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Writings / Books

Following are some wonderful writings by authors new and old that we have grown to love and respect. More shall be added as time goes on. Also included is a book list we have put together of all sorts of books written through the ages that we highly recommend.

 

George Fox (1624-1691) was born in England, the son of Puritan parents. At the age of 19 he gained deep, personal assurance of his salvation and began to travel as an itinerant preacher, seeking a return to the simple practices of the New Testament. He abhorred technical theology, and preached a faith borne of experience, freshly fed and guided by the immediate presence of the Holy Spirit. Fox was persecuted almost daily, yet his power of endurance was phenomenal. He was beaten with dogwhips, knocked down with fists and stones, brutally struck with pikestaves, hard beset by mobs, incarcerated eight times in the pestilential jails, prisons, castles and dungeons - yet he went straightforward with his mission as though he had discovered some fresh courage which made him impervious to man's inhumanity.

        He undertook as far as possible to let the new life in Christ take its own free course of development in his ministry. He shunned rigid forms and static systems, and for that reason he refused to head a new sect or to start a new denomination, or to begin a new church. He would not build an organization of any kind. His followers at first called themselves "Children of the Light," and later adopted the name "The Society (or Fellowship) of Friends."

        Fox preached and traveled for forty years throughout England, Scotland, Holland, and America. His life demonstrated the truth of his famous saying, "One man, raised by God's power to stand and live in the same spirit the apostle and prophets were in, can shake the country for ten miles around." William Penn, a true Christian man, established Pennsylvania and was its first governor. He founded the capital of Pennsylvania and named it Philadelphia, which means "the City of Brotherly Love" in Greek, after one of the towns named in the Revelation in the Bible. He was a close friend of George Fox, and wrote an excellent introduction to him printed in the beginning of The Journal of George Fox. Click on the button to read it:

 

        The Testimony of William Penn of George Fox

 

Amy Carmichael wrote much insightful literature about the Christian life. She was born in Ireland in 1867. At the age of 26 she was sent to Japan as a missionary. Her stay in Japan was shortened as a result of poor health and she returned to Great Britain in just under two years. Being advised that the climate in Bangalore, India, would benefit her health, Amy, at the age of 28 arrived in Bangalore and began her ministry by traveling with several Indian sisters to the surrounding villages, sharing the Gospel message of hope. In these early travels she was exposed to the horrors of temple prostitution that many beautiful girls were subjected to, whether because of a "sacred vow" by family members or for money. In 1901 Amy returned from a year of ministry to the villages and was greeted by a sweet, seven-year-old girl, Preena (or "Pearl Eyes"), who had escaped from the temple and looked to Amy for help. And so began the work of what would later be known as Dohnavur Fellowship. God used Amy's "mother's heart" to minister to children. She spent fifty-three years in India setting up orphanages to rescue children and ministering to the people she met. Amy affected the lives of countless Indians, giving them a hope for a future on earth and in heaven. While serving in India, Amy received a letter from a young lady who was considering life as a missionary, she asked Amy, "What is missionary life like?" Amy wrote back saying simply, "Missionary life is a chance to die." Amy's desire was to be totally abandoned to the Lord Jesus, not to lead a life of ease but to give one's life for others.

 

        If - by Amy Carmichael

 

        From Prayer That Asks - by Amy Carmichael

 

George W. North, a dear man of God and our friend for many of his later years, ministered the power of God that can deliver us from sin to a new life of love, purity of heart and holiness of life.

 

        Freedom from Sin - by George W. North   This is a short but powerful and clear explanation of the glorious truth of Freedom from Sin.

 

        One Baptism - by George W. North   This was first written in book form in 1978. It clearly and wonderfully sets forth the one spiritual new covenant baptism as seen in four old testament figures.

 

        Life Is a Gift - by George W. North

 

John Wesley was an 18th century English preacher used by God in a great way. When he died, John Wesley left behind an England moved to the very depths and a Church thrilled through and through with an awakened spiritual life. John Wesley was a man who truly possessed both apostolic vision and gifts who lived in view of eternity. "Consumed by the thought of the shortness of time, the great work to be done, and the need for haste in doing it, on he marched, preaching, pleading, warning and guiding . . .  John Wesley, as well as the other early Methodist preachers, was both a bold advocate and a living example of sanctification. Wesley preached with unceasing zeal that complete holiness was the primary fruit of a vibrant faith in Christ. Counseling another minister, Wesley wrote, ". . .till you press believers to expect full salvation from sin, you must not look for any revival."

