For further reading

A short, careful list. It is not meant to be exhaustive. If you read only one thing, read the Bible: start with the Gospel of John.

The Westminster Standards

The confession and catechisms that Presbyterian churches hold as their summary of what the Bible teaches. They are freely available online from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

• The Westminster Confession of Faith: thirty-three chapters covering the whole of Christian doctrine.
• The Westminster Shorter Catechism: 107 questions and answers. Begin here.
• The Westminster Larger Catechism: a fuller treatment, especially of the Christian life.

Help understanding them

• G. I. Williamson, The Shorter Catechism for Study Classes
• G. I. Williamson, The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes
• Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity: a Puritan’s warm-hearted exposition of the Shorter Catechism
• Chad Van Dixhoorn, Confessing the Faith: a chapter-by-chapter reader’s guide to the Confession
• R. C. Sproul, Truths We Confess: an accessible commentary on the whole Confession

The Three Forms of Unity

The confessions of the Reformed churches listed on our church page. They teach the same gospel as the Westminster Standards.

• The Belgic Confession: thirty-seven articles summarizing the Reformed faith.
• The Heidelberg Catechism: 129 questions and answers, beginning with “What is your only comfort in life and death?”
• The Canons of Dort: on God’s sovereign grace in salvation.

Books for those asking questions

Clear, faithful introductions to the Christian faith. Most are by Presbyterian authors; a few are classics from the wider Reformed tradition that have helped generations of seekers.

• Greg Gilbert, What Is the Gospel?: a short, clear statement of the message on the home page.
• R. C. Sproul, The Holiness of God: who God is, and why it matters that he is holy.
• J. I. Packer, Knowing God: a modern classic on the character of God.
• Michael Horton, Core Christianity: the main teachings of the Bible for newcomers.
• Sinclair Ferguson, The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction: what it means to belong to Christ.
• C. H. Spurgeon, All of Grace: an earnest, tender plea to come to Christ.
• John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress: the Christian life as a journey, told as a story.

Trusted publishers and teaching

• Banner of Truth: Reformed and Puritan books.
• Ligonier Ministries: teaching founded by R. C. Sproul.