Power: The Significance of the Holy Spirit in the Life and Ministry of Jesus, by Gerald Hawthorne (who passed away in 2010) (initially published by Word, but recently re-released by another publisher; check it out on Amazon.com). I rank this book highly because of the way God used it to awaken me to the reality of how Jesus lived the life he lived and the implications for how I am to live the life I live, namely, in the power of the Spirit. My doctrine of the person and work of Christ was forever changed by what Hawthorne showed me in Scripture. This isn’t easy reading, but it will pay rich dividends for the work you put into it.
7) The Presence of the Future (Zondervan), by George Ladd. This book had the greatest influence on my views of the kingdom of God and the broader issues of eschatology. It is a devastating and irrefutable critique of classical dispensationalism.
8 ) Surprised by the Power of the Spirit (Zondervan), by Jack Deere. Jack’s book is the most thorough refutation of cessationism ever written. Regardless of where you come down on the issue of the nature and validity of spiritual gifts today, you should own and read (often) Jack’s treatment.
9) Chasing the Dragon, by Jackie Pullinger. The fact that this book appears toward the end of my list is no reflection on its value. I am tempted to place it number one, simply for the impact it continues to have on my understanding of what it means to take up your cross and follow Christ. If you have not yet read the life-story of Jackie Pullinger and her experiences in Hong Kong’s Walled City, don’t wait a day longer. It will change you forever.
10) Confessions, by Augustine. This classic by the late fourth, early fifth-century philosopher, theologian, and churchman is a testimony to the marvels of sovereign, saving grace. Most people talk about the so-called “classics” of the Christian faith, but very few read them. Take my word for it and read this one.
11 replies to "Top Ten Books (Sam Storms)"
Great list
Your first book, “Desiring God”, deserves continued professional and orthodox scrutiny and anyone giving allegiance to many of the propositions in the book ought to consider the serious critiques available within orthodox Evangelical circles that reject even its basic tenets. To read statements by Piper such as…:
“Unless a man be born again into a Christian Hedonist he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (a grossly amiss restating of the verse)
“We are transported (perhaps only for seconds) above the reasoning work of the mind and we experience feeling without reference to logical or practical implications. ” (WHAT????)
…do not even pass a novice handling of Scripture. While the book may contain parts that motivate (and no doubt every word does not suffer as the above), nevertheless it contains some very concerning departures from orthodoxy.
Here is an worthwhile critique: http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2010/12/reasonable-christian.html
Excellent choices Dr. Storms—thank you. I think that Jonathan Edward’s would be very pleased with choice No. 1. I am encouraged in this assesment by one particular Reformed Anglican that comes to mind by the name of J.I. Packer, who expressed his view of Delighted in God like this—-“Jonathan Edward’s, whose ghost walks through most of Piper’s pages, would be delighted with his disciple.” Edward’s and Packer—–orthodox enough for me.
J.I. Packer says something that appears approving and that’s all one needs to suspend investigation, scrutiny and vetting? Wow.
P.S. For you Calvinists who have never actually read Calvin’s “Institutes” try it some time. You will be surprised at the scarcity of exegesis and how such this lacking opens the gate for Calvin’s willing departure from context and his employment of prooftexting in his rationalistic method.
The greatest “must read” on the list I believe is #10, “Confessions”. All Christian bible students, no matter your theological orientation, should become familiar with Augustine in light of his influence.
Sam is a man after my own heart. Great list!
I wonder if Sam is a Calvinist 🙂
Great list. Almost as objective as mine.
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Ladd!!! So good. Love it. Good list for me too. Oh, and Deere too. Nice.
Delighted to see the institutes on the list, I had never read them before but was privileged to have taken a study of book three with Rev Dr Iain D Campbell and never enjoyed studying a book more apart from the word of God itself. A truly great read if time is given to it.
God bless
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