Remade: Embracing Your Complete Identity in Christ by Paul Tautges (published by P&R Publishing, 2023). 259 pages. While this book is 90 chapters (2-3 pages each), it will be best used by those looking for a daily (or weekly) devotional. Each chapter touches on a simple way that we are part of the family of Christ, and then ends with a sample prayer to apply the truths of the chapter. Tautges is one of my favorite authors, but not for his writing style or creativity. He is easy to understand, always biblical and gives memorable insights; in short, he is quotable as a biblical counselor. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards by Steven J. Lawson (published by Reformation Trust, 2008). 166 pages. One chapter of this book is a short biography of Jonathan Edwards. And the rest of the book – 9 chapters – is an exposition of his 70 resolutions that he wrote at the age of 19. I loved this book, because of it’s treatment and synopsis of those resolutions. I haven’t encountered anything like it anywhere else. I was continually encouraged and convicted by this young man’s desires to have himself poured out as a drink offering, and to see that lifestyle at such a young age. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
Male and Female He Created Them: A Study on Gender, Sexuality, & Marriage by Denny Burk, Davis Closson, & Colin Smothers (published by Christian Focus, 2023). 132 pages. This 8-week (or 8 chapter) book is structured for a Sunday School class or small group Bible study. As you might guess, it is an introduction to biblical sexuality and gender. You will find that its contents rare more introductory than they are substantial. You probably won’t get all of your questions answered by the book’s authors, but I believe their purpose is simply to “get your foot on the door” on the challenges Christians face with their biblical view of sexuality and gender. Read it as an introduction and not the “end all.” BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.
The Trinitarian Devotion of John Owen by Sinclair Ferguson (published by Ligonier Ministries, 2014). 140 pages. Of course, as you might guess, this is a biography of the Puritan John Owen. Well, it’s sort of a biography. Only a few chapters record biographical data about Owen. The rest of the book is a study in Owen’s view of the trinity. I will confess I was a bit lost a times, which is somewhat ironic since Owen himself is a challenging read. But the author of this book didn’t seem to simplify it much. So my frustration was this: I read this book hoping that I could better understand Owen, and it’s author mirrored Owen’s complexity. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.
Pastoral Friendship: The Forgotten Piece to a Persevering Ministry by Michael A.G. Haykin, Brian Croft & James B. Carroll (published by Christian Focus, 2022). 149 pages. You won’t find too many books on friendship, let alone, pastoral friendships. So, because I don’t know of any other than a book on John Calvin’s spiritual network of friends, buy this book. I was disappointed in that the 2 chapters they dedicated to models of friendship in church history that they left out the most well-known: the friendship between George Whitefield and the Wesley brothers. instead, one chapter was dedicated to 2 mostly unknown figures. They could have even committed a chapter to describe the modern friendship of R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.
Christmas Thoughts: J.C. Ryle edited by Andrew Atherstone (published by Banner of Truth Trust, 2022). 118 pages. Each of the 5 chapters in this book is a Ryle sermon on a non-traditional Christmas text, but a text that could be preached during the Christmas season. Those texts are Matthew 11:28, Matthew 22:42, Ephesians 3:15, Ephesians 2:12, and II Thessalonians 2:1. These sermons begin with illustrations fit for the Christmas season, but the sermons are mostly Gospel-themed with the non-Christian in mind and the importance of putting Christ first during that time of year. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
I currently have 496 books on my “Most Wanted List.” Most of these books are non-fiction Christian books with a few exceptions. That probably sounds like a huge list of books, and some may even be asking, “Why does anyone need that many books?”
Well, no one “needs” that many books, but my desire to have them comes from a place of an unquenchable desire to learn. Since my high school days, my desire to acquire knowledge and understand the world around me and how the Bible speaks to it has not gone away. I am regularly curious to pursue the findings and observations of others who have been redeemed.
You could say this is one of the ways I am informally discipled by others.
Will I ever NOT have a “most wanted list?” Probably not, I am regularly adding to it, even though I am also regularly buying books (or being given books) from that list.
With that in mind, here are “most wanted” from “my most wanted list.” I chose 13, because that’s an “unlucky” number and the day this blog will post is November 13. So, there you go.
