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My Favorite Books of 2016

booksI really enjoy reading what others write about their top books of the year. I figured that I would list some of my own in effort to hopefully bless others. 

First a word about the list. It is not limited to books published this year but books that I read this year. Also, I am judging these books based upon how they affect me. These are books that have continued to talk with me after I finished them. They have come up in conversation and often been referred to in effort to help others. Finally, I am so grateful for the authors who have labored and the publishers who have worked to put such quality resources in print. I love books and can’t imagine my life without reading. Those who work in this industry are owed a debt of gratitude.

Okay, here is my list, in reverse order:

10. The Intolerance of Tolerance, by D. A. Carson. Evangelicalism’s ranking Jedi-Knight, D. A. Carson, sets out to explore how tolerant those who wave the banner of tolerance really are. As it turns out, the foot soldiers and the fans of the movement are increasingly intolerant. Citing case after case Carson shows how this new tolerance is not only inconsistent but even socially dangerous. Carson helps us to think, engage the news, and even to disagree with dignity and charity (and perhaps even a dash of humor along the way). It is a helpful book to better understand where we are as a culture and how to better engage those around us.

9. Know the Creeds, by Justin Holcomb. Have you every wondered the difference between a creed, confession, or council? Have you ever said to yourself, “Man, I need to get a better handle on the development of doctrine in the early church”? Well, if so then this book would be immensely helpful. Holcomb walks the reader through church history via the lenses of important creeds, counsels, and confessions. I appreciated how the author helped to make the connection to various contemporary challenges. This is just a good resource to read through or reference.

8. Discipleshipby Mark Dever. The book breaks up neatly into three parts. In the first, Dever asks, “What is discipling?” Here the biblical teaching is developed and applied, showing its heart of being orientated to others. In the second, the context is established: “Where should we disciple?” Dever contends for the local church to be a hub for discipleship. He provides some helpful ideas for developing leaders and cultivating a culture of discipleship. In the final section the question of how is answered. This is often the sticking point: “Whom do I talk to? What do I do? What if it’s not working?” All of these questions are important to work through, and Dever does a good job in a short space.

7. Peculiar Glory, by John Piper. This is a long but important book. The summary from Desiring God is helpful: “The glory of God is shining through the Bible. God has provided a way for all people, not just scholars, to know that the Bible is the Word of God. John Piper has devoted his life to showing us that the glory of God is the happiness of the soul. Now, his burden in this book is to demonstrate that this same glory is the certainty of the mind. God’s peculiar glory shines through his Word. The Spirit of God enlightens the eyes of our heart. And in one self-authenticating sight, our mind is sure, and our heart is satisfied. Justified certainty and solid joy meet in the peculiar glory of God.” I quite enjoyed this book, and it has been talking to me for months now.

6. Twenty Stories of Port William, by Wendell Berry. I love reading Wendell Berry. He takes me to a place and a time where I think I would have enjoyed living—or at least would be curious enough to visit. This book includes a number of shorter stories about the characters in his other books. Like a fan of a band wanting one more record, this book closes a few gaps and provides further insight into my favorite characters from Port William.

5.  Do More Better, by Tim Challies. I’ve been reading Tim’s blog daily for nearly 11 years. Along the way he has shaped me more than I could realize. In the past I’ve wondered more than once about how he gets it all done. I’m grateful that Tim wrote a book that basically shares his playbook on productivity. His structure, system, and discipline are so helpful. I regularly refer back to this book.

4. The Life We Never Expectedby Andrew and Rachel Wilson. “Sometimes life throws you a curveball. Andrew and Rachel Wilson know what it means to live a life they never expected. As the parents of two children with special needs, their story mingles deep pain with deep joy in unexpected places. With raw honesty, they share about the challenges they face on a daily basis—all the while teaching what it means to weep, worship, wait, and hope in the Lord. Offering encouragement rooted in God’s Word, this book will help you cling to Jesus and fight for joy when faced with a life you never expected.” I’ve recommended this book at least a dozen times since I read it in September.

3. Resplendent Bride: Essays on Love and Loss, by Evan Welcher. My friend lost his young wife to cancer a few years back. Evan is a pastor in a nearby town, and he wrote down his thoughts and published them in this book. Evan is a very good writer, but that’s not what makes this book special; it has a scent of grace and love with the powerful hope of resurrection. Evan loved his wife and continues to love her. He walked closely with Jesus while Danielle was suffering and since she has gone to heaven. As a result, he has much to say on the subject that would equip and encourage us. From the preface: “Yet although her time among us was cut short by cancer, I still feel the afterglow of her resplendence. She was gentle, and she was kind. She was passionate, and she was good. She love the Lord when she had reason to flash her 10,000-megawatt smile, as well as when she wearily walked through the valley of the shadow of death. . . . We walked through the shadowlands hand-in-hand until she drew her final breath. And dark indeed was the gloom that settled on the day her star faded. God lights dormant stars. She is Resplendent—now and forevermore.”

2. Deep Workby Cal Newport. In an age with a myriad of distractions and expectations for immediate responses we can often become slaves to the urgent. By doing so we sacrifice the ability, privilege, and joy of completing cognitively demanding tasks. Newport wants to expose the problem and provide a path forward. It is as practical as it is informative. A great book that I can’t stop telling my friends to read.

And my Number 1 book of the year, by unanimous 1-0 vote:

1. The Whole Christby Sinclair Ferguson. Oh what a delight to read this book. Truly, anything Ferguson writes is a pleasure to read, but this one in particular was a bowl of dessert. The author helps us to understand the relationship between key categories: law and gospel, God’s grace and our works, legalism and antinomianism. In doing so he takes us back to the Marrow Controversy of the 18th century. With the skill of pastoral theologian Ferguson provides a richly informative, devotional, and imminently practical work on sanctification. If you are looking for a book to buy your pastor: get him this. If you are looking for a book to read over Christmas break: get yourself this.

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