Books for New Christians

There are (and this is a modest estimate) approximately 1 bajillion books about Christianity. Where do you even start? Lifelong Christians are often at a loss, let alone recent converts or those returning after long absences.

Below you'll find some of our best recommendations, books designed to provide knowledge of the Bible and key doctrines at the introductory level, as well as offering support and encouragement for pure living.

Don't assume this is a comprehensive list! Plenty of excellent titles are available, some of which we carry and others that we don't; we've kept this group brief to prevent confusion.

Also, these are just as much for longtime Christians as for newcomers to the faith. If you want to expand your knowledge but don't have a wide foundation to build from, start here. We've purposefully avoided including more advanced theology and Bible study to ensure any title you find here can be used as a jumping-off place.

Finally, enjoy learning. The study of God, His character, and the history of His people should bring joy, and these are books designed not only to increase your knowledge, but to enliven your spirit. Learning is essential for growth; these books are an excellent first step toward maturity and understanding.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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60 Items found Print
10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity
by Rebecca McLaughlin
from Crossway Books
for 7th-12th grade
in Growing Up Christian (Location: XCL-GROW)
30 Days to Understanding the Bible
by Max Anders
Reprint from Thomas Nelson Publishers
for 7th-Adult
in Bible Reading & Study (Location: XBI-STUDY)
$19.99
Basic Christian Living
by Douglas Wilson
from Canon Press
for 9th-Adult
in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
$18.00
Basic Christianity
by John Stott
2nd edition from InterVarsity Press
in Beginning Christian Apologetics (Location: XAP-BEG)
$6.00
Basic Christianity
by John Stott
2nd edition from William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
in Beginning Christian Apologetics (Location: XAP-BEG)
$7.99
Christian History Made Easy
Rose Bible Basics
by Timothy Paul Jones
from Rose Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$14.99 $10.50 (1 in stock)
Christianity, Cults & Religions
from Rose Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in World Religions, Cults and Sects (Location: XAP-WRCS)
$14.99
Concise Theology
by J. I. Packer
from Tyndale House
for 10th-Adult
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$16.99
Dangerous Duty of Delight
by John Piper
from Multnomah Books
for Adult
in Knowing & Loving God (Location: XCL-KNOW)
$13.99
Faith of Our Fathers
by L. Charles Jackson
from Canon Press
in Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms (Location: XTH-CREED)
$12.00
God in Three Persons
by Allen Vander Pol
from P&R Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Theology Proper: The Study of God (Location: XTH-GOD)
Gospel Primer for Christians
by Milton Vincent
from Focus Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in The Gospel (Location: XTH-GOS)
$10.95 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Heidelberg Catechism - A Study Guide
by G. I. Williamson
from P&R Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms (Location: XTH-CREED)
$16.99
How Do We Know That Christianity is Really True?
Biq Questions Series
by Chris Morphew, Illustrated by Emma Randall
from Good Book Company
for 3rd-8th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
$12.99
How Our Children Come to Faith
Basics of the Reformed Faith
by Stephen Smallman
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50 $2.50 (1 in stock)
How to Grow in Christ
by Jack Kinneer
from P&R Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Bible Reading & Study (Location: XBI-STUDY)
$6.80
Knowing God
by J. I. Packer
2nd edition from InterVarsity Press
for 9th-Adult
in Knowing & Loving God (Location: XCL-KNOW)
$20.00
Manual of Christian Doctrine
by Louis Berkhof
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 10th-Adult
in Systematic Theology (Location: XTH-SYS)
$20.75 $10.00 (1 in stock)
Mere Christianity
by C. S. Lewis
from HarperCollins
Religion/Philosophy for 8th-Adult
in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20)
Our Faith: Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions
by CRC Publications
from CRC Publications
for 10th-Adult
in Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms (Location: XTH-CREED)
$10.00
Pursuit of God
by A. W. Tozer
from Moody Press
for 9th-Adult
in Knowing & Loving God (Location: XCL-KNOW)
$4.99
Pursuit of Holiness
by Jerry Bridges
from NavPress
for 9th-Adult
in Pursuing Holiness (Location: XCL-HOLY)
Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture
by Thomas Vincent
from Banner of Truth Trust
for Adult
in Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms (Location: XTH-CREED)
