Greetings in Christ,
Many of you will not be surprised that one of my favorite activities to do outside of spending time with my wife or playing golf is reading. This past year I read 145 books but here are some of my favorites that I think you should check out. Many of the books on this list were not published in 2010 but they are still well worth your attention.
1) What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert. This is an important book that clearly articulates what the Gospel is and its importance for the Christian life. This is an especially important book given the popularity of the terms “Gospel-Centered” and “Christ-Centered”. This book clearly articulates what it means to be Gospel-Centered and Christ-Centered. You can pick up a copy here: http://www.amazon.com/What-Gospel-9Marks-Greg-Gilbert/
2) Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. This is one of the best books on ministry I’ve read. In this book the authors explain the importance of what a ministry grounded thoroughly in the Gospel looks like and how to train disciples and pastors to be trainers for the sake of the Gospel. You can pick up a copy of the book at http://www.amazon.com/Trellis-Vine-Ministry-Mind-Shift-Everything
3) Deep things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything by Fred Sanders. This is a book that should be read by every Christian who is serious about studying the Bible. Dr. Sanders in this book clearly articulates how the Trinity is thoroughly Gospel centered and saturated. You can pick up the book at http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Things-God-Trinity-Everything/
4) For the Fame of God’s Name: Essays in Honor of John Piper is a book that needs to be read slowly and prayerfully. This book is written by a “who’s who” in the evangelical world. It is written for the purpose of honoring the ministry service of Dr. John Piper and his contributions to the Body of Christ. You can pick up the book at http://www.amazon.com/Fame-Gods-Name-Essays-Honor/
5) How People Change by Tim Lane and Paul David Tripp is one of the best books I read this year. If you’ve tried, failed in your Christian life you need to read this book. This book clearly sets forth the biblical pattern for change that doesn’t minimize Scripture but is thoroughly Scripture-saturated. You can pick up this book at http://www.amazon.com/How-People-Change-Timothy-Lane/
6) What did you expect? by Paul David Tripp is a book that every married couple needs to read. This book takes the Bible seriously and rigorously applies the Gospel to every area of one’s marriage. Reading book will help you to learn how to live with your spouse in a way that honors God. You can pick up this book at http://www.amazon.com/What-Did-You-Expect-Redeeming/
7) Marriage matters by Winston Smith is one of the best marriage books I’ve ever read. In this book Winston Smith outlines not only what marriage is but how to have a marriage that is thoroughly grounded in the Gospel, and how to live out the Gospel in one’s marriage. You can buy this book at http://www.amazon.com/Marriage-Matters-Extraordinary-Through-Ordinary/
8- God’s Glory in Salvation through Judgment by James Hamilton is an outstanding contribution to the field of biblical theology. Reading this book will help you to learn how God’s glory in judgment is played out throughout the Bible. You can buy this book at http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Glory-Salvation-through-Judgment/
9) Bonheoffer Pastor, Martyr, Prophet and Spy by Eric Metaxas is one of the best written biographies I’ve ever read. In this book, Eric explores the life and impact of Dietrich Bonheoffer. You can buy this book at: http://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Pastor-Martyr-Prophet-Spy/
10) A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a distracting world by Paul E. Miller is a very helpful book that will help you learn and grow in your prayer life. In this book, Paul discusses why most of us don’t pray and the importance of prayer. You can buy this book at: http://www.amazon.com/Praying-Life-Connecting-Distracting-World/
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
