Genesis raises some of the most foundational & fundamental questions about life: Who is God? How did all things come into existence? What is man? What is woman? What is marriage? What is sin?
Our culture disputes many of the answers Genesis gives—which is not surprisingly. However, professing Christians disagree on many of the answers Genesis gives.
There are few books of the Bible more in need of in-depth study right now than the book of Genesis.
“In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight. In the sphere of religion, in particular, the present time is a time of conflict.” J. Gresham Machen
The really important things are the things about which men will fight.
Below are a list of recommended resources to arm you for the fight.
Recommended Resources
Genesis
Genesis: The Beginning of God’s Plan of Salvation, Richard Belcher
This book is a helpful, verse-by-verse commentary of Genesis that is clear, insightful, & sensitive to many of the questions modern readers want answered.
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentary, Derek Kidner
Known for his comprehensiveness & conciseness, Derek Kidner’s commentary on Genesis is short but careful, thoughtful, & very readable. One caution: Kidner does permit an evolutionary view of creation, which we do not.
The Modern Self
A Strange New World, Carl Trueman
Based his book The Rise & Triumph of the Modern Self, this more reader-friendly book is vital for understanding how the culture has come to a place where saying “I am a woman trapped in a man’s body” is received as coherent & meaningful.he d
Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life & Sexuality, Nancy Pearcey
Known for her rigorous commitment to Scripture, Nancy Pearcey takes on many of the most challenging questions about life & sexuality in her characteristic way. Human nature, abortion, homosexuality, transgender, & more.
Gender
“Why I no longer use Transgender Pronouns—and Why You shouldn’t, either,” Rosaria Butterfield
Feminist lesbian-turned-Christian Rosario Butterfield explains why she will no longer use transgender pronouns. She repents & makes a compelling case for why it is not only wrong but unloving to use refer to someone by their preferred pronoun.
When Harry Became Sally, Ryan T. Anderson
Banned from Amazon, this book contains the unpopular truths of how the transgender movement is destructive & dangerous. It includes many provoking stories of detransitioners.
This small book is helpful for understanding what Christians need to know about gender ideology. It includes helpful points on what parents can do if their child begins expressing or experiencing gender dysphoria.
Homosexuality
Secrets of An Unlikely Convert, Rosaria Butterfield
Feminist lesbian-turned-Christian-turned pastor’s wife & foster mom, this book is the testimony of Rosario Butterfield—but it is so much more. It helpfully describes what did & did not serve her in turning from lesbianism.
Sam Allberry is a Christian apologist & pastor who struggles with same sex attraction. In this short book, he explains how homosexuality is sinful & yet why God is still loving to call homosexuality sin.
Love Into Light, Peter Hubbard
Written as a guide to help the church know how to love homosexuals & yet not affirm them in their sin, Peter Hubbard does the church a favor. It is clear, helpful book. It is compelling picture of how compassion & love can reach the lost.
Biblical Manhood & Womanhood
The Christian Family, Herman Bavinck
A 150-page book on the family by one of the foremost Christian theologians in the past 200 years is basically a must read. Though some parts of the book aren’t pertinent to us, it is a readable unpacking of the importance of the family in Genesis, the rest of the biblical history, & society.
Men & Women in the Church, Kevin DeYoung
If there is one book on complementarianism to read, this short book by Kevin DeYoung is the one. It is readable, engaging, & applicable. It addresses many of the important passages, questions, & problems.
What’s the Difference, John Piper
When the term complementarianism was first coined, John Piper played a key role. Written thirty years ago, in this short book, Piper presents & defends his definitions of biblical manhood & womanhood.
“Death to Patriarchy?,” Kevin DeYoung
Patriarchy is bad—but is it all bad? (We affirm the faith of the patriarchs, after all!) DeYoung raises some helpful questions & answer for how we should understand complementarianism, if we believe it is not limited to a few roles at home & a few roles at church.
The Council of Biblical Manhood & Womanhood (CBMW)
This association was formed thirty years ago by Wayne Grudem & John Piper. They have produced a number of high-quality resources, including Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood. Their website also has much good content; including The Nashville Statement, a statement on gender, homosexuality, & more; Eikon, their quarterly journal with good, current, readable articles.
God’s Design for Man & Woman: A Biblical-Theological Survey, Andreas & Margaret Kostenberger
One of the foremost scholars in biblical theology today, Andreas Kostenberber, & his wife Margaret, survey all that the Bible says about God’s design for man & woman. This book is a bit robust, but includes helpful consideration of all the important biblical texts on biblical manhood & womanhood.
12 (Oldish) Books to Read When You Are Young (recommended by Kevin DeYoung)
Confessions, Augustine
A Little Book on the Christian Life, John Calvin
Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices, Thomas Brooks
Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan
Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots, J.C. Ryle
Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton
The Christian Family, Herman Bavinck
Christianity & Liberalism, J. Gresham Machen
The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis
Redemption Accomplished & Applied, John Murray
Knowing God, J.I. Packer
The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul