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It is nearly the end of 2023 and someone in our church once suggested that I (P.Joel) should share with everyone the best of the books that I have read and found helpful in this past year. Perhaps you will find this list helpful as you consider what to read next in your spiritual journey.
NET Bible : Full Notes Edition
This has become my desk bible. The New English Translation is the only translation that has decided to publish all their translation notes explaining why they translated a word or phrase in a particular way. If you enjoy doing verse by verse bible study, this is a great bible version to use.
With by Jethani
This book was fun and easy read. Jethani is good story teller this makes his writing quite palatable. "With" describes the different ways people try and relate to God and the ways these attempts fail, often leaving us frustrated He ends it by describing the biblical way to relate to God that leads to spiritual joy and fulfillment.
Biblical Critical Theory by Watkin
I’m currently reading through this book with a small group. I find it fascinating and intellectually stimulating as the author does his best to help us think about Biblical Doctrine (like the Incarnation) and how it cuts across the world’s binary way of thinking. Fair warning: this book is dense.
Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit by Wright
This book is an accessible and quick read by a renowned OT scholar and missiologist. Each fruit of the spirit is examined quickly but thoroughly and helps enrich our understanding of the Christian character. I have been using it extensively when writing my contributions to the weekly devotions 'Grafted and Growing'.
Christopsychology by Kelsey
This short book is very DENSE! I found myself needing to read and re-read paragraphs and sentences. However it also offers a fascinating take on how Jungian Psychology can help us understand spirituality and the work of Christ on a different plane. It is the book that has stretched me the most in the past year.
Hold me Tight by Johnson
This book offers great insight into marital communication and the many ways that over the years it can fall apart or get into unhealthy ruts. While it is not written by a Christian (that I know of) it offers incredibly practical ways for couples to learn to better communicate.
The Great Sex Rescue by Gregoire
This book IS written by a Christian marriage therapist. After years of research and experience as a marriage therapist, the author noted that Christians often have unhelpful and often harmful attitudes about sex that may prevent healthy sexual relationships in marriage. The author sets out, quite successfully, to detail how this comes about and how to work on healthy and biblical perspectives of sex.
You Are Not Your Own by Noble
This book is practical theology at its finest. It engages with the very first question of the Heidelberg Catechism and studies its implications across the grand sweep of life. Of all the books on my list, this one is probably one of the best written books (along with Biblical Critical Theory) and while easy to read and understand, carries with it a wealth of wisdom. It is the second time I made my way through this book, so I guess that speaks for itself.
Books I intend to read next (hopefully):Being Mortal: Illness, Medicine and what Matters in the End by GawandeDisability & The Gospel by BeatesDescended to the Dead by EmersonFriendship: The heart of being human by Austin