Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what are some good Christian books to read. Some books may have wrong teachings, or may not really be written by Christians at all. But there are also some really excellent resources out there if you want to learn more about Christianity. I've read quite a few Christian books, and so here are my suggestions for some great books to read, which seem to be Biblically sound and very informative. I often use these for references when I write my articles. I tried to list the best books that most people will find interesting and engaging without being overly scholarly or boring.
I have provided links where you may purchase these books online, but you may also be able to find these from other bookstores or websites. A good website to get Christian books from is www.christianbook.com - I've ordered from them many times and often they have Christian books for lower prices than other sources, and sometimes they have books when other sources are out-of-stock.
The Best Little Book on Christianity, Ever!
Simply By Grace: An Introduction to God's Life-Changing Gift by Charles C. Bing (2009), Kregel Publications.
I would highly recommend this book to every Christian person I know. It is short, clearly written, and explains nearly all aspects of the Christian life. It strongly argues that our salvation is by God's grace alone, which we receive only through faith in Jesus, and do not have to do anything else to earn salvation. He touches on all aspects of Christian living, such as salvation by faith alone, assurance of faith, the relationship between good works and salvation, discipleship, Christian living, and how to share the gospel with others. Excellent for new Christians as well as to refresh mature Christians.
Evidence for Christianity
Evidence for the Resurrection by Josh and Sean McDowell (1996), Regal Books.
This book starts off with why the resurrection of Jesus is so important for humanity, and then shows evidence that the resurrection of Jesus really happened. This book also discusses problems with alternate theories for the empty tomb which claim Jesus did not actually come back to life.
The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel (2000), Zondervan.
Lee Strobel is a journalist who investigates some of the most common objections to Christianity. He interviews scholars and specialists to find answers to his questions. This book includes chapters such as "It's offensive to claim Jesus is the only way to God", "God isn't worthy of worship if he kills innocent children", and "Church history is littered with oppression and violence.". Lee Strobel's other books "The Case for Christ" and "The Case for a Creator" are also quite good, but are similar to the other books already on this list, so I didn't list them specifically.
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (2009), Riverhead Books.
Timothy Keller is a pastor who discusses how having faith in God and the Bible is reasonable and how it's not so hard to have faith in God. This book contains chapters discussing common objections to Christianity, and also gives a great introduction to what Christianity is about: the problem of sin, the good message of Jesus, and the hope of the future resurrection.
If God Why Evil? by Norman L. Geisler (2011), Bethany House Publishers.
Norman Geisler provides a great, clear answer to why God had to allow evil temporarily in order to create the best possible outcome in the future. His arguments are presented clearly and he discusses problems with each premise step-by-step. A great book to counter complaints that God could have made a world where there would be no evil no one would ever sin.
Handbook of Biblical Evidences by John Ankerberg and John Weldon (2008), Harvest House Publishers.
This book covers many different topics. It has sections on evidence that Jesus really was God, that the Bible is historically accurate, that Biblical prophecy is real, and evidence against evolution. But I think the most valuable sections in this book are about Biblical reliability and inerrancy, which give strong arguments that the Bible is 100% God's word and so it must be totally trustworthy on everything it says.
The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell (1999), Thomas Nelson Publishers.
This is a fabulous book for learning how to defend Christianity, because it discusses a huge number of topics. Part 1 focuses on how the Bible was created, historical reliability of the Bible, archaeological evidence for the Bible, Old Testament prophecies which pointed to Jesus, and proof that Jesus was God. Part 2 focuses on countering Biblical critics who try to find problems with the Bible or claim there are issues with contradictions or repetitions in the Bible. Has appendices on how to answer postmodernism, skepticism, agnosticism, and mysticism. It's quite a thick and detailed book, so it might not be as good for casual recreational reading.
Christianity and Science
Modern Science in the Bible by Ben Hobrink (2005), Howard Books.
This book discusses what the Bible says regarding many fields of modern science, such as: advice for good hygiene and preventing epidemics, good nutrition, natural sciences, and the creation vs. evolution debate. I particularly enjoyed this book because it explains how some of the Old Testament laws were not just arbitrary, but were designed to keep the ancient Israelites healthy in their desert environment. It also presents some great evidence for Noah's flood as a real historical event, and why creation makes more sense than evolution.