The True Bounds of Christian Freedom by Samuel Bolton (published by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2010). 224 pages. A book about the freedom from the slavery of sin and not Christian liberties. This book came to me at a providential time when I was preaching through Romans 6-7 and explaining to my congregation what it means to be set free from the law of sin and death. It explains our orientation to sin as new creations. It helps us understand what it means to live with sin warring on our heart and soul. If you aren’t a fan of Purtian-styled writing, you probably won’t appreciate the nuggets of truth in this book but if you like being challenged with some old English and good theology, read this book. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
Knowing Sin: Seeing a Neglected Doctrine Through the Eyes of the Puritans by Mark Jones (published by Moody Publishers, 2022). 204 pages. My new favorite book in hamartiology (the doctrine of sin). Weaved throughout this systematic look at sin are thoughts from a variety of Puritans. It’s a book showing “the sinfulness of sin” but also a book showing the promised victory we can have over sin. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
Rescue Plan: Charting a Course to Restore Prisoners of Pornography by Deepal Reju and Jonathan D. Holmes (published by P&R Publishing, 2021). 241 pages. Most books I read on pornography talk about why it is wrong and then give some generic applications (e.g., flee it or don’t gratify the flesh), but this book gets very specific about strategies against this sexual sin. This book and Heath Lambert’s book (Finally Free) are the two resources I will primarily recommend for those battling lust and other forms of sinful sexual desire. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
Are You Living the Good Life? Randy Alcorn (published by Tyndale House Publishers, 2019). 84 pages. Alcorn has written other books about money or financial stewardship. This short booklet may be covered in other books, but I didn’t check. More of a devotional, this book is a series of chapters (2-3 pages in length) that are applications of single verses throughout the Bible about money and what should make Christians truly happy. If you have other books on this subject by Alcorn that are lengthier in nature, I don’t see a need for you to buy and read this book. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
The Sinfulness of Sin by Ralph Venning (published by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2021). 333 pages. This is not a complex book about sin, but it is dense. If you haven’t read Puritan-style writing, this may not be the book to “cut your teeth with,” but if you are willing to read through it slowly, the riches to uncover in this book on hamartiology is worth it. I cannot think of a topic related to sin that Venning leaves out. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
Preaching and Hearing God’s Word by James Coates (published by G3 Press, 2022). 94 pages. If you haven’t read Ken Ramey’s Expository Listening, read that book first. And then, this one by Coates, will be a good “sequel.” Coates’ book helps us understand the relationship between preacher and listener. Both are important for the Spirit’s sanctifying work of ministering His Word to us. This short book is filled with brief exhortations to be a better preacher and a better listener and how to do that. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
Musing on God’s Music: Forming Hearts of Praise with the Psalms by Scott Aniol (published by G3 Press, 2023). 228 pages. I bought this book to better understand some recent controversial tweets the author made about worship that I didn’t quite understand. However, this book is more about how to approach the psalms interpretively and culturally. It was quite helpful. The author makes a strong case for the thematic sorting of chapters into 5 books. He also contends that the reason Psalm-singing has declined in the modern era is because of a lack of understanding how the Psalter is structured. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.
What Does the Bible Teach About Transgenderism? by Owen Strachan and Gavin Peacock (published by Christian Focus, 2020). 163 pages. A helpful read on a divisive issue. The church is still catching up on equipping its people to handle speaking to this truth in love. Filled with examples of practical suggestions for conversations with those seeking to change their gender, you can feel confident that you will be well-equipped for handling these fragile dialogues. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.
All Things for Good by Thomas Watson (published by Banner of Truth Trust, 1986). 127 pages. This is a lengthy exposition of Romans 8:28, as you might guess from the book title. Some chapters may seem not as clearly connected to Romans 8:28 as other chapters, but as I have said before, this is s a good Puritan to “cut your teeth with” if you are looking to read some Puritans for the first time. BOOK RATING: 8 out of 10 stars.
Mindscape: What to Think About Instead of Worrying by Timothy Z. Witmer (published by New Growth Press, 2014). 180 pages. Philippians 4:7-8 is one of the most important “fighter verses” to give to those struggling with anxiety and worry, and this book unpacks those 2 verses. Each chapter takes another adjective in those verses (e.g., “whatever is true,” “whatever is pure,” etc.) and explains in detail how to think those ways. And each chapter ends with some discussion questions, which makes it a helpful resource for counseling or small groups. BOOK RATING: 9 out of 10 stars.
Pursuing Peace: A Christian Guide to Handling Our Conflicts by Robert D. Jones (published by Crossway, 2012). 208 pages. There is a much better book on being a peacemaker – Ken Sande’s book The Peacemaker. This book is lacking. It is hard to understand at times and doesn’t give the practical suggestions for resolving conflict that Sande’s book does. I would recommend buying Sande over Jones. BOOK RATING: 7 out of 10 stars.
In the 1993 movie Shadowlands, a student who is struggling with the decision to remain in school due to his infatuation with reading tells the actor who plays C.S. Lewis, “We read to know we are not alone.” Some have actually ascribed this quote to Lewis himself, but I am unable to verify that claim.
Regardless of the source, this statement resonates with me, because I love to read. I grew up in a home of an obsessed reader – my Dad. Before my dad died in 2021, my father possessed a library of 10,000-15,000 books (give or take a few thousand). And much of that library was divided up between myself and my brother-in-law. And other than a few commentaries here and there, my Dad all his books! And he could tell you a little something about all of them! And whenever my father sits down to read a book, he often reads it cover-to-cover in a day or two! My Dad inhales books.
I am more of a reader who likes to spread the pages out over a week or so. I usually take a book and read 1-2 chapters per day. But I can reads as many as 3 different books at one time. Thus, on average, I have the privilege of reading 6-8 books per month.
I have learned the value of reading in church ministry, because church ministry can be a lonely calling. Friendships can sometimes be a one-way investment. Hours can often be worked alone in an office. Decisions are sometimes made without the help or input of others. Serving the church in a full-time capacity can often feel like you are all alone.
So I find reading to be a comfort during those seasons of loneliness. I read to know that I am not alone.
In my meager 3,100+ volume library, I am surrounded by many friends and disciplers. Men like J.C. Ryle, J.I. Packer, John Macarthur and John Calvin give input into my walk with the Lord on a regular basis. I find myself consulting them in their books, as if I am asking them a question in my office. They comfort me because they talk to me through their writings.
When I am in need of encouragement, I read a section from Warren Wiersbe.
When I am needing to provoke myself to pray, I open up my copy of The Valley of Vision.
When I want a devotional thought from Scripture, I turn to Charles Spurgeon.
When my view of God is in need of heightening, I read a few pages of The Existence and Attributes of God by Stephen Charnock.
When I need to be reminded of why Christ loves the church and I should to, I read an article from In My Place Condemned He Stood.
In an election year (like 2024), I will consult Wayne Grudem’s book Politics According to the Bible to remind me of the biblical view of a range of voting issues.
I guess you could say, my books are my friends. Their authors disciple and preach to me. So yes, I read to know I am not alone.
Worldly Saints 