RECOMMENDED MATERIALS FOR CHURCH BOOKSTORES
Updated January 28, 2009 (first published May 22, 2008) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
The following is a work in progress. I plan to add to it as I have opportunity, though I will not necessarily try to keep the contact information contained herein up to date. Phone numbers and web site addresses change frequently and we do not have the personnel to try to keep up with that type of thing.
A well-run Christian bookstore can be a powerful and important ministry, and I believe that it is nearly essential today that churches set up their own bookstores. Even if there is a Christian bookstore in the area, it is more than probable that it contains many books that are doctrinally unsound. Further, it probably sells “Christian” rock. I have often said that one of the most dangerous places today for a Bible-believing Christian is the average bookstore. (See “Dangers in Christian Bookstores,” http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/dangers-in-christianbookstores.html).
The Lord Jesus Christ commissioned the churches with thoroughly discipling every member. He said to teach them “to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). That is part of the ministry of the Great Commission. Further, the churches are tasked with protecting the believers from false teachers.
What was true in the prophet Hosea’s day is true in our day. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Too many members of Independent Baptist churches lack an effective and foundational knowledge of the Bible and are ill-equipped to deal with the slew of heresies that we are facing in these last days.
A well-run, well-stocked, well-promoted bookstore can go a long way toward correcting this problem.
SUGGESTIONS
1. An effective bookstore requires support from the church’s leaders and a strong commitment from the church. It should be supported financially to get it off the ground. The objective should not be to make money for the church’s coffers but to provide doctrinally sound material for the edification of the people and the salvation of souls. It is best if the church puts all of the profit back into the bookstore ministry so that the stock can grow and the number of titles increased.
2. It is important to appoint the right person to oversee the bookstore. At the very least a well-grounded preacher should be in charge of selecting the books. In too many cases the stocking of books is left up to a woman or someone who is not properly informed of the issues and who does not have the knowledge or spiritual discernment necessary to choose the right materials.
3. Keep the books well stocked. If the books are allowed to run out of stock it will discourage potential customers.
4. Keep the number of titles growing. A bookstore that has the same books on display month after month will not stir up the kind of enthusiasm that is necessary to make this ministry a success.
5. The bookstore needs to be advertised from the pulpit and by any other means available, such as a church paper. The people must be informed about what is available and reminded regularly. By this means the people will know what is available and will have that in mind when the need arises, such as when they are confronted by false doctrine.
RECOMMENDED PUBLISHERS
The following are some of the books that we recommend for church bookstores. Obviously we cannot recommend every title published by the following publishers nor can we recommend every jot and tittle in the titles we do list, but we believe the following materials are very helpful for Bible-believing Christians.
BEREAN CALL, P.O. Box 7019, Bend, OR 97708, http://www.thebereancall.org/
-- Many helpful books by Dave Hunt. We recommend Judgment Day: Islam, Israel and the Nations, What Love Is This (Calvinism), A Woman Rides the Beast (Roman Catholicism), Fast Facts on Jehovah’s Witnesses, Fast Facts on the Masonic Lodge, Fast Facts on the Middle East, The Seduction of Christianity, The Godmakers, When Will Jesus Come?
BETHEL BAPTIST PRINT MINISTRY, 4212 Campbell St. London, Ontario, Canada N6P 1A6
http://www.bethelbaptist.ca/contact.htm, 519-652-2619, info@bethelbaptist.ca
-- They publish books by Bruce Lackey and many others. I recommend the following books by Bruce Lackey: Repentance Is More Than a Change of Mind, Proverbs for the Family, Ten Ways to Study Your Bible, What the Bible Teaches about Drinking Wine, Cremation, Divorce, and Other Matters, Why I Believe the Old King James Bible. I also recommend Baptist History by J.M. Cramp, Bible Doctrines Affected by Modern Versions by Paul Freeman, Bible Wines or the Laws or Fermentation by William Patton, Boys and Girls Who Became Great Missionaries by John Mueller, Except Ye Repent by H.A. Ironside, The History of the Christian Church by William Jones, Israel and the Churches by James Brookes, The Life and Works of Charles Spurgeon by Henry Northrop, Me a Widow? (by a pastor’s wife), Must Purity Be Sacrificed on the Altar of Unity by Bert Esselink, Prayer by John Bunyan, The Fear of God by Bunyan, Scripture Memorization by John Charlton, Prayer by D.L. Moody, After C.T. Studd by Norman Grubb, The Weapon of Prayer by E.M. Bounds, Heroes of Faith on Pioneer Trails by E. Myers Harrison.
