alternative medicine

Alternative Medicine, the Christian Handbook
By Walt Larimore and Donal O'Mathuna
ISBN: 9780310269991

Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Should Christians be Involved?
By Robina Coker
ISBN: 9780906747384
A good and readable overview which avoids getting bogged down in endless lists of therapies. Emphasises some of what we can learn from CAM therapies, whilst at the same time cautioning us over them.
Buy online from CMF bookstore

apologetics

Can Man Live Without God? or the Real Face of Atheism
By Ravi Zacharias
ISBN: 9780849939433
A withering critique of atheism by one of the world's leading thinkers.

Is Everything Really Relative?
By Paul Copan
Ever had a conversation where a friend responds to you with the frustrating reply 'that's wonderful-for you'. Not only a devastatingly critique of relativism, but very helpful for communicating the dishonesty, impractability and illogicality of this classic secular myth. And best of all, it's very short!

Know Why You Believe
By Paul Little
ISBN: 9780830822508
The first book I ever read on how to 'give a reason for the hope you have', and still one of the clearest.

Mere Christianity
By CS Lewis
ISBN: 9780006280545
A collection of Lewis's radio broadcasts which 'explain and defend the beliefs that have been common to nearly all christians at all times'.

An easy read on how logically to defend your faith.

Miracles
By CS Lewis
ISBN: 9780006280941
Few can match the philosophical clarity and simplicity of Lewis’ writing, even though this book is more than 60 years old.

Lewis steps back from looking at historical events to ask the deeper question of whether miracles are possible or probable in the first place, and answers in the affirmative.

The Problem of Pain
By CS Lewis
ISBN: 9780006280934

The Universe Next Door
By James Sire
ISBN: 9780830827800
The best book I know on worldviews. Sire looks at the common worldviews and how they each answer the Big Questions everyone has to ask.

He looks at the history of the worldviews, and how they followed Shaeffer's 'line of despair' which leaves us with the confusion and rootlessness of postmodernism.

Very clear and concise, considering how big his subject is.

biographies

Chasing the Dragon
By Jackie Pullinger
ISBN: 9780892831517
Jackie had a dream that impressed on her that she go to Hong Kong. She bought a boat ticket and prayed for guidance as she got off the boat. She got involved in drug rehabilitation in one of the toughest gangland areas in the world. This is the story.

David Livingstone- the Truth Behind the Legend
By Rob Mackenzie
ISBN: 9781857926156
The best biography of the father of modern mission. And a British doctor at that!
Read full book review
Buy online from CMF bookstore

Doctor Among Congo Rebels
By Helen Roseveare
One of the most readable missionary autobiographies, describing the author's conversion, life, and service in Zaire.

Describes the hard times as well as the good ones, giving a much truer picture than if simply the 'mountains' were described.

Doctors Who Followed Christ
By Dan Graves
ISBN: 9780825427343
A collection of short articles giving a snapshot of the lives of numerous Christian doctors down the ages, and inspiring us to follow their examples.

From Cambridge to the World
By Oliver Barclay and Robert Horn
ISBN: 9780851114996
I never know what someone means when they call a book inspiring - but this book will make you want to get up and DO something. It's about how the CU movement grew from Cambridge - but bin any ideas of boredom!

A good read - yes, even maybe an inspiring read.

Jesus MD
By David Stevens
ISBN: 9780310234333
What would it be like if Jesus walked onto your ward to lead the morning round?

How can we practice medicine the way he did?

Once you get round the American language, this book is a great way to find out.
Buy online from CMF bookstore

The Hospital by the River
By Catherine Hamlin
ISBN: 9781854246738

There’s a Snake in my Cupboard
By Dr Nick Wooding
ISBN: 9781903725542

Buy online from CMF bookstore

books to give away to friends

Dead or Alive
By Daniel Clark
ISBN: 9781844741564
If people don't want to believe, any amount of evidence won't persuade them. But if your friends say, 'it might be true but so what?' then read this & then give it to them.