 

        Justification by Faith - by John Wesley

 

        New Birth - by John Wesley

 

        Christian Perfection - by John Wesley

 

        A Plain Account of Christian Perfection - by John Wesley

 

George MacDonald (1824-1905) wrote novels, sermons, poetry and literary criticism. Born in Scotland, he graduated from Kings College, Aberdeen with a degree in chemistry and later moved to England to earn a degree in theology. After a few years as a church minister, MacDonald became a full-time writer and lecturer in 1853. Admirers and literary beneficiaries in the 20th century include G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien and CS. Lewis. MacDonald produced about fifty books in a forty year period. His faith and imagination remained strong. A handful of his writings are considered masterpieces and classics, but all of his books convey a unique and consistent vision of the harmony of creation and the love of the Creator. We first saw this poem in the home of some brethren in China, in the often-gray city of Xi'an, where the Caring for China work is based.

 

        No Flowers, but a Crown - by George MacDonald

 

Thomas Cook (1859-1913) was a tremendous soul winner, evangelist, missionary, teacher and writer. His book, New Testament Holiness, is a long standing foundation in the teaching of Christian Holiness from a Biblical perspective.

 

        New Testament Holiness - by Thomas Cook

 

Kim Seim has written a short history of the life of Enid Miller, one of the women who comes often to our church. You can read of God's hand in Enid's life and see a bunch of photos of her young years as well as her time in Africa where she served the Lord for 37 years.

 

        Can God Meet Our Needs? - by Kim Seim

 

Resurrection Life Church

        – Recommended Books    Printable version

SOME EXCELLENT QUOTES

“The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring with you, and the books, but especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13).

“The man who does not read is no better than the man who cannot read.”

“Books are adding machines that present totals and put them in easy reach for us to read.”

“Books are laboratories out of which come the rich food for hungry minds.”

“Books are masters who instruct us without rods or blows, without words or anger and without bread or money.”

“If I get a little money, I buy books. Then, if there is any money left, I buy food and clothes.”  - Erasmus

“If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, I do not know what is going to become of us as a nation., if truth be not diffused error will be: if God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy: if the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will: if the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the land; anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.”  - Daniel Webster, 1823

SOME THOUGHTS ON READING

1. Meetings are vital because of the personal revelation God gives to us and through us as individuals and as a church when we meet together.

2. However, meetings won’t provide all the teaching and revelation a person needs. Another vital way of getting this is though reading.

3. Place the Bible first and foremost in your reading.

4. God has given “some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfection of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Their teaching can come in spoken or written form.

5. Before reading a book, know of the author’s life and testimony. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). A book cannot be judged by its cover or title. When you are satisfied that the writer is of God, read the book.

6. Seek to read with discernment. Though no writer is infallible, much can be gleaned from many writers as long as we simply guard against believing all we read without question.

7. Read for your own edification, encouragement, and for a more fully-rounded understanding of the Christian life.

8. Read to better understand and communicate the truth to others.

9. Read authors who have preached and lived the highest standards.

10. Read church history. A knowledge of church history is beneficial in order to see how God has worked, to learn from past accomplishments or mistakes, and to help us in making wise choices in the future.

11. Read biographies of Christians, “whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Hebrews 13:7), for edification, challenge, and example.

12. Read doctrine for broad perspective, insight and revelation.

I: HISTORY

Eusebius, The History of the Church (New York, New York: Penguin Books, 1981). Written in the 4th century. Covers the development of the Church up to that time.

Broadbent, E. H., The Pilgrim Church (London: Pickering and Inglis, Ltd., 1931). Traces the true Church through the centuries. Excellent.

Latourette, Kenneth Scott, A History of Christianity (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1975).

D'Aubigné, Merle J. H., History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1987).

Fox, George, The Journal of George Fox (Philadelphia: Religious Society of Friends, 1985). A stirring account of the beginnings of a move of the Spirit called the Society of Friends, better known as the Quakers, in the 17th century.

