The Bible is the primary reading for every Christian. I, as a pastor, believe that no Christian should read any other teaching or self help book until they have first read the entire Word of God. Why? If you let the Holy Spirit teach you first, you will immediately recognize any error in the extra-biblical books that you read. You will know true teachers from false teachers.

After you have read the Bible, start reading contemporary Bible teachers and preachers. The list below is made of authors I read, it includes those recommended to me in Bible school and by trusted pastors, it will continue to grow as I read and test the spirit by the sword of the Spirit.

ANDREW MURRAY (1828-1917)
Pastor and author. He also teaches with a prophetic anointing convicting the soul to live completely for God. He writes at a level that all can understand.

C.S. LEWIS (1898-1963)
Author and theologian. Lewis challenges Christians to look past denominational barriers into the reality of Christ. His English is more sophisticated like the KJV of the Bible, but he writes at a level that most can understand.

CHARLES SPURGEON (1834-1892)
Pastor and preacher. A passionate biblical expositor, Spurgeon taught clear messages of the transforming power of Jesus and the desperate need for maturity in the Body of Christ. He writes at a level that all can understand.

D.L. MOODY (1837-1899)
Powerful evangelist, revivalist and preacher. Full of the Holy Ghost, Moody to turned countless people to Christ. He writes at a level that all can understand.

DEREK PRINCE (1915-2003)
Bible teacher and preacher with a heart for Israel. Trained in Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, Prince is one of the few that teach a biblically-balanced view of supernatural gifts and spiritual warfare. He writes at a level that all can understand.

DR. ED MURPHY (1921-)
Missionary, pastor and counselor. Murphy brings his biblical scholarship and years of experiential wisdom to shed light on the realities of spiritual warfare. He writes at a more scholarly level with Scripture, well-documented evidence and cited sources. He is still easy to read if you can get past his thoroughness.

DR. J. VERNON McGEE (1904-1988)
Pastor, teacher and author. A down-to-earth teacher of the Word of God, McGee’s Through the Bible Commentaries opens the deep things of God to common folk. With a keen insight in biblical languages and Bible prophecy, his teachings will encourage you to dig deeper into the Word of God.

OSWALD CHAMBERS (1874-1917)
Bible teacher and theologian. Although some of his theological works may be too deep for the average reader, his other works, such as My Utmost for His Highest, are written at a level that all can understand.

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH (1859-1947)
Evangelist and preacher. Although not an author, he was a man of great faith in God’s Word and in the power available through His Holy Spirit. Many books have been written on his life and ministry.

WATCHMAN NEE (1903-1972)
Pastor, teacher and theologian. Nee To-sheng teaches the deep things of the Word of God with an emphasis on the Spirit and living a “real” Christian life. He taught with power and lived what he taught. Some of his more theological books are difficult to read.

Most of the authors recommended are now with the Lord, but their teaching and lifestyles have stood the test of time. Their message needs to be heard especially in this time of the apostate church. Pastors and teachers of today need to hear the warnings, obey the call to fall completely in love with Jesus, spending needed valuable time in His presence, and most of all to teach the unabashed Truth of God’s Word.