5 Christian Living Books You Haven’t Read (But Should)

Chances are you have read my 5 Christian Films and 5 Christian Rock Artist articles. If you have yet to do that, then I highly recommend reading them as many people’s eyes were opened to good Christian media that they had not known of before. My next list is Christian living books. This is the part of Christian media that is flooded and rightfully so. For some, you may have read a lot of books that help you on your journey and for others you dread the idea of being bored or preached at. Well for this list I picked 5 books that range from informative to just plain funny. All of them are highly recommended and chances are, you have overlooked them. I almost guarantee at least one book in this list will tickle your fancy (do people still say that?), so let us get started!

Note – As usual, the list is in alphabetical order.

Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello To Courtship – Joshua Harris

Many people, including myself, have wondered how exactly we are supposed to date or court someone in the world today. Times have changed since our parents dated with the world now 100 percent ok with us living with each other, have pre-martial sex, and open relationships. Chances are that you want to meet a nice Christian girl or boy and treat them the proper way. Maybe you have had many failed past relationships and you have no idea why. In all actuality, I recommend this book for anyone dating/courting or looking to date/court in the future.

Here is the book’s description.

“Purpose Driven Romance
The last thing singles want is more rules. But if you’re looking for an intentional, God-pleasing game plan for finding a future spouse, Joshua Harris delivers an appealing one. A compelling new foreword, an all-new “8 Great Courtship Conversations” section, and updated material throughout makes this five-year revision of the original Boy Meets Girl a must-have! Harris illustrates how biblical courtship—a healthy, joyous alternative to recreational dating—worked for him and his wife. Boy Meets Girl presents an inspiring, practical example for readers wanting to pursue the possibility of marriage with someone they may be serious about. Sydney engagement rings from The Diamond Jewellery Studio are the best ones to propose with to your future wife.
Are you ready for “romance with purpose”?
If you’re fed up with self-centered relationships that end in disillusionment, it’s time to rethink romance. Finding the loving, committed relationship you want shouldn’t mean throwing away your hopes, your integrity, or your heart.
In Boy Meets Girl, Joshua Harris —the guy who kissed dating goodbye—makes the case for courtship. As old-fashioned as it might sound, courtship is what modern day relationships desperately need. Think of it as romance chaperoned by wisdom, cared for by community, and directed by God’s Word.
Filled with inspiring stories from men and women who have rediscovered courtship, Boy Meets Girl is honest, romantic, and refreshingly biblical. Keep God at the center of your relationship as you discover how to:

•Set a clear course for your romance
•Get closer without compromis
•Find support in a caring community
•Deal with past sexual sin
•Make the right decisions about your future.”

Check it out here

Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for your Heart – Kyle Idleman

From the same author who wrote Not a Fan, comes another book that gets overlooked quite often. Have you ever wondered if God is first in your life? Are video games, work, or maybe a sin more important to you than God? It is hard to find a clear cut answer on this but, Gods at War really makes everything crystal clear so that by the end you know exactly where God is in your life and what really matters to you. If you enjoyed Not a Fan or Aha by Idleman, then this book is most certainly for you or even someone you know.

Here is the book’s description.

“What keeps us from truly following Jesus is that our hearts are pursuing something or someone else.  While these pursuits may not be the “graven images” of old, they are in fact modern day idols.  Behind the sin you’re struggling with, the discouragement you’re dealing with, the lack of purpose you’re living with is a false god that is winning the war for your heart.

According to Idleman, idolatry isn’t an issue—it is the issue.

By asking insightful questions, Idleman reveals which false gods each of us are allowing on the throne of our lives. What do you sacrifice for? What makes you mad? What do you worry about? Whose applause do you long for? We’re all wired for worship, but we often end up valuing and honoring the idols of money, sex, food, romance, success and many others that keep us from the intimate relationship with God that we desire.

Using true, powerful and honest testimonies of those who have struggled in each area, gods at war illustrates a clear path away from the heartache of our 21st century idolatry back to the heart of God – enabling us to truly be completely committed followers of Jesus.”