Hodgkin, L. V., A Book of Quaker Saints (London: Friends Home Service Committee, 1972).

Guyon, Madame, Madame Guyon (Chicago: Moody Press). Recounts the trials and perseverance of a French woman of God in the 17th century.

Purves, Jock, Fair Sunshine (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1982). An account of some brave Christian men called Scottish Covenanters who stood against the King of Scotland’s command to call him the head of the Church in the 17th century.

Faust, Clarence, Jonathon Edwards. A man of God who lived in America in the 18th century who made a tremendous impact on the country.

Edwards, Jonathon, Life of David Brainerd. A man full of passion for souls in the 18th century in America.

Wesley, John, The Journal of John Wesley (Chicago: Moody Press). A tremendous account of the Lord’s work in John Wesley, the early days of the move of God later called the Methodists, and the impact of the move on England and the world.

Telford, John, ed., Wesley's Veterans (Salem, Ohio: Schmul Publishers, 1976). Great stories of men who worked with Wesley in the 18th century.

Smith, J. Oswald, Fletcher of Madeley. A great man of godly character who lived in France in the 18th century.

Woolman, John, The Journal of John Woolman (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1871). An American Quaker who sought to live a simple and holy life in the 18th century.

McCheyne, Robert Murray, Memoirs of McCheyne (Chicago: Moody Press, 1978). A Scottish minister who died young but left his mark as a holy man in the 19th century.

Finney, Charles G., An Autobiography (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company). A powerful American preacher in the first half of the 19th century.

Choy, Leona, Andrew Murray. A well-loved minister of the gospel in Africa who wrote many excellent books.

Taylor, Hudson, The Autobiography of Hudson Taylor. Taylor spear-headed a tremendous work in China in the late 19th century.

Müller, George, The Autobiography of George Müller (Springdale, Pennsylvania: Whitaker House, 1984). Known for his simple but tremendous faith, and for the orphanages that were a result of that faith.

Townsend, W.J., Robert Morrison. Great missionary to China.

Stead, W. T., General Booth (London: The Salvation Army). A man of tremendous passion for purity of heart and love for God and man, he was greatly used for the salvation of souls and was used of God in the beginnings of the Salvation Army in England in the late 19th century.

Hall, Clarence W., Samuel Logan Brengle, Portrait of a Prophet (Atlanta, Georgia: The Salvation Army Supplies and Purchasing Dept., 1976). A great man of God in the Salvation Army in the late 19th century in America.

Larsson, Flora, My Best Men are Women. Accounts of women in the Salvation Army. Great!

Penn‑Lewis, Jessie, The Awakening in Wales (Poole, England: Overcomer Publications). An account of the move of the Spirit in Wales in the early 20th century.

Taylor, Mrs. Howard, The Triumph of John and Betty Stam (China Inland Mission, 1935).

Taylor, Mrs. Howard, Behind the Ranges. The inspiring account of the missionary life of James Fraser in China.

Carre, Captain E.G., Praying Hyde. A man of prayer in India!

Carmichael, Amy, Ragland, Spiritual Power (London: S.P.C.K., 1951). A moving account of a missionary in India who loved souls.

Skoglund, Elizabeth R., Amma - The Life and Words of Amy Carmichael (Barker Books, 1994).

Bartleman, Frank, Azusa Street. An eye-witness account of a move of the Spirit in Los Angeles in the early 20th century.

McCasland, David, Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God (O.C. Publications Association, 1993).

Cable, Mildred and French, Francesca, A Desert Journal. This and the following two make for great reading concerning missionary experiences in the far east.

Cable, Mildred and French, Francesca, Something Happened.

Cable, Mildred and French, Francesca, The Story of Topsy.

Bull, Geoffrey T., When Iron Gates Yield (London, England: Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., 1955). 

Elliott, Elisabeth, Shadow of the Almighty (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1977). The stirring biography of Jim Elliot by his wife. Jim was martyred with 4 others in Ecuador in the 1950's.

II: TEACHING

Baxter, Richard, The Reformed Pastor (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1983).

Rutherfurd, Samuel, Selected Letters of Samuel Rutherfurd (London: SCM Press Ltd., 1957).

