Dan's "5 Books to have on a Deserted Island"

On the The Gospel Forum podcast we’ve been taking time to discuss what books we'd want to have with us if stranded on a deserted island. The only assumption is that you already have a Bible. Here are my top five books:

THE PILGRIM’s PROGRESS
John Bunyan

Perhaps, one of the most classic masterpieces ever written. I would definitely want to have this masterpiece by John Bunyan with me. It is a masterful allegory of the Christian life. I would want to make sure that the version I had with me included the Scripture references so that I could look them up.

The Glory of Christ
John Owen

This book was one in which I saw the splendor of Jesus anew. It’s a wonderful work of Christology and one I’d want to be reminded of often. Banner of Truth says, “In The Glory of Christ, here abridged and made easy to read, we have the great Puritan pastor and theologian John Owen at his richest and most mature. Here he writes about Jesus Christ, the heart of the gospel.”

Spurgeon’s Sermons

Being trapped on a deserted island would mean isolation from a local church. I would want to ensure that I could still hear preaching. Even if that meant reading Spurgeon out loud and preaching to myself. You can’t go wrong with the “Prince of Preachers.”

KNOWING GOD
J.I. Packer

Packer wrote this book out of a concern for people not knowing the attributes and character of God. This book is another masterpiece that digs deep into God’s character. God is magnified before the readers eyes. Once you get through reading this book, you will be reminded again and again of the greatness and holiness of God. I would not want to forget that on my deserted island.

HYMNS OF GRACE

Again, being on a deserted island means isolation from a local church. I would want to sing the magnificent hymns of old and new. So I would choose “Hymns of Grace” which is a magnificent collection of both old and new hymns.