I reviewed over a hundred titles on our blog in 2016. So here’s the top books from that list. My categories is as follows: Best Book on the Bible, Best book on Theology, Best book on Apologetics, Best Practical Christian book, Best General Non-Fiction, Best Comic Book and Best Audio Book. Each category has a link to my original review.
Best Book on the Bible
The Flow of the Psalms by O. Palmer Robertson
This was the best book I’ve ever read on the organization of the Psalms and how it contributes to our interpretation of it. This is years of serious research and reflection on the Psalms. I believe it would be a resource I would use as a reference for a long time and perhaps worth reading more than once!
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
Best book on Theology
The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross
I first heard of this book nearly ten years ago but I finally got around to reading this classic in 2016. Leon Morris poured a lot of energy to his exegetical research on doctrines related to the Gospel (Justification, Redemption, Propitiation, the blood, etc).
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
Best book on Apologetics
John Frame’s Selected Shorter Writings Volume 3
For seasoned Presuppositional apologists or those new to Presuppositional apologetics these collection of shorter writings provide brief but clear explanation on Presuppositional apologetics among other subjects.
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
Best Practical Christian book
The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry Bridges
This book was nothing short of life transforming. The power for true change in life is the Gospel and Jerry Bridges connects the dot of how this is so. This book has changed my life dramatically and also members of my congregation.
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
Best General Non-Fiction
The Insurgents by Fred Kaplan
One of the my top two books in understanding how the military dealt with Iraq and the bigger picture of military leadership.
Purchase: Amazon
Best Comic Book
The Jekyll Island Chronicles, Book One: A Machine Age War
Good story and clean. Well researched in terms of the historical content but has a steampunk feel. Kids and adult comic book readers will enjoy it!
Purchase: Amazon
Best Audio Book
The King James Version of the New Testament
You can never go wrong listening to God’s Word.
Purchase: Amazon
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for the reblog, how is your day going so far brother Vincent?
You’re very welcome Pastor Jim! Been a prayerful and quiet day, my back is starting to settle down and is almost pain free…
Thanks! I bought the apologetics one just now on this rec. I haven’t done any study in this area for several years, and would like to get back on board at some point. Kreeft, Morelend, Wagner, Bruce, Geisler, are among some of my past reads.
Nice! I also know its long overdue, but I finally followed your blog!
HA!! Not necessary, but appreciated!
Thanks for the list, Jim. Too many books, not enough time.
I know how you feel! What are you reading these days Tom?
I finished MacArthur’s “Charismatic Chaos” last week. I had read “Strange Fire” a couple of years ago and wanted to read this earlier book as well but much of the information is the same. It’s not something I would post about because I don’t want to quarrel about the secondaries. I’m currently reading Gendron’s “Preparing Catholics” for Eternity” and should finish that one in a week or so. Did you receive any Amazon gift cards for future reading for Christmas? I received one but I’m holding off because I already have 6 or 7 books waiting to be read.
Wow nice to hear you finish that book from MacArthur.
Yes I got some gift cards for Amazon that I was planning on using for the movie you reviewed to watch with my wife…and of course books! I already purchase Jason Lisle’s Ultimate Proof, which I have been hearing from a lot of guys is also a good book as an introduction to Presuppositional apologetics, the method I subscribe to which I think is most biblically faithful. Have you heard of Jason Lisle or his book before? May I privately email you for your address (I assume wordpress has it right that it is at yahoo?)? I thought Ultimate Proof might make a good gift…
No, I never heard of Lisle before but I googled him and I’m vaguely familiar with Institute for Creation Research and Answers in Genesis. Hey, I truly appreciate the very kind gesture but I wouldn’t hear of you sending me the book. You’re a young guy with a family and you could use those resources yourself while my kids are grown and gone. Thanks so much though for thinking of me!!!
Good list, I am going to purchase a few of these soon.
Nice! I’m also open to hear suggestions of the best book you read in 2016 as well!
I am not big on writing book reviews but, hands down, the best book I read this year was Misfits Welcome by Matthew Burnette. He pastors the Dreams Center in LA so you have probably heard of him. Anyway, I do the kind of work he does on a much smaller scale and I found his book motivational and encouraging.