Ten Authors Who Have Shaped My Theology
Everyone is a theologian. This is true, even if one is an atheist. God made it that way. Each person’s theology is formed through a lifetime of considering God. Our ideas about God are formed through the influence of others. Nature alone gives us a general revelation about God, so everyone knows something of His existence and providence. Specific (special) revelation is necessary to know God’s decree of salvation. The Bible is God’s Word of revelation to man, and we do the work of theologians, by studying God’s Word. This is not easy work, so it is wise to gather people more knowledgeable than ourselves to help us. We need more than some random theologian out West somewhere to help us.
Theologians often do not agree with one another’s interpretation of the Bible. This is where disputes arise. The Bible itself encourages us to seek many counselors (Prv 11:14). One of the best ways of engaging wise counselors is to read good books. Good books are written by worthy divines, but worthy divines are rare and never perfect. Because there is no end to the writing of books, one must use extreme discretion when choosing a book to read. Most people do not have the tools to know who to read.
Over the past couple of decades, I have sifted through much material, and I have often been blessed on the search for ever-more helpful teachers of doctrine and theology. Sometimes, when I am reading one of those who is already a blessing to me, they will make a reference to the others who have blessed them. We need others to grow in the faith.
Here are ten Christian authors who have blessed me. If someone were to come to me and ask who they should read, I would present them with these ten men of God. The order is not random. I would start with number one and work through to number ten. Also, I will conclude with some other names I hope to read in the future.
1. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones — It was my spiritual mentor, John Kennett, who first put a Lloyd-Jones book in my hand, when I was a new believer in Christ. This twentieth century Welshman ministered at London’s Westminster Chapel during the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s. He wrote much, and many of His sermons have been turned into manuscripts. He wrote in a very logical fashion, which makes him easy to follow. I find his arguments very relevant, today.
2. Thomas Watson — It was D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones who introduced me to the Puritan authors of the seventeenth century. Watson is a favorite of Puritan lovers. He is easier to read than some of his more esteemed contemporaries. I once said to a friend, “Watson just oozes wisdom.” His work, The Art of Divine Contentment is easily my favorite book next to the Bible itself.
3. Arthur W. Pink — Were it not for D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, A.W. Pink may have slipped into obscurity. Pink was an uneducated man, who tried to pastor in England, various locations in the United States, and Sydney, Australia, during the first half of the twentieth century. He eventually settled in to a life of writing, from his apartment, on the Isle of Lewis in northwest Scotland. He was prolific in this exercise, and he is a theologian of the highest order. The Sovereignty of God is his most notable contribution.
4. J. C. Ryle — In contrast with Pink, Ryle was a churchman. As the Bishop of Liverpool during the last half of the nineteenth century, Ryle was a shining evangelical light in the Church of England. His book, Holiness is considered one of J.I. Packer’s top reads.
5. J. I. Packer — Born into a working class family in Bristol, England, Packer attended Oxford, where he was converted. His friendship with D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ daughter brought him into “the Doctor’s” sphere of influence, at the time of a burgeoning resurgence in Puritan studies. Together, they spawned an annual conference dedicated to lectures on the Puritan era. Lloyd-Jones would subsequently influence Iain Murray, who founded the Banner of Truth Trust publishing house. This publishing company would produce numerous works related to the Puritans. Meanwhile, Packer’s influence grew dramatically in the United States, although England and Vancouver, British Columbia would be his bases of operation. His book, Knowing God remains a modern-day classic.
6. Iain Murray — In addition to his work with Banner of Truth, Murray is a prolific writer of Christian biography and history. He has enriched evangelical readers with a greater knowledge of those who should be known and read. Murray’s biography of A.W. Pink is a great first read. He also has produced biographies of John MacArthur, Jr.; D. Martyn Lloyd Jones; C. H. Spurgeon; John Wesley; Amy Carmichael; and Archibald Brown.
7. Charles (C. H.) Spurgeon — As a contemporary of J. C. Ryle, the deep mutual respect of these two great men of God is exemplary. Spurgeon was a Reformed Baptist, while Ryle was Anglican. Their compliments of one another are frequently observed in both men’s writings. Spurgeon’s sermons are still widely read, today. His method was to take one verse of Scripture and expound upon it. He was heard by thousands each week at London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle, in the second half of the nineteenth century, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Without formal theological education Spurgeon was the most notable preacher of the nineteenth century. His sermons were captured in short hand, and in short work became popular publications. One read of any one of his sermons, and you will be hooked. Lectures to My Students is one of the best books on pastoral ministry training ever written.
8. Michael Horton — As the first American to make my list, Horton is still producing from his place at Westminster Seminary California. He is a former Dispensationalist (Biola University), turned Reformed theologian. He is helpful for this reason. By his own admission, it was doing theology that brought him to the traditional Reformed faith. He is an important contributor to contemporary issues and how theology informs them. I would start with Putting Amazing Back into Grace as a first read.
9. Joel Beeke — As president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Beeke is a pastor/theologian of the highest order. He continues the great work of keeping the Puritans in front of Evangelicals and the Reformed. His Meet the Puritans is an excellent introduction to Puritan pastors and their stories. He is also the editor of many compiled works worth reading.
10. Roy Hession — Here is the little guy among giants. I have included him because he is where I began my theological studies. My spiritual mentor put Hession’s, We Would See Jesus into my possession, and I made it the bestselling book of the year in one Christian bookstore in Michigan. This little book helps people to see Jesus, as their all in all. It is a great first book to give to unbelievers. It is also a helpful read for new believers. Hession, an English pastor in the twentieth century, also wrote a more popular book entitled, Calvary Road.
Bonus: In recent years, I have been particularly blessed, by being introduced to the works of the Protestant Reformed Church and their publishing arm, the Reformed Free Publishing Association. As a very small denomination, they have contributed a disproportionate amount of scholarly works. Herman Hoeksema, Herman Hanko, Ronald Hanko, and David Engelsma will keep you busy, as their next generation of pastor/theologians emerge. Voice of Our Fathers by Homer Hoeksema is a comprehensive work on the Canons of Dordt that everyone should own. Ronald Hanko has the best beginners systematic theology in print, in my opinion. It is called, Doctrines According to Godliness.
In summary, I have offered my opinion of some worthy Christian authors. Some are pastors, some are professors, but all of them are theologians in the top rank. In recommending these men of God to you, my readers, I am hoping you will find a safe haven for accurate Bible interpretation. These men would not all agree with one another were they contemporaries, but collectively, they would agree with a high view of the Bible, the sovereignty of God, and the doctrines of grace.
In conclusion, my list is a current one. I have not read some authors I wish I had more time or inspiration to engage. These worthies are hardly second tier authors. I simply have not gotten to them, to have them influence me more thoroughly. These names have had a significant influence upon others, however. I know this because the men I have named above reference them. Still others, today, are coming into the realm of worthy divines. John Owen is a Puritan to be read. Jonathan Edwards is considered the last of the Puritans. John Frame is a modern day theologian for consideration. Carl Trueman is the church history professor to look into, today. No doubt there are more.
My point in writing this has been to show how others influence our theology. We should know who these men are and be able to give their names to others. The reason is that Christians simply do not know who is worthy of their limited reading time. A venture into a popular Christian bookstore, if any still exist, will demonstrate the low quality popular theology being produced and promoted today. We need to help our brethren find the way to better Bible interpretation and quality doctrinal studies. My prayer is for this list to be a ministry of help to you. God bless your future reading.
David E. Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 28, 2020