It talks about the evidence for Jesus and his resurrection but actually goes on to the implications as well, with real-life stories of people who have believed.

Mere Christianity
By CS Lewis
ISBN: 9780006280545
A collection of Lewis's radio broadcasts which 'explain and defend the beliefs that have been common to nearly all christians at all times'.

An easy read on how logically to defend your faith.

Simply Christian
By Tom Wright
ISBN: 9780281054817
It's easy to say, 'I don't need to read another back to basics book' but this one you will enjoy & will take you further.

It's easy to read in style, but makes complex concepts accessible - read, be encouraged, think, share.

The Case for Christ
By Lee Strobel
ISBN: 9780310209300

The Great Divorce
By CS Lewis
ISBN: 9780006280569
Apologetics can use reason or imagination. CS Lewis is famous for his reasoned defence of Christianity such as in 'Mere Christianity'. He also has a wonderful imagination, which gives us a glimpse of the deeper spiritual realities that reason cannot access alone.

This is a great book to give away, as there is no preaching, but a convincing picture of judgement (the great divorce), and how we instinctively run from God. A busload of souls from Hell are given the opportunity to visit Heaven, only to discover that they really don't want to be there, even if the reader understands how much they are missing out on.

The Language of God: a Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief
By Francis Collins
ISBN: 9781847390929
Apologetics can use reason or imagination. CS Lewis is famous for his reasoned defence of Christianity such as in 'Mere Christianity'. He also has a wonderful imagination, which gives us a glimpse of the deeper spiritual realities that reason cannot access alone.

It's a great book to give away, as there is no preaching, but a convincing picture of judgement (the great divorce), and how we instinctively run from God. A busload of souls from Hell are given the opportunity to visit Heaven, only to discover that they really don't want to be there, even if the reader understands how much they are missing out on.

classics

Christianity for Modern Pagans - Pascal's pensees
By Peter Kreeft
ISBN: 9780898704525
Blaise Pascal gave us Pascal's law, but was also perhaps the Enlightenment's greatest apologist. These are edited highlights for the modern readers, a classic.

Confessions
By Augustine
ISBN: 9780192833723
Said to be the world's first autobiography, by the author whose writing has shaped Christendom for the last 1600 years.

Written by an Algerian who was gloriously converted from hedonism, and never lost his wonder at grace.

Pensees
By Blaise Pascal

devotional

Doctors Life Support
By CMF
ISBN: 9780953269013
A reading for every day of the year!

It will take only 2 minutes to read the allotted section of this book each day but this is time very well spent, particularly if really busy and you've been able to read little else that day.

Each day's devotion is also linked from the CMF website - great for that spare moment between patients.
Buy online from CMF bookstore

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
By Phillip Yancey and Paul Brand
ISBN: 9780310354512
As medics we are aware of the complexity and mystery that still surrounds the human body. The miracle of the skin, the strength and structure of the bones, the dynamic balance of the muscles.

Paul Brand and Philip Yancey explore the human body.

This book explores the complex nature of the human body and how this relates to the image of God and the body of Christ.

Spiritual Depression
By Dr Martin Lloyd Jones
ISBN: 9780802813879

The Calvary Road
By Roy Hession
A classic devotional booklet about the Christian walk. It is required reading for all OM missionaries, so comes recommended!

The Screwtape Letters
By CS Lewis
ISBN: 9780060652937

discipleship and theology

Daring to Draw Near: People in Prayer
By John White
ISBN: 9780877847885
The best survey of Biblical prayer I have read, examining the examples of heroes such as Moses, David and Jesus.

White teaches theology by story, just like the Bible does!

Dig Deeper
By Nigel Beynon
ISBN: 9781844741038

God's Big Picture
By Vaughan Roberts
ISBN: 9780851112985
God's plan for his universe and the people in it can be clearly seen throughout the history of the Bible.

Reading this book will better help you understand what God's plan has been and will be.

