Christians who are new to the faith are rightfully steered to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Christ by reading the Bible. While the necessity for Bible study doesn’t change no matter how long a person has been a believer, long-term Christians can supplement their Bible intake with the sound theology incorporated in other books, including some fiction. A temptation to become sluggish sometimes hits us, but as Christians, we should view each day as a chance to pursue a holy life as God continually sanctifies us.
Christians mature in their faith at various rates; therefore, some recommendations will be attuned to what baseball managers deem “going back to the fundamentals of the game.” In our sense, however, it’s taking a deep dive back into the basics of our faith so we don’t lose sight of the sufficiency of Christ and who we are in Him.
Let’s consider eight books long-term Christians can read (and hopefully, absorb). Some are classics you may have been wanting to read for a long time but haven’t yet gotten the chance. May they reinvigorate your faith.
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1. The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
1. The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Written in 1678, this classic Christian allegory was written by Puritan pastor John Bunyan. An important forerunner to Christian fantasy, The Pilgrim’s Progress was begun while Bunyan served a twelve-year prison sentence for preaching outside the tenets of the Church of England. It remains one of the best-selling books of all time and has been in print since it was first published in 1678.
The Pilgrim’s Progress is written as a dream and develops in two parts. Part one follows the main character, Christian, on his journey toward the Celestial City, and part two reveals what happened to Christian’s wife and family.
Throughout the story, Christian meets people who represent the trials, setbacks, encouragers, and hope of a Christian’s life. We meet Christian in his home, in the City of Destruction. Through a dream, he is sent on his voyage to the Celestial City and tries to encourage his wife and children to accompany him, unsuccessfully.
Christian meets numerous people along the way, and their names speak of their intent (Evangelist, Faithful, Apollyon, etc.). The places, too, tell us about Christian’s stops along the way (Valley of Humiliation, Valley of the Shadow of Death, House Beautiful, etc.).
The Pilgrim’s Progress is an insightful and thought-provoking parallel of every Christian’s sanctification and journey toward glory, all the time pointing to Christ the King.
Why this book is good for long-term Christians:
Many of us have wanted to read The Pilgrim’s Progress but have just never gotten around to it. Long-term Christians can relate to the characters and places with vivid recall of their own faith journey. Some of the topics will cause us to look further into our assurance of salvation, sanctification, the ways of Satan and his demons, and our witness for Christ.
The Pilgrim’s Progress has multiple editions and formats, some in the original seventeenth-century language, modern English, and also editions for younger readers. Some booksellers offer study guides, and an animated movie does a good job of bringing the book “to life.”
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2. Law and Gospel by Robert M. Hiller and Michael Horton
2. Law and Gospel by Robert M. Hiller and Michael Horton
This small but theologically rich booklet helps Christians better understand the difference between the law and the gospel. In this book, the authors delineate the law and the gospel so the two are not conflated. The authors remind us that the law was given in the Old Testament as a set of rules, regulations, and rituals to be followed by God’s people. The law is everything in the Bible that commands and is the basis for judgment. The law reveals God’s ethical will and righteousness.
The authors unpack how the law of the Old Testament points forward to the coming Messiah and the covenant of grace. Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets, and, in essence and fact, the entirety of the Scriptures is about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Law and Gospel pointedly shows us how the law says, “do,” and the gospel says, “done.” No human has the ability to perfectly obey the law. Only Christ could fulfill what man can never achieve, and Jesus (the gospel) fully justifies the ones who surrender to Him in faith.
Why this book is good for long-term Christians:
Long-term Christians can neglect stressing the sufficiency of Christ as they live their lives in this world. The doctrine of salvation by good works permeates the pulpits of many preachers, and people are held sway by the force of a message that tells people they have to be good and offer good works to the Lord to earn their salvation, and then to keep it.
“Law and Gospel” dispels that myth and points its readers to the complete sufficiency of Christ. Knowing this and living according to what Christ has done, is doing, and will do gives us rest in Him.
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3. The Story of Christianity (2 volumes) by Justo Gonzalez
3. The Story of Christianity (2 volumes) by Justo Gonzalez
It’s good to know how God has grown the church through the ages since the New Testament was completed. This two-volume set gives us a pretty comprehensive look at the people and movements the Lord has used to grow His church. From the beginnings of the church in the first century, some background information is alluded to in Scripture and is further elucidated by the early church historians and fathers (e.g. Josephus, Eusebius, Tertullian, Augustine, etc.). Most are still referred to when biblical scholars and laypeople seek to know more about the history of our faith.
As a compliment to the steadfastness of the church, the author delineates the role false religions have played and how Christianity continues to grow in the face of numerous false ideologies.
The first volume describes Christianity from the early church through the beginning of the Reformation. Volume two gives us a detailed overview of the Reformation and follows history through the turn into the twenty-first century. Both volumes deal with worldwide Christianity and where the major developments arose (and weakened).
Why this book is good for long-term Christians:
The Story of Christianity is great to have tableside as a quick reference when we wonder about how Christians have fared through the centuries. Reading about the trials of “heroes of the faith” encourages us in times when our faith falters.
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4. The Christ Key by Pastor Chad Bird
4. The Christ Key by Pastor Chad Bird
The Christ Key gives us insight into how Christ unlocks how we regard the characters and places of the Old Testament in the Bible. The author, Pastor Chad Bird, tells us we must understand the Christo-centric content of every book in the Old Testament (and of course, in the New). Pastor Bird admits he cannot offer a comprehensive look at Christ in the Old Testament. Instead, his purpose is to instill a fervency to study the Old Testament with a keen eye toward seeing Jesus throughout it.
