Books For Which I Am Thankful

Having given place of
precedents to the Scriptures, here are other books for which I give hearty
praise to God.  If you are a new
Christian, or if you have recently decided to get more serious in reading godly
literature, this would be a good list for you to begin with: 

• Knowing God,
  by J. I. Packer.  One of the truly
  significant books written in recent generations (1978).  A meaty but very readable (and often
  brilliant) tour through the attributes of God.  (There are few studies more important
  than the attributes of God!).
• The
  Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah
  Burroughs.  This book really shook
  me up about my relationship to the world and the things of the world.  Learning the “secret” of contentment is
  a life-long journey, but mine was deeply affected by reading this Puritan
  classic.
• The
  Sermon on the Mount, by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.  Practically everything in the massive
  (and growing) MLJ collection of books is pure gold.  This is one of his first published books
  (perhaps the first?) .  His key
  point: “The way to happiness is through righteousness.”
• The
  Holiness of God, by R. C. Sproul. One of the
  classics published during our lifetimes. 
  The opening chapter on Isaiah 6 and the chapter titled, “The
  Insanity of Luther” are unforgettable.
• The
  Pauline Eschatology, by Geerhardus Vos.  The book that enabled me finally to
  understand eschatology (the doctrine of the end).  This is a very academic book and
  difficult to read, but still great. 
  The easy-to-read version of the same teaching is Sam Waldron’s The End Times Made Simple.  Strongly recommended.
• Children
  of the Living God, by Sinclair B. Ferguson.  The best of Ferguson’s short but
  outstanding books published by Banner of Truth. They are all terrific, but
  this book will give strong biblical shape to your relationship to God as a
  dearly beloved child in Christ.
• Holiness,
  by J. C. Ryle.  When I was first
  converted, I was frightened by the idea of holiness, since it seemed so
  threatening and impossible to reach. 
  These classic biblical studies not only made holiness seem possible
  but also eminently desirable.
• Christ’s
  Call to Discipleship, by James Montgomery Boice.  A hard hitting book that will seriously
  challenge you by straight teaching from Jesus on carrying your cross and
  following Him.  A gripping and
  inspiring
• Whatever
  Happened to the Gospel of Grace? by James
  Montgomery Boice.  A penetrating
  study of the church today and the pressing need for reformation. 
• The
  Sovereignty of God, by A. W. Pink.  After so many decades this remains the
  classic and overwhelming study of God’s sovereignty in all things (and
  especially salvation).  This book
  not only ends the argument about predestination but will turn you into an
  ardent lover of the doctrines of grace (with the added bonus of numerous
  spiritual blessings to you). 

These would all be great books for you to begin
reading (or to give as presents to one another).  I give thanks to God for these and other
books that have made such a difference in my life, and which I know will do
likewise for you.