On The Podcast: Preaching Library Categories

The following are Dr. David Allen’s library categories. These notes are in conjunction with a recent Preaching Coach podcast episode How To Build Your Preaching Library.  

Dr. Allen’s Library Categories  

1. Commentaries – I would recommend at least three commentaries per book of the Bible.

2. Old Testament Introduction 

3. New Testament Introduction 

4. Systematic Theology 

5. Biblical Theology 

1. Old Testament Theology 
2. New Testament Theology 

6. Historical Theology 

7. Hermeneutics 

8. Linguistics 

9. Greek & Hebrew Study Tools 

10. Church History – I would recommend perspectives from both different traditions (Catholic, Protestant, & Eastern Orthodox) and different ethnicities. 

1. Early Church 
2. Medieval 
3. Reformation 
4. Post-Reformation 
5. Modern 

11. General History 

1. World History 
2. American History British
3. History 
4. Military History 

12. Pastoral Ministry 

1. Counseling
2. Marriage & Family
3. Pastoral Ministry 
4. Pastoral Leadership 
5. Discipleship 
6. Visitation 
7. Stewardship 

13. Evangelism & Missions 

14.Homiletics or Preaching 

1. Works on Preaching 
2. History of Preaching 
3. Sermon Books 
4. Illustrations 

15. Prayer 

16. Specialized Study Theological Study

17. Specialized Study Biblical Study

18. Comparative Religions 

19. Comparative Denominations 

1. Catholic Studies 
2. Baptist Studies 
3. Eastern Orthodox Studies 
4. Methodist Studies 
5. Lutheran Studies
6. Reformed Church Studies 
7. Church of England Studies 
8. Presbyterian Studies 
9. Pentecostal Studies 

20. Biography 

21. Philosophy 

22. Reference Works

1. Dictionaries 
2. Encyclopedias
3. Atlases 
4. Grammars 
5. Thesauruses 

23. Spiritual Devotional 

24. Popular Authors 

25. Life & Ministry of Christ 

26. Ethics 

27. Science & The Bible 

28. Christianity & Culture 

29. Sociology 

30. Cults  

31. Theological Journals 

32. Specialized Studies 

33. Works on The Church

1. Church Government 
2. Church Ordinances / Sacraments 

34. Worship 

35. Miscellaneous Books 

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