I don't usually post my favorite books of the year as a list, probably because I feel like compared to music it's less complete. I tend to spend the most time reading things that are of interest, that's for review, or that's scratching an itch as a pastor or disciple, etc. It's not a hobby as with music that I can do when also doing other things. Much of it is work or based on need. So it's just different for me.
But we all have books that have significantly affected us during the year. I figured a "The Reader Speaks" list would be a great place for getting a variety of books listed that we could all benefit from. So share your #1 book, a few faves, a Top 5 or 10, faves according to genre, or whatever works for what you consider to be the best books of 2012. ALSO (per Jared Wilson's comment), feel free to list books not published in 2012 but that you read in 2012. If you have an affiliate account somewhere and you know how to link your books in the comments with html, feel free. For other readers, if you see a book you like, use the affiliate links. It blesses those in ministry around you.
I have been asked by a friend about my favorite books on church history, so I thought I would throw it out for everyone. Try to limit to the most expansive books on church history, at least for your first few. If you want to add a couple of faves from certain time periods (reformation, early church, baptist, puritan, etc), feel free to do that as well. But make sure they are books about the history of that time, not books from that time. And do your best to stay to 5.
So, what are your big 5 books on church history?
There's a demon under every rock, around every corner, lurking in every dark alley, and in your closet! MUHahahaha! *Ahem.* So...
What are your Big 5 books on spiritual warfare?
These would be books on the theology and practical reality of demons, demon possession and oppression, or stories about people dealing with these issues. These can be books that deal primarily with sin or prayer, spiritual "armor," etc, as long as they have a significant "warfare" component. There are a lot of kooky books and authors out there, but there are some really good ones too. Go!
It permeates your life. You were born with it, live with it, and die because of it. It's in your thoughts, words, and deeds. You do it far more than you admit and you think others do it way more than you. Even your humble admission of how much you do it makes you feel sinfully proud of your humility. We need to learn more about it so we can kill it, avoid it, hate it, stomp on it, run from it, and rip it out. So...
What are your Big 5 books on sin & temptation?
These can be books on the doctrine of sin, specific sins, overcoming temptation, etc. In general these should be books about understanding and avoiding sin. These books should not have forgiveness as its main focus, though it very well may play a role in the book. Go!
That's right, I dropped the "H" bomb. Knowing how to read the Bible is just as important as reading it. I've heard too many Christians say they read it but don't get it. It's not just a lack of spiritual understanding, it's a lack of a hermeneutic. So...
What are your Big 5 books on biblical hermeneutics?
These are books on biblical interpretation, understanding biblical genres, etc. There is a range from text books all the way down to the very practical for average Christians. Don't list books on biblical languages...that's another list. Don't just list reference books on the Bible either. Go!
Biographies can teach us things that non-fiction instruction can never teach, or never fully teach. There's something about examples and real life experiences that impact us more directly and deeply. So...
What are you Big 5 biographies?
Let's say no memoirs, though those can be great too. These can be of Christians or Presidents or whatever. Should be fun. Go!
Yeah, I know that some (many?) of you aren't Calvinists. And you probably know that I am, but that's not the point. The point is we all need to read on theological topics of importance regardless of our personal positions. Often those well-written books persuade us. So...
What are your Big 5 books on Calvinism?
Actually, be a little more free with the topic if you like. List a book on Calvinism, Arminianism, both, the sovereignty of God, or even a particular topic like predestination, election, etc. Go!
What are your Big 5 daily devotionals?
I'm not asking what books you like to read during a devotional "quiet time." I'm asking about books that are created as daily devotionals. Often they are dated or numbered for daily use. Sometimes they are not yearly but are still written for daily reading. Just make sure they are true devotionals. Got it? Go!
What are your Big 5 books that made you laugh out loud?
We've all read them, right? You are working through a book and you just can't contain a chuckle at a story or the way the author put something. Any book that made you laugh is eligible, but I want to encourage you to not list too many books that are in the "humor" or "comedy" section of the bookstore. One or two of those at most. I'm hoping to find books/authors with a more natural humor, not just books by comedians. BONUS: If you want to offer a short (!) quote or funny part, feel free. But it must be funny. If it's not funny, I will sound the gong. Also, please don't list things like Far Side books. These need to be reading books. If you don't know 5, list what you have.
