My Top 5 Books of 2022
January 1, 2023 1 Comment
Reading is an invaluable discipline that will make you a more well-rounded person in addition to deepening your knowledge. Here is my summary of the best books I read in 2022:
- The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
How did we arrive at a cultural moment where self is supreme and identity is malleable? In The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Carl Trueman traces the philosophical, political, and psychological developments that have led to the emphasis on expressive individualism, personal happiness, and identity politics.
In Part 1, Trueman looks at the architecture of this revolution as a reimagining of self and of culture, tracing the progression of culture from political man to religious man to economic man to psychological man on the “self level” and the emergence on the “culture level” of a society that is actually an antihistorical anticulture. This phenomena has led to a society that is unmoored from tradition, history, and the values, morals, and lessons contained therein.
In Part 2, the author recounts the foundations of this revolution from a historical perspective. Beginning with Rousseau, Trueman looks at different movements, thinkers, and artists who built upon the ideas of one another to eventually contrive of man as an expressive individual who’s highest aim is to be happy. Part 3 then describes how this concept of the expressive individual self came to focus on sexuality as core to identity and then how that sexuality was then politicized.
Finally, Part 4 outlines the implications for society today in light of the triumphs of the revolution. With the pervasiveness of eroticism and a therapeutic worldview, the modern self has divorced identity from reality. Trueman concludes by offering some thoughts on where society may go from here and how Christians can respond in a way that is grounded in biblical truth and not shaped by the cultural zeitgeist.
This is a very helpful book for understanding what led to our current cultural (or anticultural) moment and provides a deeper insight into how Christians can preserve truth and minister to those who have been shaped by the revolution. I’d especially recommend this book to leaders in Christian churches, schools, and other institutions. Those that may desire a shorter treatment of the same topic should instead read Trueman’s Strange New World.
Notable Quotes:
“Few, if any of us, are likely to argue that our own moral views are simply based on our emotional preferences. But…[this] seems today to offer a good way of understanding how most people actually live their lives. [O]nce the basis for such discussion lacks any agreed metaphysical or metanarratival framework, it is doomed to degenerate into nothing more than the assertion of incommensurable opinions and preferences….When it comes to moral arguments, the tendency of the present age is to assert our moral convictions as normative and correct by rejecting those with which we disagree as irrational prejudice rooted in personal, emotional preference. That is precisely what underlies the ever-increasing number of words ending in -phobia.” -Carl Trueman
“Every age has had its darkness and its dangers. The task of the Christian is not to whine about the moment in which he or she lives but to understand its problems and respond appropriately to them.” -Carl Trueman
- Man of Sorrows, King of Glory by Jonty Rhodes
Using the hymn “Man of Sorrows” as a guide, Jonty Rhodes writes to help Christians more completely understand and more fully appreciate the threefold office of Jesus as prophet, priest, and king in relation to His two states of humiliation (condescending to take on flesh for His earthly mission) and exhalation (ascending victoriously to heaven to continue His spiritual ministry).
Rhodes begins by describing the nature of Christ as fully God and fully man, emphasizing the importance of a proper understanding of each on their own and in relation to each other. This is immensely important as church history is marked by multiple heresies flowing from misunderstanding the nature and person of Christ.
The author goes on to explore how each aspect of Jesus’s office is displayed in first His humiliation and then His subsequent exhalation, carefully explaining not only the theological concepts but pointing to the practical implications for the church and individual Christians today.
As you read this book, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of Christ’s work on your behalf and be drawn to worship in awe at God’s merciful plan to redeem His people.
Notable Quotes:
“Crucial to a right understanding of the cross is realizing that it is God who needs reconciling to mankind, far more than mankind to God.” -Jonty Rhodes
“Obedience, the path to blessing, has always been active. Holiness is a case not only of avoiding the wrong but also of doing the right.” -Jonty Rhodes - Keeping the Heart by John Flavel
In Keeping the Heart, Flavel encourages Christians to diligently look after the heart so that it stays focused on devotion to, obedience to, and love for God. Even after conversion, our hearts are easily distracted and so this discipline of keeping the heart is essential to maintaining focus on the pursuit of holiness for God’s glory. This requires watchfulness, prayer, and self-denial, among other things. The benefits of keeping the heart are many including assurance, joy, comfort, endurance, boldness, and Christlikeness.
After describing what it means to keep the heart and providing evidence for why Christians should prioritize this discipline, Flavel gives practical advice for keeping the heart in twelve particular circumstances that require extra diligence:
1. Times of prosperity
2. Times of adversity
3. Times of danger for God’s people
4. Times of danger and public turmoil
5. Times of outward wants
6. Times of public and private worship
7. Times when injured and attacked by others
8. Times of great personal trial
9. Times of temptation
10. Times of doubting and spiritual darkness
11. Times of suffering for being a Christian
12. The time of our impending death
This book is such a great reminder of our need to watch after, guard, and keep our hearts because of the centrality of the heart to all other aspects of our Christian life.
