Prolegomenon
I think that Christians do well to read books. Reading books is a gateway to encountering thoughts and ideas in a way that is quite unparalleled, and those who regularly read benefit greatly from their endeavors. I make this claim while noting that recent statistics from Pew and Gallop (here and here) indicate that fewer and fewer American adults are reading books regularly, which is quite a shame when audiobooks and ebooks have made reading more accessible than ever.
I read a recent article written by a Christian author who took great umbrage with the sentiment I have expressed above. In that author's opinion, it is either hubris or legalism (or both?) for a Christian to suggest that regular reading is better than not reading at all. The author railed against those who have large overpiled bookcases in their offices, as if those piles of books give more weight to their opinions or more holiness to their conduct. Though his caution aginst intellectual snobbery is well taken, as someone who has a few overladen bookshelves of my own, I naturally took his contention quite seriously.
In response, I would make this humble contention (one that is not original to me): if Christians are people of the Book, we will naturally tend to be a sort of bookish people. First and foremost, Christians must be those who regularly read the Bible. Scripture is indispensible, authoritative, sufficient, and absolutely necessary for the Christian life. Quite simply, Christians will starve without the regular diet of God's Word. However, if you regularly read Scripture and ponder its depths, you may find yourself drawn to other reading as well. You may find the depths of wisdom penned by Christians who have come before us, or you may benefit from theological inquiry into the depths of Scripture, or you may read biographies of Christian men and women through whom God has been pleased to work. The Book often prepares us for other books, while we remember Spurgeon's admonition: “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.”
A Few Recommendations
I began tracking my reading this year, not only to help with my rather scattered memory but also to motivate me to continue recreational reading outside my normal vocational responsibilities. That being said, what follows is not a comprehensive list (though I keep most of my reads on an app, here), but is a brief overview of some of the books that I have particularly enjoyed so far in 2022. These are not book reviews in the proper sense, but are simply some opening thoughts if you are inclined to read in that area.
Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World. By Michael Horton (2014).
This was one of the surprise finds for me this year, which is why I include it at the outset of these recommendations. This is a small, unassuming book that contains much food for thought. For those familiar with Michael Horton, he is a capable author and gifted theologian, and this book was a fascinating read. As opposed to some of the self-driven approaches of our time (whether radical or restless—let the reader understand), Horton calls us to an ordinary faith, with all the joy and splendor that word should communicate for the Christian.
Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life: From the Cross, for the World. By Stephen Nichols (2013).
Those who know me know that I have read nearly everything there is on Bonhoeffer, whether written by him or about him, so I nearly passed this one by (though I am certainly glad I did not). Stephen Nichols presents a compelling picture of Bonhoeffer, engaging Bonhoeffer's writings and tying those thoughts and doctrines to our present experience in the Christian church. This is an addition in a series on Theologians of the Christian Life, and this read is both engaging and encouraging.
Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel–and the Way to Stop It. By Owen Strachan (2021).
The direct language of the title should set the tone for the discussion which follows in this book. Owen Strachan lays out his case against the phenomenon of wokeness, and at great length he outlines how this ideology is a pressing threat to the Christian church that must be combatted. Strachan engages regularly with primary source materials from the opposing side (which is greatly helpful for those unfamiliar with the terrain), while weaving in biblical admonitions throughout. This is a challenging read from an academic standpoint, but it is written at a level that the layperson can engage and benefit from when working through these arguments.
Slave: The Hidden Truth about Your Identity in Christ. By John MacArthur (2012).
The title itself is provocative, though those familiar with the language of the New Testament should resonate with MacArthur's direction in this work. MacArthur's starting point is his discontent with the apparent loss of the Greek word for slave (doulos), which is often translated as servant or bondservant in many modern translations (MacArthur's position is seemingly reflected in the Legacy Standard Bible's decision, here). MacArthur traces the concept of being a slave through both Old and New Testaments, and presents a compelling case for this concept in Christian teaching.
The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception. By John MacArthur (2008).
This book was written several years ago with the backdrop of the Emergent Church movement, and although that particular movement has largely (and inevitably) dissipated, the postmodern tendencies that undergirded that movement seem to be alive and well. MacArthur makes a strong case for here for the biblical necessity of absolute truth claims, something that is at the very heart of evangelical Christian thought. Though written in 2008, this work has much to contribute to the modern cultural conflicts that the Christian church is experiencing.
Covenantal and Dispensational Theologies: Four Views on the Continuity of Scripture. Edited by Brent Parker and Richard Lucas (2022).
This book is part of IVP Academic's Spectrum series, which aims to have authors of representative views both present and defend their view against differing perspectives. I have an academic journal review of this book forthcoming, so I will keep my comments brief here. The title may intimidate a bit (especially for those unfamiliar with this corner of theology), but what I find so vital about this conversation is that every Christian has convictions about these views—whether those convictions are held consciously or not. Examining these convictions is both helpful and proper, and it impacts our very reading of Scripture. The authors of this work did an admirable job of presenting their cases in a short overview form, though there was quite a bit of heat generated in the response sections that is quite interesting.
Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World. By Eric Metaxes (2017).
Eric Metaxes is a well-established author and a gifted writer, abilities which bear fruit in this book—one that is a bit on the longer side and yet remains consistently engaging throughout. Metaxes garnered quite a bit of criticism (some of it deserved) with his biographical portrayal of Bonhoeffer, though this present work does not seem to fall prey to some of those tendencies. Works on Luther have abounded in recent years, though this biography is a worthy addition and a delightful read.
Knowing Scripture. By R.C. Sproul (2016).
There are certainly longer books that provide a robust scholarly defense of the doctrine of Scripture (such as DA Carson's, here). Yet in this current work, Sproul again manages to say quite a bit in a very short amount of pages. Giving an overview of Scripture and how we should go about studying Scripture, this book is both practical and almost devotional at times. Worthy of reading for both seasoned Christians and new converts alike.
Chosen by God: Know God's Perfect Plan for His Glory and His Children. By R.C. Sproul (1986).
Some books are good, and benefit us from their study. Other books are great, and are worthy of re-reading from time to time. Still other books excel to the point that they should be ordered by the box and liberally distributed during conversations. In my opinion, this book belongs in that latter camp. Both accessible and engaging, Sproul here makes the case for the Christian doctrine of predestination. This remains a controversial topic, though Sproul gives a robust presentation of this Christian doctrine in a strong and yet winsome fashion.
SDG,
Josh Howard
Josh Howard serves as the Elder/Pastor at Grace Community Church in Battle Creek, MI, co-hosts the Good Doctrine Podcast and The Age to Come Webcast, and is an alumni of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (PhD, ThM).