Christian software
e-Sword
e-Sword is a brilliant program, which includes several very helpful bible versions, as well as bible helps. The program is offered freely, but I encourage you to make the suggested donation of $15 USD, for which you will receive a post-free CD which includes almost all of the downloads.
BibleWorks
An excellent program with Bibles in many different languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, excellent search facilities, and unsurpassed on-line after-sales support.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary
A complete, evangelical commentary on the Bible, with excellent commentaries on Psalms by VanGemeren, Matthew by Carson, Luke by Liefeld and Acts by Longenecker, for example. Now with a much more user-friendly interface (and available at an attractive upgrade price for those who had the original version.)
The Essential IVP Reference Collection
Includes New Bible Commentary, New Bible Dictionary, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (and companion volumes), Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, New Dictionary of Biblical Theology and many other useful works.
John Calvin Collection
Arminius' favourite Bible teacher! Many people hate Calvin, without really knowing why. They have never read what he had to say, but they are sure they don't like him. It is important to use up-to-date Bible resources, but Calvin is still worth consulting.
Word Biblical Commentary
This commentary would cost you thousands of dollars in book form, but costs around $500 in Libronix software format, linking in with your Essential IVP Reference Collection. It is not quite yet complete, but you are only missing Judges, the last 2/3 of Job, Acts and 1 Corinthians, which will be made available over the next few years. At times a fairly liberal view of the bible is presented, but there are many fine evangelical scholars also included, and the liberal geezers also have helpful stuff to say, as long as you don't swallow their lower view of the bible.
A Few of My Favourite Books
Notes On Reading Good Literature
Fred Zaspel's collection of helpful quotes from great Christian writers about the importance of reading good stuff.
Craig Blomberg's Neither Poverty Nor Riches is a helpful discussion of the whole Bible's teaching about money and possessions. Reading this book has challenged me to make a plan for my own giving, and to increase my level of giving.
Loraine Boettner's Reformed Doctrine of Predestination is available online, but is well worth purchasing. This book has helped many to see that the Bible clearly teaches that God is good AND sovereign. Boettner graciously answers many questions about the Biblical doctrine of predestination. He shows that those who object to the doctrine cannot escape from its implications if they believe the Bible to be authoritative. He also shows that denying the Bible's teaching that God is sovereign greatly devalues the God of the Bible, and leaves us in a much worse position.
Jerry Bridges' The Joy of Fearing God will give you a greater appreciation of our great God and his care for us. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, says Proverbs. But what does this mean? Get the book!
Robert Clouse's WAR: Four Christian Views is worth reading, because many people have only been exposed to one viewpoint. The four views that are treated are Nonresistance, Christian Pacifism, Just War and Preventive War. Clouse also edited The Meaning of the Millennium. In this book four views are also put forward: Historic Premillennialism, Dispensationalism, Amillennialism and Postmillennialism. Many Christians have only ever known of Dispensationalism and do not realise that this viewpoint is only about 125 years old.
Mark Dever's 9 Marks of a Healthy Church
This book has started a movement for churches to examine themselves in the light of the bible. The website has terrific resources for everyone who wants to see the church reformed and reflecting Christ's glory.
John Dickson's If I Were God, I'd End All The Pain is a great book to read and give away on the problems of evil and suffering. It is short, easy to read and not unbearably dogmatic. Dickson confesses that he also struggles, but he clearly shows how faith in Christ is the best way to deal with these issues. He looks briefly at Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic and Atheist explanations for suffering, and does this in a fair, dispassionate way. His latest book, If I Were God, I'd Make Things Clearer, is another short, thought-provoking look at several influential world religions, including Mormonism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Sikhism, through the eyes of a convinced Christian. In this book, Dickson attempts to give some ways in which the claims which Judaism, Mormonism and Christianity make may be tested. You can buy these books at Matthias Media's online store
Michael Green's But Don't all Religions Lead To God? is a great book if you are interested in thinking about the differences between the various religions on offer today [well ... at least the most popular ones], and the unique claims of Christ. In this book he helps us to think through these popular misconceptions:
1. All religions are much the same.
2. All religions lead to God.
3. It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere.
4. Jesus Christ is only one of many great religious teachers.
Having helped us to see that each of these views is not logical, Green then shows us the greatness of Jesus who:
* was the only great religious leader who claimed to be able to bring us to God.
* was the only great teacher who claimed to be able to deal radically with human wickedness.
* came back to life, showing us that what he said is true.
* promises to live within us, empowering us to live fulfilled lives which please God.
John Piper's Desiring God is available online, but is well worth purchasing and chewing over. It has had a huge impact on many people's lives, mine included. I agree with Jim Packer that Piper's book, The Pleasures of God , "is a unique and precious book that everyone should read more than once." For a God-centred view of Christian missions, you can't beat Piper's Let The Nations Be Glad.
Tom Schreiner and Ardel Caneday's The Race Set Before Us will stimulate you to persevere in your Christian walk. While the authors firmly believe that our salvation is wholly won for us by Christ, they show that faithfully living out the gospel is an essential part of being a Christian.
Robert Stein's Interpreting Puzzling Texts in the New Testament is one of the most helpful books I have read on understanding the New Testament. One of Stein's most stimulating points concerns Jesus' use of exaggeration and shocking language to get his message across.
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