Start Here Shelf

These are some of the books I'd hand you first. Whether you're just curious, just starting out, or just realizing your faith has more depth than you've been given access to, I think you'll find them worthwhile.

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1. Mere Christianity — C.S. Lewis
For: The skeptic, the curious, the person wanting to think carefully about what they believe

Lewis sets out to explain what Christians believe and why, all without assuming you're already convinced. It has been in print for over seventy years.

2. The Reason for God — Timothy Keller
For: The honest doubter with specific objections

Keller takes the most common objections to Christianity seriously — suffering, exclusivity, science, hell — and works through them carefully. A good read whether you're persuaded at the end or not.

3. The Story of Reality — Greg Koukl
For: The seeker who wants the whole map before committing to any corner of it

About 180 pages. Koukl lays out the basic shape of the Christian worldview — creation, fall, redemption, restoration — clearly enough that you know what you're actually being asked to consider.

4. Knowing God — J.I. Packer
For: Anyone desiring to know God

Packer's aim is modest: to help readers move from knowing facts about God to actually knowing him. The book does what it sets out to do. Start here if you're not sure where else to start.

5. The Prodigal God — Timothy Keller
For: The lapsed, the wounded, the spiritually dry and worn

A short reading of one of Jesus's most familiar parables. Keller finds things in the text that most people, including most churchgoers, have walked past. Worth two hours of your time regardless of where you land.

6. What is the Gospel? Greg Gilbert
For: Anyone who wants to know what the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ actually is, and what it actually gives

Crisp and clear. This is an excellent summary and explanation of the central message of the Christian faith.

7. Delighting in the Trinity — Michael Reeves
For: The new believer and the longtime churchgoer alike

The doctrine of the Trinity is not where most people expect to find a book this enjoyable. Reeves makes a case that the Trinity is not a puzzle to be solved but good news to be received. See what you think.