How to Read the Bible for all its Worth
By Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart
ISBN: 9780310246046

Knowing God
By J I Packer
ISBN: 9780340863541
A brilliant survey of important Christian beliefs, which is as much food for the worshipping heart as it is for the head.

A great book to read on elective, or for morning devotions.

Surprised by the Power of the Spirit
By Jack Deere
ISBN: 9780310211273

Thank God it’s Monday
By Mark Greene
ISBN: 9781859995037
Work isn't work unless you'd rather be somewhere else! Right? But the Bible portrays work as a gift from God that preceded the Fall, and that will be part of our eternal future. So how can we refresh our view of work and avoid cynicism?

Greene is a great story teller, and a very enjoyable writer.

Too Busy Not to Pray
By Bill Hybels
ISBN: 9780830819713
We can often feel too busy and frequently guilty about our prayer life.

This book helps with both worries in both theological and practical terms. Well worth a read.

Topical Memory System
By Navigators
ISBN: 9781576839973
An easy to use system which is a great starting point for memorising Bible verses if you haven't done so before!
Read full book review
Buy online from CMF bookstore

drugs

Chasing the Dragon
By Jackie Pullinger
ISBN: 9780892831517
Jackie had a dream that impressed on her that she go to Hong Kong. She bought a boat ticket and prayed for guidance as she got off the boat. She got involved in drug rehabilitation in one of the toughest gangland areas in the world: this is the story.

Use and Misuse: a Christian Perspective on Drugs
By Ollie Batchelor
ISBN: 9780851115993

healing

Hard Questions about Health and Healing
By Andrew Fergusson
ISBN: 0-906747-34-1
A rational and balanced look from a former GP (now CMF head of communications) at the often vexed question of healing.

Starting from consideration of the nature of humanity, health and healing, the author surveys relevant Bible passages, the historical position of the church on healing, and questions such as 'does sin cause disease and death?'
Read full book review
Buy online from CMF bookstore

history and Bible/Christianity

Evidence that Demands a Verdict
By Josh McDowell
Not exactly bedtime reading, but this large book provides in lecture note form all sorts of evidence that is useful in defending the Christian faith.

Helpful both when needed to answer a question, and also strengthening to your own faith as you realise how solid is the evidence.

Six Modern Myths
By Philip Sampson
ISBN: 9780830822812
Did the church really persecute Galileo despite unequivocal scientific evidence? Everyone knows that Galileo was fighting for science against the Bible and Chrisitianity!

This book exposes how anti-Christian myths like these are propagated long after the events, and on selective evidence, in order to discredit modern opponents.

Very easy and encouraging reading!

The Books the Church Suppressed
By Michael Green
ISBN: 9781854246981
Written at the time 'The Da Vinci Code' appeared, this is a good read but gives you all you need to know about the truth of the Bible and those 'gnostic gospels'.

The New Testament Documents: are they reliable?
By FF Bruce
ISBN: 9780802822192
A classic defence of the New Testament as historical documents. Short but very authoritative. A must for every thinking Christian's reference library!

The Rise of Christianity
By Rodney Stark
ISBN: 9780060677015

The Twilight of Atheism: the rise and fall of disbelief in the modern world
By Alister McGrath
ISBN: 9780385500616
McGrath is an unusual Christian writer, in that he is peculiarly well qualified. He holds PhDs in both genetics and theology!

Here he encourages Christians to recognise atheism as a Western aberration in world history, and currently on the wane. There were unique reasons why atheism seemed plausible in the West over the last 300 years, but these have been seriously weakened in recent years. Incredibly encouraging!

The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success
By Rodney Stark
ISBN: 9780812972337
Rodney Stark is a sociologist who actually says something positive about Christianity!