The Creation Answers Book by Don Batten, David Catchpoole, Jonathan Sarfati, and Carl Wieland (2006), Creation Book Publishers.
This book answers over 60 of the most-asked questions about creation, evolution, and the book of Genesis. Not too complicated, but provides satisfying answers for those who want good scientific answers about creation. Some questions answered are "What about dinosaurs?", "How did all the different 'races' arise?", "Where are all the human fossils?", "What about carbon dating?", and "How did all the animals fit on Noah's Ark?".
The Ultimate Proof of Creation by Dr. Jason Lisle (2009), Master Books.
Instead of arguing for creation based on scientific evidence, Dr. Lisle uses a different tactic of arguing that creation and belief in God is the only consistent worldview to explain humanity and the world we see around us, and that evolutionists are being inconsistent in their worldview. He provides examples of how to use this argument in debate with an evolutionist to show their inconsistencies.
Refuting Compromise by Jonathan Sarfati (2011), Creation Book Publishers.
A discussion of why "progressive creationism" (the idea that God created the world over billions of years using processes like evolution) has many problems, and gives lots of evidence for why a young earth (only a few thousand years old) makes more sense. Also discusses proof that the Flood was a real worldwide event, not a local flood. This book is great for a more in-depth analysis of scientific data, and so it might be rather technical at some points.
Shattering the Myths of Darwinism by Richard Milton (2000), Park Street Press.
A very good analysis of the problems with the theory of evolution. Doesn't present any evidence specifically supporting creationism, but is a good source to show why evolution doesn't make sense and how evolution is really not the answer for how humanity got here.
Biblical Interpretation
Scripture Twisting by James W. Sire (1980), IVP Books.
Shows some common mistakes in interpreting scripture, and how cults such as the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Christian Scientists twist the Bible to say whatever they want it to say. Learn to avoid misinterpreting the Bible and to recognize when someone is misusing a quote from the Bible.
Heaven
Heaven by Randy Alcorn (2004) Tyndale House Publishers.
Randy Alcorn examines what the Bible says heaven will be like, with good scriptural references. However, Mr. Alcorn also adds some of his own speculation, which while being Biblically based is still just speculation. But it is a very encouraging book to help us look forward to how amazing heaven will be when we get there. This is about the only book (besides the Bible) that I really trust on the subject of heaven. Many books are out there about what people saw in heaven during their near-death experiences, but some of their claims are not Biblical. So take their stories with a grain of salt, and realize they may or may not be correct. If something they say goes against the Bible, or just seems weird, it might just be their imagination expanding on what they think they can remember.
Hell
To Hell and Back: Life After Death - Startling New Evidence by Maurice S. Rawlings, M.D. (1993) Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Written by a medical doctor who often saw patients come back from near-death experiences, and instead of seeing heaven, they described images of suffering in hell, which Mr. Rawlings recorded. He also discusses out-of-body experiences and New Age philosophy and how they relate to Christianity. This is a very good book to show that hell is indeed real and shows some glimpses of what people saw in their near-death experiences. I have read some other books on people who claim to have been shown what hell is like, but their descriptions aren't always Biblical and seem a bit too detailed to be a real experience. But the descriptions of hell in this book are shorter and do seem to be more authentic.
Is Hell for Real or Does Everyone Go to Heaven? by Timothy Keller, R. Albert Mohler Jr., J. I. Packer, and Robert W. Yarbrough.
A great short book which gives a good rebuttal to universalism (the idea that everyone goes to heaven eventually), and also a short summary on what the Bible says about hell. A good quick read for people who are interested but don't have a lot of time to read a longer book. If you want more details, I'd suggest "Erasing Hell" instead (see below).
Erasing Hell: What God Said About Eternity, and the Things We've Made Up by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle (2011), David C Cook.
This is a good alternative to "Is Hell for Real" (see above) if you want more details and have a little more reading time. Erasing Hell discusses what the Bible says about hell and how universalism is not correct. This book goes into more detail and analysis about what the Bible says about hell and also first-century Jewish beliefs on hell, and discusses Francis' struggle to accept the idea of hell as described in the Bible.
