Christian Books on Addiction & Relevant Themes
The following books are some that we recommend. A great deal of thought goes into recommending resources, especially when it comes to addiction. Under each resource is a brief description to help you determine how it may be most helpful. Many of the resources we recommend aren’t directly about addiction but about relevant themes and topics in the addict’s world. Some of the biblical themes explored: idolatry, worship, God, fear of the Lord, identity, sanctification, suffering, intimacy, prayer, dependence, joy, repentance, shame & hope.
Gentle & Lowly by Dane Ortlund
What is Jesus’ heart toward sinners and sufferers? In this book, Dane Ortlund shows us from Scripture the merciful heart of Jesus toward sinners and sufferers. This is a great book for those who have experienced the guilt, shame, and despair of sin and wonder what God’s heart is toward them. It will also help those who struggle with legalism learn about the character of God. Most significantly, this book helps cultivate intimacy with Jesus.
ADDICTIONS: A Banquet in the Grave by Ed Welch
Ed Welch provides a comprehensive biblical understanding of addiction as he engages with what the addict experiences in light of Scripture. He coined two phrases that are particularly helpful. He describes addiction as a “worship disorder” and “voluntary slavery” emphasizing the responsibility addicts need to own as well as the experience of being enslaved, both of which will help you understand addiction as a worship disorder. He also includes questions at the end of each chapter for yourself and questions as you help someone else.
Crossroads: A Step-By-Step Guide Away from Addictions (Study Guide) by Ed Welch
Crossroads is a workbook that also comes with a facilitator’s guide and can be worked through individually or within a group context. Welch provides steps that someone trapped in addiction can begin taking. He is great at meeting addicts in their experience and drawing them into the story of Scripture as they seek to change. The book contains great questions for the addict to think through as well. This is a fantastic resource for anyone in recovery to begin working through.
STEPS: Gospel Centered Recovery by Matt Chandler & Michael Snetzer
STEPS is a video curriculum series with a workbook and leaders guide. The Study is incredibly comprehensive in addressing the dynamics of addiction and recovery from a biblical perspective. The Study will require you to go through it with others which is an incredible benefit of this resource and will help those with addictions heal and find freedom in Christ.
God’s Grace in Your Suffering by David Powlison
If you only focus on idolatry when working with addicts, you will miss a significant aspect of their experience. The addicts suffering needs to be understood and considered in light of Scripture. In this book David Powlison helps us see how God enters into our suffering and provides grace to us in our time of need. This book will help sufferers see their suffering with a biblical framework and help them experience Christ’s love for them in the midst of their suffering.
Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Experienced counselor and pastor Paul Tripp addresses suffering in this book with the goal of restoring hope to those suffering and by helping them trust in Jesus in their suffering. This is a great book for those who are suffering and are trying to make sense of their suffering.
Redemption by Mike Wilkerson
Using the Exodus narrative in Scripture along with case-studies and pastoral wisdom, Wilkerson address two themes that addicts know all too well: suffering & idolatry. This is a great resource for those feeling dominated by suffering and find themselves turning to idols (drugs, alcohol, sex, etc.) instead of finding refuge in God through Jesus. This book will help the addict experience redemption in Jesus in both their suffering and their sin.
Gospel Treason by Brad Bigney
While not specifically about addictions, Gospel Treason is about idolatry and identifying “idols” in the heart. This book is helpful for addicts because it focuses on the heart and the desires that drive addiction, which helps us think through what change looks like at a heart level. This book is one primarily for Christians who are in the process of engaging their sinful desires. For non-Christians, better introductory work to the Christian worldview of change would be Recovering Redemption by Matt Chandler & Michael Snetzer, What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert or Who is Jesus? By Greg Gilbert
Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller
Tim Keller address idols of sex, money, and power and shows how they are ultimately empty gods that do not satisfy us, while clearly pointing us to where ultimate hope is found, in knowing Christ. This book is engaging and can be read and enjoyed by believers and non-believers.
Awe by Paul Tripp
Our hearts were made to be captivated by something but because of sin, they are often captivated by things that destroy us. In this book Paul Tripp helps us recapture our ‘Awe’ in the one who made us and who alone can satisfy us. This is a great book to help reorient our hearts around the glory of God in Christ.
Look & Live by Matt Papa
Look & Live is written by worship leader and artist Matt Papa who helps us understand how our lives will always follow what our heart focuses on. As we truly look to and enjoy the glory of God in the gospel, our lives will follow with real joy and satisfaction in God. This is a great book for those who have grown up in church and struggle to experience joy and intimacy in Christ due to their addiction or struggles.
