Theology
It is worth remembering that you will not agree with everything you read. Examples being that my systematic theology recommendations primarily hold to covenant theology and paedobaptism, while I don’t.

The Moody Handbook of Theology
By Paul Enns contains a great overview of biblical theology, systematic theology, historic theology, and contemporary theology. It’s a great quick resource for a variety of issues.

Systematic Theology
By Wayne Grudem is a fantastic introduction into systematic theology and is very readable. This is the most common text used in universities on the subject of Theology. While many have ‘words’ to say about this systematic, I think it is a great primer despite disagreeing with Grudem on a variety of issues.

Systematic Theology
By Louis Berkhof is a classic and a fairly easy read. You’ll be presented with plenty of proof texts to crack your bible open with to get the most of your study of systematic theology.

Reformed Dogmatics
by Herman Bavinck is a harder read, but well worth the time and effort. It has easily become one of my favorites. A very thorough treatment that is excellent, especially in the abridged edition (originally in four volumes).

Classic Christianity
by Thomas Oden. This volume is interesting in that it seeks to establish a systematic theology based, primarily, on early church writings.

Institutes
By John Calvin. One of the hardest reads here, but a very rich volume that is considered a classic and will challenge you.
History

2000 Years of Christ’s Power Series
By Nick Needham. This series (4 books in total, while the fifth book is being written) is fantastic. It is easily accessible and has a lot of information in a format all people can enjoy. It’s an amazing introduction that has turned those individuals who don’t like history around.

A History of Christianity in the US and Canada
By Mark Noll is a good treatment of history in North America. I enjoyed the details and the amount of research Noll puts into this volume. It is fairly readable and accessible, though for some it could feel bogged down in all the facts.

Canon Revisited
By Michael Kruger. It deserves to be read by every Christian for the sake of understanding the canon of the bible. While the canon is not my favorite subject, I found this particular book to be extremely helpful on the subject and I refer back to it often.
On the Bible

From God to Us
By Geisler and Nix is a great book that covers a lot of ground. This book will leave you well rounded and will let you dip your toes into various topics that go much deeper. While some information is outdated or needs to be double checked (primarily dealing with textual criticism), you’ll get a solid foundation in a readable format.

The Text of the New Testament
by Metzger and Erdman (before he apostatized). This book is a standard text in many seminaries on the subject of textual criticism and the manuscripts of the bible. It is a great volume, but a more scholarly read. I find myself referencing it semi-regularly.

Fundamentals of New Testament Textual Criticism
By Porter and Pitts. This volume is much more accessible than “The text of the New Testament”, but at the expense of more information. This is a great primer and it includes a discussion on CBGM that “the text of the New Testament” doesn’t have.

Myths and Mistakes
By a variety of authors. It covers a lot of misinformation that is floating around on the subject of textual criticism. It is a fantastic volume and a must for every pastor, apologist, or student who wants to know more accurately about textual criticism.

The King James Only Controversy
by James White is a great book on the subject of the King James Only movement. It is a great book if you want to know whats going on between the NIV and the KJV or how to discuss with those in the KJV camp.
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