A few years ago it always seemed simple to find a few consensus picks. Recently, though, it has become far more difficult. So while I scour as many lists as ever, it is rare for a single book to appear on more than a handful of them. With that in mind, here are the ones... Continue Reading

These books left an imprint on me, causing me to think, feel, laugh, and hope while I read them and after completing them…I share this list, hoping that they do the same for you.   I always enjoy reading end-of-year book lists. As in past years, I’ve broken my list up into two categories, “Christian... Continue Reading

In verse 42, the thief said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” By acknowledging that Jesus has a kingdom, the thief affirmed Christ’s lordship… Beza observes that the Gospel accounts emphasize how the disciples scattered, with only John remaining at the cross. None of the Twelve spoke on Jesus’s behalf or testified... Continue Reading

Some scientists have proposed an underground location for the origin of life where molecular formation would be protected from water and atmospheric interference. But the underground locations available in the early earth would have been incredibly hostile to the formation of bio-chemical precursors, proteins and RNA. Just as problematic would be imagining a scenario in... Continue Reading

‘Cultural Sanctification’ by Stephen O. Presley. In this excellent book of cultural apologetics, Presley argues that the church today must look back to the doctrine, practices, and priorities of the early church to properly navigate life in a culture hostile to Christ and Christians.   Daily Doctrine by Kevin DeYoung  This is my pick for... Continue Reading

Those who participate in a public debate should do so in a spirit of self-denial. This is the appropriate attitude for those who are convinced how difficult the task is, how feeble and ineffective they themselves are, and how subtle the principal adversary which they have to do with is. Therefore, people should not commit... Continue Reading

Wisdom from the Ancients: 30 Forgotten Lessons from the Early Church by Bryan M. Litfin (Harvest House, 2022). Consider also Chapter 6 which reminds us that Christians have always been misfits. The early believers knew that they were strangers in a strange land. While they always sought to have a positive impact on the world around them,... Continue Reading

The New Testament’s description of Christ’s miraculous conception, virgin birth, and childhood are fulfillments of the Old Testament’s hope. This includes hope for the Messiah, for David’s son, for Abraham’s heir, for the seed of woman. It includes hope for the restored temple, for the restored land, and for the restored people of God. As... Continue Reading

To avoid root fallacies when interpreting the meaning of biblical words, use the help of reliable lexicons along with knowing how the same writer uses the particular word elsewhere. Then strive to understand the word in its immediate context. Your understanding of the Bible will be noticeably and fruitfully enhanced.   The very first fallacy... Continue Reading

Because we cannot avoid presupposing that a supremely wise God of perfect goodness, righteousness, justice, and truth alone sets the standard by which all things that fail to meet this standard must be measured. Without the sun, we’d never know that we lurk beneath the shadows. In other words, without a supremely good God, you... Continue Reading