What should I read?

Curiousaboutchrist26 said:

Does anyone know of any good Christian books I can read to enhance my knowledge? I've read Christianity Explored and am currently on God's Big Picture.

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Hi, Street Evangelists hand out copies of the Gospel According to Luke because it easily explains the Good News to people exploring the Christian faith. I would suggest any books which focus around Luke's gospel would be a good starting point.

Curiousaboutchrist26 said:

I'm interested in learning about the church in general (not a particular denomination). Also the lives of Jesus and the apostles. But mainly the latter. ^^

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I highly recommend reading the bible from the first page to the last straight through as it will explain everything. I believe its best to know the whole story and to take your time with what your reading as the archaic way it is written can be confusing. I myself have recently started reading and after the first 30 pages was blown away but what i had read. Please keep in mind that you may have to re read some and ask yourself a few questions but upon thinking deeply and freely you will start to understand as never before. Things to keep in mind - what is really being said, whos doing what to who, why is it like this, why are these things being done in the first place, would these things be acceptable in todays world...etc. Best of luck to you and may all your questions be answerd with truth.

LifeChurch.tv have produced an amazing totally free Bible app, simply called Holy Bible for Android smartphone, and probably iPhone too, which has all the different Bible versions, as well as Audio Bible, download versions to read offline, reading plans, videos, you can highlight text, bookmark, share with friends. It's awesome.

Regarding the history of the church:
Acts (Bible)... First hand accounts of the first few decades following the resurrection of Jesus
The Story of Christianity Part I & II (Gonzalez)... recent book that begins in the late 1st century and continues to modern times. I know it has already been mentioned, but it really is a good historical overview of the western church, warts and all.

As for the purpose of the church, Jesus called us to be salt and light (Matthew). Salt is for flavoring and purifying, light is for revealing and illuminating. Paul calls the church the body of Christ (Ephesians, 1st Corinthians), indicating that we are to continue Jesus' ministry and are to be under His direction (Paul calls Him the "head" of the body).