The Big 5 Books

The Big 5: Books Worth Regular Rereading

436212_tattered_book-172x187I remember sitting in Mark Dever's office and asking him what books have been most helpful to him personally, books that he would read more than once.  He pointed to a little swiveling bookshelf with five (if I remember correctly) well worn books that he reads every year (I think). 

What big 5 books do you think are worth regularly rereading?
 

Try to avoid devotional books, unless there is one that really knocked your socks off and you reread all the time. There will be a separate list for devotional books at some point.  These books will likely be in the personal walk, Christian life, holiness kinds of categories.  Don't list books of the Bible.  If someone lists some of your big 5 books, please go ahead and list them again.  This isn't about mentioning the books no one else has, but listing your big 5.  After all, if one book is mentioned again and again that will add weight to that book.  Go!

Lots-o-Links 6.11.08

Resurgence has an interview with Bob Kauflin.

My brother captured two tornados on video last week.  Neither were doing anything amazing, but it's still pretty cool to a storm buff like me.

I love coaching Little League, and would love to coach this kid. Awesome...

Jeremy Pryor continues explaining his Story-Formed Life discipleship class/strategy...

The Office originated in Japan. Did you know that? Here you go...

Tim and Kathy Keller: The Role of Women in Ministry.

The Last Men's Book You'll Ever Need?

The New York Times on theology pubs and such.

Tim Chester: How I teach the Bible in a household church.

Tony Morgan: 7 reasons why the church needs artists.

Jonathan Dodson on building missional cores.

Thanks for the many comments on my Big 5 books series.  If you have missed any of the lists, please go and comment.  Great resource posts.

The Big 5: Books on Suffering

SufferingI'm sidelined today with terrible back pain.  I'm nearly immobile, and can't move without wincing.  Ugh.  So it's a good day for books on suffering.  What are your big 5 books on suffering?  These can be books on suffering in general or something specific like the loss of a baby.  If your friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer and asked you for something to read on suffering, what would it be?  If you woke up in agonizing back pain and needed a refresher on what God does through pain in your body, what would it be? 

PLEASE, refrain from turning this into a comment thread on my back pain.  I know a few of you care about me and want to share my pain.  But I want this to be a resource thread in the future, so just list and discuss books.  Go!

The Big 5: Commentaries on the Gospels/Acts

CommentariesHere's a different approach.  What are your big 5 commentaries on the four Gospels and Acts?  I want your #1 commentary for each book: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts.  That will be a total of 5 books.  If you could only have one on each book, which would it be?  What's the first one a seminary student should have on his shelf?  Go!

The Big 5: Systematic Theology

Hodge C Systematic TheologyBlog Note: Please read the rules to each thread. These lists are most helpful when we all keep our lists "tight."

What are your big 5 systematic theology books?

Please, no debate on systematic or other theological methods. And limit it to systematic theology, not just any theology book you like. Obviously multi-volume systematics can be
listed as one book.  Go!

The Big 5: Books on Church Leadership

Leadership(1)What are your big 5 books on church/biblical leadership? 

Resist the urge to put in books on general, secular or business leadership.  I know those are very helpful, but we will have a separate list for those at some point.  If they are books written by church leaders that could be used beyond church leadership, that's fine.  And please don't list character books unless they are specific to leaders.  This list might include books on elders, training future church leaders, leadership passages in Scripture, etc.  I'll give you all a head start.  Go!

The Big 5: Books on Preaching

DriscollList 5 books you would recommend on preaching?  Think of a seminary student or newbie...what would help him?  Think of a seasoned preacher...what would spice things up after years of the same process?   Please no books of preaching or transcribed sermons.  This should be a list of books on the art and science of preaching, on the preparation and delivery of sermons.  In this post I'm thinking of preaching as the weekly public proclamation to a local church and visitors. I'm going to let you make your suggestions first before I give my list. 

The Big 5: Books on Personal Evangelism

HarvestLogoWhich 5 books would you recommend on the topic of personal evangelism?  Please stick to evangelism, not apologetics or missional church.  They can be books on theology and theory or practice.  I'm going to choose less obvious ones (mostly) and leave those for you all.

The Heart of Evangelism by Jerram Barrs (can't not mention this one)
Words to Winners of Souls by Horatius Bonar
Promoting the Gospel by John Dickson
The Pastor-Evangelist by Roger Greenway
The Art of Manfishing by Thomas Boston

The Big 5: Book Table

Starting a series of posts called The Big 5.  They will be seeking your input on the books you would recommend on various topics, or for various reasons.  For the first post: What 5 books would you recommend for a church's book table?

Your 5 should be somewhat diverse.  In other words, don't give me 5 books on theology only.  Mix it up.  And I know you want to list more than 5, but no cheating!  Don't necessarily suggest your best 5.  Get creative.  Mention some others won't mention.

Here are my 5, foundational-ish ones...

The Reason for God by Tim Keller
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Desiring God by John Piper
Putting Amazing Back Into Grace by Michael Horton
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

Your turn.  No need to add links unless you want to.