My 2023 Top Reads and Resources
Once again, we have arrived at the end of the year which signals creators, writers, bloggers and the like (including myself) to give you their “Top Things of the Year.” Rather than giving you the top 10 best book releases this year, I’m going to list off my personal top reads and resources that I personally used this year that I believe can be helpful to your personal growth and knowledge in the Lord, and the Scriptures. Here are my top 7 Reads & Resources that I used in 2023.
Top 7 Reads & Resources:
1. The Mortification of Sin by John Owen (Abridged and Made Easy to Read by Richard Rushing), Banner of Truth, $6.50.
Owen’s The Mortification of Sin is near the top of every pastor-theologian’s “must read” list. However, for those who have not been exposed to the original, Owen’s language can be difficult to read. From the sentence structure to the often immensely dense vocabulary, Owen can be extraordinarily intimidating to the average reader, or to those who are just diving into theological works. Gracefully, Banner of Truth through their “Puritan Paperback” series decided to take the gold mine that is the original The Mortification of Sin and abridge it and make it much easier to read for the average reader. So much so, for those I’ve given it to, they desire to read more from Owen. This edition of Owen’s classic work is rich with gold, and easy to get through.
You can purchase this edition at the Banner of Truth website linked here:
https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-mortification-of-sin/
2. Spurgeon The Pastor by Dr. Geoffrey Chang, B&H Publishing Group $17.99
Dr. Geoffrey Chang serves at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as the Director of the Spurgeon Library. Charles Spurgeon, commonly referred to as the Prince of Preachers, is well known by pastors for his mountain of sermons, writings, and Baptist influence in 19th century London. Dr. Chang, rather than focusing on Spurgeon’s preaching and theology (which is well deserved for study) centers on what he entitles, “Another Forgotten Spurgeon,” focusing on Spurgeon’s pastoral ministry and his polity. Covering topics such as Regenerate Church Membership, Communion, Baptism, and the functional Roles of Elders and Deacons, Dr. Chang masterfully articulates how Spurgeon leaned upon the Scriptures in leading the flock before him.
This read is highly recommended for any Spurgeon fan, Baptist pastor, or those considering church structure and its function.
You can purchase this edition at the B&H Publishing Group website linked here:
https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/spurgeon-the-pastor-2/
3. An All-Round Ministry by Charles Spurgeon, Banner of Truth, $25.20
On the heels of Dr. Chang’s book covering Spurgeon as a Pastor, I read “An All-Round Ministry.” This book, quite simply, is so riddled with wisdom, encouragement, and pastoral guidance, one could nearly turn the book upside down, shake, and gold would fall upon your lap. Each chapter is an address to pastors at his Pastor’s College from his “Annual Conference.” Spurgeon’s mastery to bring pastors upward to become better ministers is stimulating and warming. There was never a page, nor paragraph, I read that I felt was purposeless.
This read is highly recommended for pastors in need of encouragement and for those who are just entering into pastoral ministry. In my opinion, should be a must-read for every seminary student.
You can purchase this edition at the Banner of Truth website linked here:
https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/church-ministry/an-all-round-ministry/
4. Matthew: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary, by Dr. Charles L. Quarles, Lexham Academic, $59.99
Over the last year and a half, I have been taking our students through the Gospel of Matthew. Like any good pastor, I often reference what other faithful theologians and pastors have said and studied. One of the best resources I have used for my preaching has been Dr. Quarles’ commentary on Matthew. Not only is the book aesthetically pleasing (personally speaking), but Dr. Quarles’ structure for this commentary is helpful for both the pastor and congregation member. The commentary is approachable in its language, it provides good biblical context for each passage visited, a section of exegesis to explain that passage in its context and bridges each portion of text to the next. The commentary provides depth and insight, along with readability.
This resource his highly recommended for pastors preaching through the book of Matthew and recommended for congregational members who want to grow in better understanding of Matthew’s gospel account.
You can purchase this edition at the Lexham Press website linked here:
https://lexhampress.com/product/224281/matthew-evangelical-biblical-theology-commentary
5. Knowing God’s Truth, by Jon Nielson, Crossway, $39.99 (multiple options and bundles available)
Systematic Theology is often intimidating to the average person (see Wayne Grudem’s monstrously large Systematic Theology). For the average congregation member, being a “theologian” is for the professionals, i.e., their pastors. While this is not the case, many intrinsically feel this because Systematic Theology is not taught, or taught properly, and is unapproachable by many. Jon Nielson corrects this pattern with his book and study guide Knowing God’s Truth. I have had the pleasure of leading some of my lay leaders through this wonderful study, all of whom have articulated that it is digestible, easy to understand, and they feel that they would be able to lead others through it as well!
This resource is recommended for those who want to be introduced to Systematic Theology, and for pastors leading lay leaders through it for the first time.
You can purchase this edition (book and study guide) on Crossway’s website at:
6. By What Standard, Assorted Authors, edited by Jared Longshore, Founders Press, $16.94
This semester, I started an evangelism outreach program that we call “Big Night,” where we answer a “Big Question,” that the students vote on each month for me to answer. The turnout is typically larger, and I get to answer that question from the biblical worldview for both believers and non-believers alike. One such resource that has been helpful to prepare me for certain cultural questions has been By What Standard. Each chapter deals with a certain cultural touchpoint, and the answers given by Tom Ascol, Voddie Baucham, Jared Longshore, and others has been immensely helpful.
This resource is recommended for parents of students and pastors who are actively engaging the world through their preaching and teaching.
You can purchase this edition (book and study guide) on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/WHAT-STANDARD-Gods-World-Rules/dp/1943539219
7. What is Biblical Theology: A Guide to the Bible’s Story, Symbolism, and Patterns, by James M. Hamilton Jr., Crossway, $12.99
Of all the styles of Christian Theology, the one most people are more generally aware of (if not by name) is Biblical Theology. However, similarly to Systematic Theology, when individuals begin to hear theological terms, they can clam up thinking that they are not knowledgeable enough to understand, or that the practice is simply too complicated. Dr. Hamilton short book on Biblical Theology, however, removes that fear in a simple and easy-to-read fashion to help newcomers understand how to read the Bible via its patterns, symbols, themes, and types. Hamilton helps provide a 30 thousand foot view of the grand narrative by helping the reader trace these topics from Genesis to Revelation as a single story.
This resource is recommended for students (high school and up) and for lay leaders in their churches seeking to understand how to read the bible with a clearer lens.
You can purchase this edition (book and study guide) on Crossway’s website at:
https://www.crossway.org/books/what-is-biblical-theology-tpb/
I hope these resources and reads prove as helpful to you as they have been to me this year. I hope each of you have a blessed end to 2023, as we look forward to our new year.
What resources have you benefited from? Let me know in the comments down below.
