The Best Books I Read in 2009


Well 2010 has come upon us, so that means another year of reading has come to an end. So what were the best books I read last year?

1. Michael Horton, The Gospel Driven Life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World

Horton tends to make it to the top of my lists of best books, but much as I like many of his books, The Gospel Driven Life is his best yet. It's not only non-Christians that need the Gospel, Christians do too. (I could also have mentioned Christless Christianity.)

2. Timothy Ward, Words of Life: Scripture as the Living and Active Word of God

The most important theological book of the year. Finally an evangelical look at the doctrine of Scripture which is neither polemic, apologetic or distracted. I've already written a review and even went so far as to give away a copy in Apostolic Theology's first ever competition.

3. Dennis E. Johnson, Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures

My all time favourite book on preaching. While many preaching books focus on presentation, Johnson focuses on Christ. He explores how the Bible itself approaches preaching and then builds upon this solid theological foundation.

4. Elyse M. Fitzparick & Dennis E. Johnson, Counsel from the Cross: Connecting Broken People to the Love of Christ

Putting pastoral counselling in its proper perspective, this book shows how the Gospel really is for the whole of the Christian life. Pastors, elders and anyone else involved in pastoral counselling should get their hands on a copy.

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5. Thabiti M. Anyabwile, What is a Healthy Church Member?

Short, sweet and to the point. Brilliant gospel-focused, Scripture based look at what it means to be a healthy church member, and hence a healthy, growing Christian. See my review.

6. Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington, The Great Exchange: My Sin for His Righteousness

A book on the atonement, tracing the theme of penal substitution through most of the books of the New Testament. This is a book for everyone. It's easy to read and will help you better understand what Jesus did on the Cross.

7. J.V. Fesko, Justification: Understanding the Classic Reformed Doctrine

An in depth theological book on the doctrine by which the Church stands or falls. I've already written about it here.

8. Bryan Chapell, Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life By Beginning in Jesus' Name

A great book on prayer. See my review.

9. Kevin Deyoung and Ted Kluck, Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be)

Informative and fun to read. I've also written about this one.

10. David Allen, Neglected Feast: Rescuing the Breaking of Bread

The best Pentecostal book I read in 2009. Easy to read, yet treating a serious topic. I highly recommend it to all Pentecostals, especially pastors and elders. I've written a review here.

(For my top reads of 2008, see here and here.)