Let’s say your home is not exactly a place where serious Bible study happens. Here are a few reference works that will turn your Xbox sanctuary into a solid home library. These books are not meant to be read cover to cover unless you’re a total geek, but you should familiarize yourself with their features, their Tables of Contents, and then be sure to pull them off the shelves often. If you can’t afford these books, then get on Ebay and sell some old DVDs and half your kids’ toys (they won’t notice) so you can afford these 8 Crucial References. Don’t ask me which ones are more important. Get them all.
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem
Read a chapter from time to time in order to keep the brain cells alive. Keep it handy whenever your kid or your small group asks a stumper. If you like this sort of book, see also Culver’s Systematic Theology, Vos’s Biblical Theology, Calvin’s Institutes, and Berkhof’s Systematic Theology.
ESV Study Bible by God
When early reviews from Driscoll, Piper, Mohler, Mahaney, Packer, et al, began praising the ESV Study Bible as “the finest study tool I have seen in fifty years of Bible teaching” (Bridges), I felt a little bit of “yeah, right.” After dragging my own copy around the house like Gollum and the ring, I have to concur. It’s way too expensive to produce and buy this kind of thing, but get one anyway. You bought Season One of 24, you can afford this.
Introduction to the New Testament by Carson & Moo
Great to skim whenever you start studying a new book of the NT.
New Bible Commentary by Carson
A single-volume commentary through the entire Bible. Now that’s just plain handy.
Bible Software allows you to search and study the Scriptures with amazing speed. The best software for lay people is Logos Bible Software or the more academic Bibleworks (or Grammcord for Mac). If you purchase the ESV Study Bible (above), then the free online tools replace the need for this book. eSword is a very good free option.
New Bible Dictionary by Wood, Packer, Millard, et al
Stumble on a word you don’t know? Like “propitiation,” ”alter” or “Babylon?” Put the Merriam-Webster’s down and slowly back away. These are Bible words and they need a Bible dictionary in order to understand what the authors intended all those thousands of years ago.
Interpreting the Prophetic Word by Willem A. VanGemeren
Excellent summary of all the prophetic books, plus VanGemeren compiles the major themes from all the prophets for a wickedly convicting chapter at the end. One of my top 5 favorite books of all time.
Introduction to the History of Christianity by Briggs, Linder, Wright, et al