Check it out here

God’s Not Dead – Rice Broocks

There is a good chance you have seen the adequate film or heard the amazing song play on the radio. This book is the basis for the movie while the title was inspired by the song. God’s Not Dead is an easy to understand book about the evidence pointing towards the God we know and love. While the movie used a few basic arguments, the book really dives into deeper and more interesting questions. If you know someone who constantly questions God’s existence and maybe even tells you there isn’t a God, then this is a great book to read.

Here is the book’s description.

“The goal of God’s Not Dead: Evidence for God in an Age of Uncertainty is straightforward: to help readers develop “a faith that is real and credible—and strong enough to help others find faith in God.” To that end, Rice Broocks outlines a roadmap that guides seekers to acknowledge the most basic truths of Christianity:

• There is overwhelming and exciting evidence for God’s existence

• The God who exists is indeed the God of the Bible

• God has revealed his nature through his Son, Jesus Christ

As shown during the movie, this is the original book on which the main character bases much of his debate points with the atheistic professor. Persuasive arguments crafted with tools borrowed from logic, science, and philosophy, as well as scripture, solidify the faith of the Christian reader and provide starting points for discussions with skeptics. With clear, easy-to-follow explanations of key concepts and controversies, God’s Not Dead is apologetics for the twenty-first century, presented in layman’s terms. Readers will be empowered not only to talk about their own faith with confidence but to lead others to a relationship with Jesus.”

Check it out here

Stuff Christians Like – Jonathan Acuff

You may be asking me “Wesley, I thought you promised a funny book?” and to that I say, you are indeed correct internet reader. Stuff Christians Like is a book that nails almost every cliché we have as Christians. From side hugging to the seven people you meet in a prayer circle to fearing that your church will do something weird the one time you invite a friend. It is all here and all very funny. Take this part for example.

Here is the book’s description.

“Sometimes, we fall in love on mission trips even though we know we’ll break up when we get back. Sometimes, you have to shot block a friend’s prayer because she’s asking God to bless an obviously bad dating relationship. Sometimes, you think, “I wish I had a t-shirt that said ‘I direct deposit my tithe’ so people wouldn’t judge me.” Sometimes, the stuff that comes with faith is funny. This is that stuff. Jonathan Acuff’s Stuff Christians Like is your field guide to all things Christian. In it you’ll learn the culinary magic of the crock-pot. Think you’ve got a Metro worship leader—Use Acuff’s checklist. Want to avoid a prayer handholding faux pas? Acuff has you covered. Like a satirical grenade, Acuff brings us the humor and honesty that galvanized more than a million online readers from more than 200 countries in a new portable version. Welcome to the funny side of faith.”

Check it out here

Weird: Because Normal Isn’t Working – Craig Groeschel

The bible tells us to be in this world but not of this world. What does that even mean? Couldn’t God just give me directions or something to clarify? In Weird, Criag Groeschel inspires you to live a life for God for Him and not be consumed by this world. He presents the subject in an easy to digest, non preachy manner, that can easily be applied to everyone’s life. If you feel like you are in a rut or possibly needing directions on how to follow Romans 12:2 then Weird is for you.

Here is the book’s description.

“Normal people are stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Many of their relationships are, at best, strained and, in most cases, just surviving. Even though we live in one of the most prosperous places on earth, normal is still living paycheck to paycheck and never getting ahead. In our oversexed world, lust, premarital sex, guilt, and shame are far more common than purity, virginity, and a healthy married sex life. And when it comes to God, the majority believe in him, but the teachings of scripture rarely make it into their everyday lives. Simply put, normal isn’t working. Groeschel’s WEIRD views will help you break free from the norm to lead a radically abnormal (and endlessly more fulfilling) life.”

Check it out here

Do you have any books that you would recommend? Should I do another list? (I have a lot more books to suggest) Let me know in the comments.