Books

I teach a high school class on government and economics at a classical Christian school. Below is the list of books and original sources that I have used to prepare for and teach the class. Not everything on the list has a Christian perspective, but even those that do not can, when viewed from a Christian worldview, help us understand how Christian government and culture should--or should not--be organized, including the laws that we should live under and the limits that are placed on the authority of four primary spheres of government: self-government, family government, church government, and civil government.

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A version of this article was originally published on Texas Scorecard.

I can't think of a greater opportunity in my lifetime than the present for people to learn about the connection between liberty and prosperity.

The problem is, just like other opportunities in the past, all the experts are busy telling us whatever they can to distract from the real reasons for the current challenge--an economic collapse--we face.

Of course, we all have become aware the physical harm that can be caused by a rapidly spreading disease. However, we are being told the cause of the economic harm is the reasonable, medically necessary actions taken by our governments at all levels in response to the COVID-19 virus.

Yet, it is not clear to me that that is actually the case.

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The Bible is a beautiful story of God's mercy on a rebellious world. However, sometimes it is difficult to see this beauty in the midst of the ugliness we experience in this world, whether it is from our own sin or that of others.

Thus it is important to remember that God's beauty is not far off and for others, it is for us in each of our lives. Whether in mundane challenges like getting our household chores done, making life changing decisions about marriage or employment, or in tragic situations like the loss of a loved one.

Here are some books with practical, Biblical teaching to help us work through life's big and little challenges with faith:

• Through the Bible, Through the Year: Daily Reflections from Genesis to Revelation by John Stott
• A Little Book on the Christian Life by John Calvin (ed. Burke Parsons & Aaron Denlinger)
• Confessions by Augustine (translated by Henry Chadwick)
• In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life by Sinclair Ferguson
• Discovering God's Will by Sinclair Ferguson

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God is the Creator, we are His creatures. He is infinite, we are finite.

One result of these truths is that we are going to spend eternity joyfully getting to know God better since we will never be able to know everything about Him.

Yet getting to know God better isn't just something for eternity. It is also for the here and now. We can do this through worship, prayer, community, obedience, and discipline. We can also do this by reading and meditating on His Word day and night.

The following books comprise my third book list. I've previously compiled two others:

• Books with a Christian Worldview for Children, Young Adults, and the Young at Heart
• A Christian, Liberty-Minded Reader on Culture, Science, Governance, and Economics

This one is a bit different because it is specifically focused on the exposition of Scripture, on books that walk the reader through Scripture to help us better know God and various aspects of the world He has created. Some are commentaries on specific books of the Bible, while other investigate certain themes found in Scripture.

I pray that some of these books will help you to better know our Lord and Savior and the work He is currently doing in His creation, particularly how He is making all things new (Rev. 21:5), which includes those of us he chose to be His children. Here is the list:

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I've spent a lot of time over the years studying economics, governance, science, culture, etc. from a biblical perspective. Although a number of the books I've read are not written by Christians, by God's common grace non-Christians can contribute to our understanding of the world and often do a better job than Christians--within limits. Here is a list of some of the books and lectures that I have found beneficial in helping understand how God designed the world to work.

The Fundamentals

The Reagan I Knew by William F. Buckley, Jr.

The Tragedy of American Compassion by Olasky Marvin

Black Rednecks and While Liberals by Thomas Sowell

How Should We Then Live by Francis Schaeffer

A Serrated Edge by Douglas Wilson

Miles Gone By: A Literary Autobiography by William F. Buckley, Jr.

Witness by Whittaker Chambers

Flags Out Front by Douglas Wilson

Slaying Leviathan: Limited Government and Resistance in the Christian Tradition by Glenn S. Sunshine

The Maker Versus the Takers: What Jesus Really Said About Social Justice and Economics by Jerry Bowyer

Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture by David Hegeman

Out of the Ashes: Rebuilding American Culture by Anthony Esolen

Life After Google: The Fall of Big Data and the Rise of the Blockchain Economy by George Gilder

Black and Tan: Essays and Excursions on Slavery, Culture War, and Scripture in America by Douglas Wilson

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It is tough finding solid books for children to read today. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World makes the cut, though:

Doyle is best known for his Sherlock Holmes stories, but The Lost World is the clear predecessor of Crichton’s Jurassic Park series. Readers familiar with both will recognize many similar elements, but Doyle’s novel is more of an adventure novel than a sci-fi exploration of genetic cloning. A product of its time, The Lost Worldreflects the wild spirit of adventure that dominated in the early 1900s–the same drive that sent men like Teddy Roosevelt to map an uncharted Amazonian river. The late Victorians were obsessed with the new Darwinian philosophies; The Lost World parades evolutionary theory as it was in those days, including an absorbing look at the “missing link.” Additionally, cultural stereotypes and language are present, particularly in the way the British men of the expedition describe their indigenous helpers.

