Who doesn’t like a good top ten list? Lists are usually what drive people to websites. I figured I’d join the party. Although many of these books are not exclusively 2016 releases, they are the top ten books that I read in 2016.
- A Peculiar Glory: How the Christian Scriptures Reveal Their Complete Truthfulness by John Piper. It’s no secret that I am a John Piper fanboy. I was eagerly anticipating this Piper book for about a year. This may be Piper’s finest work yet. If you want a readable, yet enjoyable, treatise on Scripture’s authority, inerrancy and inspiration then this is the book for you.
- You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K. A. Smith. This book was an introduction to James K. A. Smith. You Are What You Love is a book about making disciples besides using the classroom. However, the book impacted me the most when Smith wrote about making children into disciples. This could have easily been my number one book had it not been for Piper’s book on Scripture.
- Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller. If books on preaching were currency then I’d be a very rich man, because I own and have read many. With that said, Keller’s book on preaching ranks near the top. Part preaching and part apologetics this short book is chock full of great information and insight. I highly recommend.
- Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney. I told many people about this book this year. If you are needing some help and inspiration in your prayer life then look no further. Whitney offers some fantastic advice on how to pray the Bible, and even gives wonderful examples along the way. Short but powerful read.
- The Transforming Power of Grace by Thomas Oden. I read this book for a biblical studies course this year at Indiana Wesleyan University. I don’t believe there is a page that is not highlighted or marked up. Oden is a master with the English language and the history of Christianity. His work on God’s grace is outstanding and one that I recommend.
- Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley. I soaked up this mandatory reading for a Church History course this year. If you are into history and want to learn why there are so many divisions and denominations in Christianity then look no further.
- The Man Christ Jesus: Theological Reflections on the Humanity of Christ by Bruce Ware. There aren’t many books that focus on the humanity of Jesus. This is perhaps the best treatment of Christ’s humanity. A readable and valuable study.
- A Little Book for New Philosophers by Paul Copan. Studying and teaching apologetics this year has intrigued my interest in philosophy. If you are wary of philosophy and its role in the life of the Christian then look no further. Copan is a master apologist for Christianity and in this book you can see why.
- Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. This is not a new book by any means, and this is not my first time reading it. However, every once in a while I pick this book up to jolt my spirituality and re-calibrate my heart. This is classic John Piper.
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. This summer I finally read the Hobbit. It was fantastic. I plan on reading the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy beginning this new year. I’m trying to get more fiction in my reading diet and I figured this was the best place to start.
Well there you have it, my top ten books for 2016. You can follow what I’m reading on Goodreads and track your own reading, I highly recommend you do that.