Christians You Should Know

Here is a selection of important Christians you should get to know.

Bunyan, John

Fearless Pilgrim: The Life and Times of John Bunyan by Faith Cook. A fast-paced and interesting account of Bunyan’s life.

Calvin, John

Calvin by Bruce Gordon. Gordon does an especially good job of setting Calvin within his historical context, showing how the theologian was a product of his time, his nation, his church.

Chambers, Oswald

Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God by David McCasland. Introduces a new generation to the author of My Utmost For His Highest.

Edwards, Jonathan

Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden. This is a powerful biography of a very important theologian.

Grey, Jane

Lady Jane Grey by Faith Cook. Here is the short, tragic life of Lady Jane Grey.

Lewis, C.S.

C.S. Lewis – A Life by Alister McGrath. McGrath portrays Lewis as an eccentric genius and a reluctant prophet.

MacArthur, John

Servant of the Word & Flock by Iain Murray. Murray did not set out to write a full-length biography. But since he did, it is well worth reading.

Moody, D.L.

D.L. Moody: A Life by Kevin Belmonte. A solid biography of a man who changed the world.

Newton, John

John Newton by Jonathan Aitken. There is much more to Newton than “Amazing Grace.”

Packer, J.I.

J.I Packer: An Evangelical Life by Leland Ryken. This is an enjoyable account of Packer’s life, though it may leave you wanting more.

Shaeffer, Francis

Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life by Colin Duriez. This will probably not be the definitive account of Schaeffer’s life, but it is the best so far.

Spurgeon, Charles

Spurgeon by Arnold Dallimore. This biography is too short, but serves as a great introduction to Charles Spurgeon.

Tozer, A.W.

A.W. Tozer: A Passion for God by Lyle Dorsett. This is an honest, and at times painful, account of Tozer’s life.

Tyndale, William

William Tyndale: A Biography by David Daniell. An account of the man who gave us the Bible in English.

Whitefield, George

George Whitefield by Arnold Dallimore. This biography of Whitefield is a massive two-volume set that tells the life of one of God’s more unusual servants. This may be one of the most impactful biographies you’ll ever read.

Wilberforce, William

Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas. Traces the life of the British politician who dedicated his life to revoking slavery.

Missionaries

There are many missionaries you ought to know. Here are a few of them:

Carmichael, Amy

Amy Carmichael: Beauty for Ashes by Iain Murray. A short but packed little biography of an important figure.

Judson, Adoniram

Adoniram Judson by Vance Christie. The very first foreign missionary to be sent from America.

Liddell, Eric

Pure Gold by David McCasland. An Olympic hero who left it all behind and died on the mission field.

Martyn, Henry

For the Love of India: The Story of Henry Martyn by Jim Cromarty. Martyn’s short career as a missionary was marked by dedication, honesty, transparency and sacrifice.

Stam, John & Betty

John & Betty Stam by Vance Christie. Christian martyrs who sparked a great resurgence of missionary fervor.

Taylor, Hudson

Hudson Taylor: Gospel Pioneer to China by Vance Christie. A short but powerful account of the life of a man who was truly great in the Kingdom of God.

Here are just a few political biographies.

Adams, John

John Adams by David McCullough. McCullough may be the best biographer alive today.

Churchill, Winston

The Last Lion (3-volume set) by William Manchester. It takes three volumes to do justice to a man with the legacy of Winston Churchill.

Lincoln, Abraham

A. Lincoln: A Biography by Ronald C. White Jr. This is a brilliant account of Lincoln’s life.

Truman, Harry

Truman by David McCullough – This is easily one of the best biographies ever written.

Here are a few other figures whose biographies may interest you.

Beecher, Henry Ward

The Most Famous Man in America by Debby Applegate. Ward was a fake, philanderer and apostate, but remained one of America’s most celebrated preachers in his day.

Jackson, Stonewall

Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend by James Robertson Jr. Jackson remains a fascinating figure and this is an incredible account of his life.

Jobs, Steve

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. Jobs was a fascinating figure; Isaacson’s account of his life reveals him in all his strengths and weaknesses.

Schulz, Charles

A Charlie Brown Religion by Stephen J. Lind. Lind tells the story of the life of the Peanuts creator by focusing on his faith.