Below you will find a list of books I read in 2025, some were incredibly helpful and I would recommend, and others I would not recommend. As finances are tight for everyone, I've included Amazon Affiliate links for all of these books, if you are planning to buy anyways, please consider buying after clicking the link.
I have listed books in order of how I enjoyed them under certain categories. The top book will always be my favorite in the category! Each book will contain a brief synopsis and if I didn't like the book a clear "not recommended." The not recommended books will all be at the bottom of their categories.
Theology / Christian Living Books
Jerry Bridges - The Pursuit of Holiness
I wish I had found Jerry Bridges sooner, his call to holiness is powerful and is filled with personal examples and powerful use of the scripture. Perhaps my favorite thing about Bridges is he has no formal training, so his exhortation is deeply biblical. Will read again in 2026.
Jerry Bridges - Respectable Sins
Prepare to say "ouch" when you can't say "amen". Bridges again speaks clearly from the scriptures and exhorts hearers to put away all sin.
Carl Trueman - The Real Scandal of the Evangelical Mind
Trueman points out that "evangelical" is a term that gets thrown out everywhere, but doesn't really mean anything. He gives a very good definition that many "evangelicals" wouldn't agree with, though many would. The real scandal is that evangelical can mean whatever you want and has lumped very strange beliefs together. The best take-away from the book is that you should know what you believe and be able to define it, and that we should probably stop calling ourselves evangelical without defining what that means.
Gene Edwards - A Tale of Three Kings - Mostly Not Recommended
Sort of a poem, sort of a brainstorming exercise, this is the first time I've been exposed to the writing of Gene Edwards, which takes some effort to read. Edwards explores the emotions of King Saul, King David, and Prince Absalom as they wonder about the other's roles in their lives. It steps well outside of biblical fidelity and orthodoxy, but it did make me think deeply about those three men. I don't recommend reading it from a view to the truth, but to consider how you'd react in their shoes, and how the correct response is repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ.
Carl Trueman - Strange New World - Mostly Not Recommended
This is the abridged version of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution. It examines how we've gotten here, from men like Hegel, Marx, and Niezsche; all of this is likely true, but a scriptural foundation would have been more helpful. It makes us victims if we blame Freud for where we are, it makes us victors if we can repent of our own sin and call our neighbors to repentance.
Lee Strobel - The Case for Miracles - Not Recommended
An interesting study to determine if their is a scientific basis for miracles. It has some very entertaining moments, such as retelling the stories of atheists experiencing miracles, but the theology is weak and the case unconvincing from a scientific standpoint.
Ross Douthat – Believe - Not Recommended
Ross Douthat takes the idea from CS Lewis that if you offer genuine service to an unholy god, your service will be counted as righteousness to the true God. It is as anathema today as it was when CS Lewis said it, and yet Douthat has built a whole worldview on the idea that trying your best by picking and choosing from the world's leading religions will always get you a positive outcome. The scriptures are not considered, the truth is not approached, and overall this might be the worst book I read this year, if not ever. There was one very helpful statement, that the movements of the enlightenment, Marx, and Darwin did nothing in comparison to the sexual revolution to lead people astray.
Parenting
John MacArthur - Being a Dad Who Leads
This book should be much more popular, it includes so many useful principles and techniques. If you aren't a dad, or don't have a dad, it's still worth reading as MacArthur writes in a very fatherly way. I will read this book again in the near future. Note - I'm sorry this book is so expensive, I got it at the library and recommend you look there as well, but it is worth the price!
Clare Morell - The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones
Clare Morell has categorized the dangers of smart phones, especially in younger kids and teens, and makes a masterful argument to delaying the giving of smart phones. As an added bonus it greatly helped me to ween myself away from many time-destroying, relationship-hindering apps. Again, sorry it's so expensive, but it is definitely worth the price!
Gary Chapman - 5 Love Languages for Children
I've never put much stock in the 5 Love Languages, but I was surprised at how helpful this book was. It gives all sorts of great practical advise on how to interact with kids who are motivated by other things. As a bonus, it includes a very helpful last chapter on the disaster of divorce for kids feeling loved.
Lee Strobel - The Case for Christ for Kids
This book was fun and got the kids thinking. Great kid level questions and answers.