BIBLE FOR TODAY, 900 Park Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108
www.BibleForToday.org, 800-564-6109
-- They carry all the books by D.A. Waite, Jack Moorman, Edward F. Hills, John Burgon, and most of the other authors in defense of the King James Bible and the Received Greek text.
BIBLE TRUTH PUBLISHERS, P.O. Box 649, Addison, IL 60101, 630-543-1441, BTPorders@cs.com, BPPonline.org
-- This is a Brethren publisher and we do not recommend their writings on the church, but their books on prophecy and many other subjects are excellent. Some of the books from this publisher that we recommend are the writings and commentaries of H.A. Ironside and William Kelly, as well as The Bible Promise Book, Concise Bible Dictionary, A Defense of Dispensationalism, Hades and Eternal Punishment, Holiness: The False and the True, Miller’s Church History (though written from a Protestant perspective it is still very helpful), Outline of Prophetic Events, Self-Esteem: A Scriptural Analysis, Things Which Must Shortly Come to Pass, Types and Symbols of Scripture, The Tabernacle, Priesthood, and Offerings, and What They Believe (Cults).
THE BOOK HEAVEN, Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, 4207 Colebrook Ave., Emmaus, PA 18049, 800-893-9586, www.baptist-books.com
-- Lehigh Valley Baptist Church purchased Challenge Press from M.L. Moser, Jr., a few years ago and incorporated it into its own publishing ministry called The Book Haven. Some of the Challenge Press books present a Baptist Brider type position, which we do not recommend, but most of their books do not have this problem. We recommend 2 Timothy Outlines, Betrothal from Principle to Practice (DVD), Bible Revelations of Jesus the Christ, Bible Stories from the Children’s Nook, The Blight of Bitterness, Capital Punishment, Ephesians: Expository Notes, Galatians: Studies in, Good News for Modern Man: The Devil’s Masterpiece, Hell, Helpmeets in the Old Testament, Holy Spirit Series, Hymn Studies that Stir the Heart, Is Jesus a Fraud?, Isaiah: Study Guide, Jude: Expository Notes, Modern Science and the Third Day of Creation, Luke, Numbers, Open Windows for Catholics, Revelation: Study Guide, Ruth, Salvation Bible Basics, The Independence of the Local Church, Seven Steps of Bible Study, and Under Northern Lights: Missionary Adventures in Alaska. Challenge Press reprints many of the late Chester Tulga’s insightful books, including The Case against Neo-Orthodoxy, The Case against the Social Gospel, The Case against the World Council of Churches, The Case for Separation in These Times, The Case for the Atonement of Christ, The Case for the Virgin Birth of Christ, The Doctrine of Holiness in These Times, and The Doctrine of Right and Wrong in These Times. The Book Haven also carries a wide variety of books by other publishers.
CHRISTIAN BOOK GALLERY, 9066 Knickerbocker, St. John, IN 46373, http://www.4gospel.com/Christian_Book_Gallery_Larry_Harrison_s/74.htm
-- Larry Harrison re-prints a number of old books, including biographies of Peter Cartwright, John Jasper, Bud Robinson, Mordecai Ham, Billy Sunday, and D.L.Moody. The book “How on Earth Can I Be Spiritual” by C. Sumner Wemp is particularly excellent.
