Unity of the Bible
by Daniel P. Fuller (Zondervan 1992)

The contents and the structure of this book, along with Dr. Fuller's Socratic method of teaching (in the number of classes I had him as a professor) and the many hours of arguing with him and picking his mind after almost every class session, has had the largest impact upon my thinking as a Christian than any book outside the Bible.

A seminary education can cause much confusion (especially now) and be an instrument for destroying one's faith and passion for God. I owe it to Dr. Fuller (as God's instrument) for saving my biblical/theological education by leading me to see how all the parts fit together as a unity.

How to Read a Book
by Mortimer J. Adler (Simon and Schuster 1972)

Adler gives a straightforward, clear and commonsensical method for interpreting the intended meaning of the words that an author uses: whether it be an article on the front page of a newspaper, a philosophical or theological treatise or Paul's epistle to the Romans. That is why I always made the first eleven chapters of How to Read a Book required reading in my Bible classes (Point: The meaning of the author is there in the text – work hard at coming to terms with him/her.).

The Works of Jonathan Edwards

I was introduced to Jonathan Edwards in the fall of 1993 by Daniel Fuller. It was through bickering with Dr. Fuller and reading Jonathan Edwards' The Freedom of the Will that sent me into a theological paradigm shift concerning the freedom of God in salvation and the nature of the human will. This enlightenment ultimately lead me to embrace the "doctrines of grace" that were recovered in the 16th century by the Reformers and were preached by the 17th century Puritans. Subsequently, I have found that the writings of Edwards are worth every hour spent in them – even if it takes an hour to grasp the profundity of five sentences.

One of the most exciting, logical and God-glorifying books I have ever read in Edwards' The End for Which God Created the World. When we say in our church that God created and always acts for His glory and we were created to enjoy Him forever and that these two truths are really one, I can point to The End for Which God Created the World and say, "here is the explanation to what I mean."

A Treatise Concerning the Religious Affections is a powerful, commonsensical and persuasive book concerning the inner goings-on of a regenerated person.

A Theology of the New Testament
by George E. Ladd

This book (and class under Larry Powers) had a huge impact on me while in Bible College. In my undergraduate education, all other classes and books paled in comparison to Dr. Ladd's New Testament Theology and biblical language studies.

Dr. Ladd's book opened my eyes to "the already, not yet tension" of the kingdom of God spoken of throughout the ministry of Jesus. I have had the privilege, as an instructor, of using this as a textbook in Bible College.

A Quest for Godliness (The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life)
by J.I. Packer Packer Crossway Books 1990

Dr. Packer has convinced me that I must read these 17th century men – more and more.

John Piper Books

The Pleasures of God, Desiring God, Future Grace, Justification of God

I was introduced to Piper's writings and preaching ministry through my professor, Daniel Fuller. After I kept hearing Dr. Fuller say that John Piper was the best pulpit preacher that Fuller Seminary ever produced, I begged him to please give me some tapes of his sermons. Dr. Fuller handed me a box of 15-20 sermon tapes by John Piper; and since that day in 1993, I cannot disagree that he is a master preacher and the best example of how the work of exegesis and a clear vision for how the whole Bible comes together theologically are to impact the way and the content of how a pastor preaches. His books are worth the read as much as his sermons are worth the listen.

Other books:

Mere Christianity
by C.S. Lewis

No Place for Truth, or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology?
by David Wells

(Eerdmans 1993)

Fit Bodies Fat Minds; Why Evangelicals Don't Think and What to do About It
by Os Guiness

Preaching and Preachers
by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones

(Zondervan 1972)

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
by Dr. Mark Dever