Canyon Shearer - The Character of Creatures
I've been working on this book for about six years, it's nice to finally have it done. It uses various animal illustrations to drive home scriptural points. Including here because to publish I read it about ten times.
Canyon Shearer – A Saviour for Shepherds in David’s City
An interesting Christmas devotional told from the point of view of the shepherds outside of Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. It explores why these shepherds were so eager to find the Christ child!
Robert Smith - The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory - Mostly Not Recommended
This new book attempts to set a biblical narrative against the Transgender Theory. In my mind that is a simple proposition and I don't think I could write a book of this length. Many reviewers state that you need to read this book with a careful eye...I will be honest that of all of the books on this list, I was most distracted reading this book. A much better and easy to follow book is Laura Perry - Transgender to Transformed: A Story of Transition That Will Truly Set You Free.
Doug Wilson - Andrew and the Firedrake - Not Recommended
It's been a while since I read this, so one word really comes to mind: forgettable. I thought it was going to be a great book to read with the kids, but I shelved that idea. If I remember right, the interactions between the dragon are without suspense, and the main point didn't drive home a moral. I really can't believe how little I remember of this book.
Marriage
Gary Thomas and Debra Fileta - Married Sex
A very helpful look at the biblical commands and the emotional connection behind sex. The first chapter starts out a little vulgar (not too much, but makes you think it's not going to be a good book) but then the rest of the book is very helpful. The frequently asked question section is especially helpful both for long-time married couples, and those just starting out.
Jay Payleitner - 52 Things Wives Need From Their Husbands
This is a profound book full of levity and helpful suggestions. Many of the principles seem like just common sense, but Payleitner has a way to tying them to scripture. He also gives great exhortation when he needs to. I'll reread this book sometime in the future. There is also a companion book that I haven't read yet, but I expect is equally good: Jay Payleitner - 52 Things Husbands Need from Their Wives: What Wives Can Do to Build a Stronger Marriage.
Biography
WA Criswell - Standing on the Promises
WA Criswell masterfully tells his story while encouraging everyone from parents, to aspiring pastors, to professors, to church members to invest in the local church and individual Christians to turn the world upside down. One of the most incredibly biographies I've read in a long time!
Amy Carmichael – The Gold Cord
I adore Amy Carmichael and have had this book on my shelf for quite some time. It was nice to finally open it. This book reads more like a journal than a polished biography, some of the chapters are out of sequence, and some of the characters are never introduced, you're just expected to know them. Worse, many of the stories that seem like they would have a resolution are never resolved. It makes for a difficult read, but highly encouraging nonetheless. It will break your heart for the millions and billions of people worldwide who live utterly cut off from the light of the gospel.
Ronald White - American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant
More vulgar and hopeless than I remember, it was still good to reread this sort of biography, sort of historical fiction. When you are presuming on God to owe you something, read about people who seemed abandoned by God. I was greatly encouraged by the Baptists in the story who I didn't know were there, and their handwritten scriptures and indelible faith.
Janet and Geoff Benge – William Booth: Soup, Soap, and Salvation
I was surprised that I would put this book this far down the list, but this biography tends to focus much more on the later life of Booth after he started to run the Salvation "Army" than the early victories for which I consider him such a great evangelist. You'll walk away wondering if Booth wasn't on the verge of starting a cult.
Margaret Troutt - The General Was a Lady: The Story of Evangeline Booth
A very interesting and well written account of Eva Booth's life and ministry. Just enough overview and person stories that it definitely kept my attention. Doesn't touch on the theology of her appointment or preaching, and the sermons are usually just described as powerful rather than giving details. You get a different view of William Booth's autocracy when it's shaking up "Army" posts all over the world, and not for the good.
Josh McDowell - More Than a Carpenter
I didn't quite know where to put this book, but I think it is mostly a biography of how McDowell came to faith in Christ. He brings up frequently asked questions and does a pretty reasonable job of answering them. If you're exploring Christianity, you'd be interested to learn how McDowell arrived at the truth.
Malcolm Gladwell - Bomber Mafia
I wrestled with if this book should go higher on this list. Very well researched and presented, you'll be taken all over the battlefields of WWII and understand some of the more controversial tactics used by the Americans to win the war. Probably the best takeaway is that if we won't be demoralized by being bombed to smithereens, why would we expect our enemies to give up because they are bombed?
