Valley’s Bookshelf

We want to be a church of robust theological and spiritual learning. Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry on all fronts, which means this resource page is for those who seek to go deeper in all areas. 

When reviewing the literature and resources below, keep in mind that the only book we can 100% stand behind is the Bible. Please purchase, review and read everything recommended below with wisdom as you chew the fruit and spit out the seeds. Happy learning!

Books On The Gospel

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
The Transforming Power of the Gospel
The Transforming Power of the Gospel

The apostle Paul writes that we are to be transformed, but for many Christians, figuring out how to approach spiritual transformation can be elusive.

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The Explicit Gospel
The Explicit Gospel

Even if you go to church, it doesn’t mean that you are being exposed to the gospel explicitly.

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What Is the Gospel? (9Marks)
What Is the Gospel? (9Marks)

What is the gospel? It seems like a simple question, yet it has been known to incite some heated responses, even in the church. How are we to formulate a clear, biblical understanding of the gospel?

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Books On The bible

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
You Can Understand The Bible: A Practical And Illuminating Guide To Each Book In The Bible
You Can Understand The Bible: A Practical And Illuminating Guide To Each Book In The Bible

Many people are often understandably intimidated or overwhelmed by the sheer size and complexity of the Bible.

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Understanding Scripture: An Overview of the Bible's Origin, Reliability, and Meaning
Understanding Scripture: An Overview of the Bible's Origin, Reliability, and Meaning

The Bible is the most important book in the world. But questions like these puzzle believers and unbelievers alike.

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Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: Exegesis And Interpretation
Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: Exegesis And Interpretation

In this concise guide, G. K. Beale, coeditor of the bestselling Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, focuses on the "how to" of interpreting the New Testament use of the Old Testament.

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Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles
Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles

The appeal of biblical theology is that it provides a "big picture" that makes sense of the diversity of biblical literature.

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Books On Doctrine

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe
Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe

Doctrine is the word Christians use to define the truth-claims revealed in Holy Scripture. Of course there is a multitude of churches, church networks, and denominations, each with their own doctrinal statement with many points of disagreement.

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Christian Beliefs, Revised Edition: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know
Christian Beliefs, Revised Edition: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know

Not every Christian needs to go to seminary, but there are certain teachings of the Bible that every Christian should know.

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Do You Believe?: 12 Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life
Do You Believe?: 12 Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life

Doctrine―what Christians believe―directly influences how they live. The biblical truths about God, humanity, and the world are not merely about knowing more―they are also about loving God and making sense of this life and the life to come. But what happens when there is disparity between what believers confess and how they live?

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Books On the Trinity

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything
The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything

The doctrine of the Trinity is taught and believed by all evangelicals, but rarely is it fully understood or celebrated.

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Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith
Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith

Why is God love? Because God is a Trinity. Why can we be saved? Because God is a Trinity. How are we able to live the Christian life? Through the Trinity.

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The Forgotten Trinity: Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief
The Forgotten Trinity: Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief

The Trinity is one of the most important teachings of the Christian faith. It defines God's very essence and describes how he relates to us.

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Books on culture

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
Christ and Culture Revisited
Christ and Culture Revisited

Called to live in the world, but not to be of it, Christians must maintain a balancing act that becomes more precarious the further our culture departs from its Judeo-Christian roots.

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Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture
Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture

A bold vision for Christians who want to engage the world in a way that is biblically faithful and culturally sensitive.

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Books on LGBTQ+ & Transgenderism

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture
Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture

In the fog of the culture war, complex issues like gender dysphoria are reduced to slogans and sound bites. And while the war rages over language, institutions and political allegiances, transgender individuals are the ones who end up being the casualties.

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Transgender: Christian compassion, convictions and wisdom for today's big questions
Transgender: Christian compassion, convictions and wisdom for today's big questions

How Christians can think biblically, act wisely, and relate lovingly over transgender issues.

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Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God's Grand Story
Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God's Grand Story

Dr. Christopher Yuan explores the concept of holy sexuality--chastity in singleness or faithfulness in marriage--in a practical and relevant manner, equipping readers with an accessible yet robust theology of sexuality.

