6 Books To Quarantine By,
Part 2: Preachers, Pastors, Ministers

The various Covid-19 quarantines took most people by surprise. During that time, I’ve received numerous requests for reading suggestions. There are so many books to recommend, and if you’ve subscribed to the podcast, you get plenty of suggestions. In this series of articles, we’ve narrowed it down to a handful in very specific categories.

So here are 6 book recommendations, in no particular order, by AnarchoChristian from Preachers, Pastors, and Ministers..

6. The Cost Of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is usually known for being associated with the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. While that is very important, it is unfortunate that his writings and sermons have largely been forgotten. The Cost of Discipleship is centered on an exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, in which Bonhoeffer spells out what he believes it means to follow Christ.

Memorable quote: “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has.”

Purchase: Amazon

 

5. The Gospel In Genesis by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Books from Martin Lloyd-Jones are a compilation of his expository sermons. In The Gospel in Genesis, Lloyd-Jones examines portions of Genesis 3 – 12, starting with the fall of man and ending with the call of Abraham, while preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Memorable quote: “The world is tremendously busy trying to cover up its nakedness, trying to get back again the glory that has been lost.”

Purchase: Amazon

Additional resources: We are very fortunate to have many Martin Lloyd-Jones sermons preserved in audio formats. The MLJ Trust (MLJTrust.org) is home to the sermon recordings, which can also be found on any of the streaming and podcast services. I highly recommend subscribing to the MLJ Trust on any platform you use and listening to sermons from MLJ while on quarantine, or any other day.

 

4. Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen

Machen was part of a large protestant schism in the 20th century. Christianity & Liberalism is not only considered one of the most important theological works of this time, it also thoroughly presents Machen’s position during this period. Something most readers today should consider, the “Liberalism” mentioned in the title is a theological and doctrinal liberalism. The term is used almost entirely in its political context today, and may catch potential readers by surprise. But Machen was also an outspoken figure against mandatory state education, and there are fantastic observations that any reader of any denomination will appreciate.

Memorable Quote: “Place the lives of children in their formative years, despite the convictions of their parents, under the intimate control of experts appointed by the state, force them to attend schools where the higher aspirations of humanity are crushed out, and where the mind is filled with the materialism of the day, and it is difficult to see how even the remnants of liberty can subsist.”

Purchase: Amazon

Additional resources: Mr. Machen Goes to Washington

 

 

3. Spurgeon Gold compiled by Ray Comfort

So this one might be cheating. At least it always feels that way when music lists include a Best Of album, but it’s a legitimate challenge when looking at an artist with such a lengthy catalog. Spurgeon is the preacher equivalent. If you’re not ready to dive into the 4,300+ pages of his complete sermons, you might enjoy this topical compilation from his many, many transcribed sermons.

Memorable quote: “God be thanked when the Law so works as to take off the sinner from all confidence in himself! To make the leper confess that he is incurable is going a great way toward compelling him to go to that divine Savior, who alone is able to heal him. This is the whole end of the Law toward men whom God will save.”

Purchase: Amazon

Additional resources:
Christian War Fever and C.H. Spurgeon- AC038
Spurgeon and the Unrighteousness of War – AC002
Spurgeon and the Unrighteousness of War

 

2. Has American Christianity Failed by Bryan Wolfmueller

Bryan Wolfmueller is one of my favorite pastors today. In his book Has American Christianity Failed, Wolfmueller tackles the false premises generally encountered in church today, and gives us the comfort of the true Gospel of Christ.

Memorable quote: “Make no mistake, the Law is good. But the Law does not save. It cannot comfort the sinner. It cannot comfort the Christian sinner. The Christian needs the Gospel just as surely as the unbeliever. The Scriptures teach and preach the Gospel for Christians. Forgiveness is also for Christians. Mercy and grace and the blood of Jesus are also for Christians. There is not a moment in this life when we do not need Jesus and His mercy, and there is not a moment when the Lord’s mercy is not for us.”

Purchase: Amazon

Additional resource: Pastor Wolfmueller has a Podcast that you can catch on your favorite podcathers, and is very active on YouTube.
Wolfmueller on YouTube

 

1. The Cross by Martin Lloyd-Jones

Ok. Maybe I’m cheating again by adding a second book from a preacher already on the list, but I can’t get enough MLJ! The Cross is a collection of sermons from MLJ that focus on the act and significance of Christ’s death on the cross. The theological insight that can be packed into a sermon that everyone can hear, enjoy, and benefit from – be you a layman or theological scholar – seems to be a trademark of Lloyd-Jones’ preaching, and this book is no different. If you want to better understand the Cross, biblically and spiritually, this book should be on your shelf.

Memorable Quote: “As Paul puts it later: ‘The Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me’ (Gal [2:20]). He did not wait until Paul was converted before he loved him. He loved him as he was, a blasphemer and persecuter and injurious. He loved him even when Saul of Tarsus was there blaspheming his holy name, ridiculing his claim that he was the Son of God…. While Paul was doing that, he was dying for Paul. And he was doing the same for you and for me. You who have reviled him and blasphemed him and hated him and regarded all this preaching of the cross as an offence, he did it for you. That is the measure of his love.”

Purchase: Amazon

Additional resources: We are very fortunate to have many Martin Lloyd-Jones sermons preserved in audio formats. The MLJ Trust (MLJTrust.org) is home to the sermon recordings, which can also be found on any of the streaming and podcast services. I highly recommend subscribing to the MLJ Trust on any platform you use and listening to sermons from MLJ while on quarantine, or any other day.

 

Need more books?
6 Books To Quarantine By, Part 1: Christianity & Politics
Four On War: Kids Edition- AC013
Four On War: The Civil War- AC028