What follows
is a list of recommended reading, from the writings
of various Christadelphians. Most of these works are
still in print and available from several sources.
This list is far from complete, but will serve to
draw attention to the rich possibilities, just within
our own small community, for continuing Bible study.
(Many of these books have been consulted in the course
of this work.)
The
Bible as a Whole
Vox Dei
(Collyer): “The Word, or Voice, of God”
— a simple discussion of the grounds of faith
in the Bible as God’s Word, with emphasis on
prophecy fulfilled and fulfilling. A bit out-of-date,
but still fine reading.
God’s
Truth (Hayward): “A scientist shows why it makes
sense to believe the Bible.” A first-rate, and
very entertaining, survey of inspiration, Bible background,
and Bible proofs.
Foundations
and First Principles
Bible Basics
(Heaster): An orderly survey of basic Bible teaching;
has been used extensively in preaching activities,
and translated, now, into a number of languages.
Christendom
Astray (Roberts): This book started as a series of
first principles lectures, and has revolutionized
the thinking of literally thousands of readers.
Elpis Israel
(Thomas): “The Hope of Israel”. Written
in 1848, it marked the beginning of the modern “Christadelphian”
movement. The language is a bit difficult, but the
insights are wonderful. The final section, on last
days prophecy, is by now considerably out-of-date
as to particulars, although many points even there
are still valid. (If necessary, read it slowly, two
or three pages per day.)
Wrested
Scriptures (Abel): An organized, in-depth analysis
of Bible verses regularly misapplied by various denominations
to prove their own special false doctrines. Very useful
in all preaching work.
The Protesters
and Brethren in Christ (Eyre): The primary reason
to read these two books is to marvel at the spiritual
strength of the pioneers of our faith (going back
much earlier than the 19th century!), and to be motivated,
by their examples, to greater efforts in these days
of laziness and indifference.
John Thomas
and His Rediscovery of Bible Truth (Fadelle): The
story of Christadelphian beginnings told in a simple,
concise fashion. Useful for introducing the faith
to friends and family.
Understanding
the Bible (Norris): Bible proofs and a simple plan
for first steps in Bible reading and study.
The Devil
— the Great Deceiver (Watkins): Analysis of
the Bible teaching about sin, with special attention
to the “wrested passages” about the Devil
and Satan.
Preaching
the Truth (Brown), Desert Island Adventure (Wille),
and At Last True Christianity (Eyre): The “gospel”
in light and entertaining story forms.
Bible
Study
Beyond
Bible Basics (Heaster): Takes up where Bible Basics
leaves off. 900+ pages of serious Bible study!
Exploring
the Bible and Enjoying the Bible (Whittaker): These
two books are in a class by themselves. It would be
very difficult to say too much in commending them.
It is safe to say these books have helped more Christadelphians
to become true Bible students than any other writings.
The benefit of such books is that the student —
if he reads wisely and practices what he reads —
will become, to a large extent, independent of the
interpretations of other men.
Our
Life in the Truth
Freedom
in Christ (Twelves): Advice on following Christ in
an evil and permissive society.
The Guiding
Light, Convictions and Conduct, and Principles and
Proverbs (Collyer): This fine writer had a knack for
examining principles and philosophies of life in a
very insightful and penetrating fashion.
Reformation
(Whittaker): Attempting to bring about a new “reformation”,
leading Christadelphians back to traditional standards
of life in the Truth. Guaranteed to give the serious
reader a guilty conscience!
The New
Life (Marshall): The “new and living way”.
Prayer
— Studies in Principles and Practice (Purkis,
Tennant): The best book on a very private and personal
part of each believer’s life.
Preaching
the Word (Norris): Advice on how to become a true
and effective preacher of the gospel.
The Genius
of Discipleship (Gillett): “True discipleship
involves the whole man, and its influence should be
conspicuous in every department of daily living.”
Family
Life in the Lord (Styles): A collection of articles
designed to improve the quality of our family life,
to the honor and glory of God.
War and
Politics — the Christian’s Duty (Watkins):
A small pamphlet discussing crucial areas in a new
believer’s life.
Biblical
Fellowship (Booker): The meaning of “fellowship”
with God and with Christ, and with our brethren. Helpful
analysis of what can be a very difficult and troubling
subject, especially for new believers. Contains extensive
quotations from earlier Christadelphians on this subject.
General
Exhortations
Diseases
of the Soul (Gillett).
Guided
by the Star (Ladson).
A Sound
Mind (Sargent).
Minute
Meditations (Lloyd).
The Ways
of Providence and The Visible Hand of God (Roberts).
Biographies
Abraham,
Father of the Faithful (Whittaker).
Wrestling
Jacob (Whittaker).
Moses My
Servant (Tennant).
The Man
David (Tennant).
Hezekiah
the Great (Whittaker)/The Songs of Degrees (Booker):
Two books with a related theme under one cover.
Peter:
Fisher of Men (Norris).
Old
Testament Exposition
The Law
of Moses (Roberts) and Law and Grace (Barling): Two
very good studies on the Law of Moses.
Samuel,
Saul, and David (Whittaker): The history of 1 and
2 Samuel.
Psalms
Studies (Booker): Two volumes and 800+ pages on the
Psalms, from a historical and a Messianic perspective.
Proverbs
(Crawford): In three volumes, an in-depth study, with
a serious moral tone.
Isaiah
(Whittaker): A serious study, not necessarily for
the true “beginner”. Something to look
forward to after a few years!
The Lamentations
of Jeremiah (Booker, Haltom).
From Hosea
to Zephaniah (Pearce).
Prophets
After the Exile (Carter).
New
Testament Exposition
Studies
in the Gospels (Whittaker): This may be the best book
ever written by a Christadelphian, or any other Bible
expositor, for that matter.
Gospel
of John (Carter).
The Teaching
of the Master (Sargent).
Studies
in the Acts of the Apostles (Whittaker).
Romans,
Galatians, Ephesians, and Hebrews (Carter): Studies
in four different letters.
Letters
to Corinth, Philippians, and Colossians (Barling):
Three books on various letters.
Waiting
for His Son (Booker): The letters to the Thessalonians.
James and
The Epistles of John (Smart).
Eureka:
An Exposition of the Apocalypse (Thomas): Five volumes,
and 1,800 pages. Not recommended for the beginner;
however, there are numerous shorter works that serve
as useful introductions to the study of the Book of
Revelation. Wait a few years before “graduating”
to “Eureka”!
Revelation:
A Biblical Approach (Whittaker): The Book of Revelation
from a futurist perspective, primarily. Shows how
all of the Bible may be brought to bear on this the
last (and in some ways the most intriguing) book of
the Bible.
In addition
to all the above, the Williamsburg Christadelphian
Foundation has an extensive cassette tape library
(over 5,000 tapes at last count), of all sorts of
Bible studies: first principles, exhortations, and
detailed expositions — all at very cheap prices.
The latest catalogue may be obtained from:
Williamsburg
Christadelphian Foundation
P.O. Box
982, Bloomington, IL 61702.