Shorter Catechism with Scripture Proofs
by Banner of Truth Trust
from Banner of Truth Trust
for Preschool-8th grade
in Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms (Location: XTH-CREED)
$2.00 $1.40 (1 in stock)
Simply Christian
by N. T. Wright
from HarperCollins
for Adult
in Beginning Christian Apologetics (Location: XAP-BEG)
$20.00
Taking God Seriously
by J. I. Packer
1st edition from Crossway Books
for 9th-Adult
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$10.39
Visual Theology
by Tim Challies & Josh Byers
from Zondervan
for 7th-10th grade
in Various Theology (Location: XTH-MISC)
$22.99
Westminster Shorter Catechism For Study Classes
by G. I. Williamson
2nd edition from P&R Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms (Location: XTH-CREED)
$15.99
Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English
by Phillip Rollinson & Kelly Douglas, editors
from P&R Publishing
for All ages
in Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms (Location: XTH-CREED)
$2.99
Westminster Standards
by G. C. Pub
from Great Commission Publications
for 10th-Adult
in Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms (Location: XTH-CREED)
$1.50 (1 in stock)
What Are Election and Predestination?
Basics of the Reformed Faith
by Richard D. Phillips
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Basics of the Faith
by Vern S. Poythress
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.50
What Christians Believe at a Glance
from Rose Publishing
for 9th-Adult
$8.00 (1 in stock)
What Happens When We Die?
Big Questions Series
by Chris Morphew, Illustrated by Emma Randall
from Good Book Company
for 3rd-8th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
What is a Reformed Church?
Basics of the Reformed Faith Series
by Stephen Smallman
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What is a True Calvinist?
Basics of the Reformed Faith Series
by Philip Graham Ryken
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What Is Biblical Preaching?
Basics of the Faith
by Eric J. Alexander
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.50
What Is Church Government?
Basics of the Faith
by Sean Michael Lucas
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.50
What Is Evangelism?
by George W. Robertson
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What Is Grace?
Basics of the Faith
by Sean Michael Lucas
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.99 $2.00 (1 in stock)
What Is Hell?
Basics of the Faith
by Christopher W. Morgan & Robert A. Peterson
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What is Justification by Faith Alone?
Basics of the Faith
by J. V. Fesko
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.50
What is Man?
Basics of the Faith
by A. Craig Troxel
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.50
What Is Mercy Ministry?
by Noah J. Toly, Philip Graham Ryken
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What Is Perseverance of the Saints?
Basics of the Reformed Faith
by Michael A. Milton
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.50
What is Providence?
Basics of the Reformed Faith
by Derek W. H. Thomas
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
What Is Regeneration?
by Matthew M. Barrett
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What is Spiritual Warfare?
by Stanley D. Gale
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.50
What Is the Atonement?
Basics of the Faith
by Richard D. Phillips
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.00
What Is the Bible?
by Guy Prentiss Waters
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What Is the Christian Worldview?
Basics of the Reformed Faith
by Philip Graham Ryken
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What Is the Doctrine of Adoption?
Basics of the Faith
by Michael A. Milton
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What Is the Incarnation?
by William B. Evans
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What is the Lord's Supper?
Basics of the Reformed Faith
by Richard D. Phillips
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.50
What Is True Conversion?
Basics of the Faith
by Stephen E. Smallman
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
What Is Worship Music?
Basics of the Faith
by Paul S. Jones
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50
Why Believe in God?
Basics of the Faith
by Daniel R. Hyde
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.50
Why Do We Have Creeds?
Basics of the Faith
by Burk Parsons
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$2.99
Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?
Big Questions Series
by Chris Morphew, Illustrated by Emma Randall
from Good Book Company
for 3rd-8th grade
in Worldview & Apologetics for Kids (Location: BIBWV-APK)
$12.99
Why God Gave Us a Book
Basics of the Faith
by Gene Edward Veith Jr
from P&R Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in Basics of the Faith (Location: XNC-BAS)
$3.50