5 Recommended Resources on the Church
The New Testament describes the church as the household of the living God and a pillar and buttress of the truth—all under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. How can we as Christians seek to glorify God, love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and witness to the world through faithful churches with faithful members? The following resources, curated by the Ligonier editorial team, can help both church leaders and laity better understand how to live well in the household of God.
What Is the Church? by R.C. Sproul
When the word church is mentioned, many people think of a building. Others think of a denomination. But the church is so much more. In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul explains that the church is a group of people, not a building. These Christians make up the universal family of God and are called to live lives that glorify Him. Beginning with one of the church's earliest statements of faith, Dr. Sproul takes an in-depth look at the “one, holy, catholic, and Apostolic” church.
How Jesus Runs the Church by Guy Prentiss Waters
What are the biblical foundations of the government of the church? In this accessible book, Dr. Waters seeks to answer that question as he presents a biblical case for a Presbyterian form of church government. Church government is important, he argues, because it is part of the way that Jesus rules His people, and church government is also a critical part of Christian discipleship. Topics covered include the church’s government, power, offices, and courts.
Devoted to God’s Church: Core Values for Christian Fellowship by Sinclair B. Ferguson
Despite modernity’s trend toward radical individualism, the fact remains that being a Christian is not a solo endeavor. Rather, faithful Christian discipleship involves belonging to the people of God, the church. This book centers on how we can best live out these realities in our own churches, helping new Christians better understand what it means to be part of a church, and reminding seasoned believers of their role and responsibility in the family of God.
The Necessity of Reforming the Church by John Calvin
In this classic work, sixteenth-century Reformer John Calvin addresses issues in the church of his day related to worship, the gospel, the sacraments, and the character of ministers. This call for faithfulness to God’s Word in the church’s life and practice is relevant for Christians of all eras as we seek to guard the gospel of Jesus Christ from distortion and to maintain the purity of the church in accordance with God’s revealed will in Scripture.
The Church: Contours of Christian Theology by Edmund P. Clowney
In this book, Dr. Clowney addresses modern issues in the church including worship, mission, church and culture, church and state, church order and discipline, the ministry of women, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, tongues and prophecy, and signs and wonders. This biblical, historical, systematic, and Reformed volume can help readers better understand the life, order, and purpose of the household of God.
This article is part of the Recommended Resources collection.
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Karrie Hahn
Karrie Hahn is associate editor for Ligonier Ministries and a certified biblical counselor. She is contributor to Women Counseling Women: Biblical Answers to Life’s Difficult Problems.