Steve Hill’s Library: Books That Shaped a Revivalist

What books shaped the life and ministry of Steve Hill?

Steve was an avid reader and student of revival history. His personal library held more than 4,000 books, including rare Christian works from the 1700s and early 1800s.

But Steve wasn’t collecting books to fill shelves. He was searching for truth that would deepen his walk with God and fuel his passion for souls. As he once explained:

“We always pursue profound content rather than pretty covers.”

Steve had a particular affection for old books. He believed many forgotten Christian writers had a spiritual depth that deserved to be rediscovered. He even preferred worn, weathered volumes over beautifully bound editions.

“I prefer a little more ragged cover with radical content.”

One of Steve’s favorite experiences was visiting BookAid in London. His friends Bob and Ada Hiley would pick him up at Heathrow and take him to an enormous collection of vintage Christian books housed in an old Methodist church.

Steve recalled being locked in the basement with about 250,000 books, hunting through the shelves, sleeping, and then searching some more. For Steve, it was paradise.

Among his favorites was John Flavel’s Keeping the Heart, which he called “one of my all-time favorites. Riveting!”

Another treasured book was Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M’Cheyne. Steve was deeply moved by the life of this young Scottish minister, who died at only 29. During a visit to Scotland, Steve sat beside M’Cheyne’s grave and committed that holiness would hold first place in his life.

That was the kind of influence Steve wanted from a book. Not simply more knowledge, but a deeper walk with Christ.

Explore Steve’s Recommended Reading

Steve compiled a remarkable reading list covering:

• Holiness and the deeper Christian life: John Flavel, Henry Scougal, Andrew Murray and Thomas Watson.
• Revival and evangelism: Charles Finney, George Whitefield, Evan Roberts and Leonard Ravenhill.
• Prayer and intercession: the writings of E. M. Bounds.
• Christian biography: Robert Murray M’Cheyne, David Brainerd, William Booth and C. T. Studd.
• Biblical teaching and ministry: Charles Spurgeon, Richard Baxter and J. H. Jowett.

We’ve also included a separate collection of Leonard Ravenhill’s 42 recommended books, many of which overlap with Steve’s favorites. Together they’re an extraordinary starting point for anyone who wants to study the lives, convictions and writings of believers who shaped generations of Christian faith.

Rediscover the Old Paths

There is something powerful about opening a book written centuries ago and finding that its message still speaks to the heart today.

The language may be unfamiliar. The pages may be yellowed. The binding may be falling apart. But truth doesn’t have an expiration date.

Steve understood that we cannot live on the spiritual experiences of previous generations. Yet we can learn from their devotion, their sacrifices, their prayer lives and their pursuit of God.

Perhaps somewhere in these lists is a book that will challenge you, deepen your prayer life or stir a fresh hunger for the presence of God. The goal isn’t to build an impressive library. It’s to build a life shaped by the truth within those books.

Explore the Complete Lists

• Part One: Steve Hill’s Recommended Christian Library
• Part Two: Leonard Ravenhill’s 42 Recommended Books

What book has had the greatest influence on your walk with Christ?