EM Bounds wrote, “Men are God’s methods, while men look for better methods, God looks for better men.”
A dear friend and mentor, the Christian author and speaker, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones said repeatedly, “you’ll be the same person in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.”
I was raised in a house where my Mom LOVED books and reading. We were to read our Bibles, yes, but she always pointed us to reading that fed our minds and led us to seeing that God’s Word was the ultimate source. My mom grew up very poor and was literally punished for reading books, since her mom and dad felt that anything that took her away from chores around their small farm and house was bad. She told me that I can meet my best friends in books and learn wisdom from others’ experiences and learn how to avoid their mistakes.
I do love to read, when Dana and I married in 2007 after our own personal tragedies and God’s restoration, she said, “you buy a lot of books.” I replied, “yes, I do, but I don’t drink, smoke or chase women!” She told me to keep buying books!
This isn’t some exhaustive list, and is surely just my own opinion, but it seems that everywhere I meet with pastors, we talk about the books we read. I think that all of you have heard that saying, “Readers are Leaders and Leaders are Readers.” I’m not met a great leader who is also not a reader. Any leader knows that they don’t know it all and actively seeks to learn and gain wisdom from people who have been there, done that and come out the other side.
So here’s a list of great books that I’ve read and they are in the categories that fit for me. You may want some of these in a different list for you, but I’ve read all these, many of them multiple times, and I highly recommend them! I would suspect I’ll revisit this list from time to time and maybe even add some more. You’ll notice, LOTS of these are the older books, I’m not opposed to newer books, but I love the older stuff the best! Classics do not go away.
Thomas Carlyle said, “All that mankind has done, thought, gained or been, it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of books. They are the chosen possession of men.”
AMERICAN HISTORY
David and Tim Barton
The American Story – The Beginnings & Building the Republic
- These books explore America’s founding principles and the Christian influence in the early Republic. The Bartons emphasize original sources to present a historically accurate narrative of America’s roots.
David Barton – Setting the Record Straight: American History in Black and White
- This book examines the often-overlooked role of African Americans in American history, particularly their contributions to early governance and the civil rights movement, and how faith played a role.
David Barton – Original Intent
- A deep dive into the Founding Fathers’ original vision for America, with a focus on the role of faith in shaping government and law.
David Barton – The Bulletproof George Washington
- A fascinating look at the life of George Washington, including documented events where he survived numerous close calls in battle, highlighting his faith and divine protection.
David Barton – Spiritual Heritage Tour of the U.S. Capitol
- A guide to the Biblical and Christian influences embedded in America’s Capitol building and its early governmental structures.
Bill Federer – American Minute
- A daily devotional-like history book that highlights key moments in American history with a focus on faith and freedom.
Bill Federer – America’s God and Country
- A collection of quotes and writings from America’s Founding Fathers, demonstrating the importance of faith in shaping the nation.
Bill Federer – Change to Chains – 6,000-Year Quest for Global Control
- Explores the historical cycles of freedom and tyranny, showing how civilizations rise and fall based on their moral and governmental principles.
Bill Federer – Socialism: The Real History from Plato to the Present
- A historical breakdown of socialism’s effects on civilizations, from ancient times to today, with a focus on why it consistently leads to failure.
Bill Federer – Who is the King in America ?
- Analyzes the concept of governance from a biblical perspective, contrasting monarchy, democracy, and America’s constitutional republic.
Marshall Foster – The American Covenant
- This book details the covenantal foundation of America, emphasizing how biblical principles played a key role in the nation’s founding.
Cleon Skousen – The 5000 Year Leap
- This book argues that America’s founding principles led to an unprecedented leap in human progress, covering 28 foundational beliefs of the Founding Fathers.
Cleon Skousen – The Naked Communist
- A breakdown of communist ideology and how it infiltrated Western society, written from a historical and political perspective.
BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW & SPIRITUAL ISSUES
George Barna – Think Like Jesus
- This book explains how to develop a biblical worldview and make daily decisions through the lens of Scripture.
David Barton & George Barna – U-Turn
- Addresses the cultural and moral decline in America and how a return to biblical principles could restore the nation.
Jeff Myers – Truth Changes Everything
- A defense of objective truth against the relativism that dominates modern culture, showing how truth transforms societies.
Dr. David Noebel & Jeff Myers – Understanding the Times
- A comprehensive worldview study that contrasts Christianity, Marxism, and secular humanism, equipping Christians to defend their faith.
Jeff Myers – The Secret Battle of Ideas About God
- Analyzes cultural ideologies competing with Christianity and provides tools to stand firm in Biblical truth.
Dr. Jim Garlow – Well Versed
- This book provides Biblical answers to key political and cultural issues, equipping Christians to engage in public discourse with confidence. Garlow addresses topics such as government, economics, immigration, and religious liberty, showing how Scripture applies to modern challenges.
Francis Schaeffer – A Christian Manifesto
- A call for Christians to engage culture, politics, and social issues with a biblical worldview rather than retreating from them.
D. James Kennedy – What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?
- Explores the impact of Christianity on history, from education and science to human rights and social reforms.
Paul Chappell – Spiritual Leadership
- A practical guide for Christian leaders on how to lead with integrity, faith, and biblical wisdom.
Erwin Lutzer – When a Nation Forgets God
- A sobering reminder of how nations drift morally and spiritually, urging Christians to recognize the signs and stand firm in truth.
Bill Jones – Putting Together the Pieces of the Old Testament
- A clear and accessible guide that helps readers understand the storyline, structure, and message of the Old Testament.
CURRENT EVENTS
Seth Gruber – The 1916 Project
- A response to the 1619 Project, arguing for an accurate portrayal of American history that acknowledges its Christian heritage.
Lucas Miles – Woke Jesus
- A critique of progressive Christianity, exposing how Marxist and social justice ideologies have influenced the church.
Lucas Miles – Pagan Threat
- A clear look at how pagan ideology is influencing modern culture and how Christians can stand firm in Biblical truth.
Charlie Jones – Life is Tremendous
- A motivating call to personal growth and responsibility that challenges readers to live with purpose and enthusiasm.
Erwin Lutzer – We Will Not Be Silenced
- An examination of the cultural pressures facing the Church today and a challenge for Christians to remain steadfast in their Biblical convictions.
Megan Basham – Shepherds for Sale
- Investigates the ways in which church leaders have been compromised by cultural and political pressures.
Charlie Kirk – Stop, in the Name of God
- An urgent call for Christians to confront cultural chaos with Biblical conviction and take responsibility for shaping the future.
Erick Erickson – You Shall Be as God’s
- Examines how secular culture promotes self-deification and how Christians can resist this trend.
Eric Metaxas – Religionless Christianity
- Religionless Christianity discusses how Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s ideas apply today, urging Christians to live out their faith boldly.
Eric Metaxas – Letter to the American Church
- Letter to the American Church warns against complacency in the face of cultural decline and calls for courage in defending biblical truth.
Voddie Baucham – Fault Lines
- Exposes the dangers of Critical Race Theory within the church and argues for a biblical approach to race and justice.
Tom Fitton – Rights and Freedoms in Peril
- A legal and political analysis of how government overreach threatens constitutional freedoms.
