The church today benefits from centuries of faithful Christians who have studied God’s word and world and then written careful expositions on important topics of faith and life. But with centuries of writings available, many of us might not know where to begin. Here are ten classic works that will build up your knowledge of God, his word, and your walk with him.
1. On Church Unity—Saint Cyprian (c. 210–258 A.D.)
In a time where church division and splits are prevalent, Cyprian’s counsel in 251 A.D. to a church deeply divided over the re-receiving of Christians who had renounced their faith under persecution is a must-read today. Written with pastoral winsomeness and practical application, this work has the potential to convict and spur Christians to deeper unity in their churches.
2. On the Incarnation of the Word—Athanasius (c. 296–373 A.D.)
While we often meditate on the incarnation around the Christmas season, this work, written around 319 A.D., shows the wonder and mystery of this doctrine for the whole Christian life. Exiled five times for his theology, Athanasius fought rigorously and valiantly for this amazing and vital truth of the Christian faith, encapsulated for us today in this lasting work.
3. Confessions—Saint Augustine (354–430 A.D.)
Semi-autobiographical in its scope, this book, written between 397-400 A.D., surveys the life and conversion of one of the most important figures in church history. Written with beautiful language and insights into one of the greatest minds in Western history, this book is both for one’s heart and one’s mind. Through the ups and downs of his own life, we are reminded alongside Augustine that “our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
4. Basic Writings—Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109)
Medieval theology often gets a bad wrap for being impractical and speculative. Correcting this misconception are the classic writings of Saint Anselm, which focus on God’s existence, his perfections, and why Jesus had to die on the cross. Anslem studies the deep things of God without making them abstract, but rather shows the beauty and glory of the Triune God through these works.
5. The Bondage of the Will—Martin Luther (1483–1546)
Responding to Erasmus’ “Freedom of the Will,” this 1525 piece is a wonderful survey through the biblical evidence of man’s fallen will and their need for the sovereign grace of God to change. Demonstrating not only his theological and rhetorical prose, this work also demonstrates the Reformer’s wit and personality. Through this writing, one not only understands the true severity of our sin nature but the overwhelmingly amazing grace of God to save us.
6. The Mortification of Sin—John Owen (1616–1683)
Covering an often neglected but important part of sanctification, John Owen draws out the rich biblical, theological, and practical importance of putting sin to death in our lives. Writing from a pastoral perspective in 1656, Owen gives brilliant insights into how a Christian can battle sin in their Christian walk that are still applicable and insightful today. You will put down this book with a fire lit under you and the importance of understanding that one must “be killing sin, or it will be killing you.”
7. The Pilgrim’s Progress—John Bunyan (1628–1688)
Written largely from a jail cell and loosely based on his own life, John Bunyan’s piece, published in two parts in 1678 and 1684, provides a beautiful and moving allegorical story of the Christian’s journey through this sin-cursed world to their eternal destination of the New Jerusalem. For young and old, newer Christians and seasoned saints, this work is a hopeful triumph for all as we consider our own Christian pilgrimage.
8. Charity And Its Fruits: Christian Love as Manifested in the Heart and Life—Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758)
This book is a collection of sermons that provide a window into Jonathan Edwards’ preaching ministry between 1735–1740. In it, Edwards mines the riches of 1 Corinthians 13 and brings to bear the rich meaning and application of the text for Christians. Concluding in a wonderful sermon, “Heaven, A World Of Love,” Edward helps readers taste the glorious riches and perfections that await God’s people in heaven.
9. Christianity and Liberalism—J. Gresham Machen (1881–1937)
Addressing the theological liberalism of his day, J. Gresham Machen touches on the key issues of the movement in relation to the biblical gospel. Refusing to get bogged down or become overly verbose in his arguments, Machen shows his craft as a writer in tackling this topic with simplicity and clarity, while demonstrating the dangers the movement poses to true historic Christianity. Written more than 100 years ago in 1923, this book still speaks with great relevance for Christians today.
10. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community—Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945)
Especially in an individualistic Western culture, seeing the importance of being connected to the body of Christ can be a challenge. Here, in this great little book from 1939, Bonhoeffer draws out not only the importance of Christian fellowship but the beauty and joys of it, too. Reading this will challenge and encourage one in understanding their place in the church of Christ.