Read the rest of the review by Betsy Farquhar at Redeemed Reader.

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I joined a Bible study group a while back that was studying Deuteronomy. After that, we've just kept on going through Joshua. For the Joshua study, we used Joshua: No Falling Words by Dale Ralph Davis to help guide us through the text.

I learned about Davis's commentaries through Ligonier Ministries, which has recommendations for the best commentaries on each book of the Bible. We haven't been disappointed.

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I have been aware of Allen Drury for some time because I had one of the sequels to Advise and Consent in my bookshelf--it was from my mother's library. When I saw that National Review listed Advise and Consent as one of the best conservative novels, I decided I had to read it.

Since I didn't have Advise and Consent, I started with what I did have, its sequel, Preserve and Protect. That meant when I did read Advise and Consent, I already knew the ultimate outcome of the story. It wasn't a bad way to read it, though I think I'd recommend the traditional order. Not because I knew the outcome of the story so much as I knew how one of the characters came to change over time. And I found I couldn't dislike him as much as I might have otherwise. Of course, not intensely disliking someone has its benefits, so I am not complaining.

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After having already finished Hayward's first book on Reagan (his pre-presidential years in politics), The Age of Reagan: The Conservative Counterrevolution: 1980-1989 confirms that Hayward is so far the best biographer of Ronald Reagan. If you want to understand Reagan and his brand of conservatism--which along with William F. Buckley, Jr.'s were the cornerstones of conservatism in the second half of the 20th century, you need to read these two books by Hayward.

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It is hard to explain how good these books are. The story of Janner Igiby, his brother Tink, their crippled sister Leeli takes the reader through a world that is both strange and familiar at the same time.

It is a world ruled by Fangs of Dang who become more evil and efficient as the children get closer to their leader. There are also the many strange creatures that populate this world: bomnubbles, cave blats, chorkneys, daggerfish, and the like.

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Peter and Andrew Schiff wrote How an Economy Grows and Why It Crashes based on the book by their father, Irwin, How an Economy Grows and Why It Doesn't. It combines simple explanations and cartoon-like illustrations on almost every page to lay out clearly the effects of government intervention in the market.

It begins with three men on a Pacific-style island who work all day to catch one fish with their bare hands--just enough to survive. One of them, Abel, finally gets tired of sustenance living and his desire for more leads him to invent a net. Abel has to go without eating for an entire day (since it usually takes him all day to catch his food supply) to have the time needed to build his net. But his efforts paid off, as he netted two fish in just a matter of hours the next day with his new invention.

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A few years ago my family visited Ruidoso, NM for a summer vacation. In addition to climbing Sierra Blanca--the peak at Ski Apache, we enjoyed the rich history of the area, which is in Lincoln County.

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If you are interested in learning about the church and its hymns, its history, its people, and, most of all, about God, Douglas Bond is a must-read author. He writes a variety of fiction and non-fiction for adults and teens (though all of his books are of great benefit to adults) that are focused on helping the reader understand who God is and how we can better worship Him. And does so in a most enjoyable manner that is accessible to readers of all ages.

In this case, Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers is the first in a series of four books about Mr. Pipes and two children, Annie and Drew. Mr. Pipes plays the organ in a Church of England parish in Olney, Bedfordshire, England. Annie and Drew are two young American children (about 13 or so) who think they are going to be stuck in Olney for a boring summer whilst their mother pursues her research in a local library. But instead they meet Mr. Pipes, who not only shows them all around the local countryside and a bit of London, but also gives them a once in a lifetime tour of many British hymn writers while instructing them about how good hymns help us to worship and enjoy God. Each chapter is about a different hymn writer, but also includes some adventure like sailing down the River Great Ouse, hiking to a cave, or visiting the organ in London that Charles Wesley played as he was composing many of his hymns.

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In the midst of Republicans and Christians retreating in the face of relativist attacks on God, Doug Wilson shows us the path to success with principled opposition to the left in the culture wars today. And he does it with great style and humor.

One day Tom Collins, the well-meaning president of a financially sound but spiritually unfocused Southern Bible college, arrives at work to see the Christian flag flying atop the highest flagpole, taking precedence over the American flag--courtesy of a drunken student from a nearby community college. He decides he likes it that way. And then all hell breaks loose.

Flags out Front is a must read for anyone tired of watching the left advance practically unopposed by America's political and religious establishment.

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We live in a world at war. A war that has been waging since Adam defied God and abandoned Eve to Satan’s deceit to get a taste of the forbidden fruit. Unfortunately, the church too often also falls for this deceit and retreats, unable to recognize the battles lines forming around us.

