Suggested Reading List

(For all believers, but especially Pastors.)

by Dr. Robert Dean Jr.

The Pastor-teacher by definition is not only a man of “The Book” but is necessarily a man of books. He should read widely and not necessarily restrict himself to reading that with which he agrees. But one cannot purchase every book published for there is no end to the making of books (or of buying them it seems) (Eccl. 12:12). Therefore some guidelines must be provided the seminary student and pastor that he might buy wisely and well.

I have divided the following into categories. Though there are many other books that should be read, I consider these to be fundamental resources which the pastor will return to again and again, or because they are studies of ground breaking importance.

**Those indicated with an asterisk should be mandatory reading for not only every pastor but every believer.

Apologetics

Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, I and II

*Henry Morris, The Genesis Flood

*Henry Morris, The Long War Against God

Charlie Clough, Giving An Answer (privately published)

*Dennis McCallum, The Death of Truth. Analysis of Postmodernism in a basic, easily understood layout. Individual chapters on Literature, Law, History, Science, Education, Religion, and Psychology.

Gene Vieth, Postmodern Times.

Reference Tools

A good Bible Encyclopedia, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, or Zondervan Pictorial Bible Encyclopedia are both good.

Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology

Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament

Kittel, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (only for the Greek Student) 10 vol unabridged version.

Brown, Driver, Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament

Waltke and O'Connor, Biblical Hebrew Syntax. For the advanced Hebrew student.

Harris, Archer, Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

Daniel Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics. No pastor should be without this crucial reference for intermediate and advanced Greek Grammar. In this reviewers opinion, Wallace, like all Greek students, lets his theology overshadow his grammatical interpretation at some points. As in all such studies, the evidence he uses for some conclusions must be objectively evaluated.

Mal Couch, Dictionary of Premillennial Theology. Recently printed may not last long, but has some articles and information not available in print elsewhere.

Theology

Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Unabridged 8 vol. version

Dieter, ed., Five Views on Sanctification. The article by Walvoord and the one by the Keswick theologian are must reads for understanding the dynamics of sanctification in light of the recent controversy.

*Joseph Dillow, The Reign of the Servant Kings. The best theology in print of the free grace gospel versus lordship.

Zane Hodges, The Gospel Under Siege

Eliot Johnson, Expository Hermeneutics. Elliot taught hermeneutics at DTS for years this is the fruit of his years and an absolute must read.

Dwight Pentecost, Things To Come, A Classic on Prophecy, a must.

Ryrie, Basic Theology

So Great Salvation

* Dispensationalism Today

Walvoord, The Rapture Question

Willis, Master, Issues in Dispensationalism. A must read for understanding contemporary issues in dispensational theology, especially in light of the current revisionist dispensationalism emanating from Dallas Seminary, the former bastion of dispensational truth.

Commentaries

Allan Ross, Creation and Blessing: A Commentary on Genesis (Probably the best commentary every done. An absolute must for ever teaching Genesis)

Walvoord, Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament

Walvoord, Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament

Old Testament

Eugene Merril, Kingdom of Priests

Randall Price, The Stones Cry Out

New Testament

Dwight Pentecost, Words and Works of Jesus Christ

F. F. Bruce. Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free.

Church History

Louis Berkhof, A History of Doctrine

Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church

Bruce Shelley, Church History in Plain Language

General Reading

*Dave Hunt, The Seduction of Christianity. Excellent analysis of the health and wealth gospel and the dangers of psychology as a religious alternative to Biblical Christianity.

Robert Gromacki, The Modern Tongues Movement. One of the best books published on the Tongues issue.

*Robert Dean and Thomas Ice, Overrun By Demons. Counteracts the modern metaphsycal, “devil made me do it” approach to spiritual warfare and refutes arguments that Christian's can be demon possessed.

R. B. Thieme, Jr. The books of R. B. Thieme, Jr on the Christian life and basic doctrines of the Bible are heartily recommended for the reading of every believer. These can be ordered from R. B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries, 5139 W. Alabama, Houston, Texas, 77056

©Robert L. Dean, Jr., 1999