My Top Ten Books of 2009

Listed below are the ten books I most benefited from reading during 2009. They were not necessarily published in 09. I’m not giving a blanket endorsement of everything in the books.

Here, in descending order, are my top ten picks for 09.

# 10. Going Rogue, Sarah Palin (HarperCollins)

Well-written, fast-paced, but a huge missing element… See my full review here.

# 9. Seeing with New Eyes, David Powlison (P&R)

A solid biblical theology of biblical counseling. See my full review here.

# 8. The Counsel of Heaven on Earth, Ian Jones (Broadman & Holman)

An excellent biblical foundation for biblical counseling. See my full review here.

# 7. Glory Road, by Anthony J. Carter (Crossway Books)

Tells the remarkable stories of ten African Americans who have journeyed to the Reformed faith. See my full review here.

# 6. Competent to Counsel?, David Powlison (CCEF)

This is not the book by Jay Adams, but rather David Powlison’s fascinating book (to be released in 2010) on the history of modern biblical counseling. See my full review here.

# 5. Foundations for Soul Care, Eric Johnson (IVP Academic)

A monumental text for Christian psychology. See my full review here.

# 4. Big Truths for Young Hearts, Bruce Ware (Crossway Books)

Excellent primer on how to teach theology to kids. See my full review here.

# 3. Raised with Christ, Adrian Warnock (Crossway Books)

To be released in January 2010, profound application of the resurrection to our daily lives. See my full review here in January, 2010.

# 2. Who’s Afraid of the Holy Spirit?, Dan Wallace (Biblical Studies Press)

An Evangelical, non-charismatic application of the Holy Spirit to our lives. See my full review here.

# 1. Counsel from the Cross, Elyse Fitzpatrick, Dennis Johnson (Crossway Books)

The best book of 2009 for those who want to apply biblical counseling and Christian living principles to their lives and ministries. See my full review here.   

Counsel from the Cross