CROWN CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, http://bookshop.faithforthefamily.com/
-- This is a ministry of Temple Baptist Church, the home of Crown College. They publish books by Clarence Sexton, the senior pastor and president of the school. There are family devotionals, books on marriage and family, music, and many other topics. Two new books are Salute to Service (which celebrates America’s Christian heritage) and Lives of the Signers of Independence.
FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST MINISTRIES, P.O. Box 489, West Branch, MI 48661. 989-873-4778, www.fundamentalbaptistministries.com.
-- Don Jasmin’s book Why Do Fundamental Schools Go Apostate? is excellent. He traces the spiritual downfall of two schools founded by D.L. Moody in the late 19th century, and applies the principles to things that are happening in evangelical and fundamentalist schools today.
FUNDAMENTAL EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION, 1476 W. Herndon, Suite 104 Fresno, CA, 559-438-0080, http://www.feasite.org/Info/fbcprice.htm
-- They publish Foundation magazine and some helpful booklets and tracts. I recommend An Analysis of Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life, Biblical Basics for Believers, The Blood of Jesus, God’s Song, The Humanist Manifesto 2000, The New Evangelicalism, What About the Church Growth Movement, and The World Council of Churches.
GLORY TO GLORY MINISTRIES, 1813 E. 45th St., Ashtabula, OH 44004, 440-998-1209, www.glorytogloryministries.com, terry@glorytogloryministries.com
-- The First 2,000 Years of Baptist History by Terry Lee Hamilton is a helpful 100-page curriculum on Baptist history and distinctives
HERALD OF HOPE, P.O. Box 4216, Marayong, NSW 2148, Australia, editor@heraldofhope.org.au
-- Some excellent materials on Bible prophecy. We recommend The Bible Prophecy Handbook, the Keys to Bible Prophecy booklet series, Amillennialism Weighed and Found Wanting.
HERE I STAND BOOKS, 536 Greenside Drive Painesville, OH 44077, 440-354-7725, http://www.hereistand.com/homepage.htm, ashbrook@hereistand.com
-- New Neutralism II” Exposing the Gray of Compromise by John Ashbrook is one of the best books exposing the danger of New Evangelicalism. Axioms of Separation is also a good book. They also publish Family Fundamentals: Getting Back to Basics in a World That Has Lost Its Biblical Family Values.
LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS, P.O. Box 958 Silverton, OR 97381, 866/876-3910, http://www.lighthousetrails.com/
-- Many helpful books exposing the error of contemplative spirituality, the emerging church, and the New Age, Roman Catholicism, etc. I recommend A Time of Departing and For Many Shall Come in My Name by Ray Yungen, Faith Undone by Roger Oakland, Far From God Near to Rome, and Messages from Heaven (DVD). They also publish biographies and some interesting and challenging accounts of resistance to Hitler in World War II.
NICHOLSON, WILLIAM, P.O. Box 180, Suncook, NH 03275
-- Nicholson’s 70-page booklet Clothing: The Universal Language is very good.
NORTHSTAR MINISTRIES, 1820 W. Morgan St., Duluth, MN 55811, 218-726-0209, www.northstarministries.com, dhs.northstar@charter.net
-- Dave Sorenson publishes several excellent books, including Touch Not the Unclean Thing on the Bible version issue, Moral Failure: Its Cause and Prevention, and Training Your Children to Turn out Right. He also has a good whole Bible commentary set called Understanding the Bible.
LOCAL CHURCH BIBLE PUBLISHERS, P.O. Box 26024, Lansing, Michigan 48909, 517-882-2112, www.localchurchbiblepublishers.com, lcbp@pmbclansing.org
-- This ministry of Parker Memorial Baptist Church publishes an excellent selection of high-quality leather-bound Bibles, including study Bibles, at their cost.
