Recommended reading for new converts

By pvawter
May 07 2019

I'm putting together a list of resources for new adult converts (or old ones who've not been properly trained). Where would you start and what books would you recommend? Maybe give me your top 3. Smile

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josh p's picture

josh p -

That’s a hard one.
It’s pretty simple but I always like Ryrie’s “Basic Theology” as a good reader and as a reference.
“Knowledge of the Holy” is awesome.
“Jesus Christ Our Lord” is readable but excellent.

pvawter's picture

pvawter -

josh p wrote:

That’s a hard one.
It’s pretty simple but I always like Ryrie’s “Basic Theology” as a good reader and as a reference.
“Knowledge of the Holy” is awesome.
“Jesus Christ Our Lord” is readable but excellent.

It's funny. I asked my dad tonight and Ryrie's was the first book that came to mind. Thanks!

pvawter's picture

pvawter -

Thanks Don. I haven't read any of those, but I appreciate Pastor Carlson's recommendations. Coincidentally (or providentially, if you wish) my dad served as his assistant at Faith Baptist in St. Paul before I was born. I'm thankful for his faithful ministry.

M. Osborne's picture

M. Osborne -

I agree with Josh P. that this is a hard one. I'd probably tailor my recommendations based on the new convert's background knowledge (where they converted from), reading level, personal needs (devotional, practical, theological).

The Nine Marks series of books comes to mind. I've read some of them. They are straightforward and don't assume too much of the reader, yet they don't insult the reader's intelligence.

https://9marks.myshopify.com/collections/small-group-bundles/products/bu...

A good study Bible with some recommended reading plans may be helpful, too. Of course, I'm partial to the ESV Study Bible, but there are plenty of decent ones. I would probably not recommend the application-oriented study Bibles and aim for the ones that actually try to wrestle with the text itself.

Michael Osborne
Philadelphia, PA

TylerR's picture

Editor
TylerR -
  1. Welcome to the Family (MacArthur)
  2. The first set of BUILD-UP discipleship books from Regular Baptist Press
  3. Topical Analysis of the Bible (Elwell)
  4. Christian Doctrine (Erickson's abridged systematic)
  5. A good Bible dictionary

Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and an Investigations Manager with a Washington State agency. He's the author of the book What's It Mean to Be a Baptist?

pvawter's picture

pvawter -

Michael and Tyler,

Thanks for the helpful recommendations. There are so many books I've never read. Smile