Books Every Seminary Graduate Should Have Read
Posted by Jim Hamilton on September 13, 2006
Let me first say that I did not have all the books listed below read by the time I finished seminary (either time, that is, some I didn’t read until after I was out of school altogether). Let me also say that I have not read every word of all of the books listed below. For instance, while I have read substantial portions of Calvin’s Institutes, I have not read the whole thing. So my apologies to you if you think that makes me a hypocrite. I still think the list is useful.
This is a list of books that I think a person who is theologically educated should have read or be planning to read.
Primary Texts
Bible
The whole Bible in the student’s mother tongue (sadly, this should not be assumed).
The whole New Testament in Greek
Genesis, Joshua, Joel, Jonah, and Ruth in Hebrew (or another substantial cross section)
Apocrypha and Jewish Literature
All of the Dead Sea Scrolls
1 Enoch
All of the Apocrypha
Early Christian Literature
The Apostolic Fathers (1 Clement, 2 Clement, the seven letters of Ignatius, Polycarp to the Philippians, the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the Didache, Barnabas, Hermas, Diognetus, Papias) in English. See Michael W. Holmes, ed., The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999).
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History
Theology and History
Irenaeus, On the Apostolic Preaching
Athanasius, On the Incarnation
Basil, On the Holy Spirit
Augustine, Confessions
Dante, Inferno
Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will
John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion
John Owen, Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers
The Baptist Confession of 1689
Jonathan Edwards, The End for Which God Created the World
Modern Secondary Literature
Bible and Interpretation
Stephen Dempster, Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible, NSBT (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2003).
George E. Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
Thomas R. Schreiner, Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2001).
Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments
Theology, History, and Ministry
Roland Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther
Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
Tom Nettles, The Baptists: Beginnings in Britain
J. I. Packer, Knowing God
J. I. Packer, “Introduction to the Death of Death in the Death of Christ” (essay)
John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad
John Stott, The Cross of Christ
David Wells, No Place for Truth
September 13, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Do you really think every seminary student (as opposed to some, which I would agree with) needs to read through all of the Dead Sea Scrolls (let alone other massive chunks of 2nd Temple Judaism–though I would admit that if one wants to get involved in the justification and NPP debate, this is mandatory)? Is Qumran really that relevant to the NT writers at the end of the day, especially for pastors preaching in non-academic settings? I’m not being confrontational here–this just surprises me. And I would be very open to arguments/reasons you have on why every seminary student should devote time to this. Thanks! (maybe substituting Gathercole’s “Where Is Boasting” would be a helpful solution!)
September 13, 2006 at 4:45 pm
You forgot about Jimmy Stanfield’s A Biblical Perspective On Prosperity.
September 13, 2006 at 4:51 pm
[...] I love book lists. For one I always like to see books which I have on my shelves listed as “must reads.” Second, I like to add to the already existing books on my shelves by discovering new “must reads.” With that said Justin Taylor links to two recent compendium of “must read” books for seminarians. Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) provided a list for those students wanting to prepare for seminary. Jim Hamilton also provides a list for the tail end of one’s seminary education. On his list he includes the books he believes should have been read by the time seminary is complete. [...]
September 13, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Nick,
I think it is healthy and wise to read primary sources. What is healthy and wise for some is healthy and wise for all, isn’t it?
I’m really just following the advice given in C. S. Lewis’s essay introducing a translation of Athanasius’s “On the Incarnation.” You might call the Lewis essay, “On the reading of old books,” but in the edition I have there isn’t a title.
I think that if more evangelical pastors and ministers read more primary sources, we would be less captive to the spirit of the age.
For men with chests!
JMH
(See Lewis’s little book, The Abolition of Man)
September 13, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Jim,
I would have to respectfully disagree that what is healthy and wise for some is not is not always healthy and wise for all. That’s a faulty logic. Medications that preserve the health of adults can kill babies. The amount of sleep that is healthy and wise for children is likely laziness or a symptom of illness in adults. You may be right about the reading you’re suggesting, but be careful you use right logic to support it. What is wise and healthy for one part of the body is not always wise and healthy for another part of the body; they are, after all, different parts.
Thanks for your blog,
miriam
September 13, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Miriam,
I think Jim’s logic works here because this isn’t a list of books every Christian should have read, it’s a list “Seminary Graduate Should Have Read”. This list is for a specific part of the body, those called to teach. It’s not something for children or those who are still on milk.
Blessings,
Bryan L
September 13, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Where’s Anselm and Aquinas?
September 13, 2006 at 8:41 pm
Mike-Canterbury and Paris
September 13, 2006 at 9:20 pm
Hi Jim,
I appreciate your blog and book list. I think a teacher of the Word should be well studied in the area of extra-biblical literature. I am teaching through Revelation and I can’t tell you how many times I have been drawn to extra-biblical literature for a better understanding the book (as well as Scripture itself). I am not suggesting that extra-canonical literature is on the same level as Scripture or over Scripture, but it has been very helpful and insightful.
Chad K
September 13, 2006 at 10:09 pm
This is a great list for those in the Reformed-Calvinist tradition. Those of us from a Arminian-Wesleyan perspective would have some different texts in our lists : )
September 13, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Mike,
Hey, thanks for pointing out the oversight!
No list is perfect. I haven’t read any Aquinas. But I have read Anselm’s “Why God Became Man,” and that needs to be on the list.
Thanks!
JMH
September 13, 2006 at 10:30 pm
You have done some excellent work in recommending this must reads. Let’s remember … those of us who have graduated from a seminary … have sometimes been accused of graduating from a “cemetery!” Let’s keep looking for the intersections between theology and reality. We need to be a student of our culture as well! God bless!
