Pre-Seminary Reading List

Compiled by the faculty of the Christian Studies and Philosophy Department, Mississippi College

The following volumes represent a selection of basic works that will orient the seminary bound student with a basic background in the biblical, theological, historical and practical ministry areas. It is understood that students are always encouraged to regularly and systematically read and study the Bible (see recommendation below).

The format followed will be listing of Author(s), Title, Publisher, Copyright, and ISBN Number. All recommendations are grouped on a listing found on the Amazon.com website and the link is found at the end of this listing.

Biblical Studies

• May, Herbert G., editor. The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Revised Standard Version. Oxford University Press, 1998. 0195283481
• Anderson, Bernard W., with Steven Bishop and Judith H. Newman. Understanding the Old Testament. 5th ed. Prentice Hall, 2006. 013092380X
• Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 3rd ed. Zondervan, 2003. 0310246040
• Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament. 4th ed. Zondervan, 2003. 0310238250
• Ferguson, Everett. Background of Early Christianity, 3rd ed. Zondervan, 2003. 0802822215

Historical/Theological Studies

• Deweese, Charles W., editor. Defining Baptist Convictions: Guidelines for the Twenty-First Century. Providence House, 1996. 1881576833
• Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Baker Book House, 1998. 0801021820
• Noll, Mark A. Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity. 2nd ed. Baker Academic. 080106211X
• Thielicke, Helmut. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Eerdmans, 1980. 0802811981

Christian Ethics/Philosophical Studies

• Hauerwas, Stanley and William H. Willimon. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. Abingdon, 1989. 0687361591
• Peterson, Michael, William Hasker, Bruce Reichenback, and David Basinger. Reason and Religious Belief: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press, 2003. 0195156951
• Plantinga, Alvin C. God, Freedom and Evil. Eerdmans, 1977. 0802817319
• Polkinghorne, John C. Science & Theology: An Introduction. Fortress Press, 1998. 0800631536

Ministry Studies

• Clark, Robert, Lin Johnson and Allyn Sloat, editors. Christian Education: Foundations for the Future. Moody, 1991. 0802416470
• McIntosh, Gary L. One Church, Four Generations: Understanding and Reaching All Ages in Your Church. Baker Books, 2002. 0801091373
• Niebuhr. H. Richard. Christ and Culture. Harper Perennial, 1956. 0061300039
• Nouwen, Henri J.M. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. Crossroad Publishing, 1993. 0824512596

Spiritual Life/Christian Living

• Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. 25th Anniversary ed. HarperCollins, 2003. 0060628391
• Frankl, Viktor. Man’s Search for Meaning. Pocket; Revised and Updated edition, 1977. 0671023373
• McLaren, Brian D. The Church on the Other Side. Zondervan, 2003. 0310252199
• Schwehn, Mark R. And Dorothy C. Bass, editors. Leading Lives That Matter: What We Should Do and Who We Should Be. Eerdmans, 2006. 0802829317

Other

• Adler, Mortimer and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book. Rev. Ed. Touchstone, 1972. 0671212095
• Strunk, Jr. William and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed. Longman, 1999. 020530902X

All of the books on this listing can be found on a listmania at Amazon.com under "Recommended Books for the Seminary Bound Student."