Finished Books and Brief Reviews – 2018 A.D.

For 2019’s list click here.

No book is more precious than the written Word of God. While I have not included the Bible in this list, my goal and encouragement to others is to read twice as much Scripture as anything else. Also, the books mentioned below are ones I actually finished in their entirety sometime in 2018, there were some others that I read significant portions of for ministry projects or sermons I was preparing, but I have not included those in this list. Though some worth mentioning would be commentaries on the Gospel of Luke by Joel B. Green, Michael Wilcock, John Calvin, and Matthew Henry, and the Bible Atlas by John A. Beck.

So here’s the list in order of when I read/listened to them:

The Things of Earth by Joe Rigney – Incredibly helpful and encouraging! Highly recommend for anyone struggling with the tension between living in light of eternity and not despising God’s good gifts in the present. Be ready for some major paradigm shifts.

The Conviction to Lead by Albert Mohler – Very good! A must read for anyone wanting to be a wise steward of the leadership opportunities that God has given them. The section on decision-making has proven invaluable.

Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis – Wonderful––though it starts out a bit slow. This is the first book in Lewis’s greatest fictional series: The Ransom Trilogy. Yes, it’s even better than Narnia.

Making Sense of God by Timothy Keller – Good overall

Perelandra by C.S. Lewis – My favorite of the Ransom Trilogy. Lewis at his very best!

Expository Exultation by John Piper – Excellent! Every preacher should read and probably reread every few years. Christians who question the value and centrality of preaching should also check this one out.

Ember Rising by S.D. Smith (Book #3 of The Green Ember series) – A charming epic thriller. I journeyed through each of these books with my kids, and this one is probably my favorite of the four.

Letters to the Church by Francis Chan – Good overall. I love Francis’ passion and agree on many points, but he downplays formal preaching and other more structured aspects of worship in ways that are unhelpful and grounded more in experience than in solid biblical exegesis. Piper’s excellent book on preaching presents a healthy balance and some correctives to what is stated here. Still, I was challenged and encouraged at numerous points.

Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman – Helpful and informative. I differ slightly with his understanding of the Kingdom in relation to the Church, but other than that, this is a solid and concise work.

Biblical Discipline that Makes Children Fun by William P. Farley – Highly recommend. Not only gospel-centered but draws on the whole of Scripture to support its arguments… and what a great title!

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis – Excellent! May be challenging for today’s readers but well worth the investment of time. I especially enjoyed his masterful exposure of the folly of Egalitarianism.

Why the Reformation Still Matters by Tim Chester & Michael Reeves – Very good! An important and encouraging read. The Lord used this in my own life to rekindle my passion and commitment to reformation theology.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson (Book #1 of The Wingfeather Saga – Good. A very slow start but intriguing enough for me and the kids to keep going… and sticking with it pays off sense the series goes from good to glorious as the story progresses.

2019 A.D. (Reviews Coming Soon!)

Zeal Without Burnout – Christopher Ash

Life Together – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A Thousand Resurrections – Maria Garriott

The Household and the War for the Cosmos – C.R. Wiley

North! Or Be Eaten – Andrew Peterson

Biblical Theology: How the Church Faithfully Teaches the Gospel –
Nick Roark

The Lost Tools of Learning – Dorothy Sayers

Orthodoxy – G.K. Chesterton

Father Hunger – Douglas Wilson

Monster in the Hollows – Andrew Peterson

Hero Maker – Dave Ferguson and Warren Bird

Freinds and Lovers – Joel Beeke

Rules for Reformers – Douglas Wilson

The Warden and the Wolf King – Andrew Peterson

For Mission – Joe Boot

100 Cupboards – N.D. Wilson

God Rest Ye Merry: Why Christmas is the Foundation For Everything – Douglas Wilson

2020 A.D. (Reviews Coming Soon!)

Sobre la Roca: Un Modelo para Iglesias que Plantan Iglesias – Justin Burkholder

Orando la Biblia (Praying the Bible) – Donald S. Whitney

Last Call for Liberty – Os Guinness

Ember Ends – S.D. Smith

Growing in Prayer – Steven Shead

Future Men – Douglas Wilson

Adorning the Dark – Andrew Peterson

The Mighty Weakness of John Knox – Douglas Bond

Death by Living – N.D. Wilson

Critique of Modern Youth Ministry – Christopher Schlect

The Red Badge of Courage – Stephen Crane

Blood-Bought World – Toby Sumpter

Textos Fuera de Contexto – Various Authors

Fidelity: How to Be a One-Woman-Man – Douglas Wilson