NAME	WHY I LIKE HIM	FAVORITE BOOK(S) BY/ABOUT HIM
Baxter, Richard	The Christian Directory by Richard Baxter applies the Scriptures to all areas of life. Baxter inspires readers to learn from time-tested relational models based on what Scripture teaches about God's 3 main covenantal institutions: the church, family, and government. (See, e.g., www.Covenant.net/3Institutions.) Baxter's chapters emphasize cultivation of a mature faith while guiding discussions about the grandest vision for Christian culture and deepest sentiments of the Christian heart. Throughout the book, Baxter shows how God reflects His covenantal character. Dr. Timothy Keller calls this ""the greatest manual on biblical counseling ever produced."" Dr. J.I. Packer says that, "next to the Bible, this is the greatest Christian book ever written." The table of contents shows how the chapter titles relate to teachings about the classroom, family room, boardroom, courtroom, and upper room.
Blackstone, William	Perhaps the most important single book in the history of the common law is Sir William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England. No other book but the Bible had a greater role in early American jurisprudence. The Commentaries led early American courts to base decisions on time-tested principles while guarding against outcomes based on expediency, pragmatism, or self-interested preferences of judges appointed by the ruling class.
Brooks, Thomas	In 1662 and 1676, Brooks lost his licenses to preach rather than submit to state rules that he considered wrong. While fighting legal battles over his license, Brooks preached and ministered throughout London while refining ideas in his books. Of all the Anglican Puritan divines republished in the mid 1800s, Brooks was the most popular. He communicates profound truths in simple messages that reflect Scripture and the power of God.
Brown, Colin	Colin Brown (1932–2019) was senior professor of systematic theology at Fuller Theological Seminary He surveys the thought of over four hundred philosophers from the Middle Ages to the present day. His clear and concise guide shows how thought leaders and their ideas have affected contemporary Christian beliefs.
Cranmer, Thomas	Thomas Cranmer organized Scripture into doctrinal statements consisting of forty-two points. These were eventually condensed into 39 Articles, which Elizabeth I established as the doctrinal foundations of the Church of England (over opposition of Mary Tudor). He wrote and compiled the first two editions of the Book of Common Prayer, a complete liturgy for the English Church.
Eliot, T. S.	Eliot argued persuasively that a Christ-centered society must provide people with the means by which to achieve integrated social and religious lives.
Guiness, Os	Guinness has written or edited more than 30 books. Many of the books are excellent, but the one that most fascinates me is the Fat Minds book linked to the right.
Lewis, CS	Lewis wrote more than 30 books. Mere Christianity and Surprised by Joy remain among my favorites. Nonetheless, the book to the right is arguably the most relevant today. It indicts modern institutions where, "We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful."
McDermott, Gerald	Gerald R. McDermott (PhD, University of Iowa) is the retired Anglican Chair of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School. His book on the Public Theology of Jonathan Edwards helped me see why Edwards is deemed by many to be America's greatest theologian.
McGrath, Alister	McGrath is known for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and the relationship between science and religion. He has written much on apologetics and discipleship. He is also known for his advocacy of theological critical realism. Among his best-known books are The Twilight of Atheism, A Scientific Theology, and Mere Theology.
Owen, John	Owen was the greatest of all British theologians. He was incredibly prolific as the author of dozens of book. He was a man of great national influence, preaching before Parliament and serving as chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. His writings cover subjects ranging from doctrinal explorations to practical issues of ecclesiology. He often wrote books to help decipher troubling current issues. Books that continue to be of interest include The Mortification of Sin, Duties of Christian Fellowship, and Indwelling Sin in Believers. See more about Owen's reformed Anglican views, and his affirmation of the 39 Articles, at https://www.reformation21.org/blogs/john-owen-was-an-anglican.php
Packer, JI	In Protestant circles, JI Packer is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential theologians of the 20th Century. He is best known for his book, Knowing God but his thoughtful writings on the Puritans and the 39 Articles remain highly relevant today.
