2-3 minutes to read
This year I read less than the previous year. This time was heavily focused around podcasts, twitter, learning about the world of tech startups, and working for https://micromobility.io on a time-intensive Computer Science major. Reading was at this point still pretty skewed toward a few select books in the metaphysical camp of knowledge, as you can easily tell from the list.
#1: Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller
Definitely will reread. This book was an easy #1 for the year in terms of influence on me. It was profound in changing long-held (both explicit and latent) assumptions regarding work, the private sector, creating, building, giving, and living as a follower of Jesus. Thanks Michal Naka for the second year with a chart-topping recommendation!
#2: Giving Wisely? by Jonathan Martin
Generally, a very strong book on the topic of giving in a way that is not self-righteous, ignorant, or foolish (which characterizes most giving done by the leading world over the last 100 years—including across religious and secular lines). Another thing few perceive at all is when giving can actually paradoxically harm, cripple, corrupt, or endanger (where inescapable targets a put on an individual or collective back). Martin’s book is concise, approachable, and engaging—and one I’d buy for entire groups given the right context.
#3 Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen
Machen is a legend. It was special to step into a century-ago world in which Christianity and religion were each precipitously declining—especially in leading universities, but including all seven of the leading Christian denominations (secularizing both within and without). Where people were not fully abandoning Christianity, they were finding its bedrock beliefs and events unpalatable and inventing creative new interpretations that—as Machen would argue—emptied Christianity of its power, substance, and even its worthiness of preservation. Machen was in many ways the holdout and an extraordinary one. Will reread when I’m back on the subject.
#4: Muslims, Christians, and Jesus by Carl Medearis
I knew very little about Islam. This was excellent for gaining a base understanding of its fundamental beliefs as well as how to practically engage with Muslims in an honoring, non-ignorant, non-arrogant way. Islam has probably never been much understood in the U.S., but the last two decades have been painted by 9/11, ISIS, Al Qaeda, many middle east conflicts (wars only just now in 2023 finally being more commonly questioned on their merits) - all fuel for the now widely distrusted media. While there’s certainly merit in the founding acts and texts of Islam being connected to violence, any view that stops there is woefully inadequate and this book bolstered my convictions for charitable, respectful discourse.
#5: Expositional Preaching by David Helm
Generally a solid book on the subject of preaching. Concise to the level of being one of the most central selling points. I’m not a fan of how much they charge for the books in this set...seems contrary to expand reach then reduce it. The standout illustration for me was how many preachers see the Bible as a drunk man sees a lamp post on a dark night. It’s something to lean on—not something to stand under for illumination.
No Honorable Mentions This Year
For one, I didn’t read that much this year in comparison to future years. I also want to be at least somewhat sparing in giving our honorable mentions so they mean something.
Other Books:
- The Insanity of God - a book on global persecution of Christians/proliferation of Christianity
- Book on Biblical Theology by Michael Lawrence
Previous years list → 2018
Next years list → 2020