recommended reading

Here are a few of my favourite books. I have tried to keep this list short, but I will add to it from time to time.

There is also a helpful “Top Ten Books on…” list from Seedbed online here.

Enjoy!

Free Online

Systematic Theologies:

William Burt Pope, A Compendium of Christian Theology, Volume II (1889): Google Books – and you can find more from Pope online here
Richard Watson, Christian Institutes (1836): Google Books
Samuel Wakefield, A Complete System of Christian Theology (1862): Google Books

Gospel / Salvation/ Christian Living:

Wilbur F. Tillett, Personal Salvation: Studies in Christian Doctrine Pertaining to the Spiritual Life (1902): Google Books or Archive
Lesslie Newbigin, Mission in Christ’s Way (1987): Newbigin Resources
Lesslie Newbigin, The Household of God: Lectures on the Nature of the Church (1953): Newbigin Resources or Archive
Lesslie Newbigin, Sin and Salvation (1956): Newbigin Resources
AW Tozer, The Pursuit of God (1948): Archive or Project Gutenberg

Arminian / Wesleyan Theology:

Brian Abasciano, The FACTS of Salvation: A Summary of Arminian Theology/the Biblical Doctrines of Grace (2013): SEA
Brian Abasciano, Paul’s Use of the Old Testament in Romans 9:1-9: An Intertextual and Theological Exegesis (2004): SEA
Abner F. Hernandez, The Doctrine of Prevenient Grace in the Theology of Jacobus Arminius (2017): SEA

Under Copyright (buying through the links below results in commission paid to this site)

Top recommendations:

J. Matthew Pinson, 40 Questions About Arminianism (2022)

Thomas Oden, John Wesley’s Scriptural Christianity (1994)

Kenneth J. Collins, The Scripture Way of Salvation: The Heart of John Wesley’s Theology (1997)

Eschatology:

NT Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (2014): Amazon

Church Planting / Missions:

Lesslie Newbigin, The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission (1995): Amazon
Alan Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways (2016): Amazon
Chester & Timmis, Total Church: A radical reshaping around gospel and community (2008): Amazon (there has been some controversy since publishing around Steve Timmis’ leadership style; still I found this book very helpful)

Arminian / Wesleyan Theology:

Arminian Theology:
- J. Matthew Pinson, 40 Questions About Arminianism (2022): Amazon
Wesleyan Theology / Methodism
- Thomas Oden, John Wesley’s Scriptural Christianity: A Plain Exposition of His Teaching on Christian Doctrine (1994): Amazon
- Jeffrey Barbeau, The Spirit of Methodism: From the Wesleys to a Global Communion (2019): Amazon (a history of the methodist movement)
Arminius:
- W Stephen Gunter, Arminius and His Declaration of Sentiments: An Annotated Translation with Introduction and Theological Commentary (2018): Amazon
- Stanglin & McCall, James Arminius: Theologian of Grace (2012): Amazon
Prevenient Grace:
- Christopher Payk, Grace First: Christian Mission and Prevenient Grace in John Wesley (2015): Amazon
- Thomas Oden, The Transforming Power of Grace (1993): Amazon
- W. Brian Shelton, Prevenient Grace: God’s Provision for Fallen Humanity (2014): Amazon
Election
- William Klein, The New Chosen People: A Corporate View of Election (2015): Amazon
- Multi-author, Perspectives on Election: Five Views (2006): Amazon

Responding to Calvinism
- David Allen & Steve Lemke (eds), Calvinism: A Biblical and Theological Critique (2022): Amazon

Gospel / Christian Living:

Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (1989): Amazon
Lesslie Newbigin, To Tell the Truth: The Gospel as Public Truth (1991): Amazon
Brian Zahnd, A Farewell to Mars: An Evangelical Pastor’s Journey Toward the Biblical Gospel of Peace (2014): Amazon
Walter Brueggemann, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying NO to the Culture of Now (2017): Amazon
Irv A Brendlinger, Social justice through the eyes of Wesley: John Wesley’s theological challenge to slavery (2006): Amazon

Systematic Theology:

Gospel encounter