These are some of the best (mostly) non-technical theological books in my library. If you are looking to understand more about Christianity, I would recommend you start here. I have placed an asterisk next to the books I feel are particularly important. These are some of the best books that I have read on their respective subjects.
Athanasius, On the Incarnation (St.
Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2011).*
Augustine, Confessions (Oxford, 1998).*
Barth, Karl, Dogmatics in Outline
(SCM Press, 1949).*
Barth, Karl, Evangelical Theology: An Introduction (Eerdmans, 1979).
Barth, Karl, The Epistle to the
Romans (Oxford, 1933).*
Beeke, Joel (ed.), Living for God’s
Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism (Ligonier, 2008).
Beeke, Joel and Paul Smalley, Reformed Systematic Theology (Crossway, 2019–), 4 vols.*
Beeke, Joel, and Mark Jones, A Puritan
Theology: Doctrine for Life (Reformation Heritage Books, 2012).
Berkhof, Louis, A Summary of Christian Doctrine (Eerdmans, 1938).
Boettner, Loraine, The Reformed
Doctrine of Predestination (Presbyterian and Reformed, 1932).
Bunyan, John, The Pilgrim’s
Progress (Oxford, 1966).*
Calvin, John, Institutes of the
Christian Religion (Banner of Truth, 2014).*
Chantry, Walter, Signs of the Apostles: Observations on Pentecostalism Old and New (Banner of Truth, 1973).
Clark, Gordon, H., Thales to Dewey
(Trinity, 1957).*
Craig, William Lane, Reasonable
Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (Crossway, 2008).
Daniel, Curt, The History and
Theology of Calvinism (Evangelical Press, 2019).
DeYoung, Kevin, The Hole in Our
Holiness: Filling the Gap Between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness
(Crossway, 2012).
Dixhoorn, Chad Van, Confessing the Faith: A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Banner of Truth, 2014).*
Edwards, Jonathan, The Distinguishing Marks (1741).*
Edwards, Jonathan, The End For Which God Created the World (1765).
Edwards, Jonathan, The Religious Affections (1746).
Edwards, Jonathan, Faithful Narrative (1737).*
Edwards, Jonathan, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741).
Edwards, Jonathan, Some Thoughts Concerning the Revival (1743).
Evans, Stephen C., A History of
Western Philosophy: From the Pre-Socratics to Postmodernism (IVP, 2018).
Ferguson, Sinclair B., The
Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction (Banner of Truth, 2013).*
Ferguson, Sinclair, John Owen on
the Christian Life (Banner of Truth, 1987).
Ferguson, Sinclair, The Whole Christ:
Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance – Why the Marrow Controversy
Still Matters (Crossway, 2016).*
Frame, John M., A History of
Western Philosophy and Theology (Presbyterian and Reformed, 2015).
Frame, John M., Apologetics: A
Justification of Christian Belief (Presbyterian and Reformed, 2015).
Frame, John M., Salvation Belongs
to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology (Presbyterian and
Reformed, 2012).
Gaffin, Richard B., Perspectives on
Pentecost: New Testament Teaching on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Presbyterian
and Reformed, 1979).
Gibson, David, and Jonathan Gibson, From
Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological,
and Pastoral Perspective (Crossway, 2013).
Grier, W. J., The Momentous Event:
A Discussion of Scripture Teaching on the Second Advent (Banner of Truth, 1970).*
Jeffery, Steve, Mike Ovey, Andrew
Sach, Pierced for Our Transgressions: Rediscovering the Glory of Penal
Substitution (IVP, 2007).
Jones, David Ceri, The Fire Divine:
An Introduction to the Evangelical Revival (IVP, 2015).
Karkkainen, Veli-Matti, Christian Theology in the Pluralistic World: A Global Introduction (Eerdmans, 2019).
Keller, Timothy, Counterfeit Gods:
When the Empty Promises of Love, Money, and Power Let You Down (Hodder, 2009).
Keller, Timothy, Every Good
Endeavour: Connecting Your Work to God’s Plan for the World (Hodder, 2012).
Keller, Timothy, Generous Justice:
How God’s Grace Makes Us Just (Hodder, 2010).*
Keller, Timothy, Making Sense of
God: An Invitation to the Sceptical (Hodder, 2016).
Keller, Timothy, Prayer:
Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God (Hodder, 2014).
Keller, Timothy, Preaching:
Communicating Faith in an Age of Scepticism (Hodder, 2015).
Keller, Timothy, The Meaning of
Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Marriage with the Wisdom of God (Hodder,
2011).
Keller, Timothy, The Prodigal
Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God’s Mercy (Hodder, 2018).
Keller, Timothy, The Reason for
God: Belief in An Age of Scepticism (Hodder, 2017).*
Keller, Timothy, Walking with God
through Pain and Suffering (Hodder, 2013).*
Kuyper, Abraham, Lectures on
Calvinism (Hendrickson, 2008).*
Kuyper, Abraham, Particular Grace:
A Defence of God’s Sovereignty in Salvation (Reformed Free Publishing
Association, 2001).