Ryle, JC	John Charles Ryle (10 May 1816 – 10 June 1900), an English evangelical Anglican bishop in Liverpool, was zealous in promoting the Biblical worldview. He wrote highly practical books for parents and young men while always focusing first on our relationship with God.
Sayers, Dorothy	Dorothy Sayers argues that Christians must steep themselves in doctrine of the Christian Faith or descend into chaos. Her lucid and often witty insights show us that dogma is no exercise in debates about insignificant matters. She shows how doctrine is vital to the faith of all believers, even those new to Christianity.
Stott, John	Stott offers wisdom gained from a lifetime of consistent Christian commitment. In his last book (linked at the right) Stott shares his views about being a faithful follower of Jesus. He explores eight aspects of Christian discipleship which are too often neglected and yet deserve to be taken seriously: non-conformity, Christ-likeness, maturity, creation-care, simplicity, balance, dependence and death.
Sutton, Ray	Raymond R. Sutton (born 1950) is an American Anglican bishop. Sutton has been praised for showing how Meredith G. Kline's five-point covenant model applies to the whole Bible and how the covenant sequence also applies to the structure of the three main covenantal institutions of family, state and church.
Walters, Trevor	Trevor Walters integrates teachings from Anglican lawyers and theologians to cast a vision for peace and justice in Anglican churches around the world. His book originated as a textbook for the training and deploying of mediators in the Anglican Church in North America. The accessible content in the early chapters provides a roadmap leading to books by Ken Sande and other highly experienced Christian conciliators who help resolve all types of church conflicts. After years of having mediated other peoples' disputes, Walters and his co-authors show how the application of Scriptural principles can lead to blessed reconciliation with Christ and one another.
Watson, Thomas	Thomas Watson (c. 1620–1686) was an English, Puritan preacher and author. Watson showed strong Presbyterian views during the civil war, which contributed to his being imprisoned. He obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for Nonconformity. Throughout his trials, he wrote profoundly thoughtful books on how God’s law guides our doctrine and our repentance.
Whitefield, George	In his college days, Whitefield experienced a strong religious awakening that he called a "new birth." At Oxford he became an intimate of John and Charles Wesley. He played a leading part in the Great Awakening of religious life in the American colonies. While his collected sermons show a deep knowledge of spiritual life, Ryle's biography gives us succinct insights into Whitefield's beliefs.
Wilberforce, William	Wilberforce's strident anti-slavery positions, were motivated by his evangelical beliefs. Chief among Wilberforce's concerns was "the suppression of sin." He encouraged King George III to issue a proclamation against such offenses as "excessive drinking, blasphemy, profane swearing and cursing, lewdness, profanation of the Lord's Day, and other dissolute, immoral, or disorderly practices." He confronted a wide array of sins in the church, as shown in the book linked at the right.
Wright, NT	In his popular book Surprised by Hope, NT Wright outlines the scriptural emphasis on resurrection as the proper hope of all Christians, but he is critical of the modern church's overemphasis on "going to heaven when you die." He writes, "Our culture is so fixated on dying and going to heaven when the whole Scripture is about heaven coming to earth." Wright advocates a reunion of soteriology and ecclesiology, commenting that such a connection is often neglected in Protestantism. He has an excellent command of Scripture that helps him develop abstract interpretations that unite diverse factions. His abstract teachings can easily be misunderstood but he fosters valuable unity through his writings.

Note:

• The above list now displays more than 20 authors because this webpage is being enhanced to list 40 favorite Anglican authors. If you would like to suggest an author's name, please email info@covenant.net.
• The above list does not include 3 prominent Anglican authors listed at https://www.covenant.net/Books-23MustReads/. Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and Emily Bronte all reflected their Anglican convictions (and doubts about their faith) in their books. Classics written by these ladies are not theological works like other books on the above list; however, writings by Austen and the Bronte sisters promote helpful discussions about the application of Anglican beliefs.