Books & Other Resources

Maturing in Wisdom

Our church strongly believes in the value of “setting our minds on things above” (Col 3:2) so that we grow in maturity and conformity to Christ. The leadership of the church aims to provide its members with a carefully curated list of essential resources that can help you grow. We are still building out the list, so stay tuned for more!

Bible Reading

Study Bibles
Annual Reading Plans
Reference Books
Websites, Digital Tools, and Apps

Theology

Historic Creeds of the Church

The Apostles Creed

The classic summation of Christian theology, which goes back at least to the fourth century if not earlier (learn more).

I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell;* on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen

* Read more on the descent to hell
** “Catholic” in Greek (the original language of the creed) means “whole” or “universal”

The Nicene Creed

The orthodox creed from the Council of Nicaea (325AD) that set forth in clear terms the eternal co-essential divinity of the Son of God.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Chalcedonian Definition

The orthodox creed (from 451AD) that built on the Nicene Creed but specifically focused on clarifying the relationship between the divine nature and human nature in the person of Jesus Christ.

We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.

Confessions and Catechisms

These summations of doctrine are important to the development of Protestant theology from the time of the Reformation. The Westminster Standards are the officially-accepted standards for our denomination, but the others listed are also helpful resources for study.

Catechism tools for younger people and new Christians:

Basic Systematic Theology
Advanced Systematic & Biblical Theology
Studies of Specific Doctrinal Topics

Christian Life Together

Suffering and Chronic Pain
Singleness / the Unmarried Life
Parenting
Financial Stewardship
Hospitality
Faith and the Workplace
Mental Health and Anxiety
  • Coming soon
Missions and Evangelism

Major Contemporary Issues

Gender and Sexuality

In 2018-2019, ROC did a lengthy study on these topics. In addition to that series, the following books are important voices in current debates. Including them here does not mean the leadership of ROC endorses everything they say; rather, we encourage everyone to read critically and always compare with Scripture. These resources, however, are good places to start to engage with these important issues.

Race, Diversity, and the Church

The task of racial reconciliation in the American church is hotly debated: to what degree is it a “gospel issue,” and how should we pursue it? The resources below are a good place to start to get up the curve. Inclusion in the list does not mean ROC endorses all the contents.

Women in the Church and Complementarianism

ROC believes all Christian women are a gift to the church, society, and family and are gifted by the Holy Spirit to thrive in all areas of life. We seek to encourage and equip all women to flourish in their callings. Our denomination (among many) have, in recent years, been working to understand how best to do that in light of biblical convictions. The resources below represent a variety of perspectives on this important topic. Note: inclusion in the list does not mean ROC endorses all the content.

Islam

ROC engaged in a lengthy study on the Christian encounter with Islam in 2016. Additional resources on this important issue are provided below.

Classics of Christian Devotion

Church Fathers
  • Why God Became Man, Anselm
  • On the Incarnation, Athanasius
  • The Confessions, by Augustine
  • The City of God, by Augustine
  • Theological Orations, Gregory of Nazianzus
Reformers and Puritans
  • Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices, by Thomas Brooks
  • The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan
  • The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burroughs
  • The Religious Affections, by Jonathan Edwards
  • Book of Martyrs, by John Foxe
  • The Bondage of the Will, by Martin Luther
  • Revelations on Divine Love, by Julian of Norwich
  • The Godly Man’s Picture, by Thomas Watson
Modern Classics
  • Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  • Orthodoxy, by G.K. Chesterton
  • Knowing God, by J.I. Packer
  • Desiring God, by John Piper
  • Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis (and his other classics)
  • Morning and Evening, by Charles Spurgeon
  • Knowledge of the Holy, by A.W. Tozer