Top 10 Favorite Books I read over 2023
You never get to read everything you want. The list of literature I want to check out only grows every year with recommendations and new releases piling on. But I’ve been blessed to read quite a bit over 2023, and I had the opportunity to read some great stuff!
Not all of these are new releases, but the majority are fairly recent. Here are my top 10 favorite reads of 2023!
10. I’ll see You Tomorrow: Building Relational Resilience when you want to Quit (2022)
By: Heather Thompson Day and Seth Day
Heather Thompson Day and her husband Seth Day team up to bring a vulnerable and challenging look at human relationships. Whether it be friendship, family, or romance, the Day couple shares their different experiences and argues that while flourishing relationships is crucial to what God made us for, they also come with a lot of work. Heather and Seth argue that our culture’s instinct today is to give up on someone when things get hard or awkward. But God made us to forgive, work through our conflicts, and grow closer together through them.
This is a short, accessible read and I recommend it to anyone wanting to grow in their relationship with others.
9. The Wolf in their Pockets: 13 Ways the Social Internet threatens the People you Lead (2023)
By: Chris Martin
By this point, it's no secret that as popular as social media and the internet are, they also can bring a lot of damage. Trying to figure out how to use the benefits of the social internet while knowing our limits can be very tricky. Chris Martin brings us a thoughtful, well researched look into ways Christian leaders can be more aware of the excesses, and how to counter that effectively. The answer is not to throw it all away, nor is it to blindly go all in. Instead, Martin proposes wisdom and discernment from Scripture as a way to bring meaning to our use of social media and the internet.
This is a great resource for teachers, parents, pastors, and youth workers!
8. Justification in the 2nd Century (2018)
By: Brian J. Arnold
The theological topic of justification is crucial for Christianity, and is most often discussed around Paul’s letters in the New Testament. When reading some of the early Church’s writings though, specifically in the 2nd century, some scholars have argued that Paul’s understanding of justification by faith was abandoned for a more legalistic moralism.
Brian Arnold counters this claim by examining some of the 2nd century writings, particularly the Apostolic Fathers. While he isn’t going over the 2nd century Church writings exhaustively, and some are more Pauline than others, Arnold argues the Church as a whole did not abandon a Pauline theology of justification. In the cases of Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, and others, they carried on Paul’s understanding of justification by faith.
Overall Arnold brings a solid case, and I recommend it to anyone interested in the subject. However, it’s biggest setback is that the book isn’t very long, and doesn’t go over the 2nd century Church as much as it could have. Again, Arnold acknowledges this and admits not all 2nd century Christian writings align well with Pauline theology. But for what the book does go into, Arnold does a good job making his case.
7. Paul’s “Works of the Law” in the Perspective of Second-Century Reception (2020)
By: Matthew J. Thomas
On a similar theme from the previous book, we now look at the 2nd century Church, it’s relationship with Paul, and what it can tell us in relation to the so called New Perspective. Matthew J. Thomas gives us a brief and helpful introduction to the controversial New Perspective of Paul and it’s critics. He doesn’t claim to bring any kind of resolve to the debate, but does wish to bring some perspective that hasn’t been talked about enough. How did the 2nd century Church understand their Christian faith in relationship to the Old Testament Law?
Thomas gives a critical, well researched overview of the 2nd century Church writings, including the Church Fathers, apocalyptic literature, and even the perspective of heretics from the era.
When examining the 2nd century Church, we see their understanding of the Law and Christ aligns surprisingly close to the New Perspective. This is an excellent critical resource for this topic!
6. Redeeming Productivity: Getting more done for the Glory of God (2022)
By: Reagan Rose
This is a nice and short book to help Christians that struggle with scheduling, productivity, and finding purpose in their work. Reagan Rose brings both theology and practical application to help readers develop better rhythms in their day-to-day life. As someone who has struggled in these areas, I can honestly say this book has helped me a lot with living out a more consistent schedule!
5. Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal (2022)
By: Esau McCaulley
Another short read, Esau McCaulley's "Lent" is part of a series that examines the Christian holidays. I was able to get this just in time for this year's celebration of Lent and it was a great read. McCaulley goes over the history, purpose, and depth of Lent, guiding Christians to examine themselves as they get closer to the Easter season. For anyone interested in learning more about Lent, or wanting a resource to help bring spiritual guidance in their practice of Lent, this is a great option!
4. The Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church (2023)
By: Matthew Barrett
Easily the biggest book I bought all year, Matthew Barrett brings us an exhaustive, critical overview of the Protestant Reformation. Examining the theological, philosophical, and political issues leading up to and driving the movement, Barrett not only informs at length how Protestantism came to be, but also responds to many critiques and accusations made against it.
Barrett also responds to many of the modern misunderstandings Protestants have of the Reformation, such as the misunderstanding of Sola Scriptura. Barrett shows how the majority of the Reformers weren’t trying to do away with Catholic Tradition, but restore it.
This is an excellent academic source for students, professors, and anyone wanting to study the Reformation critically.
3. A Bond between Souls: Friendship in the Letters of Augustine (2022)
By: Coleman M. Ford
Of all the great books I've gotten to read this year, this is probably the one that moved me the most. The past couple years have compelled me to explore friendship in a deeper, more fulfilling way, and this book has been a great resource! Coleman Ford examines the letters of the 4th century Church Father Augustine and his expressions of friendship.
The book looks at Augustine's theology of friendship, the different cultural understandings of friendship in his day, and different instances of how Augustine wrote to friends throughout his life. I felt so convicted reading this and it made me reexamine the value I can and should place in the friendships God has blessed me with. I cannot recommend this book enough.
2. Humility Illuminated: The Biblical Path back to Christian Character (2023)
By: Dennis Edwards
Humility is a character trait often discussed and admired. But what does it actually mean to be humble? Dennis Edwards brings a thoughtful, informative, and convicting look at what the Bible says about humility. Edwards shows how the early Church reinvented humility as a way of life that submits oneself to God and brings mutual, sacrificial care for our neighbors. This is an excellent read for all Christians wanting to self reflect, better understand Scripture’s call to Christian character, and grow.
1. Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God (2023)
By: Matthew J. Lynch
How can a loving God flood the earth, or order an army to slaughter a city?
Understanding how a loving, perfect God could approve of such acts of violence has always been a tense debate. Old Testament professor Matthew Lynch does not try to explain away these passages or give superficial answers. Instead, he invites us to see how the story of the Bible from the very beginning in Genesis depicts a God who hates violence and seeks peace for His creation. Lynch specifically looks at the Flood and the Conquest, diving into the Hebrew text and narrative themes given by the Biblical authors.
This is an excellent book to better understand Scripture and see the God of love, justice, and mercy in some of the Bible's most difficult passages.