Important Note: Just as with all preachers and authors, it's essential to acknowledge that we, as humans, are all tainted by sin. While we may appreciate various resources and authors, it's crucial to remember that the only infallible source we can fully trust in all matters of faith and doctrine is the Bible—God's own written word. Therefore, while exploring the resources and insights provided, it's vital to filter everything through the lens of Scripture. In the spirit of the Bereans (Acts 17:11), let's diligently search the Scriptures to verify and align with God's truth.
Christian Life
The Christian life is a journey of growing in holiness through sanctification. This section highlights practices such as prayer, fasting, and worship, while addressing the importance of daily devotionals and biblical stewardship of finances. It also covers Christian ethics and spiritual gifts.
- Holy Bible – The authoritative and inspired Word of God, central to spiritual growth, guiding believers in faith and practice.
- Sanctification – The lifelong process of growing in holiness and Christlikeness through the Spirit’s work.
- Prayer & Fasting – Seeking God’s will, strength, and guidance through earnest prayer and self-denial.
- Worship – Honoring God through praise, thanksgiving, and obedience in every area of life.
- Devotionals – Daily time in Scripture and prayer for spiritual growth and communion with God.
- Finances – Stewarding money wisely for God’s glory, avoiding materialism, and practicing generosity.
- Christian Ethics – Living in accordance with biblical principles to navigate moral and ethical decisions.
- Spiritual Gifts – Understanding and using the spiritual gifts God has given to serve others and build the church.
Recommended Reading
Holy Bible
The Holy Bible: The Bible stands as the ultimate authority in Christian faith, revered for its infallibility and inerrancy. It is a divine revelation that guides believers through its consistent truth and accuracy. The Christian Standard Bible (CSB), used in our pews, is valued for its balance between readability and faithfulness to the original texts. Other notable translations include the English Standard Version (ESV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB95), the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), and the New King James Version (NKJV). These translations span a spectrum within the more literal renderings, which strive for close adherence to the original Hebrew and Greek texts. There are other dynamic translations that aim for clarity and contemporary relevance—such translations prioritize readability and contemporary relevance over strict literal adherence to the original autographs.
Bible Translations
Bible translation encompasses a range of approaches from formal to functional equivalence, with dynamic equivalence in between. Formal equivalence aims for a literal translation that closely follows the original text’s word order and structure, assuming the reader understands the original cultural context. Functional equivalence, on the other hand, translates the meaning into contemporary language, bridging cultural gaps for readers unfamiliar with the original setting. Dynamic equivalence strikes a balance, seeking to convey the thought behind the text in a way that is both understandable and faithful to the original meaning. Comparing translations from these approaches can offer valuable insights, as each version reflects the translator's interpretation and can reveal underlying agreements despite differing renderings.
- See: Bible Translation Spectrum, Logos
Key Principle: The most effective Bible translation is the one you engage with consistently, as commitment to a reading plan is crucial for spiritual growth. While some translations excel in accurately reflecting the original manuscripts, others may better meet your specific needs. We have selected a range of high-quality reading plans designed to support your personal, family, or small-group study. Please be aware that these materials are sourced from various publishers and are not authored by us.
- Daily Readings: Blue Letter Bible, Bible Gateway, Ligonier Ministries
- What's your favorite reading plan? Sent us a note and let us know...
Recommended Bible Translations
Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) — The Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), published in 2022, is a literal translation that began with The Lockman Foundation, founded in 1942 to promote Christian evangelism and education. The foundation first published the New American Standard Bible (NASB) in 1959, which was a literal update of the 1901 American Standard Version. In 1995, the NASB was updated to remove old-fashioned language like "thee" and "thou."
Update to the NASB95: In 2020, leaders from The Lockman Foundation, Three Sixteen Publishing, and The John MacArthur Charitable Trust met to discuss revising the NASB '95 to modernize its language while keeping its accuracy. This revision became the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB). Completed in 2021 by scholars from The Master's Seminary and The Master's University, led by President Abner Chou, the team worked from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The LSB is an update of the NASB '95, not a completely new translation.
Consistant Word Translation: Scholars aimed to keep the style and choices of the NASB intact by consistently translating words with their different meanings, emphasizing literary elements like alliteration, and improving grammar. This precision makes the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts clearer. If no changes were necessary, they kept the NASB '95 text in the LSB.
English Standard Version (ESV) — The English Standard Version (ESV) is based on the belief that the Bible's words are God's very words. Because each word is inspired by God, they must be translated with great precision. As Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). This commitment to God's Word drives the ESV translation. The ESV does not try to "improve" the original text for modern culture or trends but carefully translates it into English that closely reflects the original meaning with clarity, beauty, and impact.
New American Standard Bible (NASB95) — The New American Standard Bible (NASB), a popular choice for serious Bible study, was fully revised in 1995. This update keeps the Lockman Foundation's commitment to a literal translation of the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts while making it more readable. Outdated language was replaced with modern words, making the 1995 NASB a translation that's great for detailed study and easy for the whole family to understand.
New King James Version (NKJV) — The New King James Version (NKJV) is a complete update of the 1611 King James Version (KJV). It keeps the beauty of the original KJV while modernizing the grammar for better readability. The NKJV is unique among modern translations because it is based on the "Western" or "Byzantine" manuscript tradition, making it especially useful for comparative Bible study in English.
The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) — The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a highly reliable translation that balances accuracy and readability. It stays true to the original text while remaining clear and easy to understand. The CSB is expected to become a go-to translation for both pastors and Bible readers for reading and sharing.
