Christian Non-Fiction Recommendations

[Wren]

I saw Revived's post in the avatar thread (his avatar is from a Max Lucado book) and it gave me an idea.

I'd love recommendations for non-fiction Christian books, preferably ones that are widely available and can most likely be found at a public library. And please don't say, "the Bible." That's kinda obvious.
I'm trying to supplement my Bible reading with non-fiction Christian books. I've googled and such, but it's better to get personal recommendations (and it helps that here I can consider the source-unlike with Amazon reviews) and reasons for liking it.

Thanks!

Oh, and I'm not looking for dating books, but recommend those, too, if you'd like. Maybe they'll be helpful to someone reading this thread. I'm mostly looking for ones that help someone's faith walk, but this thread could be used for anyone looking for Christian non-fiction.

 

[Amber.ly]

I'm not big into Christian self help books. I think because my mom reads them like some people read magazine and I see the damage that can cause.


BUT

This book snuck onto my shelves one day and I have no idea how it got there. God must have known I needed it. Anways, this really did change my whole perspective on many things.

How To Have Selfless Joy In A Me First World

 

[Ukrainia]

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Unbroken are excellent. Bonheoffer was a German pastor who conspired against the Nazis in WWII. Unbroken is the story of Louis Zamperini and how he survived WWII against all odds. While his story is not about Christianity per se, his faith plays a large role, especially during the latter part of the book.

 

[kevlite2020]

I liked the truth about sex, and Christianish. I know there's a lot more I like but I'm having trouble thinking today lol (how that's different from any other day, I don't know )

I'm reading Weird right now, seems pretty alright.

 

[Wren]

I'm not big into Christian self help books. I think because my mom reads them like some people read magazine and I see the damage that can cause.


BUT

This book snuck onto my shelves one day and I have no idea how it got there. God must have known I needed it. Anways, this really did change my whole perspective on many things.

How To Have Selfless Joy In A Me First World

The link doesn't work for me, but I did google it and followed to amazon.com for a description. Thanks.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Unbroken are excellent. Bonheoffer was a German pastor who conspired against the Nazis in WWII. Unbroken is the story of Louis Zamperini and how he survived WWII against all odds. While his story is not about Christianity per se, his faith plays a large role, especially during the latter part of the book.

That's not what I had in mind when I made the OP, but I'm glad you mentioned these two books. They sound really interesting.

 

[Wren]

Thanks

 

[Allen1901]

How to pray. by R.A. Torrey

Read it free here:

http://ratorrey.webs.com/How%20to%20Pray.txt

 

[Tamara224]

You've probably already read it, but Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is good. All of his non-fiction stuff is good.

Foxes Book of Martyrs
The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
Why Not Women?, by Loren Cunningham and David Hamilton (Probably won't be found at the library...)

 

[Ukrainia]

That's not what I had in mind when I made the OP, but I'm glad you mentioned these two books. They sound really interesting.

You're CF name is Historia, so I assumed history was what you were looking for

 

[Wren]

You're CF name is Historia, so I assumed history was what you were looking for

True. That's probably why they seem so interesting to me.

 

[Sapphyre]

hm, I just finished Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick and really liked it. I'm also a fan of Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

I've read my fair share of non-fiction Christian books because my church tends to use them for small groups. I haven't found one I would recommend as "[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] the best thing ever!!!", but those 2 are the best so far.

 

[Revived]

I'm also a fan of Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

I recommend Crazy Love as well if you can find it (definitely a cage-rattler).

Also, christianaudio.com has a free download every month.

 

[E.C.]

Fr. Arseny: Priest, Prison, Spiritual Father.

It is about how he survived thirty years in a Soviet gulag, his life afterward and the miracles he witnessed inside and outside the gulag.

 

[crishmael]

I've in general found Brian McLaren's books to be good for raising interesting faith questions and issues. In fact, my pastor is leading a book discussion tonight over his book Finding Our Way Again which I hope will be interesting.

 

[Thunder Peel]

I know it's cliche but C.S. Lewis is always a top choice. Mere Christianity and Surprised by Joy are two of my favorites.

I also recommend Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper (or anything else of his) and The God I Don't Understand by Christopher J. H. Wright. If you're going through a tough time those two books are wonderful and they definitely helped me when I was struggling last year.

 

[mina]

The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life by Hannah Whittall Smith

God Came Near by Max Lucado (I like Max Lucado, I just haven't read everything by him).

 

[Wren]

I know it's cliche but C.S. Lewis is always a top choice. Mere Christianity and Surprised by Joy are two of my favorites.

I also recommend Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper (or anything else of his) and The God I Don't Understand by Christopher J. H. Wright. If you're going through a tough time those two books are wonderful and they definitely helped me when I was struggling last year.

Is Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink? That's the only one I'm seeing on Amazon (where I look for descriptions and I have created a new wishlist to keep track of books mentioned here that sound good, even though I'll get them at the library). I added the one by Pink to my list. And I added The God I Don't Understand because it looks really, really good.

 

[Rose of Eden]

Definitely C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity; absolutely wonderful! I'm currently reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and it's very encouraging and challenging! These two were the first ones I thought of, but they've already been said.

Some more Max Lucado I'd recommend: Fearless and Facing Your Giants

I'd also recommend: Captivating by John and Stasi Elderidge, The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, and A Call To Die by David Nasser, which is actually a 40-day devotional but it's awesome and I'm still recommending it!

On another note: It's fiction, but if you haven't read it, I highly recommend you read the Circle books by Ted Dekker. I think it's a great story with lots of action, suspense, and a mind-blowing allegory of Christianity and God's love.

 

[MacFall]

Miracles by C.S. Lewis (my new favorite)

 

[Marycita]

Yes...Crazy Love

and Bravehearted Gospel by Eric Ludy...and Wrestling Prayer as well


and anything by Nicky Cruz - I say to start with his Run Baby Run, though.

Anything by A W Tozer, Amy Carmichael, Corrie Ten Boom


oh... I could go on..and on ...