2020 Year End Review
I wanted to take moment and share some of my favorite reads from 2020 and a few books I am looking forward to digging into next year. This isn’t an exhaustive list but some of my favorites.
Read
The Care of Souls - This was probably my favorite book of 2020. It is written by an older minister seeking to encourage younger ministers in their work. It is one I will be coming back to regularly and one future elders will be reading at Saint Andrews.
J-Curve - This is an instant classic by Paul Miller. It is a much needed book in our time, in order to learn what it means to die to our sin and live to Christ (hence the J-Curve). It helps put our everyday struggles into perspective and points the Christian to remember that when we suffer, we suffer with Christ.
A Praying Life - Some of us read this over the summer. I’ve read this book a couple of times, and every time I read it, I am encouraged to continue to pursue a life of prayer. If you struggle with prayer, read this book!
The Case for Covenantal Baptism - This is a really helpful collection of essays written on the topic of baptism. What I like about books like this is that you can pick and choose which chapters are interesting to you without missing the bigger picture. If the idea of infant baptism is new or confusing to you, this is a helpful place to start.
The Whole Christ - The Whole Christ is both a historical look at the Marrow Controversy as well as a helpful theological study on what it means to not fall into legalism or antinomianism, but to live according to the truth of the gospel, which is that because we are loved by God, we obey.
A Little Book on the Christian Life - A really short and helpful introduction to what it means to live the Christian life, and pursue holiness. If you have never read Calvin before, this is a great place to start. It is a really accessible book for all reading levels.
Life Together - If you have never read Diedrich Bonhoeffer before, make 2021 the year you do it. In his book ‘Life Together’ he looks into what it means to live life together in community with other believers.
The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose - If creating healthy spiritual disciplines (prayer, scripture, quiet time), is a difficult task for you, this book could be really helpful. Looking into the history of church disciplines in the church, Earley helpfully guides the reader to apply these things to our lives today.
Common Grace - Abraham Kuyper is one of my personal heroes so I am usually always reading something by him, but I read it slowly. Common Grace deals with the topic of Common Grace, where it comes from in scripture (hint the Covenant with Noah!), and how it still applies today. I haven’t completely finished it but I read much of it and have stopped for now (it is long!).
Mistborn novels - For a little fun, I have really enjoyed the 6 books in the Mistborn series by Sanderson. If you are a science fiction lover, you should read these books. They are really fun!
Piranesi - I am still not exactly sure how I feel about this book, but it is a fascinating novel that deals with human nature and our perception with reality. If you want something a little different, this might be the book for you.
Still reading
Bavinck: A Critical Biography - I started this one but am still working through it. It is a new and well acclaimed biography of Herman Bavinck. Bavinck was a pupal of Kuypers and followed in his footsteps. I really enjoy the turn of the century Dutch Theologians.
The Wonderful Works of God - If you are looking for a theology book to read in 2021, Herman Bavinck’s ‘The Wonderful Works of God’ is a great one and it seems really accessible. I am still just in the beginning of it, so it you happen to pick it up let me know, it will keep me going as well!
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self - Carl Trueman delivers a fantastic book looking into the topic of how our expressive individualism has given way to the current sexual expressions we find in our world today. He walks the reader through the philosophical side of how we got where we are. It has been a really helpful read of how ideas end up being part of our collective imagination.
Postmillennialism: An Eschatology of Hope - I’ve just started this book, but it has been a treat so far. If studying the end times is of interest to you (and it should be!), this book is really helpful. Even if you land on different conclusions, I think this would be a great encouragement to you.
Dune - I am really close to being able to put this in the '“read” category but I still have a bit left in this classic. It has been a fun book to read. As an aside, I always try to have at least one novel going in the midst of all my reading. It helps me to remain balanced, and keeps my imagination sharp.
Looking forward to reading
Gentle and Lowly - I am really excited to start reading this book in the new year with my Discipleship group. I read the introduction and I was immediately hooked. If there is one book I can recommend to read next year, this is it!
On the Road with Saint Augustine - A book written by one of my favorite modern authors about how Augustine can help guide our own spiritual lives today. To be honest I am not exactly sure what it is about (I started reading it but lost my book!), but Smith’s books always challenge and make me think.
If you are looking for a good book for 2021 let me know! Reading good and thought provoking books is one way that our imaginations are captured and encouraged to have hope in Christ in the midst of our life that can be at times chaotic.
I love you all and can’t wait to see what God has in store for us this coming year.