PLAIN PATHS PUBLISHERS, P.O. Box 830, Columbus, NC 28722
Gary Maldaner, http://www.plainpath.org, 828-863-2736, plain@juno.com
-- Maldaner publishes materials for youth and home schooling, including Christian Manhood (practical study to help boys grow toward godly manhood), Christian Character (helping young people develop habits that will lead to godly character), Christian Leadership (a guide for young people, emphasizing a servant’s heart, obedience, Christlike character, and missions), Polite Moments (old-fashioned manners for children of all ages), Ancient Landmarks (devotions for teens and young adults), What Saith the Scripture (training children at home, scriptural advice for parents), The Prodigal Son and His Elder Brother (drawings and text to teach repentance to young people), Rooted In Christ (a discipleship course by Pastor Horst Trojahn). Plain Paths Publishers also publishes “Modern Bibles--The Dark Secret” by Jack Moorman, which is the best small book on that subject in my estimation.
PLEASANT VIEW BAPTIST PRESS, www.pleasantview.org
-- This new church publisher has four titles at present, and we recommend The Exceptional Man and The Life of an Ambassador.
PRAIRIE FIRE PRESS, 3705 Telegraph Road, Arnold, MO 63010, 314-606-7326, http://www.21tnt.com/pfp/
-- America in Crimson Red: The Baptist History of America by James Beller is excellent. They also publish other helpful materials, such as The Collegiate Baptist History Workbook, The History of American Liberty (DVD). Beller is a graduate of Hyles Anderson College and speaks there occasionally and we cannot therefore recommend his associations, but his historical research is very helpful.
PSYCHOHERESY AWARENESS MINISTRIES, 4137 Primavera Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93110, http://www.pamweb.org/mainpage.html,
-- Book exposing the error of Christian psychology by Martin and Deidre Bobgan, such as 12 Steps to Destruction: Codependency/Recovery Heresies; Christ Centered Ministry vs. Problem Centered Counseling; Four Temperaments, Astrology, and Personality Testing; Hypnosis: Medical, Scientific, or Occultic; James Dobson’s Gospel of Self-Esteem; Manufacturing Victims: What the Psychology Industry Is Doing to People; and PsychoHeresy: The Psychological Seduction of Christianity.
REGULAR BAPTIST PRESS, 888-588-1600, http://www.rbpstore.org/index.cfm
-- I don’t recommend a wide variety of Regular Baptist Press materials, but I do recommend the following: Biblical Separation: The Struggle for a Pure Church by Ernest Pickering, Baptism: Who Needs It by Robert Barnett, The New Answers Book by Ken Ham, Ultimate Questions by John Blanchard, Dispensationalism by Charles Ryrie, and I Left the Lodge by Dale Byers.
REVIVAL LITERATURE, 800-252-8896, http://www.revivallit.org/
-- This publish is strongly Calvinistic and we cannot recommend everything they publish, but we do recommend the books by the late evangelist James Stewart such as Evangelism, Evangelicals and the World Council of Churches, I Must Tell, My Queenly Mother, and Our Beloved Jock. We also recommend I Will Fear No Evil: The Biography of Vlado Fajfr by Ruth Fajfr, A Stone Made Smooth by Wong Ming-Dao, A Light Shines in Poland by R. K. Mazierski, Daniel Nash: Prevailing Prince of Prayer, From Catholicism to Christ by Ralph Filiccia, King of the Cannibals: The Story of John G. Paton, and Praying Hyde. They also publish an English-Russian Parallel Bible.
SUMNERWEMP.COM, www.sumnerwemp.com/books/index.htm
-- The book How on Earth Can I Be Spiritual by C. Sumner Wemp is an excellent and very practical study on the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. We also recommend his book Teaching the Tabernacle.
