My Top Ten Books John Scarsbrook (England) |
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| Bible: The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 Edition) |
| A Bible is a very personal possession. The important thing is to become familiar with your Bible through constant use. I have used a Scofield Bible for over forty years, both at home and particularly for public reading. Not so much because of the notes and subject references, though they can be helpful, but because the typeface is very clear and the layout well defined and identical for every Scofield. This leads to ease of reading and helps me to find scriptures when I cannot remember the exact reference! |
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| Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong |
| An essential, easy to use tool for studying the Scriptures. An endless source of interest for the Bible student who enjoys finding root meanings of Hebrew and Greek words together with their frequency and place of occurrence. When the budget allows, buy the works of Spiros Zodhiates, they are based upon Strong’s and give more detailed explanation. |
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| Commentary on the whole Bible by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown |
| Bought for me on my twenty-first birthday, a time honoured commentary which I have used regularly over the years; excellent for historical, geographical and cultural background throughout. Comments in the New Testament tend to be pragmatic rather than devotional, but often helpful nevertheless. |
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| Explore the Book by J Sidlow Baxter |
| A brief introduction and outline to each book of the Bible, available in six volumes or complete in one. Very useful as a point of first reference to get an over-view when approaching any book to study, or to see a chapter in its overall context. Originally given as a series of lectures, the style is easy to read and the content thoroughly recommended. |
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| The Genesis Record by Henry Morris |
| Well known for his books on creation and the flood, Mr Morris is an eminent scientist well qualified spiritually and academically to write on these subjects. When I started reading this commentary, I couldn’t put it down! – It’s that kind of book. This is a verse by verse exposition, clear, concise and dealing with difficult verses in a logical, practical way while emphasizing spiritual and typical truth throughout. |
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| The Tabernacle's Typical Teaching by A. J. Pollock |
| My first book on the tabernacle and one I have referred to many times. When, as a young Christian, I began to read the Bible with a view to understanding it, Mr Pollock whetted my appetite for the types of Scripture. I remember being thrilled by the minute detail and its spiritual application. I copied out the illustrations on large A1 pages, and later used them for Bible Class teaching. |
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| A Harmony of the Four Gospels by J. M. Fuller |
| There are of course many similar books which place the four gospel records together, in order to compare and contrast the narrative. This one, however, I found thirty years ago, discarded in the 10p box outside an Oxfam shop! – Man’s estimate of the priceless word of God! Reading and comparing the gospels is a most fruitful field of study. This book is a key to the rich seams of an inexhaustible mine. |
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| The Great Physician by G. Campbell Morgan |
| Fifty individual character studies which detail the Lord’s way of dealing with physical and spiritual needs; a book I have returned to time and time again. Any book by this author is to be recommended, but this one is more than a commentary or exposition; it warms the heart and feeds the soul as well. |
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| The Pilgrim Church by E. H. Broadbent |
| I cannot understand why some Christians ignore history, or at best find it boring! This book traces 2000 years of evangelistic witness and New Testament doctrine. It brings to life the characters, the faithfulness and the trials of men and women to whom we owe so much. The great value I found in this book is the clear evidence that the principles and practice which we hold dear did not originate at the beginning of the nineteenth century; Mr. Broadbent charts their course from the days of the apostles. |
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| The Christian Assembly by J. R. Littleproud |
| The foreword states that this book is a ‘road map’ for the Christian’s church life. The subjects were originally in the form of notes for the author’s Bible Class in Toronto. As such they provide a concise outline of Scriptural teaching for a New Testament assembly. I was saved, baptised and had been ‘breaking bread’ for seven years, before I grasped the truth of what a New Testament assembly really is! – Once understood, you will not lightly let it go! |
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| Things to Come by J. Dwight Pentecost |
| A great handbook outlining God’s prophetic programme. A masterpiece of scholarly and spiritual teaching. The author considers various interpretations of each subject, then gives reasons for his preferred explanation of Scripture. This book stimulates thought and further study in a subject which should interest all Christians. I was fortunate enough to find a copy recently in a second hand bookshop! My previous one having been ‘borrowed’, but never returned! – I just hope the brother makes use of it! |
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