11. Recommended Reading
What follows is a list of recommended reading,
from the writings of various Christadelphians. Most of these works are still in
print and available from several sources. This list is far from complete, but
will serve to draw attention to the rich possibilities, just within our own
small community, for continuing Bible study. (Many of these books have been
consulted in the course of this work.)
The Bible as a Whole
Vox Dei (Collyer): “The Word, or
Voice, of God” — a simple discussion of the grounds of faith in the
Bible as God’s Word, with emphasis on prophecy fulfilled and fulfilling. A
bit out-of-date, but still fine reading.
God’s Truth (Hayward): “A
scientist shows why it makes sense to believe the Bible.” A first-rate,
and very entertaining, survey of inspiration, Bible background, and Bible
proofs.
Foundations and First
Principles
Bible Basics (Heaster): An orderly survey
of basic Bible teaching; has been used extensively in preaching activities, and
translated, now, into a number of languages.
Christendom Astray (Roberts): This book
started as a series of first principles lectures, and has revolutionized the
thinking of literally thousands of readers.
Elpis Israel (Thomas): “The Hope of
Israel”. Written in 1848, it marked the beginning of the modern
“Christadelphian” movement. The language is a bit difficult, but the
insights are wonderful. The final section, on last days prophecy, is by now
considerably out-of-date as to particulars, although many points even there are
still valid. (If necessary, read it slowly, two or three pages per
day.)
Wrested Scriptures (Abel): An organized,
in-depth analysis of Bible verses regularly misapplied by various denominations
to prove their own special false doctrines. Very useful in all preaching
work.
The Protesters and Brethren in
Christ (Eyre): The primary reason to read these two books is to marvel at
the spiritual strength of the pioneers of our faith (going back much earlier
than the 19th century!), and to be motivated, by their examples, to greater
efforts in these days of laziness and indifference.
John Thomas and His Rediscovery of Bible
Truth (Fadelle): The story of Christadelphian beginnings told in a simple,
concise fashion. Useful for introducing the faith to friends and
family.
Understanding the Bible (Norris): Bible
proofs and a simple plan for first steps in Bible reading and
study.
The Devil — the Great Deceiver
(Watkins): Analysis of the Bible teaching about sin, with special attention to
the “wrested passages” about the Devil and Satan.
Preaching the Truth (Brown), Desert
Island Adventure (Wille), and At Last True Christianity (Eyre): The
“gospel” in light and entertaining story forms.
Bible Study
Beyond Bible Basics (Heaster): Takes up
where Bible Basics leaves off. 900+ pages of serious Bible
study!
Exploring the Bible and Enjoying the
Bible (Whittaker): These two books are in a class by themselves. It would be
very difficult to say too much in commending them. It is safe to say these books
have helped more Christadelphians to become true Bible students than any other
writings. The benefit of such books is that the student — if he reads
wisely and practices what he reads — will become, to a large extent,
independent of the interpretations of other men.
Our Life in the Truth
Freedom in Christ (Twelves): Advice on
following Christ in an evil and permissive society.
The Guiding Light, Convictions and Conduct,
and Principles and Proverbs (Collyer): This fine writer had a knack
for examining principles and philosophies of life in a very insightful and
penetrating fashion.
Reformation (Whittaker): Attempting to
bring about a new “reformation”, leading Christadelphians back to
traditional standards of life in the Truth. Guaranteed to give the serious
reader a guilty conscience!
The New Life (Marshall): The “new
and living way”.
Prayer — Studies in Principles and
Practice (Purkis, Tennant): The best book on a very private and personal
part of each believer’s life.
Preaching the Word (Norris): Advice on how
to become a true and effective preacher of the gospel.
The Genius of Discipleship (Gillett):
“True discipleship involves the whole man, and its influence should be
conspicuous in every department of daily living.”
Family Life in the Lord (Styles): A
collection of articles designed to improve the quality of our family life, to
the honor and glory of God.
War and Politics — the Christian’s
Duty (Watkins): A small pamphlet discussing crucial areas in a new
believer’s life.
Biblical Fellowship (Booker): The meaning
of “fellowship” with God and with Christ, and with our brethren.
Helpful analysis of what can be a very difficult and troubling subject,
especially for new believers. Contains extensive quotations from earlier
Christadelphians on this subject.
General Exhortations
Diseases of the Soul
(Gillett).
Guided by the Star
(Ladson).
A Sound Mind (Sargent).
Minute Meditations
(Lloyd).
The Ways of Providence and The Visible
Hand of God (Roberts).
Biographies
Abraham, Father of the Faithful
(Whittaker).
Wrestling Jacob
(Whittaker).
Moses My Servant
(Tennant).
The Man David (Tennant).
Hezekiah the Great (Whittaker)/The
Songs of Degrees (Booker): Two books with a related theme under one
cover.
Peter: Fisher of Men
(Norris).
Old Testament Exposition
The Law of Moses (Roberts) and Law and
Grace (Barling): Two very good studies on the Law of Moses.
Samuel, Saul, and David (Whittaker): The
history of 1 and 2 Samuel.
Psalms Studies (Booker): Two volumes and
800+ pages on the Psalms, from a historical and a Messianic
perspective.
Proverbs (Crawford): In three volumes, an
in-depth study, with a serious moral tone.
Isaiah (Whittaker): A serious study, not
necessarily for the true “beginner”. Something to look forward to
after a few years!
The Lamentations of Jeremiah (Booker,
Haltom).
From Hosea to Zephaniah
(Pearce).
Prophets After the Exile
(Carter).
New Testament Exposition
Studies in the Gospels (Whittaker): This
may be the best book ever written by a Christadelphian, or any other Bible
expositor, for that matter.
Gospel of John (Carter).
The Teaching of the Master
(Sargent).
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
(Whittaker).
Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and
Hebrews (Carter): Studies in four different letters.
Letters to Corinth, Philippians, and
Colossians (Barling): Three books on various letters.
Waiting for His Son (Booker): The letters
to the Thessalonians.
James and The Epistles of John
(Smart).
Eureka: An Exposition of the Apocalypse
(Thomas): Five volumes, and 1,800 pages. Not recommended for the beginner;
however, there are numerous shorter works that serve as useful introductions to
the study of the Book of Revelation. Wait a few years before
“graduating” to “Eureka”!
Revelation: A Biblical Approach
(Whittaker): The Book of Revelation from a futurist perspective, primarily.
Shows how all of the Bible may be brought to bear on this the last (and in some
ways the most intriguing) book of the Bible.
In addition to all the above, the Williamsburg
Christadelphian Foundation has an extensive cassette tape library (over 5,000
tapes at last count), of all sorts of Bible studies: first principles,
exhortations, and detailed expositions — all at very cheap prices. The
latest catalogue may be obtained from:
Williamsburg Christadelphian
Foundation
P.O. Box 982, Bloomington, IL
61702.
