This year brought such a rich diversity of books that frankly made it quite difficult to choose just ten. In the end, these books made the cut that highlighted some important areas surrounding many different theological, cultural and contextual issues. Each one provided its own unique attempt at providing the reader with the necessary tools of articulation and practical application for personal vocation. I now present to you my top ten books of 2019 in no particular order.

The Bruised Reed – Richard Sibbes

“God knows we have nothing of ourselves, therefore in the covenant of grace he requires no more than he gives, but gives what he requires, and accepts what he gives.” 

The Forgotten Trinity: Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief – James R. White

“The idea that there is some kind of contradiction between the in-depth study of God’s Word, so as to know what God has revealed about himself, and a living, vital faith is inherently self-contradictory.” 

The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong – Karen Gonzalez

“Immigration laws cannot love our immigrant neighbors; only we, people, can do that.”

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption – Bryan Stevenson

“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”

You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit – James K.A. Smith

“Jesus is a teacher who doesn’t just inform our intellect but forms our very loves. He isn’t content to simply deposit new ideas into your mind; he is after nothing less than your wants, your loves, your longings.”

Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism – Timothy J. Keller

“Cultural engagement in preaching must never be for the sake of appearing “relevant” but rather must be for the purpose of laying bare the listener’s life foundations.”

The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World – Peter Scazzero

“We lead more out of who we are than out of what we do, strategic or otherwise. If we fail to recognize that who we are on the inside informs every aspect of our leadership, we will do damage to ourselves and to those we lead.” 

Philokalia–The Eastern Christian Spiritual Texts: Selections Annotated & Explained – Allyne Smith

“Prayer is the raising of the mind and heart to God.”

Rachel’s Cry: Prayer of Lament and Rebirth of Hope – Kathleen D. Billman

“Reclaiming the prayer of lament is aimed at the recovery of the wholeness of Christian life and the wholeness of Christian prayer.”

Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends – Kevin J. Vanhoozer

“All television is educational television. The question is merely, ‘What is it teaching?”