The pastors who wrote the Westminster Confession stated, “All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.”
Certainly the gospel is clearly propounded in Scripture, yet there are many areas were we need the help of others who have devoted themselves to study the Scriptures. Spurgeon said to his students, “In order to be able to expound the Scriptures, and as an aid to your pulpit studies, you will need to be familiar with the commentators: a glorious army, let me tell you, whose acquaintance will be your delight and profit. Of course, you are not such wiseacres as to think or say that you can expound Scripture without assistance from the works of divines and learned men who have labored before you in the field of exposition….It seems odd, that certain men who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what he has revealed to others.”
As we can benefit from those who’ve gone before, here are some core book recommendations.
1. Study Bible: ESV Study Bible
A study Bible is like a one stop shop for biblical knowledge. For a variety of reasons the ESV Study Bible is my recommendation. It’s done by a team of people excellent pastors and scholars, not a single author. It has many excellent articles at the back. And the notes expounding the Scriptures are clear and helpful. It’s clearly reformed, complementarian, yet is not dogmatic on issues like eschatology but rather presents the different options clearly. (link to Amazon)
2. A Guide to Reading the Bible: “Knowing Scripture,” by R.C. Sproul
When I learned about the different genres of Scripture and how to read a Psalm compared to a Proverb compared to a narrative in the gospels, my understanding of Scripture greatly increased. It was a joy to read sections of Scripture I had trouble understanding before. Get this, then get excited to read through the Bible with fresh eyes!
3. Theology: “Christian Beliefs,” by Wayne Grudem
Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about heaven, or angels, or original sin? These are questions that we answer in the discipline we call “theology.” Wayne Grudem makes theology understandable to many. He has three books: (1) Systematic Theology, the 1200 page unabridged version; (2) Bible Doctrine, a 500 page condensation; and (3) Christian Beliefs, just 160 pages yet it 20 important questions every Christian should know.
4. Understanding the Gospel: “The Gospel According to Jesus,” by John MacArthur
This book created waves when it was published since it challenges easy-believism and explains the gospel truly. It can be a challenging read but worth it to get an understanding of the gospel and to spot the counterfeit that has spread in much of the western world. (link to Amazon)
5. Biography: “George Whitefield: God’s Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century,” by Arnold Dalimore
Christian biography is a great way to learn through the successes and failings of those who’ve followed Christ before us. This biography is a shortened version of Dalimore’s two-volume work. (link to Amazon)