David’s recommended books (selection)

David had over 3000 books in his personal library. He would not speak or teach on a topic until he had thoroughly research it first. Writings that supported his belief, but also writings that others proposed as alternative beliefs to David. David felt that this was the only way he could speak with authority and position a specific teaching, by ensuring he was fully aware of what others taught as the alternative.

Just a few selected books that David referenced directly in some of his talks:

  • Encyclopaedia of Biblical Prophecy by J. Barton Payne, listing every prophecy written in the Bible, those which have been fulfilled and those that are yet to happen. This book is out of print, and becoming very rare, prices are unexceptionably high, but of you can find an old copy, it is worth owning.
  • Christ in all the Scriptures by A M Hodgkins. When you read a book of the bible ask yourself the question – where is Christ in this book? ………are there specific references to Christ?… perhaps even a personal appearance, physical visitation?
  • A Diagram of Synoptic Relationships by Allan Barr. An accurate presentation of the Gospels, presented on one page, side by side showing how they relate to each other. Passages that are unique to one Gospel, and passages that are common across more than one Gospel. This work is also out of print, but the publishers have allowed the David Pawson Teaching Trust to make copies available for free download
  • The Household of GOD : Lectures on the Nature of the Church  by Lesslie Newbigins. David almost lost his faith whilst studying Theology at Cambridge. This is one of two books that helped him bring things back into perspective. This book  discusses the nature of the Church itself: The First chapter sketches the present context of the discussion and touches on the Biblical meaning of the word “Church.” The next three chapters examine the three answers to the central question, which may be roughly categorized as Protestant, Catholic, Pentecostal. The last two chapters argue that the Church is only to be understood in a perspective that is at once eschatological and missionary, the perspective of the ends of the earth. Bishop Newbigin’s is concerned with the searching questions men today are asking: Is there in truth a family of God on earth to which I can belong, a place where all men can be truly at home? If so, where is it to be found and how is it that those who claim to be spokesmen of that holy fellowship are themselves at war with one another as to the fundamentals of its nature?

(For those interested the second book mentioned above is ”Christ and Time” but is not included in the recommended list as it is out of print and a rather difficult read )

Specifically concerning The Prosperity Gospel:

The Prosperity Gospel, as it has become popularly known, is a subject guaranteed to arouse a whole range of diverse opinions. David Pawson gives some recommended books from his own library tackling the issue of Prosperity Teaching for those who wish to live biblically authentic Christian lives as disciples of Jesus in the 21st Century.