RC Sproul Favorite Recommended Books

Ligonier Ministries shared 16 books that have most shaped the thinking and ministry of R.C. Sproul. You can purchase many of them from the Ligonier Store or Amazon (linked below). You can also find digital editions of several of the older volumes for free on Monergism.

1. The Freedom of the Will, Edwards

2. The Bondage of the Will, Luther

3. Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin

4. God in Modern Philosophy, Collins

5. A Time For Truth, Simon

6. Charity and Its Fruits, Edwards

7. The Person of Christ, Berkhouwer

8. Gospel Fear, Burroughs

9. Gospel Worship, Burroughs

10. Institutes of Elenctic Theology (3 Vol.), Turretin

11. Principles of Conduct, Murray

12. A Christian View of Men and Things, Clark

13. Thales to Dewey, Clark

14. Here I Stand, Bainton

15. A Simple Way to Pray, Luther

16. The Coming of the Kingdom, Ridderbos

Ligonier also shared books R.C. Sproul recommends. There are several repetitions from the earlier list, as one naturally recommends books that shape them.

1. Assured by God by Burk Parsons
I would like every believer to read Assured by God, a helpful collection of essays on the assurance of salvation. It is edited by Burk Parsons, editor of Tabletalk magazine.

2. Biblical Economics by R.C. Sproul Jr.
This book by my son, R.C. Sproul Jr., is a useful primer on Scripture’s teaching on economics. It has been of great help to me on the subject.

3. The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther
The Bondage of the Will is Martin Luther’s finest theological writing. Few works more convincingly tell us of man’s depravity and need for God’s sovereign grace.

4. Charity and Its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards, America’s greatest theologian and a hero of mine, gives us this excellent exposition of 1 Corinthians 13. Here is a man who knew what it means to love Christ.

5. Contending for Our All by John Piper
I love this book. John Piper reminds us that it is not enough to affirm or defend our faith, we must also be willing, under fire, to contend for our faith.

6. Counted Righteous in Christ by John Piper
This work by John Piper is a fine contemporary explanation and defense of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness as our only hope in life and death.

7. Creation and Change by Douglas Kelly
This book written by Douglas Kelly is perhaps the finest defense of the literal, twenty-four hour, six-day creation of the universe. My own thinking has been greatly influenced by it.

8. The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen
John Owen’s exposition of God’s intent in the atonement is the best work on particular redemption, which emphasizes that Christ died for His people alone.

9. The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steven J. Lawson
I heartily recommend this book by Steven Lawson as an impetus to the recovery of expository preaching. It is an especially good gift for pastors and seminary students.

10. Foundations of Grace by Steven J. Lawson
My former student, Steven Lawson, does the church a great service in this work, a thorough look at how the entire canon of Scripture teaches the doctrines of grace.

11. The Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards
Many Christians argue that Reformed theology effectively renders meaningless the concept of free will. However, as Jonathan Edwards demonstrates in this book, Reformed theology is entirely compatible with freedom. His argument has yet to be answered convincingly.

12. Gospel Fear by Jeremiah Burroughs
Jeremiah Burroughs is a must-read Puritan author. He represents the best of that movement, especially in this book, which explains what it means to revere the Lord.

13. Gospel Worship by Jeremiah Burroughs
Jeremiah Burroughs’ Gospel Worship has greatly influenced my understanding of biblical worship. It is one of the most important books I have ever read.

14. Here I Stand by Roland Bainton
Roland Bainton’s biography of Martin Luther is an inspiring summary of the life of the great reformer. This book will challenge you to stand firm for Christ.

15. The Holy Spirit by Sinclair Ferguson
My friend Sinclair Ferguson is in my view the world’s leading expert on the person and work of the Holy Spirit today. This work on the Spirit will benefit any believer.

16. Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion is perhaps the most important work of systematic theology ever written. Its influence has been formative on my thinking and on the thinking of believers all around the world.

17. Justification by Francis Turretin
Justification is so important that we convinced P&R Publishing to print this selection on this doctrine from one of the best theologians in church history, Francis Turretin.

18. Principles of Conduct by John Murray
Church elders know well that applying the Bible’s teaching to ethical situations can be more difficult than it first appears. This work by John Murray helps us to learn to apply God’s law to issues like marriage and divorce, truth-telling, and more.

19. A Simple Way to Pray by Martin Luther
No book has done more to revolutionize my personal prayer life than this little book by Martin Luther. I would recommend it for every Christian’s library.

Related Link: Free Audio Download of R.C. Sproul’s The Barber Who Wanted to Pray (based on Luther’s A Simple Way to Pray)

20. The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett
The puritans were a praying people, and this book is a collection of some of their excellent prayers. I find The Valley of Vision to be a great aid for devotions.

21. What Christian Parents Should Know About Infant Baptism by John Sartelle
I have known John Sartelle for many years, and this little booklet is one of the best explanations of the Reformed practice of infant baptism.

Also free: 20 R.C. Sproul Kindle books from the Crucial Questions series.


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