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Every December, I select the ten books that I most enjoyed reading during the year. Please note that I am not giving a blanket endorsement to everything in these books (after all, some of them contradict each other at points). I choose ten books a year based solely on how much I enjoyed reading them.
Here are my top ten picks for 2009.

#1. SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 1859-2009
– Gregory Wills

…Anyone interested in Southern Seminary or the history of the Southern Baptist Convention simply must read this book… a magnificent achievement.
See my full review here.

#2. UNFASHIONABLE
– Tullian Tchividjian

Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different
“….God-centered and gospel-soaked… immensely practical. You will be convicted, challenged, and encouraged…
See my full review here.
 

#3. DEEP CHURCH
– Jim Belcher


…for evangelicals who resonate with much of the Emerging Church’s critique of contemporary evangelicalism, and yet have misgivings about some of the proposed solutions of Emerging advocates…
See my full review here.
Read my interview with Jim.

#4.  THE CASE FOR LIFE
– Scott Klusendorf
The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture
…one of the most important books for the pro-life movement. Scott takes the highly sophisticated arguments made against abortion-on-demand and brings them down to a level that anyone can understand.”
See my full review here and my interview with Scott here.

#5. THE GOD WHO SMOKES
– Timothy J. Stoner

…thoroughly enjoyable on a number of levels…
See my full review here and my interview with Tim here and here.

#6. ADOPTED FOR LIFE
– Russell D. Moore


…combines robust theology with personal experience. It serves as a powerful pro-life apologetic, and it demonstrates the power of the gospel when acted out by a faithful community of believers….
See my full review here.

#7. MANHUNT
James L. Swanson

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (P.S.)
… a fascinating glimpse into an important moment in American history. I could not put it down.
See my full review here.

#8. COUNTERFEIT GODS
– Tim Keller

… the Tim Keller book I’ve been waiting for. Keller peers into the inner recesses of the heart to expose the hidden idolatries that hold us captive…
See my full review here.

#9. WHY WE LOVE THE CHURCH
– Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion
… a passion-filled love song for the bride of Christ…
See an excerpt here.

#10. THE GOD I DON’T UNDERSTAND
– Christopher Wright
The God I Don't Understand: Reflections on Tough Questions of Faith
…Wright does not exhaustively answer the difficult questions he poses, but he shares valuable reflections that display his pastoral insight and personal piety in seeking the truth….
See my full review here.

HONORABLE MENTION:
GOD’S PRAYER BOOK

– Ben Patterson

… leads you through a selection of psalms, illuminating ways in which you can make these ancient prayers the cry of your own heart….
See my full review here.

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