3. Useful tools - treasure in a field

Useful tools

ESV study bible

This kind of book is really useful. Unfortunately, it is quite expensive! The book contains the Bible, but also has some very helpful accompanying notes (over 25,000) and information (over 50 articles, 200 maps, 200 plus charts and literally thousands of references to assist you). This is such a helpful tool - in reading the Bible and understanding what it means, and how to apply what you are reading. Therefore, this kind of book may seem like a costly outlay but it more than returns it investment.

How to read the Bible for all its worth

I don't want to swamp you with lots of classic "Christian books" when you may not have even decided to follow Jesus. But the reason I recommend this book is that it is such a useful aid to learning to use the Bible properly and pretty much tackles most of the issues you may have regarding how to approach different literary styles within the Bible etc. It also provides an honest assessment of the challenge with translating the Bible texts from their original language (Greek and Hebrew) into modern english. Therefore, reading a book like this will give you greater confidence and reduce your chances of committing a host of basic errors when reading the Bible.

Mere Christianity

C S Lewis has made some canny observations over the years (he is dead now). Therefore, it seems crazy not to recommend all of his work. But I have limited myself to this one book because it has helped so many people. Lewis is a logical thinker and his reasoning has withstood the test of time.

The case for Christ

This is a wonderfully helpful and informative book. Perhaps a bit too american (the author can't help it - he is American!), but all the same Lee Strobel presents his own investigation into the case for Christ (and so the Christian faith) in an engaging and challenging way - which certainly presents many an atheist with a problem - as the author found himself.

The reason for God

Another powerful tool which helps cause the reader to review, consider and question all the varied and many arguments and objections to faith, and in particular Christianity. It does not shy away from tackling difficult issues such as the cause of evil etc.

Who moved the stone

I love this book. I am not sure it as easily accessible as the other books I have recommended (its older than the others and the front cover is so boring!). But I have left it in here for three reasons. Firstly, my dad read it and found the treasure of Jesus Christ as a result. Secondly, it centres its attention on the heart of the Christian faith (the cross and resurrection). Thirdly, the author (a lawyer) began writing originally with a view to disproving the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Hence, the first chapter is called "The book that refused to be written" - in the end Frank Morrison discovered the truth about Jesus Christ. So a compelling journey to witness regardless of your own conclusions.

The useful aspect of Amazon.co.uk is that each book often has both positive and negative reviews you can read.