Understanding the Bible: 10 Essential Books to Deepen Your Christian Faith

Deeply thought-provoking but highly readable, Rowan Williams has written a book for anyone, whatever their beliefs, who wants to get to the heart of what Christianity is all about.

Internationally acclaimed theologian Rowan Williams invites you to explore with him the vital questions that go right to the heart of Christianity:

How does Jesus reveal God?
Who or what is the Holy Spirit?
Why do Christians treasure the Bible?
What's the point of theology?

Rowan Williams' guide to the essentials of the faith will get you thinking about God in fresh and exciting ways. It will help you to grasp the way in which the best Christian theology is arrived at through the creative interplay of scripture, tradition and reason. And it will help you develop a broader and deeper appreciation of the positive difference Christianity continues to make in the world today.

'The Lion Handbook remains arguably the best single volume introduction to the Bible.' Andy Bannister

The Lion Handbook to the Bible was first published in 1973 and has been continuously in print ever since, selling over 3 million copies worldwide.

This fascinating guide to the book that has intrigued and inspired millions of people for thousands of years comprises an authoritative yet accessible commentary on the Bible, book by book and chapter by chapter, alongside over 100 articles by leading scholars around the world on areas of special interest.

Beautifully illustrated throughout with more than 700 photographs, maps and illustrations, the Handbook is a pleasure to browse and read, and a mine of information and insight about this crucially important book.

This new fifth edition has a total refresh of over 700 photographs, maps, and illustrations.

Now you can journey through the Bible from your living room chair!

Journey through the Bible is a unique resource that approaches the Bible story by story. In these pages you will discover around 250 of our favourite Bible stories presented with background information in word and picture.

- OVER 400 COLOURFUL PAGES OF PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWINGS, MAPS, AND CHARTS
- MORE THAN 100 DRAWINGS FROM OBJECTS OR MONUMENTS OF BIBLE TIMES
- OVER 200 PHOTOGRAPHS OF BIBLE LANDS TODAY
- PHOTOGRAPHS OF MORE THAN 50 ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES
- SCORES OF RECONSTRUCTIONS AND DIAGRAMS
- DOZENS OF COLOURFUL MAPS.

Every library - home, church, and school - will want this complete reference work on its shelves. It will enrich children's and youth session preparation, Bible storytelling, family devotions, and Bible study. Journey through the Bible is unparalleled as a user-friendly resource.

CRT Winner - Bible Reference

The Bible Book by Book is a fully illustrated and accessible introduction to each book of the Bible.

Taking the books in sequence, it explains genre and style, the locations involved, the main themes and some key points to bear in mind as you read. The Bible can be an intimidating book, but each introduction is designed so it can be read in five minutes. A list of further reading materials is also included for those who want to delve deeper into particular books or topics.

This book is pithy, direct and engaging, and will help everyone to experience Scripture as the living, breathing story of God and His people.

Understand the sacraments as never before in this brand new York Course.

Jane Williams, known for her profoundly perceptive and engaging writing, is a wonderful companion to have on this exhilarating course for Lent or any time of year.

Acknowledging that the sacraments can seem confusing, divisive or (frankly!) incomprehensible, she reveals them to be a glorious expression of God's love for the world in all its beauty and brokenness. The sacraments invite us to enter into the mystery that the world has meaning and purpose and that all things come together in Jesus. If we are willing, in loving response, to become part of the action ourselves, we will surely find ourselves not only refreshed but re-enchanted.

Tom Wright is widely regarded as the most exciting and influential interpreter of Paul today. In this fresh look at Romans he takes a deep dive into Paul's greatest letter and invites you to explore with him the priceless treasures that lie beneath the surface.

With a special focus on Romans 8, Wright leads you on an eye-opening journey, clearly explaining the many ways in which Paul throws light on so much else that God reveals in Scripture: God the Father, Christology and the Spirit; Jesus' Messiahship, cross, resurrection and ascension; salvation, redemption and adoption; suffering and glory; holiness and hope.

If you only have time to read one book on Paul this year, you can do no better than this brilliant study. It will plunge you deeply into the heart of Paul’s thought and lift you out again - freshly illuminated, spiritually invigorated, and eternally thankful for all that God has done in Christ.

60 Bite-Sized  Insights into 1 and 2 Chronicles. Part of the Bestselling Straight To The Heart series. 

1 and 2 Chronicles are the final books of the Hebrew Old Testament.

They are more than mere history. They are a God-inspired sermon which explains what God has done, what God is doing and what God is planning to do. They reveal the secrets of spiritual revival in every generation and they fix our eyes on the Messiah.

Written centuries before his coming, these two books proclaim a timeless message of hope to the world. It's all about Jesus, the true Son of David, who is the only true Saviour of the world.

This richly detailed study of Daniel by Professor John C. Lennox adds life and depth to our understanding of both the man and the book named after him, while drawing out the parallels between the spiritual and intellectual challenges he faced and those faced by Christians today.

The book of Daniel tells the story of four teenage friends, born in the tiny state of Judah about twenty-six centuries ago, who were captured by Nebuchadnezzar, emperor of Babylon. Daniel describes how they eventually rose to the top echelons of imperial administration.

Against The Flow Study Guide to accompany the book can be found here.

A crash course on the book of Acts and its relevance for Christianity and culture today. 

Acts is a substantial book, sitting right in the middle of the New Testament, looking back to the four Gospels and on to the mission of the early churches. It provides a framework for our understanding of the New Testament letters. It also shows us what it means to think of the gospel of Jesus, Israel's Messiah, going out into the world over which Israel's Messiah claims the status of Lord.

Tom Wright explains how this meant confronting the wider culture of the Greek and Roman world, as well as the culture of the Jewish world. All of this is to be found in Acts, providing much food for thought as we ourselves face new questions about gospel and culture in our own day.

Join Tom Wright on a journey through the New Testament as he explores the meaning of Jesus: the highs and lows of his earthly life, the power of his teaching and his victory over sin and death.

Offering seven weeks' worth of daily readings and reflections, Lent and Easter for Everyone enables you to relive Christ's journey - from his temptations in the wilderness to the darkness of the cross and beyond into the glory of Easter.

Each reflection is drawn from a key passage in Wright's immensely popular For Everyone series, and each one ends with practical suggestions for personal reflection or group discussion.