Saddleback Church

Arguably the 20th century's most influential Christian writer, C.S. Lewis sought to explain and defend the beliefs that nearly all Christians at all times hold in common. His simple yet deeply profound classic, originally delivered as a series of radio broadcasts, is a book to be thoroughly digested by believers and generously shared with skeptics.

Recommended by Brad Baker, Mike Constanz, and Buddy Owens

One of the most important theologians of the twentieth century illuminates the relationship between ourselves and the teachings of Jesus. What can the call to discipleship, the adherence to the word of Jesus, mean today to the businessman, the soldier, the laborer, or the aristocrat? What did Jesus mean to say to us? What is his will for us today? Drawing on the Sermon on the Mount, Dietrich Bonhoeffer answers these timeless questions by providing a seminal reading of the dichotomy between "cheap grace" and "costly grace." "Cheap grace," Bonhoeffer wrote, "is the grace we bestow on ourselves... grace without discipleship... Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the girl which must be asked for, the door at which a man must know....It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."

The Cost of Discipleship is a compelling statement of the demands of sacrifice and ethical consistency from a man whose life and thought were exemplary articulations of a new type of leadership inspired by the Gospel, and imbued with the spirit of Christian humanism and a creative sense of civic duty.

Recommended by Brad Baker

You can! God readily offers these blessings and more. All you need to do is to take one decisive step of absolute surrender to Christ. When you forsake all to follow Him, you put the carnal life behind you and begin a new, spiritual life in obedience to the command, "Be filled with the Spirit." Through this popular devotional study, first published over a century ago, many Christians have discovered that victory over the power of sin and unbroken fellowship with Jesus are only a step away. Andrew Murray explains what surrender means and how to take this step, urging readers to yield themselves wholly, completely to God.

Recommended by Erik Rees

When Henri Nouwen stumbled across a poster of Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son he began a spiritual journey that would help him understand the biblical parable as well as the story of his own life. Take this opportunity to join Henri as he leads the wayward prodigal and judgmental sibling who reside within each of us towards the open-handed, overwhelming compassion and eternal love of the Father. The Return of the Prodigal Son will transform your reading of the parable and the way you understand your life story.

Orthodoxy, as author G.K. Chesterton employs the term here, means "right opinion." In this, the masterpiece of his brilliant literary career, he applies the concept of correct reasoning to his acceptance of Christian faith. Written in a down-to-earth and familiar style, this book nevertheless presents formal, scholarly arguments. Paradox and contradiction, Chesterton maintains, do not constitute barriers to belief; imagination and intuition are as relevant to the process of thought and understanding as logic and rationality. He defines his insights with thought-provoking analogies, personal anecdotes, and engaging humor, making this century-old book a work of enduring charm and persuasion. Unabridged republication of the classic 1908 edition.

During the past fifty years, more than ten million readers have enjoyed Robert Boyd Munger's spiritually challenging meditation on Christian discipleship. Imagining what it would be like to have Jesus come to the home of our hearts, Munger moves room by room considering what Christ desires for us. In the living room we prepare to meet Christ daily. In the dining room we examine together what appetites should not control us. We even explore the closets in our lives that Christ can help us clean out. Munger's practical and profound message, now presented in 50th-anniversary leather bound edition, helps you give Christ control over all of your life.

A remarkable resource from one of our most beloved leaders! In Basic Christianity John Stott clearly explains the fundamental claims of the Christian faith and explores how these beliefs impact the lives of believers. This volume is perfect for seekers who are desperate to know whether Christianity makes sense and believers who long for a deeper understanding of Christian belief. This resource deserves a place on every disciple's shelf.

Schaeffer's brilliant analysis of Western civilization from ancient Rome to the Atomic Age examines the breakdown of modern society in philosophy, theology, the arts, and morals. The only viable alternative, he says, is living by the Christian ethic, acceptance of God's revelation, and total affirmation of the Bible's values and meaning. A timeless classic.

For centuries, the sayings of Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth-century monk, have shown believers how to follow and live like Christ. Originally published as a brief booklet shortly after Lawrence's death in 1691, his classic work The Practice of the Presence of God has crossed nearly every denominational and cultural line and influenced tens of thousands. Today's reader will enjoy exploring how he or she can better practice the presence of God. In a clear, readable style, Robert Elmer unlocks these treasured spiritual insights by paraphrasing Brother Lawrence's centuries-old English into a new modern update that everyone can understand.

Next to the Bible, this book is the most-published--and most deeply cherished--book in any language. For nearly 600 years, these thoughtful meditations on Jesus' life and teachings offer practical guidance on the central task of the Christian life: learning day by day to live like Jesus. This modern translation is direct and concise, yet retains a deep devotional flavor.

Screwtape is an experienced devil. His nephew Wormwood is just beginning his demonic career and has been assigned to secure the damnation of a young man who has just become a Christian. In this humorous exchange, C. S. Lewis delves into moral questions about good vs. evil, temptation, repentance, and grace. Through this wonderful tale, the reader emerges with a better knowledge of what it means to live a good, honest life.

Recommended by Tom Holladay

C. S. Lewis takes us on a profound journey through both heaven and hell in this engaging allegorical tale. Using his extraordinary descriptive powers, Lewis introduces us to supernatural beings who will change the way we think about good and evil.

Recommended by Bob Baker

In the muddle of day-to-day life, have you somehow forgotten that Christianity is a living, vibrant relationship with a personal God? In this classic bestseller and recipient of both the ECPA Gold and Platinum Book Awards, The Pursuit of God reminds and challenges you to renew your relationship with your loving God. In each of the 10 chapters, Tozer explains one aspect of hungering for God and ends with a prayer.

Recommended by Buddy Owens and Todd Olthoff

The name Fenelon has stood for spiritual depth and insight for 300 years. Seeking Christians throughout the years have turned to his writings for guidance and help in their quest for a deeper walk with Christ. Here are his works and letters.

Recommended by Kay Warren

Leonard Ravenhill was born in 1907 in England. He became of one England's foremost evangelists, preaching with vigor and power. He emigrated with his family to the United States in midlife, where he continued his ministry. The author of several books, including Revival God's Way and Revival Praying, he went home to be with the Lord in 1994.

This is a no-compromise call to biblical revival and spiritual excellence that expounds on the disparity between today’s church and the church of Acts. Ravi Zacharias refers to this as "the book that shaped me...more dramatically than any other." Leonard Ravenhill’s call to revival is as timely now as it was when first published over forty years ago. The message is fearless and often radical as he expounds on the disparity between the New Testament church and the church today. Why Revival Tarries contains the heart of his message. A.W. Tozer called Ravenhill "a man sent from God" who "appeared at [a] critical moment in history," just as the Old Testament prophets did. Included are questions for group and individual study.

Recommended by Kay Warren

The Christian does not live in a vacuum, says the author, but in a world of government, politics, labor, and marriage. Hence, Christian ethics cannot exist in a vacuum; what the Christian needs, claims Dietrich Bonhoeffer, is concrete instruction in a concrete situation. Although the author died before completing his work, this book is recognized as a major contribution to Christian ethics. The root and ground of Christian ethics, the author says, is the reality of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. This reality is not manifest in the Church as distinct from the secular world; such a juxtaposition of two separate spheres, Bonhoeffer insists, is a denial of God's having reconciled the whole world to himself in Christ. On the contrary, God's commandment is to be found and known in the Church, the family, labor, and government. His commandment permits man to live as man before God, in a world God made, with responsibility for the institutions of that world.

Recommended by Steve Gladen