Recommended: Short Introductions to the Christian Faith

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Not every book needs to be long to be useful. Sometimes what a person needs is a short, trustworthy introduction: something that explains the core of Christianity clearly, honestly, and without jargon. These little books are especially good for seekers, new believers, or seasoned Christians who want a fresh restatement of the essentials.

Getting Started

Accessible introductions for anyone beginning to explore Christianity.

Basic Christianity – John Stott
A modern classic. Stott explains who Jesus is, why He came, and what it means to follow Him. Clear, crisp, and persuasive.

Mere Christianity – C. S. Lewis
Originally broadcast as radio talks, Lewis lays out the heart of the faith in simple, winsome prose. Not Reformed in every respect, but one of the most enduring introductions for skeptics and seekers.

Christianity Explored: One Life. What’s It All About? – Rico Tice
Built on Mark’s Gospel, this short book (and course) explains who Jesus is and why the gospel is good news. Straightforward, warm, and evangelistic.

Know What You Believe – Paul Little
A compact overview of basic doctrines: God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, salvation, the church, and the future. Clear and accessible.

Who Is Jesus? – Greg Gilbert
Short, sharp, and gospel-centered. A winsome presentation of Jesus’ identity, authority, and saving work.

Going Deeper

Still relatively short, but with more substance for those ready to dig deeper.

The Reason for God – Timothy Keller
Engages common objections to Christianity with both intellectual rigor and pastoral warmth. A modern apologetics classic for skeptics and believers alike.

Confronting Christianity – Rebecca McLaughlin
Addresses twelve of the toughest questions people ask about faith today, from science to sexuality. Intelligent, gracious, and deeply Christ-centered.

Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief – Bruce Milne
Compact but thorough, Milne organizes the essentials of Christian doctrine with Scripture references, questions, and practical application.

Essential Truths of the Christian Faith – R. C. Sproul
More than 100 short chapters on key doctrines. Sproul makes theology accessible, engaging, and deeply practical.

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Disclaimer: The resources listed here have been selected because they offer particular value for Christian growth and understanding. Their inclusion does not imply full agreement with every statement or position taken by the authors. As with any book outside of Scripture, readers should exercise discernment, testing all things by the Word of God (Acts 17:11).