The Bible places a great deal of emphasis on how we, as Christians, think. Just to give a couple of examples, Romans 12:2 commands “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind….” In other words, our minds need to be transformed so that we no longer think the same way as the world around us thinks.
Likewise, in 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul instructs us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ....”
I haven’t even mentioned the book of Proverbs.
Christians need to learn to think biblically, to think God’s thoughts after Him. This means regular and frequent exposure to the truth of God’s Word. Certainly, this happens each and every Lord’s Day morning through the reading and preaching of the Bible. This exposure to the truth of God’s Word also happens when individuals or families read the Bible in their homes. But mind-renewal also takes place when we read good, solid Christian books.
Reading has fallen on hard times. Staring at the screen of an “i-device” or TV is much more commonplace. Sure, those things have their place and can be a tool but more often then not they are more distraction than benefit.
This year, I want to encourage us to read good, solid, Christian literary works. And, in light of the fact that this is the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, our book list will emphasize some of the doctrinal truths recovered during the Reformation.
It’s my hope and prayer that we will all benefit greatly from this exercise.
You should be able to find these books at Amazon, Westminster Seminary Bookstore, the PCA Bookstore, Ligonier Ministries Bookstore, Reformation Heritage Books, and many other fine retailers.
April: Putting Amazing Back into Grace by Michael Scott Horton
May: When Grace Comes Home by Terry Johnson
June-July: For a Continuing Church by Sean Michael Lucas
August: If God Already Knows, Why Pray? by Douglas F. Kelly
September: By Grace Alone by Sinclair Ferguson
October-November: Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton
December: Hidden Christmas by Timothy Keller