J Curve

Paul Miller

This is the book I needed more than I knew. It reminded me that resurrection is always preceded by death, and “death" is the way of the cross. Jesus’ call for us to take up our cross and follow him is not new, but this book made it so powerfully clear and compelling. Miller is one of my favorite authors for a reason. Read this and you’ll see why.

Gentle and Lowly

Dane Ortlund

This book came out last year, and within a few months I’d found it and discovered what a balm it was to my hurting heart. It reminded me that Jesus loved me, but then told me how he loves me. If you are experiencing doubt or discouragement that doesn’t seem to lift, this book will be a great encouragement. You will be blessed.

Finding the Right Hills to Die On

Gavin Ortlund

It’s not often that two brothers write two powerful books in the same year, but the sons of Ray Ortlund (a favorite teacher of mine) have done it. This book is on “theological triage”—how do we “rank” doctrinal disagreements in importance. Given the divisive atmosphere in evangelical culture today, this was a good reminder and corrective. A well-done and helpful work.

Total Forgiveness

R. T. Kendall

This was a book I took a long time to read, and when I finished, I wasn’t sure if I agreed with everything in it, but the overall impact made me examine just how fully I forgive (or don’t). Seeing how holding on to offenses poisons the spirit, I am grateful for the challenge this book provided.

Knowing God

J. I. Packer

This book was a life-changing read in my student days, and I have continued to go back and re-read (and now re-listen) to Packer’s incredible unpacking of our God’s greatness and beauty. For the person who wants understand the incredible nature and work of our God, there is no better book to choose.

The Chronicles of Narnia

C. S. Lewis

OK, I’m giving Lewis another nod because his Chronicles of Narnia has been such a powerful influence in my thinking. It’s great for kids, but so much more. And I should mention Lewis’s Space Trilogy here, too—it’s great! Lewis’s fiction teaches but in the best ways—nothing feels forced.

Mere Christianity

C. S. Lewis

Which of his books to put here? This one wins because I’ve used it the most to help others with deep questions about their faith. It has stood the test of time. But don’t forget “The Screwtape Letters,” “The Four Loves,” “The Great Divorce,” “The Problem of Pain,” and about a dozen others.

Pontius Pilate

Paul L. Maier

This was the first of Maier’s historical fiction works I read, and I’d recommend them all. He is an historian by profession and uses his wealth of biblical and historical material to paint a convincing portrait of one of the most pitiable characters in the New Testament. You can then read “The Flames of Rome” or “A Skeleton in God’s Closet.”

A Praying Life

Paul Miller

This is the best book on prayer that I’ve read—not for a theology of prayer, but to learn how to pray. It has had ongoing fruit in my life and introduced me to one of my favorite authors. I almost included another of his books, “A Loving Life” as well.

Holiness

J. C. Ryle

This is a great book on this vital subject, and it’s written by a pastor whose life radiated the content. His suffering for the sake of Gospel fidelity makes it an even more compelling read—I highly recommend his biography as well and have a supply of his “Thoughts for Young Men” that I give out.

The Lord of the Rings

J. R. R. Tolkien

If you know, you know. If you don’t or don’t want to, that’s OK, too. This is a massive and massively good fantasy that is more revealing of the true world than many non-fiction attempts to explain it. For those who enjoy them, all the books are available in audio form, but I’d still read them.

The Discipline of Grace

Jerry Bridges

There are so many helpful works that I could have listed, but I chose this one because it brings together a number of the themes that Bridges has expounded so well in his works. This book helps us think about how grace works in us. Read this, then get another of his books, and another.