Notable Quotes:
“The comfort of our souls much depends upon the keeping of our hearts; for he that is negligent in attending to his own heart, is, ordinarily, a great stranger to assurance, and the comforts following from it.”-John Flavel
“By cross providences God is faithfully pursuing the great design of electing love upon the souls of his people, and orders all these afflictions as means sanctified to that end. Afflictions come not by casualty, but by counsel. By this counsel of God they are ordained as means of much spiritual good to saints.” -John Flavel
“The mercy of God to us should melt our hearts into mercy towards others. It is impossible that we should be cruel to others, except we forget how kind and compassionate God hath been to us.” -John Flavel - Loonshots by Safi Bahcall
Loonshots is an interesting look at the generation, development, and implementation of ideas that end up being transformative—if they can prevent being shuttered along the way. A loonshot is an idea that was initially ridiculed, put down, or given little or no funding. This is increasingly likely to happen in larger organizations where the incentive to take a risk and innovate is gradually overshadowed by the incentive to mitigate risk and maintain the “the status quo” in the form of franchises (minor iterations of proven hits).
The author focuses on two types of “loonshots”: strategy-focused (S-type) and product/technology-focused (P-type). In order for loonshots to flourish, certain conditions must be met including phase separation (dividing loonshots and franchises), dynamic equilibrium (creating seamless exchange between the groups), and critical mass (having the conditions necessary to launch and scale).
This is a helpful read to supplement and challenge traditional innovation paradigms while encouraging the pursuit and nurture of ideas that could have an impact if given a chance.
Notable Quotes:
“When groups are small everyone’s stake in the outcome of the group project is high. At a small biotech, if the drug works, everyone will be a hero and a millionaire. If it fails, everyone will be looking for a job. The perks of rank—job titles or the increase in salary from being promoted—are small compared to those high stakes. As teams and companies grow larger, the stakes in outcome decrease while the perks of rank increase. When the two cross, the system snaps. Incentives begin encouraging behavior no one wants. Those same groups—with the same people—begin rejecting loonshots.” -Safi Bahcall
“The weak link is not the supply of ideas. It is the transfer to the field. And underlying that weak link is structure—the design of the system—rather than the people or the culture.”-Safi Bahcall - Deeper by Dane Ortlund
Growth in grace and godliness is possible. It also isn’t as complicated as many have made it out to be. In Deeper, Dane Ortlund provides a biblical foundation for how and why Christians can experience real growth and change. He begins the book by correcting misconceptions of sanctification: it doesn’t come primarily through moral behavior, intellectual addition, or felt experience (though he affirms all three are a part of normal Christian development). Ortlund says instead that “growing in Christ is not centrally improving or adding or experiencing but deepening.” So growth in godliness comes with a deeper, more robust, understanding of the gospel and all of its implications. He goes on to say, “Implicit in the notion of deepening is that you already have what you need. Christian growth is bringing what you do and say and even feel into line with what, in fact, you already are.”
Chapters 1-5 explore the beautiful vertical realities of deep gospel truths: who Jesus really is, despair for sin, union with Christ, the embracing love of Jesus, and our verdict of acquittal. Chapters 6-7 focus on the horizontal realities of the need for honesty about our sin with other believers and the way pain is a means to maturity.
In order to go deeper still into the gospel, the way forward is simple: look unto Jesus. This is done through Bible reading and prayer (“inhaling” and “exhaling”) empowered by God’s Spirit. Deeper will serve to both stir your love and affection for our Savior will encouraging you in your pursuit of holiness. Growth in grace is possible and change will occur as you go deeper and deeper into the gospel.
Notable Quotes:
“From Christ as from a fountain sanctification flows into the souls of the saints: their sanctification comes not so much from their struggling, and endeavors, and vows, and resolutions, as it comes flowing to them from their union with Him.” -Dane Ortlund
“The gospel is not a hotel to pass through but a home to live in. Not only a gateway into the Christian life but the pathway of the Christian life. Not jumper cables to get the Christian life started but an engine to keep the Christian life going.” -Dane Ortlund
Honorable Mentions:
- The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
- Lead by Paul David Tripp
For an overview of all the books I’ve read this year, click here.
For those that enjoy reading, I recommend setting up a Goodreads profile (it’s also a great way to keep track of what’s in your library). If you’d like to keep up with what I’m reading now and what I’ve read in the past, check out my Goodreads profile. Happy reading!
Have you read any of these books or do have a book that would recommend reading in 2023? Share your recommendations in the Comments below.
BONUS: My Top 5 Books from: 2021 || 2020 || 2019 || 2018 || 2017 || 2016 || 2015 || 2014 || 2013
My Top 5 Books of 2023
December 31, 2023 Leave a comment
Reading is an invaluable discipline that will make you a more well-rounded person in addition to deepening your knowledge. Here is my summary of the best books I read in 2023:
If you’re interested in learning to study and apply God’s Word to your life, this book is a must have. Fuhr and Kostenberger go into significant detail on the Inductive Bible Study method which includes three primary steps: Observation, Interpretation, and Application. Each chapter unpacks a different facet of each step in a thorough manner with a focus on practicality. As the reader observes, interprets, and applies, he or she should do so through historical, literary, and theological lenses to identify the meaning of a text. The authors do an exceptional job of helping Bible readers do much of the study for themselves while still encouraging the use of extra biblical resources (like commentaries) to aid in the historical, literary, and theological arenas.