Race in America: Liberalism's Attack on Minorities and the Church examines this retreat when it comes to the current debate over race and culture. The world seeks to divide that which is whole and make whole that which is divided. Thus, the single race of mankind becomes hopelessly split into various races while the greatest of all divides, that between believers and unbelievers, is forgotten. Racism, now, primarily white racism, is said to be at the heart of racial tension in America today and the primary cause of many of the problems that minorities face.

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Looking at relationships between peoples in terms of color, and more specifically in terms of white racism and oppression of blacks, is the prevailing view among many secular and religious groups in America today. Thomas Sowell's provides a historical perspective that suggest this view is not accurate in his book, Black Rednecks and White Liberals.

Thomas Sowell closely examines historical relationships between those of various racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds with the intent of applying it to race relations in the U.S. today. He begins with this quote:

These people are creating a terrible problem in our cities. They can’t or won’t hold a job, they flout the law constantly and neglect their children, they drink too much and their moral standards would shame an alley cat. For some reason or other, they absolutely refuse to accommodate themselves to any kind of decent, civilized life (p. 1).

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I've read a lot of books to my son, William, over the years. In part because of his reading challenges, in part because there are some VERY good books out there for younger folks that I didn't read but are still very edifying for me today, and in part because of what I have read about the value of reading to our children--even as they progress into their teen years. So I thought that I'd put together a list of those books (plus some I haven't read but plan on doing so or plan on having William read himself). I pray you find some books for you to read to your children or for them to read to themselves. Or for you to read on your own!

Books are listed in order of the age of the potential reader, from youngest to oldest in each section. Reading books aloud to children that are above their reading level is a great way to stretch their vocabulary and comprehension, and to spend special time with them.

All the books are recommended, but if I had to pick just one series of books on the fiction list, it would be the Mr. Pipes books by Douglas Bond (anything that Bond writes is worth reading). The Wingfeather series by Andrew Peterson; Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress by Oliver Hunkin; and Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life by Peter J. Leithart would be the runner-ups. In the biography, etc. section—which has some adult books that many preteens might enjoy, my favorites are The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and Beowulf by Douglas Wilson. In the study section, I really like Created for Work: Practical Insights for Young Men by Bob Schultz (fathers should read it too) and also like Boys & Girls Playing by J.C. Ryle.

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“Beware the one who makes his living off criticizing the sin of others.” – Pastor Eric Landry, discussing the actions of Ham against his father Noah in a sermon on Genesis 9.

As I think about how biblically-minded Christians can deal with the constant assaults from the left, three things really stand out to me.

First is to have a strong commitment to liberty. An unwillingness to waver from this commitment in the midst of significant opposition will make us stand out in the midst of a generally compromising culture.

Second is excellence. Maintaining integrity and quality in our lives and work will provide us great freedom to pursue our goals because it allows the criticisms of our opponents to be seen clearly as unmerited attacks on us.

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Galileo by Mitch Stokes is a highly entertaining and informative book that helps rewrite the conventional wisdom the it was the church that stood in the way of Galileo and others as they pushed forward the idea that the earth was not the center of the universe. The geocentric view was in fact widely adhered to by secular scientists, and the threat to their reputations and ability to earn a living were at the "center" of the opposition to Galileo. This is the same problem we face today with global warning, evolution, and many other areas where scientists refuse to look the facts straight in the eye. Galileo is part of Thomas Nelson's Christian Encounters Series. I haven't found one yet that doesn't present a sound biblical worldview.

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I enjoyed reading The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming to my son (age 12). It kept him thoroughly engaged. My wife enjoyed it when she read it too. It also provides a sad commentary on elitism, both on the blindness of the elite to the real world around them and on the consequences of that blindness on the rest of the people. This still holds true today; elitism is not confined to the nobility and communists of early 20th century Russia. The American government is today filled with elites at the federal, state, and local levels. Though it didn't come to pass in Russia, the antidote to elitism is freedom. When people are allowed to make their own choices, they might not always like the consequences, but at least they are consequences of their choosing.

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I love all of G. A. Henty books, as does my son. In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce is about the twentieth of Henty's great historical fiction books for boys--and their dads--we have read together. Like the rest of them, this one helped us learn about history and the difference between right and wrong, while telling an entertaining tale about a young man who is mature beyond his years. The new thing for me in this one is the harsh, even barbaric, treatment the Scots received at the hands of the English, who used religion as an excuse to persecute a people who worshiped God in faith. I know all people are sinners, but sometimes I give my English ancestors a pass on this. But Henty makes sure that the sins of the English are on full display here.

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