September 13, 2006 at 11:03 pm
Seeing this list of theological titans makes me feel like a theological and literary plebian.
September 14, 2006 at 6:38 am
What about non religious works dealing with morals and ethics, many of which explore concerns arsing in the modern world not directly adressed by religion (file sharing anyone?) Personally I like Derek Parfit’s Reasons and Persons, but Nagel is always a good choice too (or Stephenson or Railton or Rawls or Korsgaard).
September 14, 2006 at 8:00 am
I hate to sound even more complex. Each school advocates certain theological foundations. In light of that the list presented is inadequate and cannot be applied across the board.
Emphasis should be on what the Hebrew Scriptures, gospels, epistles espouse juxtaposed with other resources in print or in progress presented for daily living in the here and now. For that is what God is about.
September 14, 2006 at 9:38 am
This list is far from complete and certainly points to the theological presuppositions of the author. You have included nothing from Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Gustavo Gutierrez, James Cone, Francis Schaeffer, or others who (at the very least ) have voices that should be considered (whether we agree with them or not).
September 14, 2006 at 11:55 am
how can you not list karl barth?
September 14, 2006 at 2:07 pm
Or Paul Tillich? Doesn’t everyone pull out The Courage to Be for daily devotional reading?
September 14, 2006 at 4:37 pm
As an engineer who has not been to seminary, lists like this give me a target valuable list at which to aim. (I’m glad to see that I’ve already read some and others are on my to read list.) Even I understand that it not intended to be either exclusive or comprehensive. Appreciate it for what it is and build on it for your own personal list. Thanks Dr. Hamilton.
September 14, 2006 at 9:55 pm
I like the way you think! How about a woot woot for reformed baptist (the perspective not the denomination.
September 15, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Dr. Hamilton,
You neglected the profoundly biblical, rigorously exegetical, historically reliable, and immensely practical “Good Morning, Holy Spirit.”
September 15, 2006 at 7:03 pm
Mark….hahahahaha!
September 15, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Where’s Pelagius for improves self-esteem?
September 15, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Where’s Pelagius for improved self-esteem?
September 16, 2006 at 9:48 pm
[...] Books Every Seminary Graduate Should Have Read « for his renown [...]
September 18, 2006 at 8:52 pm
I am two thirds of the way through seminary. I have been required to read, from your list, 3 books plus half of the OT. At that rate, it would certianly be quite a challenge to get through this list on top of the required reading by the end of seminary. Am I being required to read the wrong books…
September 19, 2006 at 6:56 am
[...] Jim Hamilton provides a list of books he thinks every seminary graduate should have read. [...]
September 19, 2006 at 9:10 am
Where can you find a compilation of the dead sea scrolls?
September 21, 2006 at 11:01 pm
[...] Jim Hamilton [...]
September 22, 2006 at 8:20 pm
Lightcontrast,
This edition of the DSS gives you both Hebrew and English: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Sea-Scrolls-Study/dp/0802844936/sr=8-1/qid=1158974334/ref=sr_1_1/104-9457921-2147120?ie=UTF8&s=books.
Enjoy,
JMH
.
Enjoy,
JMH
September 22, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Chad,
Sorry for the slow response. I think all of us profs face the dilemma of having too little time with our students to have them read everything they need to read. So I see this list as one that we can be working on as we seek to keep our minds on the big things that matter.
Hope this helps!
JMH
September 26, 2006 at 12:56 pm
In the apochyropha, you’re referring only to the Old Testement not the new. I like Maccabbees the best.
September 26, 2006 at 7:44 pm
that intro by Packer in “the death of death”… wow!
October 2, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Thanks, Jim.
October 23, 2006 at 3:46 pm
[...] So, what am I really getting at? The fact is, as a seminary student, I do not feel that there are very many professors who focus on the overall development of my person, especially the spiritual aspects of my character. While I know that they care about my character, and I’m aware that in a crisis I would be able to discuss things with them, I think we’ve got it backwards when character development isn’t the primary focus of seminaries training ministers of the gospel. The lack of focus on character development was brought into clear light a few weeks ago for me when I saw the discussions concerning Christianity Today’s top 50 books that have influenced evangelicalism. What followed on the blogosphere was a plethora of posts from many authors, and seminary professors, discussing what they think the most important 50 books should have been. Even prior to this was another discussion amongst bloggers concerning books that they think every seminary student should have completed reading prior to graduation. (As an example, see for his renown for a post by Dr. Jim Hamilton, assistent professor of NT at SWBTS on his take of “books every seminary graduate should have read”) Before I make my point, I’d like to defend Dr. Hamilton. I know him personally, and this is not meant to take pot-shots at him any more than any other professor. The fact is, he has a blog that I read, and he is one of many who I believe share his sentiments. Because he has publicly “published” his list, I’m interacting with it. I have talked many times with this professor, and was a member of the small group that he led in our 1 credit hour class on Spiritual Formation. I know that Dr. Hamilton, perhaps even more than most other professors, is genuinely interested in Christian character development in the lives of his students. However, his list of books betrays that this is not an essential element of a seminary education. For this, I am deeply grieved. [...]
December 1, 2006 at 6:46 pm
[...] I’ve said before that I think every seminary graduate should have read or be planning to read this book. It would also be beneficial for all church leaders to have read or be reading this book. [...]
September 19, 2007 at 2:43 pm
[...] also provides some helpful links, including Jim Hamilton’s ambitious reading list and Michael Sawilowsky’s advice to new students (Part I and II). Check them [...]
November 13, 2007 at 3:37 pm
dude…
how could you leave out “88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Occur in 1988″?
-David
November 24, 2007 at 7:04 am
[...] Jim Hamilton lists books that every seminary graduate should have read [...]