I’m not exactly sure where 2018 has gone. The year ended faster than a Kardashian relationship.
I set out to read fifty books in 2018 and reached my goal.
Many of the books that I read weren’t written in 2018, it’s just that I read them this year. There were several standouts and a few duds. My reading list for next year is already growing, along with several roll-over books that I didn’t get to read this year.
- Paul: A Biography by N.T. Wright. This was a highly anticipated release this year, and it didn’t disappoint. Wright has done a masterful job weaving Paul’s life with Paul’s theology. It was so good that I’m going to have to read it again. N.T. Wright should consider changing his name to N.T. Write, because the dude can write.
- Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth by Samuel Chand. My brother in-law recommended this book. And I’m glad he did! Pastoring and leading is not for the faint of heart. Chand gets right to the heart of leadership pain, because he gets it. And you will get it when you read this outstanding book.
- Lies Pastors Believe: Seven Ways to Elevate Yourself, Subvert the Gospel, and Undermine the Church by Dayton Hartman. The life of a pastor can be complex, and if we are not careful we will preach the gospel to others and fail to preach it to ourselves first. Hartman delivers a good punch to the gut in this recommended work for ministers.
- Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible by Mark L. Ward. Tensions tighten around the debate of which English Bible one should use. Ward is very even handed in his approach of how we should choose English translations of the Bible. The section on “false friends” is worth the price of the book. I highly recommend this to everyone.
- Some Pastors and Teachers by Sinclair Ferguson. Ferguson cooks up a masterpiece in Some Pastors and Teachers. It’s part theology and preaching, with a dash of pastoral insight. He manages to bake in historical examples to give it a taste of familiarity. Finally, Ferguson serves up a piping hot plate of pastoral theology that everyone can enjoy.
- Has the Church Replaced Israel by Michael Vlach. The topic of the Church replacing Israel was a topic I was interested in studying this year. I didn’t agree with Vlach with each of his arguments, but he writes in a very clear and engaging way in a topic muddied with too many emotional opinions.
- Christ from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ by Trent Hunter and Stephen Wellum. Biblical Theology is my jam. I never tire of reading how Christ and His plan for redemption is revealed from Genesis to Revelation. Hunter and Wellum put together a really great biblical theology of Christ from beginning to end.
- The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible by Michael Heiser. Heiser requires some heavy lifting in reading this fantastic work. Some of his conclusions will make you have to rethink some of your preconceived notions regarding the supernatural order of the spirit realm, and he makes a compelling case in doing so. Heiser is quickly becoming one of my favorite theologians and writers.
- The Bible from 30,000 Feet: Soaring Through the Scripture From Genesis to Revelation in One Year by Skip Heitzig. I wouldn’t consider this a handbook to the Bible like Halley’s Bible Handbook. It’s more like Halley’s younger cooler second cousin. Just as I love reading biblical theology, I really enjoy reading overviews of each book of the Bible, and Heitzig gives us a really good introduction in this work.
- Spurgeon on the Christian Life: Alive in Christ by Michael Reeves. If you have known me for any length of time then you will know how much I love me some Charles Spurgeon. I’ve read several biographies on the Prince of Preachers, but this one gives a glimpse of the man and his doctrine on the Christian life. Not only was it filled with insight into his life, but its chock full of quotes from sermons and books.
There you have it, my top ten books for 2018. You can connect with me on Goodreads and see the other books I’ve read this year, and in years past. You can also see which books I’m currently reading and wanting to read in 2019. Happy reading!