End Times
Revelation Unveiled by Tim Lahaye (1999), Zondervan.
This is my favourite book on Revelation. Mr. Lahaye goes through each part of the book of Revelation and provides commentary on what the symbols and visions might mean. This book takes a clear Futurist perspective on Revelation, meaning that starting in Revelation chapter four all the rest of the book is yet to happen. While some of Tim's commentary is speculation, overall it's a quite useful book to understand the Futurist interpretation of Revelation.
The Rapture Question by John Walvoord (1979), Zondervan.
This is an excellent book that focuses on arguing for a pre-Tribulation Rapture. He presents evidence from all the books of the Bible that mention the Rapture, and argues against other interpretations of these verses. He also argues against faulty interpretations of the Rapture, such as a Mid-Tribulational Rapture, a Partial Rapture, and a Post-Tribulational Rapture. I think he clearly addresses all issues and questions one might have about the Rapture.
Countdown to the Apocalypse by Grant R. Jeffrey (2008), WaterBrook Press.
This book is a good counterpart to Tim Lahaye's Revelation Unveiled (see above). Mr. Jeffrey discusses what the book of Daniel says about the future Tribulation time, and also mixes in some information from Revelation and elsewhere in the Bible. Not too long, and easy to read.
The Rapture by Hal Lindsey (1983), Bantam Books.
A good in-depth look at the doctrine of the Rapture and how it relates to the Tribulation period. Although this book is 30 years old, it's still a very good. An updated version might be found in "Vanished Into Thin Air" also by Hal Lindsey (I haven't read it yet). While Hal Lindsey perhaps was a little over-enthusiastic about the end-times in the 1980's, his Biblical analysis and support for the Rapture as a real future event is solid.
Revelation: Four Views; A Parallel Commentary by Steve Gregg (1997), Thomas Nelson Publishers.
If I was going to teach a course on Revelation, this is the textbook I would use. Steve Gregg gives an excellent in-depth look at the book of Revelation, and presents the four typical views that people take on Revelation: Preterist (Revelation was all fulfilled back in 100 A.D or so), Historicist (Revelation was fulfilled throughout church history), Futurist (Revelation will be fulfilled in the future), and Spiritualist (Revelation is mostly symbolic and applies to Christians of all ages). Mr. Gregg presents an unbiased view of how each of these viewpoints would interpret Revelation, so you can decide for yourself which view makes the most sense to you.
Paranormal
Alien Intrusion: UFOs and the Evolution Connection by Gary Bates (2004), Creation Book Publishers.
A fascinating book on if aliens might really exist, if they might be visiting earth, and what is probably really going on behind UFO sightings and claimed alien abduction phenomena. An excellent look at the alien phenomena from a Christian perspective, which concludes that UFO and abduction activities are most likely demonic, not extraterrestrial.
3 Crucial Questions about Spiritual Warfare by Clinton E. Arnold (1997), Baker Books.
A very in-depth and balanced view of spiritual warfare, and the extent that demons may influence Christians. He says spiritual warfare is real, and discusses what this looks like in our world today. Spiritual warfare is not just a special thing that some super-Christians do, but is something all Christians have to face in daily life, and so being aware of the enemy's plans is a useful thing that all Christians should know.
The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio (2010), Image Books, Doubleday.
Follows the story of Father Gary Thomas who goes to the Vatican for training as an exorcist. Discusses demonic possession and what Father Gary saw while training as an exorcist. While it is written from a Catholic perspective (and thus some things don't make total sense to Protestants, such as the use of holy water and praying to saints), it is interesting to show that demons and demonic possession are a real issue even in our modern world today, and how exorcists deal with these issues.
The Beautiful Side of Evil by Johanna Michaelsen (1982), Harvest House Publishers.
The personal experiences of a woman who was very sensitive to psychic phenomena since she was little, and grew up to be briefly involved with a witch doctor before she came to know Jesus. Her personal experiences give a very interesting view into an area most people don't experience, and shows the danger of occult practices.