Whether you’re reading the Bible for personal edification, for discipling someone, or for teaching or preaching, the principles found in this book will help you stay true to Scripture while making appropriate application to yourself and/or your audience. As you read this book, I’d recommend putting the principles into practice at each stage using a passage or two from Scripture.
Notable Quotes:
“Theology is not just a set of doctrines, nor is it a mere set of motifs. Theology is the story of God’s redemptive relationship with humankind, revealed to us in a book.” -Fuhr and Kostenberger
What a fascinating book! In it, Hamilton makes the case that the biblical authors, beginning with Moses and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, intentionally wrote their material in line with certain “promise-shaped patterns.” This is commonly referred to as typology: “Typology is God-ordained, author-intended historical correspondence and escalation in significance between people, events, and institutions across the Bible’s redemptive-historical story.”
The book is structured as a chiasm, beginning and ending with evidence for and indicators of purposeful intent by Scripture’s authors to utilize typology: “If we are to read the Scriptures such that our readings are valid, our readings must align with the normative interpretations provided by the biblical authors themselves.” It then dives into typological examples in three categories: persons, events, and institutions. In doing so, each chapter provides depth to the connections between the Old and New Testaments. Hamilton’s careful scholarship and passion for helping his readers understand Scripture is evident on every page.
As you read this book, you can’t help but be in awe of the beauty and wisdom of God in how He has orchestrated human history and communicated to us through His Word. This book will not only help you to better appreciate the themes and arrangement of the Bible, but more importantly will fuel a deeper love for God and all that He has done for us in Christ—all of which was foreshadowed in the Old Testament and escalated in the New Testament.
Murray’s book on redemption is a classic for a reason. In it, he concisely examines one of the most important doctrines of Christianity at an accessible level. The first part of the book describes how Christ’s redemption of His people was accomplished. The second part goes through each facet of the ordo salutis to show the beauty of redemption’s application. This book will deepen your awe for all that Christ has done for His people and move you to worship the majestic plan of God in redemption.
Notable Quotes:
“The propitiation of the divine wrath, effected in the work of Christ, is the provision of God’s eternal love, so that through the propitiation of His own wrath, that love may realize its purpose in a way that is consonant with and to the glory of the dictates of His holiness.” -John Murray
“Regeneration is at the basis of all change in heart & life. It is a stupendous change because it is God’s recreative act. A cheap and tawdry evangelism has tended to rob the gospel which it proclaims of that invincible power which is the glory of the gospel of sovereign grace. May the church come to think & live again in terms of the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation.” -John Murray
“Faith is a whole-souled movement of self-commitment to Christ for salvation from sin and its consequences.” -John Murray
“There is no truth more suited to impart confidence and strength, comfort, and joy in the Lord than union with Christ.” -John Murray
In All Things For Good, Watson exposits one of the most beautiful promises to God’s people in Scripture–Romans 8:28–to demonstrate how it is that all things can work for good and who all things work for good for. A question we often hear in our culture is “why do bad things happen to good people?” This book provides the biblical response to that very real concern. Watson is pastoral in his approach, seeking to comfort those who are in Christ and to strengthen them in their faith no matter the circumstances they find themselves in.
Notable Quotes:
“God doesn’t bring his people into troubles & leave them there. He will stand by them; He will hold their hands & hearts when they are fainting.… God will be the strength of our hearts…. Either He will make His hand lighter or our faith stronger.” -Thomas Watson
“The mercies of God have a melting influence upon the soul; they dissolve it in love to God. God’s judgments make us fear Him, His mercies make us love Him.” -Thomas Watson
“Let us endeavor to make the name of God glorious and renowned. If God seek our good, let us seek His glory. If He make all things tend to our edification, let us make all things tend to His exaltation.” -Thomas Watson
Ecclesiastes is a book of the Bible that is often overlooked or misunderstood. Barrick’s short commentary on Ecclesiastes is a helpful and accessible resource for navigating the complexities of Ecclesiastes while consistently reinforcing the key themes of the book: fear God, obey His commands, enjoy life and God’s gifts, and live in light of certain death and judgment. By reading and studying Ecclesiastes in its entirety, the reader can begin to truly appreciate the beautiful message it conveys. In doing so, it helps you to keep all of various aspects of your life in their proper perspective and prioritize them as God has designed. Barrick’s book is ideal for a small group Bible study and includes questions that can be used for discussion.
For an overview of all the books I’ve read this year, click here.
For those that enjoy reading, I recommend setting up a Goodreads profile (it’s also a great way to keep track of what’s in your library). If you’d like to keep up with what I’m reading now and what I’ve read in the past, check out my Goodreads profile. Happy reading!
Have you read any of these books or do have a book that would recommend reading in 2024? Share your recommendations in the Comments below.
BONUS: My Top 5 Books from: 2022 || 2021 || 2020 || 2019 || 2018 || 2017 || 2016 || 2015 || 2014 || 2013
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