I read some really great books, and some truly awful books, this year. Here are a few that deserve special mention.
The Best NonFiction
- Faithful Disobedience, Wang Yi. This is a collection of articles, essays, blog posts, and sermons from leaders in the underground church in China. It is incredibly sobering while also being inspirational. Christians across the globe should be asking themselves the question, ‘What if the government here…?’
- Defending Shame, Te-Li Lau. This was an excellent book on the important role shame plays in personal moral formation and societal cohesion. It’s not an easy read, but a deep dive into etymology, historical context, philosophy, and exegetical work.
- Holy Unhappiness, Amanda Held Opelt. This book was helpful in its honesty. It’s a piercing critique of the emotional prosperity gospel, which has taken root even in churches (and hearts) that reject the more crass material prosperity gospel.
- Christ, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, Leonard Vander Zee. This book is a constructive project, looking for and building on the common ground regarding the sacraments. Not all, especially Anabaptists or others who think nothing truly happens in the sacraments, will be satisfied, but Vander Zee’s work is encouraging.
The Best Fiction
- Standard Candles, Rachel Lulich. A great conclusion to this sci-fi series that I enjoyed very much.
- A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles. I can’t tell you why I like this book so much, but it was a pleasure. And, I think my book club voted this the best book we read this year!
Some of the worst…
- Universal Christ, Richard Rohr. Just awful. I can’t take authors who suggest that we have gotten it all wrong for 2000 years, but now they’re here to set us straight.
- Christian Nationalism, William Wolfe. Poison. Pure and simple.
- American Idolatry, Andrew Whitehead. As a critique of Christian Nationalism, it falls woefully short.
God Entranced 