Winter Reading List

Sanctify this Winter season by spending some quality time in books that will lift your soul, challenge your heart, and shape your mind. Start up the fire place, make a hot cup of tea, put the kids to bed, and pull out one of these gems. In addition to the books below, I recommend you consider taking the Puritan Challenge.

1. Jeremy Bridges - Respectable Sins
* I just brought this beauty home from the bookstore. Highly readable (2.0 Reading Level). It challenges us to take a hard look at the sins in our heart that we so often refuse to challenge. Perhaps one of the most powerful contemporary books I've read in months.

2. David Dickson - Truth's Victory Over Error
* My wife promised this one to me for Christmas, but since Banner of Truth is closed until the beginning of January, it will be a belated Christmas present. David Dickson was an highly esteemed Puritan, pastor, and Biblical scholar. If I recall, this book was essentially a commentary (collection of sermons) on the Westminster Confession.

3. John Piper - Seeing and Savoring Jesus
* This is the book I gave to every person in my congregation this Christmas. Piper can be difficult to read, and I do wish they had tried to make this more accessible to a general audience. For those wishing to go through the effort, this book will aid one in "seeing and savoring" our precious Lord.

4. Timothy Rogers - Trouble of the Mind and the Disease of Melancholy
* The Puritans understood depression ("melancholy"). Unlike some conservative Christians today, they didn't take the approach of "just love God and get over it" when dealing with those undergoing depression. They understood this was a disease which befell both Christian and non-Christian alike. Of all the Puritan writings on the subject, none are more tender (as well as thorough) than Timothy' Rogers Trouble of the Mind. If you suffer from depression, or wish to understand others who are depressed, this book is a valuable guide.

5. Richard Sibbes - The Bruised Reed
* Sibbes is another author who wrote about depression. Though not an thorough as Rogers, Sibbes is much more lovely, sweet, and pastoral. Start here, and then move to Rogers.

6. John Flavel - The Mystery of Providence
* I am fairly new to Flavel, but this comes highly recommended from many friends. Read it, and share your thoughts of the book on this blog.

7. Thomas Watson - The Godly Man's Picture
* What does a Christian "look like"? Watson, on of the most beloved Puritan figures, takes a deep look into the character and attributes of one who loves God. Along with this book I would also recommend Francis Schaeffer's The Mark of Christian.

8. N. T. Wright - Simply Christian
* N.T. Wright is perhaps the foremost British theologian alive. Bishop and scholar within the Anglican church. While controversial in some of his teachings, his influence cannot be denied. Much in the vein of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, N.T. Wright seeks to encapsulate the message of Christianity for the non-Christian contemporary world.

9. Brother Lawrence - The Practice of the Presence of God
* A universally regarded spiritual classic, The Practice of the Presence of God has been a source of spiritual strength to me for several years. I first read this in my freshman year of seminary (recommended from an older classmate), and it has been a beloved companion ever since. Read it, and see how a common monk found joy in inviting God's presence into every aspect of his daily life.

10. Waltke - An Old Testament Theology
* Nothing in more important than God's word. While reading and understanding human authors is good, insofar as it helps us better understand the divine word, we must remember that our primary reading should be in scripture. I warmly recommend Waltke's large volume on the Old Testament. Wade through this great work and let the Old Testament come alive in your hear.