My Top Reads of 2024

I read a lot of books. I sometimes review some of them at this blog. Some of the best books I read don’t get a review, either because I meander my way through them, or because I just don’t feel like reviewing a book at that particular time. Owing to the fact that I had my own book to get to the press I did not read as much as I usually do.

Many of the books I read I have disagreements with. Some of them are quite large disagreements—say, in eschatology or soteriology—but I firmly believe one should not read books by guys you agree with all the time. You grow more when you “joust” with alternative positions, and a good writer will always improve you, the reader.

Here then are a list of books I was helped by this year.

Ore From The Puritan’s Mine edited by Dale W. Smith

This is a large book of quotations from many Puritan and Puritanesque works. The author has even given us the book and page number of the quote! This is a great book to give as a gift. My only quibble is that it claims to have an annotated bibliography and doesn’t. Also, whenever moderns try to have titles that sound “Puritanish” they always appear to try too hard.

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

I’m not a huge fan of the Ortlund name, but Dane Ortlund has put a great deal of effort into producing an outstanding devotional work reminding us of how much God loves us and how far His grace reaches.

The AItheist 1.0 by Michael Svigel

A surprisingly good book, set a little in the future, about a former theology professor who has lost his faith and how that faith gets restored by a powerful AI system. Svigel writes with economy and keeps the momentum going. I could have done without one character taking God’s name in vain, but this is very good.

The AItheist 2.0 by Michael Svigel

Svigel’s follow-up to the above is just as engaging and thought-provoking. A new AI system with less nobility than the one in book one gives people a hard time, and raises concerns about the connection between technology and demonism.

Elisabeth by Ken Yates

A sweet remembrance by a father of his daughter who had cerebral palsy. He weaves in the doctrine of rewards superbly in this worthy book.

Dispensationalism Revisited edited by Bauder & Compton

As with most collections of essays this one has its ups and downs, although more ups than downs. Buy it for the chapters by Beacham (especially), Bauder, Glenny, and Compton. Some really good stuff here.

The Blessed and Boundless God by George Swinnock

Stephen Yuille’s excellent edition of Swinnock’s The Incomparableness of God. Swinnock is a less well known Puritan writer, whose works are quite readable. His 5 volumes have been reprinted by BoT. Buy this if you want a good book on the Attributes of God.

Theoretical-Practical Theology by Petrus Van Mastricht

Okay, I’m only in Volume 2 of 4 as of this writing. So far I’m seeing why this 17th century Dutch divine was so admired. I had to get used to his method, but once I kept in step with him I enjoyed and am enjoying the journey.

Job: A Philosophical Commentary by Owen Anderson

Definitely written by a philosopher. I went through Job this year at our Church. This book was helpful.

Trusting God in the Darkness: A Guide to Understanding the Book of Job by Christopher Ash

Ash is making a name for himself with his productions on the Wisdom Books. This short book is very good. He even holds to the view that Leviathan is Satan (with which I agree).

The Baptism Debate by Peter Goeman

Peter sent me this book earlier in the year and it is an impressive work. He writes clearly and incisively. Recommended.

The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit by Jeremiah Burroughs

A Puritan book. This was the first book Burroughs wrote. It contains an overly long forward by William Greenhill, and Burroughs had not perfected his style yet, but this picture of a spiritual man was most worthwhile.

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs

A classic treatment on the subject which refuses to pull its punches. The analysis of discontentment puts it down to the flesh and to our lack of faith and Christ-centeredness. I needed it and probably so do you.

John Frame’s Selected Writings (Vol. 3) by John Frame

I differ from Frame a fair bit, but I hold him in high esteem. I have since bought Vols 1 and 2 to complete the set. This one includes his famous essay “Machen’s Warrior Children.”

Resilient Faith by Lewis and Sarah Allen

A book of encouragement for the struggling with the trials and hassles of life. Well-planned short chapters with help in each one.