The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Looking for good foundational book

My nephew just finished his first year of BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)in the book of Genesis, and is new to the faith. Over the year he has developed a real hunger for God's work. He has so many questions and I would like to recommend a good book for him to read over the summmer that will give him a real soild understanding of the Christian Faith. He currently in not attending any church and I want him to know thruth from error. Any recommdations on such a book?
I was thinking of having him go thru the Westminister Confession.

The Westminster Confession and/or the Shorter Catechism would be a good choice. And it just so happens that G.I. Williamson has written Study Guides for both which you can find for sale online at several places at discount prices or perhaps, though doubtful, your local Religious Bookstore might have them too. I'm confident that one of the more active "buyers of books" here could point you to at least one source where they can be purchased. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,

Hi Bassbum,

A couple of short books covering the basics of Christianity I've liked are John Stott's "Basic Christianity" and R. C. Sproul's "Grace Unknown".

On a side note, I had some experience with the Bible Study Fellowship a few years ago and had quite a number of issues with the organization.

https://www.the-highway.com/forum/showfla...prev=#Post43179

From my experience, I would especially be wary of a new Christian attending the BSF.

John

I am relatively new to this theology thing but some of my favorite books so far are: Knowing God and Evangelism and the Sovreignty of God by J.I. Packer and Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul. These are solid yet accessible intros.

Bassbum,

Welcome to the Highway. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/hello.gif" alt="" />

As a new Christian he will surely desire the sincere milk of the word and should be encouraged to spend time in the Bible daily. It would be wonderful if you or someone else would take him under your wing and mentor him. I would also encourage him to attend church where he can meet and benefit from fellowship with other Christians.

As far as books go there are many I would like to recommend to you but perhaps just two that I've recently finished would be good for starters. "Assurance of Faith" by Louis Berkhof is a good short book which deals with the firm foundation of our Christian hope. Berkhof excels at revealing the direct connection between faith and assurance and counseling believers on the cultivation of that assurance. Another recommendation would be "The Holiness of God" by R.C. Sproul Sr. It is an excellent study in holiness. That may sound like quite a heavy subject for someone new to the faith. However, it is absolutely essential to our spiritual growth that we have an appreciation of God's holiness. Only when we catch a glimpse of His holiness can we really began to appreciate how amazing is the grace of God in Christ our Savior!

Summary of Christian Doctrine by Berkhof is a very good book for starters to help them understand the key truths of the Reformed faith. It's also a book mature Christians can turn to for instruction.

The Doctrine of Repentence teaches the necessity of turning away from our sin to follow Jesus.

May God bless your efforts to encourage and influence your nephew and may He grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Wes

Thanks to all of you for the help. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" /> I'm thinking I might start him out on "The Holiness of God" by Sproul. It was the tape series of that book that started me on the road to truth. Ultimately I want him to go through the WCF And thanks to you Pilgrim for the recommendation on the study guide. As far as the comments on BSF, I am in full agreement with you all. I will be starting my 5th year with BSF this fall. and have issues with some of the teaching. The main reason I participate in it is because I forces me to get in the Word daily, which in the past I was lacking. I feel that I am doctrinally strong enough to see the errors when they come. I just started attending an OPC in my area and if I get involved in a good reformed Bible study there, I may drop BSF. Thanks again for the great input.

Hi Bassbum!

Welcome to the Highway!

You've got a lot of good recommendations already, but I'd like to add one more,"The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction" by Sinclair Ferguson.

...not like these are new recomendations but just from my experience, G.I. Williamson's The Westminster Confession of Faith is a phenominal book for these situations. Also R.C.'s Essential Truths of the Christian Faith is a very good choice.