Lots of good books this year. Check them out if you like. Or read whatever you want. Just read, y'all.
Remember that only the top three are in a particular order. #4-#10 are not sorted according to how much I liked them, but my top three are.
Okay, here we go:
#1. The Air We Breathe
This book is seriously incredible. I can't recommend it enough. I also had the chance to attend a pretty intimate gathering with the author and a small-ish group to hear him speak about the book. Phenomenal material and (if I may say so) a phenomenal man behind the words on this one.
This book explores the many Christian assumptions that all people in our society have. We can't get away from Christianity - it's the air we breathe. And for as skeptical as many in our culture are of Christianity, even they have moral, scientific, and societal assumptions that all stem from Christian truth (whether they know it or not).
This is a great tool for apologetics, but also a great aid in worshipping the Lord Jesus who gives His people such a wonderful way of living. The Great Commission produces individual faith in Jesus Christ that leads to inward tranquility and peace for God's people, but it inevitably works its way out in culture by shaping the way people live, think, speak, and interact with others.
Anyway, buy this book. Here's the link.
#2. The Triumph of Christianity
This is a long one, clocking in at just over 500 pages. But man, I couldn't put this book down from the moment I started it. Whether in between projects at the office, at home, or on planes, I would glide through the pages of this book and be shocked at how far I'd gotten. It's that good.
Stark lays out how the Jesus movement went from a small group of devoted disciples to the globe-spanning faith it is today. I don't agree with everything Stark says, but there were several chapters here that blew my mind. What made Christianity unique in the first century? How did Christianity change the way people thought? What social impact did Christianity give the world that made it so contagious? How did the rich, as well as the poor, respond to Christianity? So many interesting angles in this book - and I cannot recommend it enough.
Here you go.
#3. Hollowed Out
What can I say, I'm a sucker for books like these. Cultural analysis books like this one are always a page-turner for me. I especially appreciated the perspective of a high school teacher in this one, rather than the usual perspective I get from theologians, journalists, and sociologists.
Adams doesn't exactly lay out tons and tons of solutions, but the problems that he raises are important for educators, parents, and pastors to be aware of as we raise the next generation. Ultimately, this book made me hurt for younger folks. They carry some responsibility for their own lives, but they certainly haven't been set up for maximum success by their leaders. This book gave me big Coddling of the American Mind vibes (which is also a phenomenal book).
If you work with youth, please read this.
#4. None Greater
I love books about culture. I can't stress the importance of cultural engagement enough. But it felt good to just get some solid theology in some of the books I've read this year. This was one of my favorites.
Barrett presents the doctrine of God in terms that are simple, pastoral, and beautiful. I learned a ton from reading this, and my love for and worship of our great God has been fortified through it. I love theology books that feel within grasp for the average church attender. This book is simple enough for a high schooler to read but profound enough to make the Senior Pastor's jaw drop.
Check it out.
#5. Out of the Ashes
Where has Anthony Esolen been all my life? Spoiler alert: He will show up later on this list.
Writing from a Roman Catholic perspective, mixed with a masterful grasp of the great literature of the Western tradition, Esolen provides a perspective that will be unique to many evangelicals. And although I can't put my stamp of approval on everything he says, I still find his perspective on culture, family, and institutions in general very helpful.
In this book, Esolen presents a vision of American life and culture that feels more than just nostalgic, but hopeful - hopeful that we can one day reclaim the ways of living that made not only America great, but all of Western Civilization the greatest to have ever been. This includes a return to the faith that gave substance to our lives, but also a return to building strong families, beautiful cities, and great schools.
Here you go.
#6. No Apologies
See? Told ya.
I read a few books on masculinity this year. We can't deny that men are pretty vilified in our culture. Whether it be the simpering idiot dads on TV shows or the Andrew Tates of the world, masculinity, in general, has caught the ire of our cultural Thought Leaders™.
But Esolen convincingly argues for the importance - nay, necessity! - of men. He defends traditional masculinity against the macho nonsense of Instagram bros as well as the overly-soft therapeutic guy who "acts like a man" by modeling himself after women.
This book made me thankful to be a man. It reminded the responsibility I have as a man - a responsibility that my wife doesn't have as a woman. Men and women are gloriously different, and we both have a crucial role to play. But without men, society doesn't work. Family doesn't work. The world doesn't work. We need men. We need strong, healthy, godly men. And this book helps encourage us to be just that.
Here it is.
#7. Future Men
Did I mention that I read a lot about masculinity this year?
Future Men is a great read for all who work with boys - especially parents. As a father, I was so blessed by this thoroughly biblical and practical book about how to raise my son to be a great man.
The roughness and rowdiness of boyhood aren't flaws, they're features. God made boys to be strong, bold, assertive, aggressive, courageous, and even a little reckless. This is part of what makes boys, boys. The answer isn't to convince my son to become like my daughter and suppress his natural boyish instincts. Rather, the goal is to discipline and channel those instincts toward godly and noble ends so that he can be a strong, bold, assertive, aggressive, courageous, and even a little reckless man who uses his masculinity for the glory of God and the good of his family.
Pick it up here.
#8. Out of the Silent Planet
I don't read much fiction, but when I do, I enjoy it. I try to read at least one or two fiction books a year. Fiction has a way of saying what non-fiction says differently, and sometimes more profoundly.
But I didn't think too hard on this one. I just enjoyed the story of Ransom and the gang flying through space and interacting with all the creatures and civilizations on Venus.
Check out the non-Narnian Lewis fiction here!
#9. Liberty For All
I think the world of Andrew Walker. I had the privilage of hosting him at our church earlier this year for a forum on LGBT issues. We spoke on the phone prior to that event and I got to geek out for a moment and tell him how meaningful this book was to me. This book met me at a time when I was struggling to reconcile why the universal lordship of Jesus doesn't necessitate some level of theonomy (if you don't know what that is, don't worry about it lol).
His arguement for Christ alone as Lord of the conscience helped me understand how I can celebrate and preach Christ as Lord over all (including the State) while at the same defending the religious liberty of all people. This was also the first book I read in 2022!
Read it here.
#10. A Change of Affection
I think I read this book in two days. And since reading it, I couldn't help but tell others an abridged version of Becket's story. What an incredible testinomy to the grace and power of the Lord Jesus to transform anyone through the power of the gospel. Becket's story is one that will ignite in your heart a deeper sense of awe before the Lord, and also a deeper sense of compassion for those you think could "never" get saved.
Becket's honesty gives his words on sexuality a weightiness and authenticity that provides such great value to the Church's voice on this issue. He is faithful to Scripture while maintaining love for those who struggle with sexual sin, as well as those who struggle to understand why the Bible says what it says about these issues.
LifePoint people, Lord willing, we will have Becket out in early Feburary to speak at a forum for us on same-sex attraction and the church.
Check it out here.
There's my 2022 list. See ya next year.