Here he traces the importance of Christian beliefs in the shaping of Western civilisation, and many of the freedoms and blessings that we take for granted.

human origins and nature

By Design or Chance
By Denyse O’leary
ISBN: 9780806651774

Can We Believe Genesis Today?
By Ernest Lucas
ISBN: 9781844741205

Creation or Evolution: do we have to choose?
By Dennis Alexander
ISBN: 9781854247469

Darwin on Trial
By Phillip Johnson
ISBN: 9780830813247

Darwin’s Black Box
By Michael Behe
ISBN: 9780684834931

Rare Earth
By Peter Ward
ISBN: 9780387987019

The Genesis Debate: Three Views on the Days of Creation
By Hugh Ross et al
ISBN: 9780970224507
Contrasts the three main evangelical views (young earth creation, old earth creation, theistic evolution) with comments and debate following each view.

A good format to help you to think things through.

Islam

Answering Islam
By Norman Geisler
ISBN: 9780801064302

Cross and Crescent
By Colin Chapman
ISBN: 9780830832040

Sharing your Faith with a Muslim
By Abdiyah Abdul-Haqq
ISBN: 9780871235534

know your enemy

Rethinking Life and Death: the Collapse of our Traditional Ethics
By Peter Singer
ISBN: 9780312144012
Singer is the most influential of the secular medical ethicists.

This is his classic rejection of the Christian sanctity of life argument, in favour of a utilitarian approach that licenses infanticide, abortion and euthanasia, but urges us to take animal rights as seriously as human rights.

The God Delusion
By Richard Dawkins
ISBN: 9780552773317
With so many of our friends using Dawkin's ideas to attack our faith reading the book that contains the ideas they use first hand is a good idea.

Much of what he writes we can agree with, some of his conclusions we can't. Much of his philosophy is easily deconstructed.

medical ethics

CMF collected articles on euthanasia
By CMF various
CMF ethics and public policy - news, press releases and submissions
CMF publications - articles from CMF publications

CMF Files
By CMF various
read online

Death and Deliverance
By Michael Burleigh
ISBN: 9780330488396
He who knows no history is condemned to repeat it.

It was medics who pioneered eugenics and euthanasia in the UK and America, and later exported to Nazi Germany. Apparently worthy motives veiled a contempt for the weak and genetically 'unfit'.
It is a chilling backdrop to the current debate over prenatal diagnosis and euthanasia.

Making Sense of Medical Ethics
By Alan Johnson
ISBN: 9780340925591
About the only general ethics text written by a Christian, let alone a doctor! The author happened to be the late son of the founder of CMF.

It's very concise, salty, avoids jargon, and very practical. For instance, he is clear that ethics is all about morals, which everyone has, and that faith is not necessarily an irrational bias in ethics.

Survival of the Weakest
By John Wyatt
ISBN: 9780906747261
A CMF classic. John demonstrates how Christianity revolutionised medical ethics, by showing care for the weakest and least valued in society. This was a relief for women who were required to abort their children in the Graeco-Roman world, as well as the elderly and sick. How might ancient prejudices be affecting modern healthcare?

medical vocation

Driven Beyond the Call of God
By Pamela Evans
ISBN: 9781841010540

Making Life Work
By Bill Hybels
ISBN: 9780851113289
Individual chapters on subjects such as relationships, drawing on the wisdom of Proverbs to tackle them.

Excellent practical advice to keep on the shelf for each situation.

Perfecting Ourselves to Death
By Richard Winter
ISBN: 9780830832590

Read full book review
Buy online from CMF bookstore

Practice by the Book
By Gene Rudd and Al Weir
ISBN: 9780970663146

mission and evangelism

Christianity Rediscovered
By Vincent Donovan
ISBN: 9781570754623

Confident Christanity manual
By CMF

Buy online from CMF bookstore

Corner Conversations
By Randy Newman
ISBN: 9780825433238
Not a novel, not a devotional, not a theoretical read.
This expands on and demonstrates how 'Questioning Evangelism' works - although you don't need to read that first. Listen in on conversations between friends as they work out how to deal with suffering, science & sex (among other topics)!

Eternity in their Hearts
By Don Richardson
ISBN: 9780830738373
From one man he (God) made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. (Acts 17:26-7) And yet we often feel that evangelism is all about humans preaching a message to the ignorant.