Taken from Pastor Bird’s teaching series, “Christ in the Old Testament,” this book follows its format and expands on the information. Readers of “The Christ Key” will come away with a new term, “intertextuality,” which means the relationships between the texts as one layers the Scriptures. The author stresses the importance of seeing the Old Testament Scriptures unfold from the very beginning in Genesis through Malachi with Jesus Christ at the center of it all.
Why this book is good for long-term Christians:
It’s very good for us to read through the Bible every year but doing so with a view toward seeing Christ in the Old Testament will take our reading to new heights (and probably greater understanding). It may take longer to go through the Bible, but the extra time is well worth the effort, for we will know the Lord better and love Him more.
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5. How to Build a Healthy Church by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander
5. How to Build a Healthy Church by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander
The Bible tells us, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the full knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:2-3). The “everything” Peter speaks of in this passage includes how Christ the Lord desires His church to be organized and overseen.
The congregations led by Pastors Dever and Alexander thrive on the biblical principles they employ as shepherds of their flocks. In this jam-packed book, Pastor Dever and Pastor Alexander share what is needed to grow a healthy church and maintain it.
Included are the biblical principles governing:
- Preaching the Gospel
- Praying, corporately and personally
- Discipleship
- Evangelism
- Membership
- Church Discipline
- Ordinances
The various nuances and defining characteristics of each part of “doing” church are described with examples from each pastor’s experience.
Pastor Alexander spent developmental time with Pastor Dever’s leadership team at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in the Washington, D.C. through their intern program, which continues to this day. This book does not shrink away from teaching the hard stuff that needs to happen within godly, healthy churches.
The goal they envision for other churches is to thrive in biblically-grounded health.
Why this book is good for long-term Christians:
Often we attend church services with no knowledge of the background that makes a healthy church. We trust our discernment as Christians, and we know when something “smells” wrong or right, for that matter. How to Build a Healthy Church helps us stay grounded in who we are to be as part of a healthy church.
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6. 40 Questions about interpreting the Bible by Robert L. Plummer
6. 40 Questions about interpreting the Bible by Robert L. Plummer
Not every Christian does deep studies of Scripture, and questions remain about the meaning of certain passages in the Bible. Dr. Plummer’s book starts with the basic question, “What is the Bible?” and progresses through interpretation to the Bible’s influence on practical and current issues (eschatology, teaching a Bible study, etc.).
40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible anticipates the questions we often have as we study our Bibles. At the end of each chapter, Dr. Plummer provides reflection questions which will spur further thought and prayer about the Bible. The questions may also cause you to desire deeper study of God’s Word.
This book is a great re-start for long-term Christians, perhaps to correct wrong thinking or to affirm right thinking. The author provides plenty of resources throughout to make sure his teaching is well-rounded and biblically correct.
Why this book is good for long-term Christians:
When new or other spiritually immature Christians approach long-term Christians with questions about the Bible, we sometimes don’t have a ready answer. It’s okay to say, “I don’t know.” But it’s good for both parties if the long-term Christian follows up with the questioner. This book doesn’t have all the answers, but it will direct you to other sources in its chapter-ending notes and in its bibliography.
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7. More Than Forgiven by Justin Perdue
7. More Than Forgiven by Justin Perdue
If ever there was a book (outside the Bible) that opened our eyes and hearts to God’s grace through Jesus Christ, this is it. Pastor and podcast co-host (Theocast) Justin Perdue fills this short book with truths from Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, especially chapter 6.
Pastor Perdue stresses justification and sanctification, which stem from the same source (Christ), yet are different. The big takeaway from More Than Forgiven is God’s grace. When we look at Scripture from man’s imperfect view, we see the need to merit God’s favor (works) and fear the loss of our salvation. But when we regard God’s Word with Spirit-led (supernatural) understanding, we see “do” means we have our eyes on self, while “done” means we receive God’s gift of grace in Jesus Christ. Pastor Perdue exegetes Romans 6 so we understand the distinction between law and gospel—how Christ bore our guilt for not being able to obey the law fully. And how Christ paid it all so we can enjoy freedom and rest in Him.
Why this book is good for long-term Christians:
Some of us may be sitting under preaching that says salvation is a result of what a person does and not realize it. We leave those sermons feeling disheartened, and rightly so because we can’t earn our salvation or keep it. The truth is our gracious God sent his Son to pay for our guilt and sins. We are to rest in Christ. We obey Him because we love Him and desire to please Him. Period. This book is a timely reminder for our weary souls that Christ is sufficient.
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8. Learning to Love the Psalms by W. Robert Godfrey
8. Learning to Love the Psalms by W. Robert Godfrey
“The Lord is My Shepherd” is beloved by Christians as the first line of the twenty-third Psalm. Dr. Godfrey spent many years since his youth singing the Psalms with his church and learning some things about them. In recent years, however, he has regarded the Psalms with greater engagement and fascination. The result is this striking volume which brings us to a greater understanding of the depth of the Psalms.
The Psalms are beautiful, heart-wrenching, truthful, emotional, and profound. Psalms are songs, and the Hebrew poetic language they employ has a genuine lyrical quality. For many, though, the Psalms, while true to God and His Word, seem to be random in order and purpose. Dr. Godfrey helps us see the Psalms teach us how to express ourselves to God in prayers of petition, praise, and supplication.
Why this book is good for long-term Christians:
So many of us regard the Psalms as poetry alone without realizing the Psalms hold prophecies of the Messiah, history, lament, rejoicing, and wonderful templates for heartfelt prayer. Dr. Godfrey reminds us all Scripture is to be embraced as God’s loving word to us. Learning to Love the Psalms will indeed help you to do just that.
It is my prayer that you will read (or re-read) the above books not only for your edification, but so you can grow in the grace, love, and knowledge of the Lord. Happy reading!
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Originally published May 13, 2025.