Letham, Robert, Systematic Theology
(Crossway, 2019).*
Letham, Robert, The Holy Trinity:
In Scripture, History, Theology, and Worship (Presbyterian and Reformed,
2004).
Lewis, C. S., The C.S. Lewis
Signature Classics (Harper One, 2017) – includes Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, Miracles, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, A Grief Observed, The Abolition of Man, and The Four Loves.*
Lewis, C. S., The Chronicles of Narnia (Harper Collins, 1998). Complete stories in one volume.
Lloyd-Jones, D. M., Great Doctrines
of the Bible (Crossway, 2003), 3 vols.*
Lloyd-Jones, D. M., Preaching and
Preachers (Hodder, 1971).
Lloyd-Jones, D. M., Spiritual
Depression (Harper Collins, 1998).
Lloyd-Jones, D. M., Studies in the
Sermon on the Mount (IVP, 1976).
Lloyd-Jones, D. M., The Assurance
of Salvation (Crossway, 2000).
Machen, J. Gresham, Christianity and
Liberalism (Eerdmans, 1923).*
Macleod, Donald, A Faith to Live
By: Understanding Christian Doctrine (Christian Focus, 2010).*
MacLeod, Donald, Christ Crucified: Understanding the Atonement (IVP, 2014).
McGrath Alister, Historical Theology:
An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought (Wiley Blackwell,
1998).
McGrath, Alister, Christian Theology:
An Introduction (Wiley Blackwell, 2017).*
Milton, John, Paradise Lost (Oxford,
2004).*
Moltmann, Jurgen, The Crucified God
(SCM Press, 1974).*
Moltmann, Jurgen, Theology of Hope
(SCM Press, 1967).
Morris, Leon, The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance (IVP, 1984).
Murray, Iain, The Puritan Hope:
Revival and the Interpretation of Prophecy (Banner of Truth, 1971).*
Murray, John J., Behind a Frowning
Providence (Banner of Truth, 1990).
Murray, John J., Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Eerdmans, 2015).*
Needham, Nick, 2000 Years of Christ’s
Power (Christian Focus Publications, 1998–2023), 5 vols.
Noll, Mark A., The Scandal of the
Evangelical Mind (Eerdmans, 1994).
Noll, Mark A., Turning Points:
Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (Baker Academic, 1997).
Olyott, Stuart, What The Bible Teaches About The Person of Christ (Evangelical Press, 2016).*
Olyott, Stuart, What The Bible Teaches About The Trinity (Evangelical Press, 2011).*
Packer, J. I., Knowing God (Hodder,
1973).*
Page, Nick, A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation (Hodder & Stoughton, 2017).
Page, Nick, A Nearly Infallible History of Christianity (Hodder & Stoughton, 2014).
Pink, A. W., The Sovereignty of God
(Baker Books, 1984).*
Piper, John, Desiring God:
Meditations of a Christian Hedonist (The Crown Publishing Group, 2011).
Piper, John, Providence
(Crossway, 2020).*
Plantinga, Alvin, Christian Knowledge
and Belief (Eerdmans, 2015).
Reeves, Michael, Introducing Major
Theologians: From the Apostolic Fathers to the Twentieth Century (IVP,
2015).*
Reeves, Michael, The Unquenchable
Flame: Introducing the Reformation (IVP, 2009).*
Robertson, O. Palmer, The Final Word:
A Biblical Response to the Case for Tongues and Prophecy Today (Banner of
Truth, 1993).
Ryle, J. C., Holiness: Its Nature,
Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots (Banner of Truth, 2015).*
Shaw, Robert, The Reformed Faith: An Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith (Christian Focus, 1973).*
Shelley, Bruce, Church History in Plain Language, 5th ed. (Zondervan Academic, 2021).*
Sproul, R. C., Chosen By God (Tyndale,
1994).
Sproul, R. C., The Holiness of God
(Tyndale, 1985).
Sproul, R. C., Truths We Confess: A
Systematic Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith (Ligonier,
2019).*
Stott, John, The Cross of Christ
(IVP, 1986).*
Thiselton, Anthony C., Systematic
Theology (SPCK, 2015).
Thomas, Geoffrey, The Holy Spirit
(Reformation Heritage Books, 2011).*
Tozer, A. W., The Pursuit of God
(Bethany House Publishers, 2013).
Trueman, Carl R., The Creedal Imperative (Crossway, 2012).
Van Til, Cornelius, Christian
Apologetics (Presbyterian & Reformed, 2003).*
Van Til, Cornelius, The Defence of
the Faith (Presbyterian & Reformed, 2008).
Vos, Johannes G., The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary (Presbyterian & Reformed, 2002).
Watson, Thomas, A Body of Divinity
(Banner of Truth, 1964).*
Whyte, Alexander, An Exposition on the Shorter Catechism (Christian Focus, 2004).*
Wright, N. T., The Resurrection of
the Son of God (SPCK, 2003).*
Wright, Tom, Surprised by Hope:
Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (SPCK,
2007).*