This book describes how God has gone before us, and prepared various cultures to recognise the truth of the gospel, which transcends culture. He has placed eternity in the hearts of men (Ecc 3:11), and wants to gather in every tribe and nation into His family.
Essential reading for anyone called to cross-cultural ministry.

Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult
By Nick Pollard
ISBN: 9780851111810
Some say there are four categories of non-Christian – those about to convert, those needing questions answered, those interested but with little knowledge, and those who are just not interested.

Although touching on all four, this book focuses on the 'not interested' people who are so common today, and shows how we can help them realise that Jesus is relevant.

Going Public with your Faith
By William Carr Peel and Walt Larimore
ISBN: 9780310246091

Read full book review
Buy online from CMF bookstore

Operation World
By Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk
ISBN: 9781850783572

Out of the Saltshaker
By Manley Pippert
ISBN: 9780830822201

Provocative Church
By Graham Tomlin
ISBN: 9780281054763
How can the church be a group of people who demand a response? Many today won't listen to sound evidence, but are attracted by thriving and loving community. Is your church (or CMF group) provocative enough for outsiders to be interested?

Questioning Evangelism
By Randy Newman
ISBN: 9780825433245

The Universe Next Door
By James Sire
ISBN: 9780830827800

Total Church
By Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
ISBN: 9781844741915
Why is it that church seems irrelevant and detached from our lives and friends?

Steve Timmis & Tim Chester look at what church should be: a Jesus-centred gospel community but with reality and honesty. If you know your way is right, don't bother to read it. But if you are desperate for people you love & live with to know Jesus then this is a challenging, encouraging read - with preconceptions challenged.

You might not agree with everything that's said but you will want some of what they have!

postmodernism, culture and Christianity

Christianity in a Changing World
By Michael Schluter et al
ISBN: 9780551032415
Collects together a wide range of 'Cambridge Papers' – short essays on a variety of contemporary issues ranging from 'homosexuality' to 'should Christians support the euro?'. Although quite academic, it touches on many areas where there is no other Christian literature at all and is very useful in this regard.

Escape from Reason
By Francis Schaeffer
ISBN: 9780830834051
Schaeffer was arguably the greatest Christian apologist to engage constructively with popular culture. He demonstrates that every generation has a theology: a view on what is wrong with man, the world, redemption, authority and hope, which is expressed in all cultural forms. And once God is rejected, Western culture has descended inevitably into despair. Understand your culture, understand yourself, and thank God that our culture doesn't tell the whole story!

He is Not There and He is Not Silent
By Francis Schaeffer
ISBN: 9780842314138
Schaeffer was arguably the greatest Christian apologist to engage constructively with popular culture. He demonstrates that every generation has a theology: a view on what is wrong with man, the world, redemption, authority and hope, which is expressed in all cultural forms. And once God is rejected, Western culture has descended inevitably into despair. Understand your culture, understand yourself, and thank God that our culture doesn't tell the whole story!

Introducing Postmodernism
By Richard Appignanesi and Chris Garratt
ISBN: 9781840468496
You've heard the P word, but do you have a clue what it means, and why it matters?

This is a secular book that is very easy reading as it is mostly cartoons! It covers the history and significance of postmodernism very clearly.

Meltdown
By Marcus Honeysett
ISBN: 9780851114927

The God Who is There
By Francis Schaeffer
ISBN: 9780830819478
Schaeffer was arguably the greatest Christian apologist to engage constructively with popular culture. He demonstrates that every generation has a theology: a view on what is wrong with man, the world, redemption, authority and hope, which is expressed in all cultural forms. And once God is rejected, Western culture has descended inevitably into despair. Understand your culture, understand yourself, and thank God that our culture doesn't tell the whole story!

Velvet Elvis
By Rob Bell
ISBN: 9780310273080
An engaging and thought-provoking insight into Christianity and the current spiritual scene.

