Best Reads From 2022

Not all of the following books are books published in 2022. This is a list of books, some new and some old, that were the best I read this past calendar year. Some are books to interact with and some are books where you can completely let your guard down.

1. The Everlasting Righteousness by Horatius Bonar

   1. Let's just say there is a reason why this book is still around after so long. If you want to grow in greater assurance of Christ's righteousness for you then read this book. 

2. (Tie for 1st) Limping with God by Chad Bird

   1. Some of the best stuff I've read on the life of Jacob in Genesis. Incredible for personal devotion and also phenomenal pastoral wisdom for sermon/lesson prep.

3. (Tie for 1st) Rest: A Consideration of Faith vs Faithfulness by Jon Moffitt and Justin Perdue

   1. Short, clear, concise. I had them send me 75 copies of these so that I could pass out to our students at the first Large Group. Several of them have been very influenced by this book.

4. The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall

   1. Once again, classic work on sanctification. Like Ferguson's The Whole Christ we need to keep this one close at hand throughout ministry.

5. Take Heart by David Powlison

   1. THE best modern devotional in my opinion. Rooted in Scripture. Directed to the heart. Incredibly applicable. Christ-centered.

6. (Tie for 3rd/5th) 2 Corinthians by Paul Barnett

   1. If you're struggling in ministry then get this and read it. I know it's a commentary but it is so helpful on a personal level. 2 Corinthians is one of the most central books of the Bible for ministry leaders to find gospel-centered encouragement. 

7. (Tie for 3rd/5th) Biblical Reasoning by R.B. Jameison

   1. This is part of a fresh and encouraging wave of “theological theology” coming out. This will absolutely change the way you read Scripture and show forth the beauty of the Triune God to people. Not only intellectually stimulating but personally edifying.

Honorable Mentions (aka For The Sake Of Having A Longer List...)

• A Still & Quiet Mind by Esther Smith

  • If you or a someone you know struggles with depression, shame, anxiety or racing thoughts then get this book and walk through it. Incredibly practical! Biblically driven. I cannot tell you how much this helped me and helped other people I minister to.

• Men & Women in the Church by Kevin DeYoung

  • Hot topic of the day but you won't find anything more rooted in Scripture, gracious in its tone, and speaking the truth in love. Compelling, logical, and certainly one that will stand the test of time.

• The Hammer of God by Bo Giertz

  • If you've read Pilgrim's Progress and other classic Christian narratives then you need to read this. Giertz was a Swedish Lutheran and wrote an incredible novel here. Give it time when you open it up. It's a page-turner and something to meditate on for ministry.

• Peak: Secrets From The New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson

  • Fascinating work on what makes someone an expert in a certain area. I love resources on topics like this and I found Ericsson convincing and also enjoyable to read.

• Mozart: A Life by Peter Gray

  • Short, sweet, but also a page-turner. It's so interesting to see the relationship between Mozart and his father!

• Duties of Christian Fellowship by John Owen

  • Short but incredibly applicable. This will help you love the local church well.

• Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? by Michael Morales

  • Listen...you'll read this and want to preach/teach Leviticus immediately! This got me so excited to dive in deeper into the book of Leviticus.

• The Beauty of Power of Biblical Exposition by Leland Ryken

  • This needs to be in the category of essential reading for preaching and teaching. It's a missing piece to modern day preaching. Remembering what the literary genre of the Bible is is a crucial ingredient in structuring our sermons.

• Counseling & Confession: The Role of Confession & Absolution in Pastoral Counseling by Walter Koehler

  • Lutheran perspective but a very compelling (and short!) assessment of what confession and assurance of pardon in personal ministry can do to someone in front of you. This will make you cherish our confession of sin and assurance of pardon in corporate worship. Let’s not forget that John Calvin was a big proponent of having this in personal ministry for those struggling in conscience!

• Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett

  • One of the most accessible in-depth works on the Trinity today. We HAVE to get back to creedal doctrine on the Trinity. Barrett is a joy to read! He has become one of those few authors where I will read anything he puts out.

• Calvin on the Christian Life by Michael Horton

  • A very refreshing read on Calvin. The chapter on the sacraments was worth the price of the book. Maybe one of the best and accessible books for people to get an understanding of what Calvin really believed.

• Being Dad by Scott Keith

  • I'm giving this out from now on whenever I do premarital counseling.

• Words of Life by Timothy Ward

  • A much needed aspect to the doctrine of Scripture that needs to be brought back. God's Word is His action!

• Grace Upon Grace: Spirituality for Today by John Kleinig

  • Lutheran perspective of growing in the Christian life. Phenomenal emphasis on it being grace-based. Certainly parts to interact with but a great reminder of how meditating on Scripture, prayer, and spiritual trials shape our Christian life and cause us to cling to Christ.

• Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted: A Guide to Law and Gospel Preaching by Glenn Monson

  • Very practical book on this classic saying. Great picture of how to use the Law & Gospel in preaching/teaching. 

• Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted by Gretchen Ronnevik

  • In my opinion, a more refreshing approach to the spiritual disciplines in a busy world.

• Fault Line by Voddie Baucham

  • You just need to read it and interact with it. You might find it more compelling than you initially thought. I have found Baucham persuasive, honest, and tethered to Scripture.

• Thoughts on Religious Experience by Archibald Alexander

  • We NEED more modern works on "casuistry" today. This is far more helpful than what a lot of modern psychology puts out today. It's stood the test of time for a reason. This was one of the best books to understand my own Christian life and has given me a better listening ear to my people.

• Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon

  • Can't remember who put me onto Capon but he was a joy to read. I used this for my sermon series for RUF on the Parables. Some chapters I didn't think were worth much but other chapters were stunning. Even the chapters that were not worth much were helpful because they help my convictions of solid confessional doctrine.

• Law & Gospel by David Zahl

  • Mock...(yeah!)....Ing....(yeah!)....bird....(yeah!) -- David Zahl in one of his earlier works on Law & Gospel. Read it through the lens of our three uses of the Law BUT this was very refreshing to see that the emphasis needs to be on the gospel. Unfortunately, we are better at preaching the Law (whether first, second, or third use) than we are at preaching the gospel.

• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

  • Parker is a fun writer. Awesome read. Incredibly helpful for ministry but also fascinating overall. This would be a great read for anyone wanting to be more intentional about hospitality, church events, personal invitations, and any other gatherings.

• So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport

  • In the same vein as "Peak" by Ericsson. A much better corrective from what is promoted today. This would go well with recovering a biblical doctrine of vocation. Newport pushes back against the whole “follow your passion” approach to finding meaningful and joyful work. He is not a killjoy. Rather, he shows a better way to finding more sustaining joy.

• The Pastor as Public Theologian by Owen Strachan & Kevin Vanhoozer (my evil twin who dares to spell his last name with a "Z")

  • We need to hear this clarion call. Let's not get distracted and forget our fundamental calling. We are our people's "local theologians". That means we need to continue to study theology. Elders & Pastors should bring this emphasis back.

• Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane Ortlund

  • Dane does it again! His writing is so refreshing and I think a much needed emphasis today in a Christian world that talks more about issues than Christ. We have to get back to having our main application being the Person & Work of Christ.