Starr Smith - Biography of Jimmy Stewart
This book is a good introduction to how Jimmy Stewart faced his own battle just to get into World War II, and then how he inspired so many men and had some fun while doing it. You will have a different view of this great actor when you're done with the book. It's low on this list though because it's pretty matter-of-fact without personal stories that I would like to take-away.
John Perry - Sergeant York: A Biography of an American Patriot and World War I Hero
I read this book while researching Conscientious Objectors. That section of the book is phenomenal, however, the post war events really drag on and while Sergeant York is worthy of emulating in a lot of ways, he also failed to let his faith guide him later in life.
John Perry - George Washington Carver: A Biography of a Scientist, Botanist, and Former Slave
Another book that I expected to be higher on the list, and maybe it should be. George Washington Carver lived an amazing life. I'm putting it low on the list because I was greatly discouraged by selfish and prideful Carver was. However, the best take-away from this book was when Carver prayed that God would show him everything there was to know about science, to which Carver realized one lifetime could not accomplish that, so he asked to know everything about the peanut, which was still too much for one man to learn, but he did his best!
1) If you ever find yourself feeling ungrateful, consider that you don't have to have fruits/vegetables, a dry/warm bed, continual and infinite opportunities for conversation and learning, running water (& Toilet Paper!), and GPS/radios/cell-phones. 2) How are you redeeming your time? Several members of the expedition read their Bibles from cover to cover multiple times, others had deep conversations on many subjects, some wiled away the time on fleshly considerations. 3) Consider your role, are you like Shackleton charged with leading two dozen men on an impossible task, or are you being a good follower who maintains hope in hopelessness? In my pride I read it from Shackleton's standpoint, and I would have failed miserably, if I read it again I'll consider from a nearly anonymous crewmember. 4) If you ever feel important or powerful or larger than life, consider what you'd do if you had to cross the Drake Passage on a 22 foot lifeboat.
Chaplaincy
Tim Townsend - Mission at Nuremberg: An American Army Chaplain and the Trial of the Nazis
A wonderful look at Henry Gerecke who was charged with leading condemned Nazi war criminals for forgiveness in Christ. Most of the book is about the horrors of the Nazi regime and worth reading for that reason, there is also a great personal look at his upbringing and reason for joining the army so late. Gives you a lot of think about on how you would minister to war criminals and if Jesus truly is able to save even the chief of sinners. Right in the middle of the book is a completely unhelpful examination of a biblical critique method known as the "documentary hypothesis", which has long since been abandoned.
Canyon Shearer - The Better Chaplain Devotional - Not Released Yet
Keep a look-out, I've been working on this book for a long time and read it through about five times this year! If you'd be willing to write a review when it releases in February, I'll send you a copy of the manuscript!
Jeff Struecker is a retired army chaplain who did much to inspire my generation of chaplains. He tells the story from the ground in Mogadishu. His polished delivery will keep you on the edge of your seat, and then he masterfully tells how he became a chaplain and the leap of faith that took.
Doris Bergen - The Sword of the Lord: Military Chaplains from the First to the Twenty-First Century
An interesting look at little vignettes of chaplaincy through the ages. Mostly Roman Catholic, but still inspiring. The best part of the book is the critique of Nazi chaplains who didn't stand up for God, truth, or faith in the midst of such wickedness in their ranks. It could have spent time on those Nazi chaplains who did pay with their life for standing against Hitler. I have heard that another of her books does examine this topic, I may read it in the future: Between God and Hitler: Military Chaplains in Nazi Germany.
Leadership
Justin Irving gives a masterful overview of various leadership styles while examining scriptures as he goes. A great leadership book for every career field.
John MacArthur - Called to Lead
MacArthur masterfully uses the Apostle Paul to point out that leadership is discipleship. He uses many of the stories in the book of Acts and elsewhere to call Christians everywhere to lead in their capacities and point people to Jesus Christ.
John Maxwell - Think on These Things: Meditations for Leaders
A nice concise book on the importance of thinking deeply about important topics, starting with getting your heart and mind right before God. The stories he tells are entertaining, but for younger readers a lot of the context is missing because his stories all revolve around the leaders of the last generation.
