5 Authors I ALWAYS Recommend

As I grow closer to God, older, and more aware of my mortality and the fleeting nature of time, I only want to spend daily reading time with God’s Word. I begin my day with it and always head back into it throughout my day. I’ve not read a ton of books, but my completed list is more substantial than the average man's. And I have many more books I will read in the future. That said, it is nice to read other works occasionally. Either to help me understand the Word a little more, learn about someone else’s beliefs, or - as is the case with the authors I’m about to list - enjoy clear, topical writing faithful to God and His Word. And that’s the two things all of these authors’ writing have in common:

• Biblical Faithfulness

• Clarity of Voice

And because of those two things, they are authors I always recommend.

I’m not saying these are the only Christian authors to read, or they’re the best Christians ever. Many are just as biblically faithful and clear with the same or more personal integrity. But out of the writing I’ve read over the years, these five authors hit the two considerations I mentioned above square on the head.

I want to list these five authors, explain why I recommend them specifically and suggest a highlight to read as a gateway into the rest of their work.

Ultimately, however, I want you men to head into the Bible first and foremost. It houses all of the wisdom you need, requiring no supplement. There are too many men, organizations, and churches these days suggesting extrabiblical authors first and then very far down the line suggesting where to begin Bible reading. That is not where I’m at, nor should any godly man be there, much less the Church. But the Church is there, and we must do better.

Men, read your Bible. If it’s all you ever do and are known for, read the Word of God. Die having only read the God-breathed words of life, if you must. Let it be your legacy. Nothing else comes close as a supplement or a substitute. But if you want to read something in addition to your daily journey into God’s Word, here are the five authors I always recommend.

Note: these are in no particular order. I have my preferred order, but it greatly depends on the day. Also, all product links are affiliate links.

Ravi Zacharias

I’ve suggested no author outside of the Bible more than Mr. Zacharias. Not because he was second in greatness to scripture but because he was the first author I took to. His writing feeds the intellect in ways I’ve not witnessed in any other writer. And the clarity and simplicity with which he breaks down many a high concept is remarkable. Out of all the authors on this list, though, he is the most controversial. I don’t recommend him lightly. A quick Google search will suffice if you don’t know why he’s so controversial. What you won’t find is anything other than the approved narrative. To see the other side of the coin in the controversy, a resource very few will admit exists: Defending Ravi.

Highlight of his writing:

The Lotus and the Cross: Jesus Talks With Buddha

Nabeel Qureshi

Gone too soon, Nabeel mastered communicating via the oral and written word. His story of conversion from Islam to Christianity is beautiful. He has a limited catalog compared to the rest of these authors, but each piece packs a punch. Gracious, soft-spoken in tone, yet direct and uncompromising, Nabeel’s writing educates and elucidates simultaneously. His story isn’t unique, but God gave him a distinctive voice and a unique historical moment, and the results are still felt today. He wasn’t a pastor, but the warmth radiating from each page on such personal and heated topics could be described as nothing less than pastoral.

Highlight of his writing: Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward

Bonus suggestion: Nabeel’s Video Lectures on Islam

D.L. Moody

A theologian and teacher for the regular guy, Moody emphasized the Gospel and presented biblical truth in a plain, grass-fed, salt-of-the-earth way very few are able to. Relatively uneducated, he went on to found one of the most respected Bible colleges in the world, Moody Bible Institute. If you’re looking for direct and uncomplicated writing with a solid and unflinching foundation on scripture, Moody is your guy. I would say more, but there’s a charm to his prose, which is pure Americana and must be experienced firsthand.

Highlight of his writing: Daniel: Man of God

Charles “Chuck” R. Swindoll

Swindoll has been in the ministry for over 60 years. And while he retired in 2024 from full-time vocation, he’s not retired from ministry. So, he continues to teach the Word and help others apply it. Through the warmth he’s garnered as a pastor through the years, on top of the foundation of scripture, his writing is relatable and winsome without compromising truth. So when he is direct and unapologetic, confronting important truths head-on, the groundwork he’s laid makes what he communicates land with its intended heart and tone. He is humorous without being comical, warm without coddling, and direct without losing tact. Above all, though, he holds God and His Word above all else and teaches from there and always there.

Highlight from his writing: Man To Man

Dr. Gary Chapman

If there is anyone who’s sought after more than Gary Chapman for biblical relationship advice, He isn’t human. Gary’s claim to fame(The 5 Love Languages) has been a near-permanent fixture on bestseller lists since 2007. That’s not by accident. His writing’s tone, humor, winsomeness, clarity, academic integrity, and uncompromising biblical foundation make him one of the easiest and best-to-read authors. Some may say that since the world has latched onto his books, they must not be all that biblical. But if you notice, the world leaves out the biblical grounding. He is a man of great character, tremendous humility, openness, and biblical faithfulness. I can personally attest to this as he is a personal friend.

Highlight of his writing: Anger: Taming A Powerful Emotion

There they are: the five authors I always recommend. You don’t have to agree, or like that I put any of them on the list. But the undeniable biblical faithfulness and clarity in their work is unquestionable. And that’s why I always recommend them. But, again, read your Bible first and foremost. Take it with you and pour over it more than any other words on a page. For that purpose, here’s a copy I recommend to anyone diving into the pages of scripture for the first time: NASB95 Black Bonded Leather Thinline Bible. It’s nothing fancy, just a faithful, easy-to-read-and-understand translation. If you buy anything recommended here today, buy that. Outside of Jesus, the Bible is my number one recommendation.

Have you heard about my new endeavor, Dearest Ecclesia? Check it out here!