Combining biblical reasoning with personal experiences, Rob may well make you rethink what your faith means for you.

psychiatry and psychology

Mad, Bad or Sad
By Edited by Dominic Beer and Nigel Pocock
ISBN: 9780906747353

Read full book review
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Psychology as Religion
By Paul Vitz
ISBN: 9780802807250

Roots and Shoots
By Roger Hurding
ISBN: 9780340861493
Ever wondered where models of counselling get their ideology from?

Whilst appearing neutral, each has a view of the human condition, ethics, redemption which needs to be recognised. The history of counselling gives us an understanding of how humanism has become a secular religion, which underpins the modern therapeutic approach.

The Masks of Melancholy
By John White
ISBN: 9780877849803

science & faith

Rebuilding the Matrix
By Denis Alexander
ISBN: 9780745951164
A thorough historical approach to the science versus faith debate.

Alexander is a respected molecular biologist in Cambridge, and the director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion.

The Language of God: a Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief
By Francis Collins
ISBN: 9781847390929
Arguably the greatest scientific project of the late 21st century was the sequencing of the entire human genome. The director of the project is a committed Christian, much to the surprise, and annoyance, of the 'new atheists'.

This book is a commendation of the Christian faith based on reason, from one of the most successful modern scientists. Give it away to anyone who thinks that science and faith are opposed!

The Soul of Science
By Nancy Pearcey and Charles Thaxton
ISBN: 9780891077664
The best single book on the philosophy of science I have read. The authors examine how every scientist must have a theology, and particular beliefs about the physical world that are taken on faith.

They argue that the Judeo-Christian worldview is the best basis for science philosophically, as evidenced by the history of science in the Christian West.

sexuality

Eros Defiled
By John White
ISBN: 9780877847816
Today the results of the Fall are evident in premarital sex, extramarital sex, masturbation, homosexuality, and various forms of twisted sex.

John White speaks with understanding and compassion about each of these sexual sins. He concludes with a telling chapter of how local churches can be communities for dealing with sexual sin in a context of love and forgiveness.

Every Man’s Battle
By Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker
ISBN: 9781578563685

Every Woman’s Battle
By Shannon Ethridge
ISBN: 9781578566853

Holiness and Sexuality
By David Peterson
ISBN: 9781842272695
What does the Bible say about our shared sexual natures? It goes much deeper than merely listing don'ts, and tackles the thorny issue of homosexuality very well.

Just Sex - is it ever just sex?
By Guy Brandon
ISBN: 9781844743711
Most of us believe the Bible says sex is just for marriage (one man, one woman, for life) - but why? What happens when it doesn't work like that? Why is it such an issue?

If you believe that to be true, but want to understand and apply that truth to the real world, READ this. It's a bit historical, bit practical, bit theological - but explains why God's way works.

Did you know that 8% of married couples break up within a year of the birth of their first child? And 52% of cohabiting couples break up in the same period? What are the consequences of the way our society has separated sex and childbirth and marriage?

Not the easiest of reads but still gripping - and challenging. Read it - apply it!
Buy online from CMF bookstore

PURE
By Linda Marshall
ISBN: 9781844740901
Pure: 'sex & relationships God's way' is how Linda describes the book. Get to grips with the way we're made & the way we're meant to be while enjoying some laughs along the way! Short & sweet without being cringeworthy.

Straight and Narrow
By Thomas Schmidt
ISBN: 9780830818587

The Single Issue
By Albert Y Hsu
ISBN: 9780851111940
Despite being married I still recommend this book! Whether you are single or not, this book gives lots of helpful background on God’s will for our relationships.

It is particularly good on the often difficult place of singles within the church. A relatively easy read with a realistic perspective.

social justice

Good News about Injustice
By Gary Haughen
ISBN: 9780851115986

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger
By Ronald J Sider
ISBN: 9780849945304

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical
By Shane Claiborne
ISBN: 9780310266303
Shane Claiborne is a radical Christian who wanted a more authentic style of living his faith. He spent time with Mother Theresa in India, Iraq and protesting in his home country, the USA, trying to challenge injustice and bringing 'community' into being.

This is a biographical account of who he is and why he thinks and lives as he does.