I'm always interested in books on writing and becoming a better writer. It's easier to read books on writing than to write, but the question is still worth asking...
What are your Big 5 books on writing?
These should be books written with the intent of teaching you to write. I know other books can help you be a better writer (including books about writers), but let's stick to your favorites on the art and craft of writing. It can be about fiction or non-fiction writing. It can be about poetry, articles, essays, letter writing, or most anything else. This is not a list of books on how to write a sermon. Feel free to throw one or two in there on grammar issues or issues directly related to writing if you like. If you don't have 5, no prob. List what you have read that you like.
Like you, I'm always on the lookout for good books for seekers. You know who seekers are, right? These are the folks who come to your church NOT because they occasionally like to feel less guilty by attending, but because they are actually looking for answers. These are the folks who want to sit down and ask you questions about life, suffering, truth, the Bible, or where is God in all this mess, and seem to genuinely want answers. So...
What are your Big 5 books for seekers?
These will likely be books on the gospel or apologetics. You should try to stick to books that are meant for seekers or books that unintentionally just work very well with seekers. As best you can, stick with general books for seekers and not books on one issue only. If one really stands out to you, that's cool, but I would prefer lists that will help us all with good books for seekers in general. And please don't mention Scripture. We get it, the Bible is good for seekers. :)
I'm very happy to see the ESV Study Bible coming out in October. I will own and use a copy and provide them on my church's book table. So, it makes me wonder...
What are your Big 5 study Bibles?
This is a list of the study Bibles you personally think are the best. If you think you would choose the ESV SB as one, please mention that. Also, let us know what version of the Bible you like for each study Bible (if they vary). Go!
I remember sitting in Mark Dever's office and asking him what books have been most helpful to him personally, books that he would read more than once. He pointed to a little swiveling bookshelf with five (if I remember correctly) well worn books that he reads every year (I think).
What big 5 books do you think are worth regularly rereading?
Try to avoid devotional books, unless there is one that really knocked your socks off and you reread all the time. There will be a separate list for devotional books at some point. These books will likely be in the personal walk, Christian life, holiness kinds of categories. Don't list books of the Bible. If someone lists some of your big 5 books, please go ahead and list them again. This isn't about mentioning the books no one else has, but listing your big 5. After all, if one book is mentioned again and again that will add weight to that book. Go!
Resurgence has an interview with Bob Kauflin.
My brother captured two tornados on video last week. Neither were doing anything amazing, but it's still pretty cool to a storm buff like me.
I love coaching Little League, and would love to coach this kid. Awesome...
Jeremy Pryor continues explaining his Story-Formed Life discipleship class/strategy...
The Office originated in Japan. Did you know that? Here you go...
Tim and Kathy Keller: The Role of Women in Ministry.
The Last Men's Book You'll Ever Need?
The New York Times on theology pubs and such.
Tim Chester: How I teach the Bible in a household church.
Tony Morgan: 7 reasons why the church needs artists.
Jonathan Dodson on building missional cores.
Thanks for the many comments on my Big 5 books series. If you have missed any of the lists, please go and comment. Great resource posts.
I'm sidelined today with terrible back pain. I'm nearly immobile, and can't move without wincing. Ugh. So it's a good day for books on suffering. What are your big 5 books on suffering? These can be books on suffering in general or something specific like the loss of a baby. If your friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer and asked you for something to read on suffering, what would it be? If you woke up in agonizing back pain and needed a refresher on what God does through pain in your body, what would it be?
PLEASE, refrain from turning this into a comment thread on my back pain. I know a few of you care about me and want to share my pain. But I want this to be a resource thread in the future, so just list and discuss books. Go!
Here's a different approach. What are your big 5 commentaries on the four Gospels and Acts? I want your #1 commentary for each book: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. That will be a total of 5 books. If you could only have one on each book, which would it be? What's the first one a seminary student should have on his shelf? Go!
Blog Note: Please read the rules to each thread. These lists are most helpful when we all keep our lists "tight."
What are your big 5 systematic theology books?
Please, no debate on systematic or other theological methods. And limit it to systematic theology, not just any theology book you like. Obviously multi-volume systematics can be
listed as one book. Go!