David M. Williams

Books

This page will allow you to purchase good quality theological books through Amazon.Com! Note that you may follow the links for more information, and are not committing yourself to any purchase in any way, until you choose to do so, at the Amazon.Com site. Also, please note that following any of these links will leave this site.

The following books are excellent resources for ministers and students, and those who just love the Word of God! I personally recommend them all, and do not list any books here that do not meet my high standards of quality, precision and usefulness.

theology proper and philosophy
Systematic Theology: A Pentecostal Perspective edited by Stanley Horton. This is a fine resource work which covers important issues of theology in a clear and scholarly manner. Viewpoints and arguments are considered and discussed, and Pentecostal distinctives are emphasised, and validated.
Chris Chrisman goes to College by James W. Sire. This is an excellent work. It describes, in narrative format, the philosophies of individualism, relativism and pluralism and their impact and growth in a secular society. The book portrays the journey of learning and self-discovery by a motley collection of new undergraduate students. Sire's book is easy to read and entertaining, but very thoughtful and thought-provoking. It will help one understand these differing views and their ramifications to Christianity, and prepare one to adequately respond.
missions
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader edited by Ralph Winter. Put simply, just get it! This book is invaluable for missions-minded Christians and is a hefty collection of readings that will explain God's purposes, mission history and strategy, and the nature of the task at hand. Read this book and let the Lord work in your heart and challenge you to greater depths of love and service for Him!
Operation World: The Day-by-Day Guide for Praying for the World by Patrick Johnstone. Put simply, just get it! This book is invaluable for missions-minded Christians and is a unique and fascinating resource on the world and its people.
Eternity in their Hearts by Don Richardson. Ok, this one is not so essential ... but any missions-minded Christian will certainly find it fascinating. Richardson explains the concept of redemptive analogies and explains how many cultures have been prepared for the Gospel by legends and myths and examples that they have passed through generations.
the holy spirit
God's empowering presence: The Holy Spirit in the letters of Paul by Gordon Fee. This is the most comprehensive and insightful work in print on the life and work of the Holy Spirit as reflected in the writings of the Apostle Paul. Dr. Fee combines his acknowledged skill as a text critic and exegete with his vibrant spirituality to give us access to God's living presence in the Church.
Paul, the Spirit and the People of God by Gordon Fee. This is a less weighty work than God's empowering presence and Fee's emphasis is on the Church as the People of God living between the times, and Paul's view of the "already/not yet" of eschatology. These are especially helpful in guiding the Church today into a truly Biblical view of the Spirit's work in the Church and the world.
Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack Deere. This is a wonderful book which Pentecostals will enjoy, and Cessationalists should certainly read. Deere is a former Dallas Theological Seminary professor who learned that God does indeed move in powerful ways today. He presents a theological basis for this, and refutes cessationalist arguments. This is an excellent example of narrative theology.
Surprised by the Voice of God by Jack Deere. This title continues from Surprised by the Power of the Spirit and provides a narrative theological basis for hearing and discerning God's voice and leadings today. Deere's two books are very practical and helpful, for those who desire a more intimate relationship with the Lord.
Signs and Wonders Today by C Peter Wagner. Wagner's book details a course on Signs and Wonders introduced at Fuller Theological Seminary, and the far-reaching ramifications of this. Many lives were touched, but due to pre-conceived theological biases the Seminary's Theology department experienced considerable difficulty and frustration with the course. Yet, the Missions department knew that God still moved in miraculous ways from their real-life on-the-field dealings with animist cultures. This engrossing work details the course and its impact and the Bible and soul searching that many people underwent, to deal with the impact of this course on their existing beliefs and faith. This book is unfortunately out of print, but Amazon.Com will attempt to locate it for you, if you express interest.
the bible: hermeneutics, exegesis and textual criticism
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee. A guide to understanding the Bible in its literary dimensions with techniques for interpreting scripture while being faithful to the literary genres. A book written for the layman.
New Testament Exegesis by Gordon Fee. This indispensable, stimulating guide provides a practical method for a thorough, careful exegesis of the New Testament. It gives step-by-step analysis of the exegetical procedures, a brief guide to exegesis for sermon preparation, and resources for further study.
Gospel and Spirit: Issues in New Testament Hermeneutics by Gordon Fee. This is an excellent collection of essays on practical concerns to Evangelicals, and is helpful to anyone who wishes to hear the Bible speak to today's situations.
Exegetical Fallacies by Don Carson. This text assists in good exegesis from the revese point of favorite Bible interpretation methods based on improper use of the text.
