Hello, Friends!
As many of you have no doubt been seeing on the Interwebs these days, it’s that time of year for the “Top [Whatevers] of 2019.” Our top Spotify songs, top workouts, top news photos, top burritos…and in the world of reading, many people take the chance to list their Top Books of 2019.
So why do this? Welp…the reality is that we need to read. In fact, in full transparency, I felt ashamed that I only read a few more books than are listed here. There are two reasons to read more. First, Christians always need to be growing in our faith. This means reading. Sure, sitting under good preaching is essential. Listening to solid podcasts is always helpful. But reading challenges us and feeds us like few spiritual pursuits. We can read old dead guys and hear a perspective on truth that we fail to appreciate. We can read new non-dead guys and hear the same perspective on truth, maybe in today’s perspective. Christians – we have to READ.
Second, with the advent of our phones, we live in a digital world where we think multitasking is a good thing and we are effective at doing many things at the same time. Lies! Reading forces you to sit down and do one thing with your brain for more than a few minutes. In this digital social media age, we scroll thru Facebook or Instagram at lightning speed, never concentrating on something for more than a few seconds. That does things to our brains. BAD things. Reading causes us to sit down and finally focus on one thing and that is good for us. [Side note: Two books that are on my list for next year have been reviewed by my friend Reid Monaghan on his podcast the Gospel Underground. Check out Deep Work and Digital Minimalism. Yes…these two books just made my 2020 reading list…]
That being said, here are some books that made an impact on me in 2019.
Enjoying God: Experiencing the Power and Love of God in Everyday Life, by Tim Chester.
This book will refresh your soul in what it means to love God on a Monday morning. The book has a nifty little section that brings it all home to everyday life with the case studies of Mike and Emma. Also includes some helpful discussion questions.
We have union with our three-in-one God and he in turn has communion with us and we with each other. A favorite quote: “Our unity with God in Christ is the basis for our community with God in experience.” [175]
Systematic Theology Study Bible: Theology Rooted in the Word of God, Crossway.
Yes…I put a Bible on the list. Duh. But seriously…this is a study Bible with added benefits. [If you don’t have a study Bible GET ONE. Like this one.] This one has pull out sections on major theological concepts, like Big Bible Words like grace, election, sin, providence, creation…and much more. We used this Bible in our Elder Training program this year and found it very helpful to get our arms around bigger doctrinal topics.
It also has an appendix with very helpful longer articles on stuff like apologetics and orthodoxy and heresy.
A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology, by Kelly Kapic.
This was a pleasant surprise, as it was one of the first books I had to read for my doctorate program. It’s a tiny and engaging read, with the basic idea of entering the theological conversation, and NOT one that just includes shouting at people, but knowing why you know what you know. Neither can our theology be detached from our heart or an intelligent engagement with our culture.
A favorite quote: “Theological reflection is a way of examining our praise, prayers, words, and worship with the goal of making sure they conform to God alone.” [18]
Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church, by John Onwuchekwa.
Another little book, this one by 9Marks. A great quick, yet profoundly helpful read on prayer, especially in the context of the local church. I did a full review of this book on my main blog here.
A favorite punch in the face quote: “Where prayer is absent, it reinforces the assumption that we are OK without God.”
The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ, by Ray Ortlund
Another little 9Marks book…this book is LEGIT. In fact, if you want to know where to start in a reading quest for 2020 – START HERE. What a glorious representation of our most precious gospel. Another one that I did a full review on the main blog here.
A favorite quote: ““The one thing the gospel never does is NOTHING. Every time we hear the gospel preached, it hardens us a little more, or it softens us a little more…no one is static. No one is NOT responding to the gospel. Everyone is moving further along one path or the other.”
Alive in Him: How Being Embrace by the Love of Christ Changes Everything, by Gloria Furman.
This is a profoundly accessible and practical commentary/application of the book of Ephesians from a seasoned gospel laborer, church-planting pastor’s wife, mom and sister in Jesus.
What a great book to read along with a study read of Ephesians.
Favorite snippet ouch quote: “The gospel bends our ingrown heart outward.”
Favorite longer ouch quote: “We are doomed to live in a confusing and false existence as long as we live in denial of the universal headship of Jesus. But when we humbly repent of the notion that we can live independently from God and instead cling to Jesus, then we walk in truth.”
The Power of Prayer, E.M. Bounds.
While attending a conference many moons ago John Piper said “The Power of Prayer by E.M. Bounds blew my mind.” So…instantly it made my reading list of course. It also makes my re-reading list and I refer to it often. I find myself re-reading all or parts of this book every so often.
Bounds [d. 1913] was a Methodist minister and author. He also was a powerful writer on the subject of prayer. Though focused much on the prayers of a pastor, it is powerful for all Christians nonetheless.
A favorite convicting quote: “Prayer makes the man; prayer makes the preacher; prayer makes the pastor.”
Spiritual Gifts: What They Are & Why They Matter, by Thomas Schreiner.
So, I had the joy and privilege of preaching through 1 Corinthians this year at Highlands. It also meant we ran through some tougher topics, one of them being spiritual gifts. I genuinely appreciated this work by Dr. Schreiner. [Who also happens to teach at the greatest seminary in the known world.]
He walks through a tricky topic in such a logical and accessible way it is a great read for anyone interested in more biblical background on the charismatic gifts.
A favorite quote: “We will discover our gifts when we pour ourselves into the lives of other believers, when we get involved in the life of the body.”
Honorable Mention – not done yet…
In keeping with the “read old dead guys” mantra, few will be as old and dead…and good as Augustine, Archbishop of Hippo. [d. 430 AD]
His thoughts have had profound impact on all of Christianity. I fired up the Kindle edition [.99 cents!] and have been working away at it a chapter at at time, most early mornings by the fire. Confessions is basically the story of his coming to faith amidst wrestling through temptations and philosophies of this word.
It’s a long read, but very powerful and moving.
Favorite well-known quote: “Thou awakest us to delight in Thy praise; for Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee.”
Favorite quote so far: “Wretched I was; and wretched is every soul bound by the friendship of perishable things.”
…So, there you have it. I hope this is helpful.
Side note, one of my favorite bloggers, Tim Challies, always does a yearly reading challenge. You can find this year’s here. You might want to give it a go.
Blessings!
Pastor Mike
