I appreciate curated book lists to help me choose my next book (like this one on beach reads or this one on cozy books), especially books that have inspired people in their faith walks. I’ve never created my own list, so I decided it was time to share some Christian books to inspire your faith. I’ve read dozens that have inspired me in my 60+ years of reading, so this was a challenge.
To narrow it down a bit, I examined the books that are still on my shelves, the ones I return to again and again even if it’s just to review what I underlined or highlighted a few years ago. I actually have an entire shelf filled with Christian nonfiction books. For this post, I turned to those that I’ve read and referenced frequently, the ones that have given me new things to think about, ones that encouraged me to walk closely with the Lord, to trust Him, to be a light in this dark world.
I also decided it would be good to choose books that many of you may have never read (except the first one!) because I know how much I love to be introduced to new-to-me books. If this list helps you find another good one, then yay!
My list is obviously personal – my choices – and not exhaustive by any means. I also like to remind readers that I am coming to this as a life-long Lutheran, and even though some of these are not specifically written by Lutherans, they profess Christ and many of the foundational truths which I hold dear. I don’t always agree with everything in my reading, and that’s okay, as long as I reflect carefully. When I am uncertain or confused, I will often research more deeply and find trusted and wise people to help me understand.
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7 Christian Books to Inspire Your Faith
The Bible
“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John 20:31
This one is a no-brainer if you are a Christ-follower. It’s the first, the best, the only one that clearly points to Jesus Christ. No list of Christian books to inspire your faith would be complete without it. I believe the Bible is the infallible, inspired Word of God. I won’t get into all the weeds of what this really means, but God’s Word inspires a Christian faith-life. Literally. It is God-breathed.
What translation should you read?
If you are new to all of this, then I would suggest that you don’t dust off your grandmother’s copy of the King James Version. It is still God’s Word, and such a gift if you have grandma’s copy. It’s just not the translation to start with. (Except for the Psalms, especially Psalm 23. It’s beautiful in the KJV.)
Which translation or paraphrase? Oh boy. That’s another complex topic, and I am not the expert here. Check out this excellent article from my church body if you want to learn more about all the translations and paraphrases.
I love using the English Standard Version for my serious study (especially the Lutheran Study Bible, pictured above), but I also regularly read New American Standard and The Message as well as others. I like to compare translations. And paraphrases help me grasp some things I might not otherwise understand.
How do you read it?
Again, there are so many ways to read and listen to God’s Word. I know many who say, “Where do I begin?” There’s not one “right” way. Some like to approach it chronologically with reading plans or even Bibles organized that way. Others suggest we begin with the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Apps like Dwell and YouVersion offer a wide variety of reading plans. My suggestion is to read something in your Bible daily. Even if it’s just one verse. Here is a simple guide to help you get started with reading and studying the Bible.
If any of the following books catch your eye, add them to your reading list! I created a free, printable Reading List Tracker so you can keep track of friends recommendations, books you read and loved, and watch your list of books grow! Click below to download.
The Spirituality of the Cross
Gene Edward Veith Jr.
I first came across this book in 2003 when I visited one of our church body’s seminaries. I’ve read it several times since then, and I have gifted it to many.
The author, Gene Edward Veith, has a beautiful and clear way of explaining a spiritual life. He speaks specifically of Lutheran theology, but I think this book is helpful to any Chrsitian who seeks to understand the mysteries of faith.
One of my favorite chapters is “Vocation: The Spirituality of Ordinary Life.” In another chapter he writes, “Spirituality, after all, must be lived, not merely intellectualized, and its locus is the mysteries taking place in an ordinary local church.”
It’s short (160 pages) and very readable. Here’s a link to the third edition.
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
W. Phillip Keller
This small book was published in 1970 and my copy is yellowed and well-loved. The subtitle tells you all you need to know: An Inspiring and Insightful Guide to One of the Best-Loved Bible Passages.
