Book Recommendations from Pastor-Theologians on the Doctrine of Sin
February 28, 2025
February 28, 2025
“Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it” (Gen. 4:7b).
Important for every Christian is that they identify and kill their sin. That is why 9Marks asked Mark Jones and Mitchell L. Chase to recommend five books on the topic of sin. Some of their recommendations are entry-level while others are intermediate or even academic. We hope this range of books means there is something useful for every reader.
Books are listed by each author in order of difficulty, from easiest to hardest.
Dr. Jones is pastor of Faith Vancouver Church in Vancouver, Canada and author of Knowing Sin.
The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson is a good book on sin, but also a work on how to escape the ravages of sin through repentance. Like his other writings, it is clear, vivid, and theologically rich.
I would say Owen’s Mortification of Sin is required reading on sin and dealing successfully with that evil of evils. If you don’t already have it, my suggestion would be to purchase the work by Crossway, Overcoming Sin and Temptation (edited by Kapic and Taylor), which contains three of Owen’s works: Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It, and The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin. Their editorial work is quite good. Many of us will know about Owen’s exposition of Romans 8:13 in his work on mortification, but his work on indwelling sin is probably more important, in my opinion.
An unknown work to many but extremely powerful is Ralph Venning’s The Sinfulness of Sin (Banner edition). This book will blow your socks off. Venning has a way with words that will help you see the utter horror of sin, but there is also hope offered in the book.
In terms of an intermediate/academic work on sin, I think John Murray’s work The Imputation of Adam’s Sin (P&R) is required reading. This is especially the case for those who want to embrace or be challenged by federal theology. Murray’s exposition of Romans 5 remains the standard defense of the imputation of Adam’s guilt—a doctrine wildly disliked by many.
Finally, Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: Sin and Salvation in Christ (vol. 3) has been a particularly valuable tool to me in understanding the doctrine of sin. It is academic, of course, but quite readable. I also might throw in G.C. Berkouwer’s work on sin in his Studies in Dogmatics (Eerdmans) as a penetrating and challenging work on sin.
Dr. Chase is senior pastor of Kosmosdale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, associate professor of biblical studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of Short of Glory.
The Bible gives a variety of images for us to contemplate the problem of sin, and Knowing Sin explores these in a concise way. The book is informative and devotional, relevant and historical, theological and pastoral. Jones is a faithful guide as he helps us see the darkness of sin and the brightness of our Christian hope.
This work from Harmon is an accessible treatment of the twin themes of sin and restoration. By unpacking how sin has plagued the characters and events throughout the Old Testament, he prepares the reader for Jesus’s work of salvation and restoration in the New Testament. In both these themes, Harmon equips us to live as exiles heading toward new creation.
This classic work from John Owen should be a book every Christian reads, whether alone or in community. As the title suggests, Owen aims to instruct believers on how to put sin to death. The ongoing battle against the flesh means that the message of The Mortification of Sin is vital to a holy life.
The problems and effects of sin are nothing new, and Plantinga summarizes the biblical and historical evidence of this reality for the reader. Sin is a vandal, a pollutant, a parasite. In order to properly respond to the reality of sin, we must unmask it, and Plantinga is an engaging writer who helps us in that important task.
This book is a compilation of multiple disciplines that address the topic of sin. There is biblical survey, historical theology, systematic engagement, and practical implications. The value of this volume is not only in its content but in its multi-author outline. The reader will benefit from reading chapters from people like D. A. Carson, Paul House, Gerald Bray, and Bryan Chapell.
* * * * *
For more book recommendations from pastors, professors, and counselors on a variety of topics, click here.
Our character can be used by God for eternal good—or our lack thereof can wreak havoc.
If you want to help your church know what to make of the LGBTQ movement, as well as their own personal temptations, you’ll want to understand the soil out of which it grows.
Let’s cleanse out the old leaven of sin both corporately through corrective church discipline and individually as we fight by grace the sin in our own lives.
