There are just so many books out there, I could spend all of my days reading and writing reviews and there still wouldn’t be enough time. Here are a few shorter recommendations for you of books that I think can be useful for you, my dear readers. I’ve even been nice and put them in ranking order of how highly I would recommend them. I think each book could be helpful for different people, but I would definitely recommend the first two to almost anyone.
Incomparable by Andrew Wilson
This is one of my most favourite books. Each chapter is just a few pages long, but it is full of depth that you can never out-grow. This book is all about God, who He is, what He has done and what He continues to do. This book is jammed with breathtaking theology that will point you to our amazing God who is beyond our wildest imagination. I’ve read it a few times over the years and I always recommend it to Christian, both new and more mature believers. In an easy way, Wilson intertwines beautiful theology with helpful illustrations to make you be more in awe with God each day. My personal recommendation is to take one chapter each day and mull on it. You will grow, you will be stretched, you will be challenged in your thinking, but most importantly, you will be lead to worship our Great God for who He is! Buy a copy, in fact, buy 3 and give two away (You can’t say know for less than £10!)
Truth for Life by Alistair Begg
Begg nails it. This daily devotional is full of biblical wisdom, theological insights and a pastoral voice that urges you to live for Jesus. Each devotional is a page long and is designed to help you understand the part of Scripture you’re focusing on and see its implications for your life today. At the end of each page you’re given three symbols that serve as a reminder to ask yourself three reflective questions;
- How is God calling me to think differently?
- How is God reordering my heart’s affections – what I love?
- What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?
This devotional will encourage, stretch and challenge you. I really like the fact that Begg dips in and out of the Old Testament and gives you pointers, at the end of each devotional, of another relevant passage to the one you’ve worked through that day. Also, at the bottom of every page you’ll find a footnote that, if followed, will help you read the Bible in a year. Definitely worth grabbing a copy 🙂
Straight to the heart of Job by Phil Moore
Job has been one of my favourite books in the Bible for many many years. I just love it. Over the summer I also has the privilege of preaching through it and so when I got the opportunity to review this book I was really looking forward to it. Do not be put off by the cover! Whilst the book doesn’t have the most eye-catching cover, the contents are good. I wouldn’t agree with everything (surprise, surprise!), but Moore brings out some good insights from the book of Job, some challenges for the Christian today and helpful pointers to assist the reader understand the bigger picture going on int he book of Job. This short book will help you get into Job, it is not a comprehensive look at the book, but more of a devotional commentary.
Rooted and Grounded by Jeremy Walker
Seeing ‘1689’ in someone’s Twitter bio isn’t always something positive. But, the doctrine that the Baptist Confession of 1689 upholds should not be tarnished by the few (very loud) voices who are not charitable in their approach to those who disagree with them. In this short book, Jeremy Walker, has given readers a new edition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. Each point has a footnote with Bible references that are useful for you to check if you agree with the confession’s assessment of a particular doctrinal point. In addition to this, Walker has added in more modern language in brackets to help the modern reader understand a document that was penned in another time. If you’re looking for an introduction to Systematic Theology from a Baptist’s perspective, this is a good place to start 🙂
The Fiery Edge of Love by Samuel Rutherford
I’m a geek, no surprises there right?!?! I love Church History, and especially Scottish Church History. Samuel Rutherford should be a well-known name amongst those who have any knowledge of Scottish Church History. He was a Scottish Presbyterian preacher in the 17th Century and his writing continues to impact Christian today. This book has a slightly longer introduction, which gives you an insight into Rutherford’s life, and then has a list of quotes on a variety of doctrines, on the Christina life, the character of God and more. The quotes aren’t long, but they’ll certainly get you thinking.
*** I received these books from the publishers in exchange for honest reviews. This does not change the way I rate the books, my views are my own. ***
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