Penn, William, Some Fruits of Solitude (Richmond, Indiana: Friends United Press, 1978).

Penn, William, No Cross, No Crown (York, England: William Sessions Book Trust, 1981).

Barclay, Robert, Barclay's Apology in Modern English (Manasquan, New Jersey: Dean Freiday, 1967).

Fenelon, Francois de Salignac de La Mothe, Christian Perfection (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Dimension Books, Bethany Fellowship, Inc., 1975).

Fenelon, Let Go.

Law, William, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977).

Wesley, John, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1966).

Wesley, John, John Wesley's Forty‑Four Sermons (London: Epworth Press, 1944).

Asbury, Francis, Heart and Church (Salem, Ohio: Schmul Publishers, 1978).

Smith, Hannah Whitall, The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Spire Books, 1980).

Taylor, Dr. and Mrs., Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret (Chicago: Moody Press).

Goforth, Jonathan, By My Spirit (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany Fellowship, Inc.).

Morgan, G. Campbell, The Crisis of the Christ.

Morgan, G. Campbell, The Acts of the Apostles.

Simpson, A.B., The Self Life and the Christ Life.

Chadwick, Samuel, Humanity and God (Salem, Ohio: Schmul Publishing Co., Inc., 1982).

Murray, Andrew, Like Christ (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany Fellowship, Inc., 1974).

Murray, Andrew, With Christ in the School of Prayer (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company).

Murray, Andrew, How to Raise Your Children for Christ.

Murray, Andrew, Humility.

Booth, William, The Training of Children (Salem, Ohio: Schmul Publishing Co., Inc.).

Booth, Catherine, The Writings of Catherine Booth (Atlanta, Georgia: The Salvation Army, 1986).

Brengle, Samuel Logan, The Soul‑Winner's Secret (London: Salvationist Publishing and Supplies, Ltd.,1960).

Brengle, Samuel Logan, Helps to Holiness (Atlanta, Georgia: The Salvation Army Supplies and Purchasing Dept., 1984).

Cook, Thomas, New Testament Holiness (Salem, Ohio: Schmul Publishers, 1978).

Penn‑Lewis, Jessie, War on the Saints (Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Christian Literature Crusade, 1988). How the devil seeks to destroy the Church.

Penn‑Lewis, Jessie, Dying to Live (Poole, England: Overcomer Publications).

Penn‑Lewis, Jessie, The Centrality of the Cross (Poole, England: Overcomer Publications).

Allen, Roland, Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or Ours?

Chambers, Oswald, Biblical Psychology (Cincinnati, Ohio: God's Revivalist Office, 1914).

Chambers, Oswald, The Philosophy of Sin (Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Oswald Chambers Publication Association and Christian Literature Crusade, 1975).

Chambers, Oswald, Baffled to Fight Better (Basingstoke, Great Britain: Oswald Chambers Publication Association and Marshall Pickering, 1986). Great encouragement from the story of Job.

Carmichael, Amy, Gold Cord, the Story of a Fellowship (Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, 1983). An account of the Lord’s work in a fellowship in India in the early 20th century.

Nee, Watchman, The Normal Christian Life (London: Victory Press, 1961).

Tozer, A. W., The Root of the Righteous (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Christian Publications, Inc., 1955).

Tozer, A. W., The Knowledge of the Holy (New York: Harper and Row, 1961).

Huegel, F.J., Bone of His Bone.

Huegel, F.J., Forever Triumphant.

Huegel, F.J., Enthroned Christian.

Smith, J. Oswald, Spiritual Leadership.

Wigglesworth, Smith, Ever Increasing Faith.

Maxwell, L.E., Born Crucified.

Hiebert, Paul, Anthropological Insights for Missionaries. Excellent for anyone considering mission work.

North, G. W., One Baptism (Exeter, England: The Publications Secretary, 1978).

North, G. W., The Generation of Jesus Christ (Bradford, Great Britain: The Horton Trust, 1971).

III: REFERENCES / HELPS

Young’s Concordance.

Vine, W.E., An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1966).

Wilson, William, Old Testament Word Studies.

Henry, Matthew, Commentary On the Whole Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981).

Wesley, John, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament (London: The Epworth Press, 1924).

Edersheim, Alfred, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.