Free Resources:

Blueletterbible.org- This is an amazing free online resource that is extremely helpful for gaining a better knowledge of the original languages the Bible was written in. You can look up any passage and it will give you an interlinear from which you can click on any Greek or Hebrew word to learn more. You can learn the different definitions of each word, how it’s used in context, cross references for how many times each word is used in the Bible, on and on. 

netbible.org- This is the website for the New English Translation of The Bible (NET). It is a unique and incredible study Bible that contains 60,000 study notes regarding translation decisions and textual issues. You can buy a physical copy or use it online for free! They’ve made it available not only on their website, but other popular Bible apps as well (such as YouVersion and BibleGateway). 

studylight.org- Another great website that has a good amount of public domain commentaries for free. You can find commentaries from the likes of Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, Matthew Pool, John Calvin, John Wesley, and many more. There are Bible reading plans and even historical writings there (such as various creeds and confessions from church history). 

General Bible Study:

ESV Study Bible - An amazing general study resource that I would recommend to everyone. It's loaded with great scholarship and there are over 40 well written articles ranging from Biblical ethics to textual criticism and everything in between. I find the introductions to each book of the Bible extremely helpful for general study or even in teaching prep. It's just enough information without being exhaustive. https://amzn.to/499BViH

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible- There is a reason this has been such a beloved commentary for hundreds of years. The expositional insights of a later Puritan are always beautiful and deep. Matthew Henry is very quotable and overall is very edifying for the soul. Modern commentaries do a good job of getting knowledge in the head, Henry does a good job of connecting with the heart! You can find it online for free (see studylight.org above) or buy physical copies. https://amzn.to/4qvWqxs

New Bible Commentary- This single volume commentary on the whole Bible along with a solid study Bible would make a great 1-2 punch for the average layman in terms of general Bible study. Maybe add to that the Matthew Henry Commentary for a good Puritan perspective and that would be the trifecta. That said, this commentary is very solid for a whole Bible commentary and I even find it useful despite having multiple single volume commentaries for each book of the Bible. https://amzn.to/4qLB8fp

Systematic Theology:

Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology (Thomas C. Oden)- This is an excellent resource for a deep dive into historic Christian theology. As the description on the inside cover of the book states: “Oden provides a consensus view of the Christian faith, delving deeply into ancient Christian tradition and bringing to the contemporary church the best wisdom from its past. In this magisterial work, Oden tackles the central questions of Christian belief and the nature of the trinity.” A recommended resource for detailed, in depth study of God and the Christian faith. As a highly renowned scholar of Scripture, the church fathers, and theologians throughout history, Oden bypasses modern sensibilities and cultural philosophies to present the historic understanding of “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” -Jude 3. https://amzn.to/3PCk6mE

Christian Books:

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis- For the non-Christian who knows very little of Christianity and what it entails, this is an excellent starting point. Not only that, but this is a tremendously beneficial work for the Christian as well. https://amzn.to/4fKkri1

Knowing God, J.I. Packer- This is not written for the unbeliever or skeptic. This is for the Christian who desires to know their God. This book is saturated with the truth of Scripture and in my opinion, is a foundational, must-read book for every professing Christian. https://amzn.to/3Q9OHbP

The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer- There are theologians throughout history who have written massive volumes on the attributes of God. Tozer has written on the topic in a condensed and concise fashion, accessible for the layman.Tozer did a masterful job at extolling the virtues of the God we worship in such a short volume. I recommend every Christian read this as it takes the focus off of our individualistic mindset and on to the object of our faith. https://amzn.to/4w87wLw

Mere Complementarianism: Male and Female in the Image of God, Denny Burk- In our day and age, a good percentage of our society cannot define what a woman is, marriage is no longer defined as a union only between a male and female, and a large portion of the church has been influenced by 20th century feminist philosophy. This book gives the clear biblical truth of what it means to be made in God’s image as male and female and the implications for how we function in marriage, the church, and society at large. This book concisely handles novel egalitarian objections to the plain reading of passages like Ephesians 5:22-33, Col. 3:18-19, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, 1 Peter 3:1-7 and even Genesis 2. This is a must read for every Christian in a world that constantly seeks to discredit and subvert God’s good design for male and female. https://amzn.to/4fKF0KN

Another Gospel?: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity, Alisa Childers- A fantastic book that addresses popular “progressive” narratives and views of Christianity. Alisa shares her story of being challenged by those who sought to undermine the authority of Scripture and the historic Christian faith. A great and easy read for those encountering liberal and progressive claims. https://amzn.to/4gRubr6

Early Church Fathers:

On the Incarnation, Athanasius- This is what I recommend reading first when starting with the Early Church Fathers. It’s a foundational work and explains why the Eternal Son took on human flesh. “As Man He was living a human life, and as Word He was sustaining the life of the universe, and as Son He was in constant union with the Father.”-Athanasius. https://amzn.to/3S9ukMZ

On the Apostolic Preaching, Irenaeus- Wonderful summation of the Christian faith from the second century. Spends a lot of time showing from the OT how Christ is the Messiah (and God in the flesh) as well as summarizes the apostolic teaching (NT). https://amzn.to/3UgY1w6

The Apostolic Fathers: A New Translation (Lexham Classics)- This is a compilation of works from the Apostolic Fathers (the generation directly after the apostles). My favorites from this collection include the epistles of Ignatius of Antioch, the Didache, Epistle of Barnabas, Epistle to Diognetus and the Martyrdom of St. Polycarp. https://amzn.to/3UShZ0g