Essential Theology Reading List For Youth Workers

Ok – so this is not a specific youth worker reading list -sorry! It is, however, a broad but relatively deep theology list on issues that all ministers and pastors should have a grip on. Youth workers – this is you too!

A friend has just finished a short correspondence course on theology that was quite specific in it’s approach. He asked me to put a basic list together of broad evangelical scholarship and laity books that would be useful to spend a year reading to widen his approach. This is that list!

If you have done an undergrad seminary course, many of these really should be familiar to you anyway.

A * next to a title means, ‘if I could only read one book a month I would read these’.

There are many, many other great books, websites and journals that I’d love to add, and I’m not necessarily endorsing all of the theology or ideas contained in this list. This is enough, however, to help you think though issues conversationally and realistically in a year… or so.

If anyone is interested, I might add an ‘essential commentary list’ too at some point.

Enjoy!

Systematics

*Know The Truth – Bruce Milne
Systematic Theology – Wayne Grudem
Books 1&2 of Calvin’s Institutes
Christian Living
*Desiring God – John Piper
Knowing God – Jim Packer
The Religious Affections – Jonathan Edwards
Love Does – Bob Goff
Velvet Elvis – Rob Bell

Specific Issues

*The Cross Of Christ – John Stott
Engaging With God – David Peterson
The Difficult Doctrine Of The Love Of God – Don Carson
Doctrine Of The Knowledge Of God – John Frame
On The Incarnation – Athanaisius
The Holy Trinity – Robert Letham
The Atonement – Leon Morris
The Bondage Of The Will – Martin Luther
Historical Theology – Alister McGrath
The Doctrine Of God – Gerald Bray
*The Passion Of Jesus Christ – John Piper

Bible & Exegesis

Listening To The Spirit In The Text – Gordon Fee
God’s Empowering Presence – Gordon Fee
*How To Read The Bible For All It’s Worth – Gordon Fee
To What End Exegesis – Gordon Fee
*Exegetical Fallacies – Don Carson
*Gospel & Kingdom – Graham Goldsworthy
The Prophetic Imagination – Walter Brueggemann
Reading The Bible With Heart And Mind – Tremper Longman II
Introduction To The New Testament – Carson, Moo & Morris
From Paradise To The Promised Land – T.D. Alexander
Perspectives On The Word Of God – John Frame
*Dig Deeper – Andrew Sach & Nigel Baynon
Grasping God’s Word – Duvall Hays
The New Testament Background – C.K. Barrett
An Introduction To The Old Testament – Dillard, Brown, Longman II

Discipleship & Spirituality

The Cost Of Discipleship – Dietrich Bonhoffer
*The Divine Conspiracy – Dallas Willard
The God Who Is There – Francis Schaeffer
Confessions – Augustine
Holiness – J.C. Ryle
The Wounded Healer – Henri Nouman
The Imitation Of Christ – Thomas A Kempis

Ministry

*The Gagging Of God – Don Carson
*Apologetics To The Glory Of God – John Frame
Convergence – Sam Storms
The Reformed Pastor – Richard Baxter
*The Contemplative Pastor – Eugene Peterson
Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
*The Universe Next Door – James Sire
The Supremacy Of God In Preaching – John Piper
Preaching With Purpose – Jay Adams
No Perfect People Allowed – John Burke
Emerging Worship – Dan Kimball
*Death By Love – Mark Driscoll
Christian Youth Work – Ashton & Moon