My Top 10 Books (That I Read) in 2023

1. Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry by Geoffrey Chang (published by B&H Publishing, 2022). 258 pages. I have more books on Spurgeon than any other figure in church history, but this might be my favorite. I learned many things about Spurgeon and his ministry that I never knew, which is not my typical experience when I read a 2^nd biography about someone. The author’s expertise and putting ministry in his own words was so instructive. Buy and read this book!

2. 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.

3. Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson by D.A. Carson (published by Crossway, 2008). 160 pages. This book was hard to find, but I got it as a Christmas gift from my mother. The book’s subject – D.A. Carson’s father – reminded me a lot about my own Dad. Both Tom Carson and my Dad would never be well-known, but questioning their effectiveness, faithfulness and giftedness would be ridiculous. Tom Carson was ordinary because God made Him ordinary and he wouldn’t have it any other way. What humility is required for such submission to such a calling. You will appreciate the story of this man’s life and ministry. The aim of a pastor is to be faithful to what God calls Him to do and measuring His “success” is not about numbers or followers but faithfulness. Tom Carson was ordinary and faithful.

4. J.I. Packer: A Biography by Alister McGrath (published by Baker Books, 1997). 340 pages. This book was written 23 years before Packer died. Thus, it is not a complete autobiography. Other than this omission, the book is excellent. When you read this book, you will get a “behind the scenes” look at one of the most formative evangelicals in our day. The author is fair and shows both the positive contributions and controversies that Packer was involved in.

5. 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.

6. Christian Ethics: An Introduction to Biblical Moral Reasoning by Wayne Grudem (published by Crossway, 2018). 1296 pages. This was my summer reading project, and it did not disappoint. To be consulted more like a textbook than a chapter book, Grudem uses the 10 Commandments as a basic structure for addressing a plethora of ethical issues. In fact, I cannot conceive of an issue in ethics that he doesn’t address in some biblical and scholarly fashion. Of particular help were his chapters on environmentalism, coveting and AI. I would not recommend reading it like I did, one chapter after the next. Instead, consider this a reference book that you can read on certain subjects as you are interested.

7. Mideast Beast: The Scriptural Case for an Islamic Antichrist by Joel Richardson (published by Winepress, 2012). 283 pages. The strength of this book, and the author’s view of the Antichrist being a Muslim, is his chapters explaining Daniel 2, 7-12. I have had questions for years about some of the vocabulary that Daniel uses to describe the Antichrist and how that fits with the popular idea of the Antichrist being the leader of a revived Roman Empire, and this book brought clarity to those passages. You might get a lost in the later chapters covering Ezekiel or the Minor Prophets, but if you focus on the Daniel chapters, you will be thankful you did.

8. 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.

9. The Theology of Jonathan Edwards by Michael J. McClymond and Gerald R. McDermott (published by Oxford University Press, 2012). 757 pages. I loved this book – even if there were sections that seemed “a little over my head.” If you want an introduction to the teachings of Jonathan Edwards and aren’t ready to read him, this is your book. Written more for the academia world, this is a thorough treatment of the doctrinal positions and influence of this global theologian. I read it cover-to-cover during a week of jury duty. So, you need some time to digest it.

10. The Unforgettable Spurgeon: Reflections on His Life and Writings by Eric Hayden (published by Emerald House Group, 1997). 239 pages. If you are looking for storytelling about Spurgeon’s life, look elsewhere. This book is more of a series of thoughts and views that Spurgeon had on a variety of issues. It is a very enjoyable read that includes takes on some obscure topics (e.g., self-addressed stamped envelopes).