The King James Version Debate: A Plea for Realism by Don Carson. This excellent work explains the issues behind the King James Only controversy, with sensible and reasoned answers.
Scribes, Scrolls and Scriptures: A Student's Guide to Textual Criticism by J Harold Greenlee. This is an excellent little book for anyone interested in understand the field of textual criticism. This field is important as it allows us to have confidence in our modern Bible text. It is also of relevance to those grappling with the King-James Only controversy. Unfortunately this book is out of print, but Amazon.Com can attempt to locate a copy for you if you express interest.
greek
The Greek New Testament, United Bible Societies, 4th ed. How can you study the Greek New Testament without a copy of it? :-) This is the Nestle-Aland text, the authoritative text to many translators, seminaries and scholars. If you have any serious interest in the Greek New Testament then you cannot do without this resource.
The Complete Word Study New Testament by Spiros Zodhiates. This fine reference identifies each Greek word in the New Testament by giving grammatical tags, as well as numerical codes for cross-referencing words in Strong's Concordance. Many key words can also be found in the extensive Lexical Aids section included at the back of the book. Included are an introduction to each book, helpful exegetical notes, grammatical explanations, a Greek concordance, and a translational reference index.
A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and other early Christian Literature edited by Robert W. Funk. This fine reference helps one understand the Greek New Testament by reference to contexts in the wider body of contemporary literature in the Koine Greek corpus. I certainly recommend it if you have a technical interest in Koine Greek, and interpreting and translating the New Testament.
New Testament Greek: A Beginning and Intermediate Grammar by James A. Hewitt. This was the textbook I used for my Greek subjects, and I do refer back to it often. An advantage for those interested in self-learning Greek is that the solutions to the exercises are available, below, for a nominal price. However, this book is very rigorous, and those who are not so used to academic study may prefer Dobson's book, below.
Key to Exercises for New Testament Greek: A Beginning and Intermediate Grammar by James A. Hewitt. If you buy the Hewitt book above, then I also recommend this. It is very cheap, and will be extremely helpful when self-testing your Greek knowledge.
Learn New Testament Greek by John H. Dobson. This is a highly readable introduction to New Testament Greek which is far more accessible to beginners than the Hewitt book, above. Note that a cassette tape is sold separately to accompany this book, which is helpful for hearing the spoken Greek pronunciation, for practice while driving, and for self-testing.
eschatology and the book of revelation
The Climax of Prophecy: Studies on the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham. Professor Bauckham looks closely at Revelation's own literary dynamics as a closely integrated literary whole. He investigates Revelation's intertextual relationship with the Hebrew Bible, illustrating how constant disciplined allusion to the Old Testament scriptures is a key element in the way Revelation conveys meaning. There is fresh study of the relationships between Revelation and other Jewish and Christian apocalypses, and there is extensive examination of Revelation's contemporary context. Revelation emerges as a work of meticulous literary artistry, remarkable creative imagination, radical political critique and profound theology. Above all, its central message, portraying itself as the climax of the biblical prophetic tradition and claiming to reveal the secret of God's purpose for the final coming of God's kingdom, appears with fresh clarity.
The Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham. This is an excellent introduction to important issues in the Book of Revelation, covering the nature of apocalypses and the message of this book concerning God, Christ, man, sin and salvation.
The Hope of the Early Chuch: A Handbook of Patristic Eschatology by Brian Daley. This is a wonderful resource which explains the eschatological viewpoints of prominent figures during the first four hundre years of the Church. Unfortunately it is out of print, but Amazon.Com can attempt to locate a copy for you if you express interest.
history: church history, and the times of jesus
Christianity through the Centuries by Earle E. Cairns. This is a highly readable and fascinating commentary on the history and development of the Christian Church. The first edition of this book was in 1954, and the latest in 1996, which reflects its durability and objectivity.
The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah by Alfred Edersheim. I do not know if I can recommend this book highly enough. Edersheim is a brilliant historian and scholar, who brings to life the very atmosphere and presence of first-century Judaism and social life. This explains the culture and land that Jesus walked in and brings insight to the New Testament, and the history of Judaism.
puzzles
Rush Hour by Binary Arts. Ok, this category is entirely non-spiritual :-) but I've been engrossed by this wonderful single-player game. You play a little car on a board, trapped in various configurations of gridlock. There are four levels from beginner to expert. The game is emminently playable and addictive, from 8 years to adult. It is recommended by Mensa and many other thinking and educational organisations.
Railroad Rush Hour by Binary Arts. This is for those who prefer trains to automobiles :) It also features large pieces and more puzzles.

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Last modified 4 September 2005 22:33:56
Email: davidmwilliams@geocities.com

David M. Williams