Alloa Christian School

294 pages, paperback, Penguin. 

Subtitled - Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin.

This extremely lively yet thoughtful spur to personal holiness is drawn from the great John Owen’s two classics - Indwelling Sin in Believers and The Mortification of Sin. ‘I kidnapped Owen,’ says the author. ‘I took him as my co-author and together we’ve written a new book. He brought to the table his precious exposition, outlines, arguments and illustrations, and I returned to him stories.’ Exceptionally easy to read, this is an explosive introduction to accomplishing holy living.

Subtitled - The Church Member’s Guide. This is an abridgement of a marvellous handbook on church membership. It includes the duties of members, church discipline, troubles in churches, prayer meetings, and other matters. Although written from the viewpoint of a nineteenth-century Congregationalist, it is highly recommended. A portion of this booklet urges readers to respect all denominations. However, he wrote at a time when all Protestant groups were sound in the faith. Bear in mind that he would not give the same exhortation if he lived today.

In short, lively chapters this famous writer highlights major characteristics of the Bible which every believer really needs to know, and will enjoy.

This stirring allegory will give every reader a deep understanding of what happens in the salvation of a soul. Bunyan’s brilliant illustrations describe with immense insight the fall of ‘Mansoul’ and its rescue. A ‘must’ to be read, prompting a great step forward in spiritual growth.

This is selected as the first biography on the list because it shows the power of the Word alone in converting many, and the way God blessed one who was obedient and faithful to Him. (We knew this Canadian author, now in glory, very well and deeply respected him as an outstanding speaker, pastor, biographer, and personality.)

So many believers have fallen for the charismatic movement. This shows the true purpose of the sign-miracles performed by the apostles, and shows that they were quite different from those claimed today. Were the gifts of New Testament times intended to be permanent? Answers are given.

The author shows how to recognise the two ‘world views’, one arising from evolution, and the other based on the fact of creation. It is shown that evolution is a religion. Many objections that are raised against the book of Genesis are answered. Christians must know how to answer these questions.

There is nothing to match this brilliant book by an evangelical scholar-bishop of the nineteenth century. It really helps one to see the greatness of each Person of the Trinity, and to love the Lord as never before.

A lively book, novel in style, in which the author (a missionary in Italy for over 30 years) pinpoints the key differences between biblical salvation and Catholic teaching. He never says too much. Eight chief differences are singled out. This will definitely help the reader to witness to Catholic friends.

 A long read - but readers will never regret it. Dr John MacArthur calls this the best book he has ever read. It is a beautifully produced biography of the ‘father of modern missions’. Compelling pages convey the very atmosphere of an extraordinary time of missionary advance. Carey and his colleagues overcame mountainous obstacles to become the most productive church planters and Bible translators of all time. This story will stir the hearts of young and old alike.

A kind of sequel to Charismatic Phenomenon, this answers charismatic claims and arguments, showing that sign-gifts have ceased. It includes chapters on demons; on how James 5 should be obeyed today, and on the Bible’s insistence that the mind should always be ‘switched on’ in worship. It has a great concluding chapter on medical aspects of divine healing, by the late Prof Verna Wright, a much-loved and eminent Christian doctor.

Having previously read A Summary of Christian Doctrine, it is valuable now to read this precise statement of the faith. C. H. Spurgeon had this reprinted for his younger church members. This edition has had the punctuation updated and archaic words replaced. Explanations of difficult terms have been inserted in brackets. Read it slowly and pray as you read.