My Top 10 Favorite Books I Read in 2012

I read about 55 books during 2012, some required for seminary and some that were not. This list is a mix of those two categories. Out of those 55 books, these are the 10 that I found most interesting, entertaining, edifying, enlightening, challenging, and/or simply enjoyable.

1. Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoevsky

• Worthy of the title of classic. Fascinating look at a murder and the psychological, sociological, and religious perspectives on the nature of sin. Some tough parts to get through due to the culture gaps, but very well worth the effort. 

2. The Meaning of Marriage – Tim Keller

• The best book on marriage I've ever read, hands down. Theological, practical, philosophical, pastoral, and eminently helpful. The book I really wish I had read 8 years ago before getting married and the one I will give to everyone I know who's getting married or plans to one day.

3. The Man Christ Jesus – Bruce Ware

• Simply fantastic look at the humanity of Jesus Christ. Ware takes on some of the most difficult questions about Jesus' humanity (When did he know he was God or the Messiah? How did he learn? Could he have sinned?) and answers them with stunning clarity. A few heavy theological passages, but written at the level of the layperson who wants to understand his savior's humanity more deeply. Really, really good.

4. God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment – Jim Hamilton

• Beautiful vision of the big, central theme of the Bible - God's glory - achieved by his salvation of us through judgment. Hamilton walks through each book of the Bible, developing these themes and connecting them to the whole. Grand vision of God as revealed in his word.

5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – C.S. Lewis

• So much better than the movie version. The "conversion" scene of Eustice alone makes the entire book worth reading.

6. The Gospel According to John – D.A. Carson

• D.A. Carson on the Gospel of John - a really good combination and probably my favorite commentary I've ever read.

7. When Sinners Say “I Do” – Dave Harvey

• Very practical and theologically sound picture of what marriage looks like when 2 sinners decide to live together in the covenant of marriage. His experience and examples are very helpful, as is the picture of marriage he attempts to build. 

8. Christianity and Liberalism – J. Gresham Machen

• Simply one of the best defenses of orthodox Christianity over and against Liberalism ever. Hard to believe it was published in 1923. Sounds like it could be talking about specific things today. Stellar.

9. Covenant of War – Cliff Graham

• Excellent second book in the Lion of War series from Cliff Graham. I'm really enjoying the balance he strikes between adherence to the Biblical story lines and a creative, theological interpretation of some of the events related David's "Mighty Men."

10. 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible – Robert Plummer

• Excellent introduction to most of the topics involved in reading and understanding the bible. Accessible but not simplistic. Highly recommended. 

Others of note:

Gospel Deeps – Jared Wilson
Exegetical Fallacies – D.A. Carson
Fellowship with God – Martyn Lloyd-Jones
God's Greater Glory – Bruce Ware