Prodigal God by Tim Keller
Most people are familiar with the story of the prodigal son in the Bible. Many addicts who read the story can relate to the younger brother who spent his inheritance on reckless living. In this book, however, Tim Keller helps us see that the famous parable in Luke 15 is really about God and his amazing love for both the younger and older brothers. This book can be incredibly hopeful for those uncertain of what God is like as it reveals God’s love and pursuit of us through Jesus.
31 Day Devotionals for Life by P&R Publishing
The 31 Day Devotionals for Life is a huge gift to the body of Christ. These short, readable biblical counseling books cover a wide range of topics that are helpful to those struggling. Not only are the daily devotions rich theologically, they are incredibly practical as well. Some of the ones we have found particularly helpful for our residents & family members are:
Addictive Habits: Changing for Good by David Dunham
Pornography: Fighting for Purity by Deepak Reju
After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration by Michael Gembola
Grief: Walking with Jesus by Bob Kellemen
Contentment: Seeing God’s Goodness by Megan Hill
Fearing Others: Putting God First by Zach Schlegel
Forgiveness: Reflecting God’s Mercy by Hayley Satrom
Anger: Calming Your Heart by Robert Jones
Anxiety: Knowing God’s Peace by Paul Tautges
The Heart of Addiction by Mark Shaw
Mark Shaw engages the disease concept of addiction and considers it in light of Scripture. This book seeks to bring back Scripture to a prominent place in dealing with addictions and the underlying issues in the heart related to it. This is a great resource for addicts in recovery to read through and it comes with a workbook for those interested as well. Mark Shaw has also written on other topics related to addiction such as relapse prevention.
Shame Interrupted by Ed Welch
One of the results of addiction and common experiences of the addict is shame. In this book Ed Welch compassionately engages those stuck in shame and helps them see God’s character and how he moves toward them in love and redemption. Through Jesus those once trapped in shame now belong to Him and are covered, cleansed, and healed by Him.
When People Are Big (And God is Small) by Ed Welch
For those who struggle with people pleasing and find it difficult to say no to others, this book helps us see the real problem: People have become too big. The solution then is to learn the fear of the Lord. As God becomes bigger, we will find ourselves less enslaved the opinions and approval of others.
Rejoice & Tremble by Michael Reeves
Another important theme in overcoming addiction from a biblical perspective is the fear of the Lord. It is important to help those in addiction cultivate an appropriate fear of the Lord. This will lead them to enjoy God more and also help them avoid returning to their addiction. In this book Michael Reeves helps us understand the surprisingly good news of the fear of the Lord.
A Bright Tomorrow: How to Face the Future without Fear by Jared Mellinger
Many addicts struggle with hope for their future when they have caused so much chaos in their past. Jared Mellinger helps readers face the uncertainty of the future by looking to what they can be certain of: God, His Word, and our ultimate security in Christ.
Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller
In this short booklet, Tim Keller helps us gain freedom from our biggest enemy: ourselves. Keller helps us see how we are prone to bring every circumstance and conversation back to ourselves but most importantly shows us how the gospel frees us from self and empowers the freedom of self-forgetfulness.
The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung
For Christians who are ready to engage in the battle against sin and the battle for holiness, DeYoung helps us think through holiness biblically but also provides a grace empowered approach as you heed the Bible’s call to be holy.
How People Change by Tim Lane & Paul Tripp
Everyone has a belief system for how people can change. This book address change from a biblical perspective. This is a great resource for both those seeking to change and those seeking to come alongside others in the change process.
Diehard Sins: How to Fight Wisely Against Destructive Daily Habits by Rush Witt
This is a book designed to help you face your struggle with overpowering sin by looking to Christ and the power of the gospel. This book will equip you to fight remaining sin by engaging your mind and heart in God’s Word and in the promises of Christ.
A Praying Life by Paul Miller
Why recommend a book on prayer to addicts? Most addicts eventually come to understand the concept of powerlessness and admitting they have a problem and need help. Prayer is essential for overcoming addiction and addicts must learn to be dependent on God and ask him for help each day. Paul Miller not only teaches us how to pray in this book but also teaches us the joy of praying.
Who Am I? by Jerry Bridges
Identity is a major theme for the addict. How do they see themselves in light of their addiction? In this book, Jerry Bridges helps the Christian see his true identity in Christ by looking at several different aspects of our identity in Christ. This is a great little book for Christians in recovery to help solidify their identity in Jesus.
Websites & Blogs
In addition, we also recommend the Redemption House Blog and the following websites, many of which are listed on our Ministry Links page: CCEF, ACBC, The Biblical Counseling Coalition, RPM Ministries, The Addiction Connection, Desiring God, Ligonier Ministries, Brad Hambrick, Kevin Carson, Rick Thomas, & Tim Challies. Each of those websites have search bars and have great resources on addiction as well as other related topics.
Guest blogs by Justin Lakemacher, Redemption House Program Director