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I have a confession to make: I didn't really read much by the way of Christian books when I was at uni. Part of the problem was that I didn't really know where to begin. When I’d walk into my local Christian bookstore I'd be confronted by hundreds of books all vying for my attention. There were so many that I couldn't choose and I didn’t really know how to choose between them.

When I went to Bible college I quickly discovered that everyone seemed to have read the same books. I’d never even heard of some of the books they mentioned or authors they quoted. How was it that they knew which books to read?

I'm not entirely sure of the answer to that question but I've surveyed the AFES staff and they've helped me come up with a list of books that every Christian uni student should read. So, if you want to read some Christian books but aren't sure where to start, this list is a great starting point. (Note: the books aren't listed in any particular order.)

#1: Know and Tell the Gospel by John Chapman

"Because it keeps the gospel at the heart of what we do." – Matthew Meek, National FOCUS Director

#2: Know the Truth by Bruce Milne

"This is a book that covers all the major theological ideas and concepts. It gives you a bit of everything and makes you think about what your position is. Plus it does so in a text-book-ish sort of way - perfect for uni students." – David Mitchell, previously at Wollongong Uni

#3 The Cross of Christ by John Stott

"This is still probably the best explanation of the heart of the gospel: what God in Jesus achieves at the cross, namely salvation for us and glory for him; and how he does it through his death in our place, paying the penalty for our sin, in order to draw us back into relationship with him (i.e. penal substitutionary atonement)." – Mark Barry, Training & Development, AFES National Office, Sydney

#4 Guidance and the Voice of God by Phillip Jensen & Tony Payne

"I would recommend Guidance and the Voice of God for two reasons. Firstly, students are at a stage in their lives when they are making decisions that will last them for the rest of the time on earth and need to make ones that glorify God. Secondly, this is a book about the nature of God's revelation and I suspect this will be up for debate over the coming years." – Pete Hughes, formerly at UTS – Kuring-gai

• To read a webSalt review of Guidance and the Voice of God click here.

#5 The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Scepticism by Tim Keller

"In a hostile university environment there are a lot of smart people with reasons for why they believe God doesn’t exist. However, as Keller shows, many of these reasons aren't as smart as we think. Keller examines common objections to Christianity and skilfully reveals their flaws. The areas covered include religious pluralism, evil and suffering, science, interpreting the Bible and the church’s track record. It's guaranteed that every non-Christian at uni believes one of the ideas that Keller tackles which means it is extremely useful. The book is also very practical because Keller models a really useful system for dismantling people's objections and showing them how Christianity gives a much clearer and relevant perspective on who we are and how we should live. This book will help Christians to promote Jesus on their campuses." – Adam Humphries, La Trobe Uni

• To read a webSalt review of The Reason For God: Belief in an Age of Scepticism click here.

#6 The Essence of Feminism by Kirsten Birkett

"For those who will engage with "feminism" directly this is a good book as a Christian to read and get you thinking Christianly about it and provide a way to research more. For those who do not directly engage with feminism it is one of the philosophies that shapes our society and how we are to think about being a women." – Tracey Gowing, University of Sydney – Cumberland Campus

#7 Desiring God by John Piper

"John Piper is simply one of the most devout, intense, Bible-saturated, God-centred, mission-mobilising, non-compromising guys on the planet and Desiring God is really the thesis of his life wrapped into one book. The thesis of Christian hedonism is laid out in the first two chapters of the book. Then Piper goes on to show how this thesis works itself out in areas such as money, missions, prayer and Bible reading. It changed my life more than any other book I've ever read because of its deep theology, its radical God-centredness and its radical call to live for God’s glory, knowing that God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him. I would love it if every student in AFES read this book. It would make such a difference to the church in Australia!" - Nat Clarke, Swinburne Uni

#8 Knowing God by J.I. Packer

"Knowing God is a timeless classic that should be on the 'must read' list of every believer. Although first published in the 1970s, this book is no less relevant for us today, living in the twenty-first century. Packer exposes the human heart and the weakness of the church in such a way that shows how human nature hasn't and doesn't change. Reading this book will not give you a complete knowledge of God but it will give you the framework to begin to know God, through his word in the Bible. This is the sign of a good Christian book. That is, when you are pushed back to God's word, pushed to be captivated by God in every way, and pushed to fall at his feet in humility and awe. This is such a book. This is a must read." - Tracey Morris, University of Queensland

• To read a webSalt review of Knowing God click here.

So, there it is. A list of quality Christian books to read while you're at uni. But why stop there? If you'd like to recommend a book that Christians should read while at uni, write a comment below and share your suggestion, we’d love to hear it.

Compiled by Loren Becroft

This article was first posted on 23 October 2009.