The author made his living for nearly a decade as a sheep owner and sheep rancher. He has personal knowledge and understanding of sheep.
“It is no accident that God has chosen to call us sheep. The behavior of sheep and human beings is similar in many ways . . . Our mass mind (or mob instincts), our fears and timidity, our stubbornness and stupidity, our perverse habits are all parallels of profound importance.”
He takes the Psalm line by line and tells stories about his own sheep to reveal an even richer picture. For example, as he looks at this verse, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,” he explains that it’s almost impossible for sheep to lie down unless four things happen. They need to be free from fear, free from friction with other sheep, free from pests, and free from hunger. And it’s only the shepherd who can provide this so the sheep can lie down!
Do I need to know this to appreciate and love Psalm 23? No. But knowing this gives me even richer pictures of my life as a sheep and my Shepherd, my Savior. I think about many of his sheep explanations often, and I remember how my mother gifted this book to all her children and grandchildren.
The Screwtape Letters
C.S. Lewis
Okay, all of C.S. Lewis’ nonfiction books require thoughtful reading, a dictionary, a pen, and some focused time. To me, this book (and his wonderful fiction) is a great way to walk into Lewis’ works. Yet it is also troubling, and maybe that is why it’s such an inspiration. It reminds me that I am easily distracted and tempted by the devil, the things of this world, my comfort, and more. Especially when I think I’m not.
“It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
Now, I’m not sure about the card-playing (euchre anyone?), but the message throughout this book is powerful.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:8-10 ESV
Armed & Dangerous: Praying with Boldness
Jane L. Fryar
I started taking a deep-dive into my prayer life back in the 90’s. (I’m still doing this!) This was one of the first books I read. It’s easy to read and filled with clear suggestions and guidance for new believers and long-time faithful prayer-warriors.
The book includes chapters on “Praying through Anger and Discouragement” and “Hearing God Speak When We Pray.” Each chapter closes with practical prayer suggestions for the reader. “Try this for a week. Watch the news or read the newspaper with a pad and pen in hand. Ask God to show you what and how to pray for specific situations so that His kingdom would advance. Jot these insights in your prayer journal on a page headed “Thy Kingdom Come!”
Yes, some of the suggestions might sound dated – I can’t remember the last time I read a newspaper! – but it’s all solid and quite helpful. It’s so good to remember that we are indeed “armed and dangerous” with our prayers.
When Faith Is Forbidden
Todd Nettleton
This book opened my eyes. It is filled with 40 stories of persecuted Christians from all over the world – Turkey, Prague, Northern Iraq, China, Jordan, Nepal and more. Written by the host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, Todd Nettleton, the book is designed as a 40-day journey with reflection questions and space for journaling.
As someone who lives in a very safe country where my Christian faith does not put my life in danger, I need to read these stories to appreciate my blessings and to be inspired by so many courageous believers. You can receive a copy of this book for free when you sign up for their newsletter. This would be a good book to read with others and discuss.
How to Keep A Spiritual Journal
Ronald Klug
Here is a wonderful jumpstart book if you are interested in journaling your faith. My original copy, purchased in the early 2000’s fell apart, so thankfully it’s still in print and I ordered another.
Honestly, I have practiced faith journaling in a haphazard fashion for many years, and I return to this book for encouragement and ideas. It’s on this list of Christian books to inspire your faith because journaling is one of my spiritual practices to help me linger in God’s Word and to meditate upon His work in my life.
This book includes chapters on “Looking Backward” and “Going Deeper.” One of my favorite suggestions is “Fifty Things That Are Going Right in My Life,” the author’s version of a thankfulness list. He also encourages “Harvesting Your Journal,” reading your journal to reflect, give thanks, and remember.
Wrapping Up Christian Books to Inspire Your Faith
I hope this list gave you inspiration to find a new Christian book to inspire your faith walk or dust off an old one that means a lot to you. May you continue to be rooted and established in Christ with all your reading.
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7 ESV
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