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Is God Anti-Gay? And Other Questions About Jesus, the Bible, and Same-Sex Sexuality
Is God Anti-Gay? And Other Questions About Jesus, the Bible, and Same-Sex Sexuality

Is it ok to be gay and Christian? Does the Bible really say that homosexuality is wrong? Is sexual orientation fundamental to identity?

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Books on race

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best
The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best

The visions in the book of Revelation give a glimpse of the people of God at the consummation of history―a multiethnic congregation gathered together in worship around God's throne.

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From Every People and Nation: A Biblical Theology of Race
From Every People and Nation: A Biblical Theology of Race

The visions in the book of Revelation give a glimpse of the people of God at the consummation of history―a multiethnic congregation gathered together in worship around God's throne.

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Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian
Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian

Genocide. Terrorism. Hate crimes. In a world where racism is far from dead, is unity amidst diversities even remotely possible?

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Books on the church

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community
Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community

t’s easy to dream about the “perfect” church―a church that sings just the right songs set to just the right music before the pastor preaches just the right sermon to a room filled with just the right mix of people who happen to agree with you on just about everything.

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When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus' Vision for Authentic Christian Community
When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus' Vision for Authentic Christian Community

Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. But as the modern cultural norm of what social scientists call “radical American individualism” extends itself, many Christians grow lax in their relational accountability to the church. Faith threatens to become an “I” not “us,” a “my God” not “our God” concern.

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Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential (The Gospel Coalition and 9Marks)
Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential (The Gospel Coalition and 9Marks)

Since a global pandemic abruptly closed places of worship, many Christians have skipped church life, even neglecting virtual services. But this was a trend even before COVID-19.

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Books on money

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
The Treasure Principle, Revised and Updated: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving
The Treasure Principle, Revised and Updated: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving

Jesus spent more time talking about money and possessions than about heaven and hell combined. But too often we’ve overlooked or misunderstood his most profound teaching on this topic, from his words in Matthew 6.

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Managing God's Money: A Biblical Guide
Managing God's Money: A Biblical Guide

God cares a great deal more about our money than most of us imagine. The sheer enormity of Scripture’s teaching on this subject screams for our attention.

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You Can Understand The Bible: A Practical And Illuminating Guide To Each Book In The Bible
You Can Understand The Bible: A Practical And Illuminating Guide To Each Book In The Bible

Many people are often understandably intimidated or overwhelmed by the sheer size and complexity of the Bible.

Read More →
Understanding Scripture: An Overview of the Bible's Origin, Reliability, and Meaning
Understanding Scripture: An Overview of the Bible's Origin, Reliability, and Meaning

The Bible is the most important book in the world. But questions like these puzzle believers and unbelievers alike.

Read More →
Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: Exegesis And Interpretation
Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: Exegesis And Interpretation

In this concise guide, G. K. Beale, coeditor of the bestselling Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, focuses on the "how to" of interpreting the New Testament use of the Old Testament.

Read More →
Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles
Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles

The appeal of biblical theology is that it provides a "big picture" that makes sense of the diversity of biblical literature.

Read More →

Books on Abortion

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture
The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture

Pro-life Christians, take heart: the pro-life message can compete in the marketplace of ideas-provided Christians properly understand and articulate that message.

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Persuasive Pro Life: How to Talk about Our Culture's Toughest Issue
Persuasive Pro Life: How to Talk about Our Culture's Toughest Issue

Are you scared to talk about abortion? Don’t worry almost everyone is. Either we think the subject is too impolite, or we don’t want to be branded an intolerant fanatic, or we’re afraid we won’t represent the pro-life side well enough.

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resources on marriage

Valley's Bookshelf | Books
Hope Restored Resource: Where Broken Marriages Find Lasting Hope
Hope Restored Resource: Where Broken Marriages Find Lasting Hope

You don’t have to face this alone. At Hope Restored by Focus on the Family, couples in crisis discover a proven path toward healing through Christian marriage intensives led by licensed therapists who understand both your faith and your pain.

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Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast
Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast

A great podcast for strengthening marriage.

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