Tod Bolsinger - Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory
Not my favorite book, but interesting none-the-less. Bolsinger follows the trek of Lewis and Clark across the country drawing leadership lessons as they go. Light on Bible and heavy on vulgarity, you're not going to get much Christian leadership out of this book, but I'm non "not recommending" it because of the historical value.
John Cotter - Leading Change - Not Recommended
A leadership book that spells out an effective 8 step model, but the authority is all from anecdotal evidence, not science and definitely not the scriptures.
Simon Sinek - Start With Why - Not Recommended
I love the idea of this book, the title alone is everything you need to know, that a person who knows their why is likely to find a how. Like Cotters book above, it's all anecdotal, and while the premise is true, I didn't get much from the book.
Mike Bonem, James Furr and Jim Herrington – Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey - Not Recommended
Like everything that comes out of Rick Warren's and Bill Hybels's churches, this book feels like someone said, "Write a book about Christian leadership based on what you've read on Facebook and seen on TBN; but under no circumstances pick up a Bible." This book is vapid at best and antichristian at worst.
Thomas Neff and James Citrin - You’re in Charge, Now What? The 8 Point Plan - Not Recommended
I picked up this book because a friend recommended it. First, and age isn't always a bad thing, this book is twenty years old and tells the story of companies that have long since slid from the top of their fields. Further it uses Enron consistently as a bad example, but Enron hasn't been at the forefront of my mind for two decades. Ultimately though, the lessons are based on metrics such as earnings and growth, not on biblical fidelity. If you're a chaplain reading this, please don't run a chapel like this book recommends. I did like, however, that your 'state of incompetence' should be temporary, and that you should be growing in your new role.
Counseling
John MacArthur - Anxious For Nothing
A really great look at Solomon and the Sermon on the Mount on how it's not just wrong to be anxious, it's a sin. In this world where there is so much to be anxious about, this is a clarion call to give all your burdens to Jesus.
Alfred Poirier – The Peacemaking Pastor: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Church Conflict
Jumping off of Ken Sande's The Peacemaker this book takes it inside the church and gives a really solid biblical reason why Christians don't have an option to live at peace with each other, they must live at peace with each other. Filled with stories of difficult situations, most of which were resolved, I loved reading this targeted book and hope more pastors put it to work! Be advised though, it will make you mad because so many pastors don't even try to make peace.
Todd Sorrel - Unwasted Sorrow: How To Suffer Well For Your Own Sin
A very helpful little book on the consequences of sin. The main takeaway is that God is working in the consequences and that the Christian ought to be serving God because he's worthy, not to gain rewards. Super helpful book for counselors, and those who are living the consequences of their sins. One sin (or many) does not negate God's faithfulness or the Christian's ability to work and serve.
Lou Priolo – Divorce: Before You Say "I Don’t"
Lou Priolo is a wonderful pastor and counselor and so it's no surprise that this short little book is full of wisdom, biblical truths, and hope. Written for those considering divorce, it dispels the rumors and gives dire consequences for divorce. The main takeaway is that divorce is going to hurt, and so is marriage, but one is blessed by God.
A great examination of emotional, spiritual, and physical problems. Welch is ultimately driving towards the fact that God can work in every circumstance, but every circumstance can't be healed physically, which is why we have to point all people to Jesus.
David Powlison - Speaking Truth in Love: Counsel in Community
I need to reread this one again, as I was distracted in the reading, but the main point is worth the book, that speaking truth is absolutely important, but so is speaking in love, and that the two are not mutually exclusive. Powlison was a phenomenal counselor, and this book motivated me, which is one of the reasons I need to read it again to make sure I've gleaned everything I can from it.
Fred Stoeker - Every Young Man's Battle: Strategies for Real World of Sexual Temptation - Not Recommended
I'll be upfront, this is the only book I couldn't get through this year; it comes at sexual sin as a victim, not a victor, and there were quite a few times I felt the main author was bragging on his earlier exploits, despite him trying to say how unfulfilling they were. I've never been a fan of Every Man's Battle but wanted to see what an updated version might say. After being told so many times that all men are victims of this sin, and the fact that it's quite a long book, I gave up. A much better resource is Heath Lamber - Finally Free: Fighting for Purity With the Power of Grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment