I pray that as you enter this New Year your heart will be fully engaged to live for God’s glory each and every day. Often times, this time of year brings the desire to establish resolutions and goals to improve and better ourselves. One such resolution and goal of many is to do more reading, and in a day with audio books and kindle books, accessing and reading books is more easier than ever. In honor of the New Years and the hope that many of you desire to grow in knowledge through reading this year, I want to offer 12 books (one for each month) which I believe will greatly help you grow as a Christian believer, student, spouse, and parent. Here is my recommended reading list of 2019 in no particular order:
Miracles by CS Lewis – This book is one of my favorite books by CS Lewis. It is a short, but profound read. It has an excellent apologetic value, and will benefit all who read its words.
Desiring God by John Piper – This book changed my life as a believer. It opened my eyes to so many truths about who God is, and how the fullness of my joy as a believer was grounded in Him. Every Christian should read this book, especially those who feel like their faith has grown stagnant.
The Holiness of God by RC Sproul – Few men have impacted modern Christianity in a more positive fashion than RC Sproul. If you find a book written by him, buy it. However, I want to place primary emphasis on this one because in its pages Dr. Sproul puts forth one of the best explanations of the Holiness of God and how we as Christians are to live in light of His holiness.
The Moment of Truth by Steven J. Lawson – Dr. Lawson is one of the great modern preachers. His ability to expound the word, and his passionate heart for raising up a generation of faithful biblical preachers is impeccable. In this book, he deals with the age old question offered by Pilate, “What is truth?” This book is incredibly important for the relativism and pluralism of today. Get this book!
What He Must Be… If He Wants to Marry My Daughter by Voddie Baucham – As the father of two boys and a new baby girl this book has absolutely changed my life as a parent. Voddie Baucham writes for those who primarily have daughters and want to help teach parents and those young women, what truly qualifies as characteristics of a “godly man.” However, the principles that are taught in the book are also valuable for parents with sons, as it clearly outlines the kind of men we are called to raise our boys to become.
Jesus among Secular Gods by Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale – This book is a God-send for the post-modern age. If you have children that are going off to college or entering high school years, or you find yourself constantly engaging the secular worldview then this book is a must have. Excellent apologetic value.
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan – A true treasure to the Christian faith, Bunyan’s allegory of the Christian’s journey is a must read for every Christian. It is a book that I reread each year. The classic language of the book will be difficult for some readers, and if so, there are versions in modern English also available.
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky – One of the greatest Fictions I have ever read. I believe this book should be on every Christian thinker’s bookshelf. I would be even willing to argue that this is one of the greatest novels ever written. If you like to be challenged and enthralled all at the same time when reading a book, this is the book for you.
Divine Covenants by AW Pink – One of the greatest Bible scholars I have ever read, Pink’s book on the Covenants introduces and orients the reader to critical biblical/theological thinking about God and His Covenants — with a clarity that fosters biblical thought and facilitates Bible comprehension. You won’t be disappointed.
The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller – By far one of the best books ever written on a biblical view of marriage. You and your spouse will be greatly challenged and benefited in reading this book together.
Canon Revisited by Michael J. Kruger – How did we get our Bible? Was it something men just pick and chose like many secular opponents of the Bible claim? Michael Kruger takes such thinking to task in this amazing book defending the divine nature of Scripture and its preservation into Canon. Excellent apologetic value and important for every Christian to know in a time when the Bible’s authority has been undermined by so many.
The Forgotten Trinity by James White – Evangelicals claim to believe in the Trinity, but in my short time as a minister I have learned that there are many false assumptions and even more misunderstandings regarding the biblical understanding of the Triune God. In this book Dr. James White puts forth one of the most thorough and applicable teachings regarding one of the central and most important doctrines of the faith, the doctrine of the Trinity.
I pray that all of these books will touch your heart, grow your mind, and move your hands and feet the way that they have done mine. Some of these books will be very challenging in a first read, but take your time, and truly chew upon the teachings that are found in them. Remember, that all of these should be read as supplements and not in place of your Bible. Daily Bible reading for quality not quantity should be a major resolve for you this New Year.
May God bless you and your family this New Year!
The Ramblings of a Young Minister 