The following are recommended lists of books on various topics by Troy Onsager.  The list topics are in alphabetical order (except for the first) and you can click on the link to move you to the appropriate spot on the page. All book links are to Amazon.com for fuller descriptions and reviews.  To view books in the Pastor’s Library through Google Books, click here:  

A Short List of Recommended Reading

Introduction to Christianity
Biblical Studies
Classics
Discipleship
Ethics
Fiction
History
Prayer
Reference Works
Suffering/Pain
Theology

Introduction to Christianity

  • Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis - This is by far my favorite introduction to the Christian Faith.  It is still the classic case for the Christian faith.  Though the language is a bit “British” and each chapter takes careful reading, the fruit of such an endeavor is worth it all.
  • Basic Christianity by John Stott – An excellent and easy to read introduction to Christianity from a pastor that has stood the test of time.
  • Simply Christian by N. T. Wright – A new attempt and very well written introduction to the Christian faith by Anglican Bishop N. T. Wright.  His introduction is less “logical” than Lewis’ but no less convincing for those asking questions of the faith.  Wright’s approach is helpfully more attentive to the first-century context of New Testament writings.
  • The Reason for God by Tim Keller – A modern defense of the Christian Faith in the face of skepticism regarding not only God’s existence in general, but skepticism in trusting the basic beliefs of the Christian faith.  And excellent work of apologetics which seeks to answer common skepetical questions.

Biblical Studies

Introduction to the Bible

One Volume Commentaries

Commentary Series

  • New International Commentary on the New Testament
  • Tyndale Commentaries – Old Testament and New Testament
  • The Bible Speaks Today Commentaries

Classics

Discipleship

  • Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer – The classic Christian work on what it means to follow Jesus by a man who did.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer walks through the Sermon on the Mount with deep biblical conviction and depth.  It takes time and is not an easy read, but worth it for those willing to tackle it.
  • The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard – Dallas Willard is a philosopher at USC and his writing tends toward the logical side, but this is simply the best contemporary book on the Sermon on the Mount, in my view.  It’s a long book, over 400 pages, so its not for the faint of heart.  But I return to it again and again.
  • A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson – Eugene Peterson walks through the Psalms of Ascent (120-134).  The sub-title is “Discipleship in an Instant Society.”  The deep value of this short book is understanding that the Christian life is a life, a journey, and it takes times, perseverance, and discipline.

Ethics

  • Issues Facing Christian Today by John Stott – An ambitious project tackling most of the thorny and controversial issues of Christian Ethics.  It is packed with short, readable chapters on various issues such as terrorism, environmental issues, sexuality, poverty, AIDS, abortion.  Stott’s careful interpreting of Scripture is invaluable in this volume.  Readers may challenge on his conclusions here and there, but there is no more careful interpreter than pastor Stott.

Fiction

History

Prayer

Suffering and Pain

Reference Works

One Volume Dictionaries

Multi-Volume Dictionaries

  • IVP Bible Dictionary Series – My first dictionary of choice for excellent, scholarly articles from a deeply Christian perspective.  Seven volumes so far.  At least two more volumes forthcoming.

Dictionary of the OT: Pentateuch
Dictionary of the OT: Historical Books
Dictionary of the OT: Wisdom, Poetry and Writings
Dictionary of New Testament Background
Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels
Dictionary of Paul and His Letters
Dictionary of the Later New Testament

Theology