The CSB is an original translation: created by over 100 scholars from 17 denominations who translated directly from the best Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts into English. These source texts are the standard used by scholars and seminaries today.
The CSB is trustworthy: because its conservative, evangelical scholars believe Scripture is the inerrant Word of God. They strive for the highest faithfulness and accuracy in their translation. These scholars, along with LifeWay, the non-profit overseeing the CSB, also defend the Bible against cultural trends that might compromise its truths.
The CSB is clear: it stays as literal as possible to the original texts, but when a word-for-word translation might be confusing for modern readers, it uses a more dynamic approach. The goal is always to convey the original meaning of God's Word faithfully and clearly.
Online Bible Resources
A variety of online and software-based Bible study tools are available to enhance your study of Scripture. These resources offer multiple translations, from literal to more dynamic renderings, along with robust study aids like concordances, commentaries, and cross-references. Some platforms provide access to reading plans and personal study features, helping users structure their time in God's Word. Free software options also exist for those looking to deepen their Bible study with additional tools like concordances and word studies. Many of these platforms focus on presenting the text in a clear, accessible way while offering aids for deeper analysis, ensuring a range of options for both beginners and advanced students of the Bible.
Bible Gateway (biblegateway.com): Offers a wide range of Bible translations, reading plans, and study tools.
Biblia (biblia.com): Offers a range of Bible translations and study tools, with features for reading plans and personal study.
Blue Letter Bible (blueletterbible.org): Features multiple translations, daily reading plans, and various study tools.
Bible Hub (biblehub.com): Includes numerous translations, commentaries, and daily reading plans.
ESV Bible Online (esv.org): Offers the ESV text, with access to reading plans and study resources.
e-Sword (e-sword.net): Provides a free Bible study software with multiple translations, commentaries, and study tools.
Crossway (crossway.org): Provides the ESV Bible and related resources, including study guides and articles.
Legacy Standard Bible (legacystandardbible.com): Provides access to the LSB translation, which is known for its commitment to a literal rendering of the original texts.
Literal Word (literalword.com): Offers a pure, no-frills Bible reading experience using the NASB 1995 translation, perfect for focused, uninterrupted study of Scripture.
Logos Bible Software (logos.com): Offers a comprehensive Bible study platform with various translations, commentaries, and study tools.
Sanctification
- Don’t Waste Your Life — John Piper
- Holiness — J.C. Ryle
- The Christian in Complete Armor — William Gurnall
- Desiring God — John Piper
- Pilgrim’s Progress — John Bunyan
- The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin — Kris Lundgaard
- Sin and Temptation — John Owen
- The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction — Sinclair Ferguson
- Sanctification — J.C. Ryle
- Spiritual Depression — Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Prayer & Fasting
- A Guide to Prayer — Isaac Watts
- The Call to Prayer — J.C. Ryle
- Do You Pray? — J.C. Ryle
- Power of Prayer in a Believer’s Life — Spurgeon
- Praying Successfully — Charles Spurgeon
- Only a Prayer Meeting — Charles Spurgeon
- The Hidden Life of Prayer — David Macintyre
- A Hunger for God — John Piper
- A Way to Pray — Matthew Henry, Edited and Revised by O. Palmer Robertson
- Complete Works — E.M. Bounds
- Praying in Public — Pat Quinn (crossway)
- Piercing Heaven — Robert Elmer
Worship
- Biblical Foundations for Corporate Worship — Scott Aniol
- Changed from Glory into Glory — Scott Aniol
- What Happens When We Worship — Jonathan Landry Cruse
- Christ-Centered Worship — Bryan Chappel
- Recalling the Hope of Glory — Allen Ross
- Sound Worship: A Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World — Scott Aniol
- Contemporary Worship — Terry Johnson
Devotionals
- Morning and Evening — Charles Spurgeon
- Valley of Vision — Arthur Bennett
- Pierced by the Word — John Piper
- Life as a Vapor — John Piper
- Taste and See — John Piper
- Mornings with Jesus — William Jay
- Evenings with Jesus — William Jay
- My Utmost for His Highest — Oswald Chambers
- Valley of Vision: Puritain Prayers — Banner of Truth
Finances
- Money, Possesions, and Eternity — Randy Alcorn
- The Treasure Principle — Randy Alcorn
Christian Ethics
- Theonomy in Christian Ethics – Greg L. Bahnsen
- Christian Ethics: Options and Issues – Norman L. Geisler
- Principles of Conduct: Aspects of Biblical Ethics – John Murray
- Christian Ethics – Wayne Grudem
- Ethics for a Brave New World – John S. Feinberg & Paul D. Feinberg
- The Abolition of Man – C.S. Lewis
- Biblical Ethics – Robertson McQuilkin
- The Doctrine of the Christian Life – John M. Frame
- Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship – Mark D. Liederbach & Evan Lenow
- Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics – Scott B. Rae
- Christian Moral Principles – J. Douma
- The Great Evangelical Disaster – Francis A. Schaeffer
Spiritual Gifts
- The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life – Charles Stanley
- The Holy Spirit – John Owen
- The Work of the Holy Spirit – Abraham Kuyper
- Spiritual Gifts: What They Are and Why They Matter – Thomas R. Schreiner
- Showing the Spirit: A Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12–14 – D.A. Carson
- The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today – Wayne Grudem
- God’s Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul – Gordon D. Fee
- The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts: Then and Now – Max Turner
- The Baptism and Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Sam Storms
- Spiritual Gifts: A Biblical Theology of Spiritual Empowerment – Tom Schreiner
- Understanding Spiritual Gifts – Robert L. Thomas
- The Mystery of the Holy Spirit – R.C. Sproul