SWORD OF THE LORD, Post Office Box 1099 Murfreesboro, TN 37133, 615-893-6700, 800-247-9673, http://www.swordofthelord.com/
-- The Sword publishes many helpful books. We do not recommend the booklet “Repentance” by Curtis Hutson, nor do we recommend any books by Jack Hyles. I would also warn, sadly, that most of the Sword materials on the subject of evangelism promote the Quick Prayerism method of soul winning. See our article on this at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fundamentalbaptists.htm. We do recommend the following: Bible Facts about Heaven, Courtship and the Dangers of Petting, Blinded by Benny Hinn by Greg Locke, The Christian and War by Robert Moyer, Cowboy Boots in Darkest Africa by Bill Rice, Fence Straddlers by T. De Witt Talmage, Legalism: A Smokescreen by Mike Allison, Life and Works of Charles Spurgeon, Living in an Imperfect World by R.B. Ouellette, Loving My Wife Back to Health by Tom Williams, Never Alone, Prophecy Proves the Bible Reliable, R.A. Torrey: Apostle of Certainty, SBC Conservative Take-over Not a Make-over by Shelton Smith, Sunday or Sabbath, Ten Commandments for Teens by Raymond Barber, Thrilling Western Stories by Bill Rice, Unmasking the New Age Movement by Clarence Sexton, Was Peter the First Pope by Robert Moyer, What Is a Jehovah’s Witness by John Wimbish. We particularly like the books by Hugh Pyle -- The Truth about Mormonism, The Truth about the Church of Christ, Truth about Tongues and the Charismatic Movement, The Good Ship Courtship, How to Cope with Your Parents, How to Quit Smoking, Stick to Your Standards, The Taming of the Toddler, and Our Children and Sexual Temptation.
TRUTH PUBLISHERS, P.O. Box 1525, Taylors, SC 29687, http://www.truthpublisher.com/index.php?main_page=index
-- Peril of Islam: Telling the Truth by Gene Gurganus, who was a missionary to a Muslim nation for 17 years, is excellent.
WAY OF LIFE LITERATURE, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143 (toll free), fbns@wayoflife.org, http://www.wayoflife.org; in Canada contact 4212 Campbell St. N., London, Ont. N6P 1A6, 519-652-2619, 866-295-4143 (toll free), 519-652-0056 (fax).
-- Some of the titles are Answering the Myths on the Bible Version Debate, Avoiding the Snare of Seventh-day Adventism, The Bible’s Amazing Story, The Bible Version Question-Answer Database, Billy Graham and Rome, The Calvinism Debate, The Concise King James Bible Dictionary, Contemporary Christian Music: Some Questions Answered and Some Warnings Given, Dressing for the Lord, Faith vs. the Modern Bible Versions: A 10-Fold Defense of the King James Bible, The Glorious Heritage of the King James Bible, In the Footsteps of Bible Translators, Issues Facing the Churches DVDs (on subjects such as the Charismatic Movement and New Evangelicalism), Judge Not: Is It Legalism to Judge Sin and Error? The Modern Bible Version Hall of Shame, The New Age Tower of Babel, New Evangelicalism: Its History, Charismatics and Fruit, The Pentecostal-Charismatic Movements: The History and the Error, Purpose Driven or Scripture Driven: A Warning about Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven Philosophy, Repentance and Soul Winning, Roman Catholicism: Past & Present, Things Hard to Be Understood: A Handbook of Biblical Difficulties, Way of Life Advanced Bible Studies Series (19 courses covering Acts, Bible History and Geography, The Bible Version Issue, The Church, Church History, Defense of the Faith, Doctrine, First Corinthians, The Four Gospels, Genesis, Hebrews, How to Study the Bible, Job, Pastoral Epistles, Prophecy, Proverbs, Psalms, Revelation, and Romans), Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity, What Is the Emerging Church?
SEE ALSO THE FOLLOWING LISTS OF RECOMMENDED MATERIALS ON VARIOUS TOPICS
“Helpful Music Resources” http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/helpful.htm
“A Basic Bible Version Library” http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/basic-biblevers-lib.html
“Bible Commentaries” http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/bible-commentaries.html
“Baptist History Material” http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/soundbaptist.htm
“Gospel Tracts” http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/tracts.htm
“Creation Science Video Presentations” http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/creationscience-videos.html
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