On My Bookshelf for 2023

I love to read; in fact, it is an addiction and a problem! Like most pastors I have many books that I have not read in my library. Yet I still want more. Honestly, can you have too many books? I don’t think so. Not every book that I read is listed but here are some of the ones I read this past year:

This is a big book! I am slowly going through this tome devotionally. John Calvin was 27 when he wrote the Institutes but edited it throughout his life. The Institutes of the Christian Religion has been a pillar for Protestant theology for 500 years.

After the Bible, this book was number two in copies sold. It has remained in print since 1678. Bunyan a simple man, wrote this as an allegory of the Christian life from the first steps of faith till the final step into eternity. This is a must read.

Buzzard writes a very practical, yet gospel centered book to husbands, encouraging them to pursue their wives.

I am always trying to read a book on ministry to sharpen my calling to Christ’s Church. Martin writes with decades of experience to pastors.

I walked my church through this book on Sunday nights and what an eye-opening book on the person of Jesus Christ. I heartily recommend this book to every Christian.

The first time I read this book it was a game changer in my mind of the centrality and simplicity of the gospel. I have reread it many times as a pastor.

I was attracted the art of the book first, and secondly to the title. After reading this book I knew I would be coming back to it again and again for its wisdom.

Even though I have been to seminary, it is nice to stay sharp on interpretation and this book did not disappoint. Though it is big, it is written for the church member not the theologian. Every Christian serious about studying their Bible should get this book.

Immensely practical and straight forward in the teaching and application. Bridges doesn’t just talk about the need of godliness but helps us put it in to practice.

Every morning I read this to my youngest son. The art is beautiful, Jesus is the main theme of each story. The stories are short for his attention span. This is a great option for family worship.