The emotional fluxes of a long, difficult pregnancy laid me pretty low for most of 2020. I spent much of my time in bed, fighting off the demons of depression and debilitating nausea. God lifted my vacillating spirits through his word, sermons, and the teaching and testimony of other believers in books. I learned so much about myself and my Heavenly Father during this difficult year. Below is my top 10 Christian reads this year from 10 to 1.
What Is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics by R.C. Sproul
This book was a super helpful theology overview of the doctrinal stances that were fought over during the Protestant Reformation. I throughly loved reading it .
This was one of the denser books I read this year. I had to both listen to the audiobook while reading the ebook in order to get the flow of his reasoning. But his thoughts and testimony were fascinating and well worth the time it took me to study this relatively short read.
The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation by Rod Dreher
This book was an intense dissection of Western culture’s steady pull from Christianity and what that means for those of us who hold to a traditional Christian worldview. It challenged me to think about what matters to me in raising my family to follow the Lord and how I might move to protect them from the darkness of Western culture.
In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character by Jen Wilkin
Jen Wilkin was a new author to me this year. My love of her wisdom and clear biblical teaching will show itself by the number of times she appears on this list. This was the first book of hers I read about how God wants us to mirror his character as we grow in Him.
The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life by A.W. Tozer
Timothy and I read this Christian classic together at night. It was a delightful look into the attributes of God which was recommended by David Platt during his Secret Church series on the attributes of God.
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin
This look into how to study the Bible was so helpful. Jen Wilkin is an amazing teacher. Her writing is very precise and overloaded with scripture instead of personal stories. It also had helpful tips on how to teach others what you’ve gleaned from the scriptures during your personal study time.
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi
This book should be required reading for all believers. Not only was Qureshi’s testimony extremely powerful, but also his loving description of growing up in the Muslim culture were so enlightening. A beautiful, unforgettable read.
This Chinese Christian’s testimony was one of the most powerful Christian biographies I read this year. I was blown away at the miraculous ways and means that God employed in his life to reach the unbelievers around him. It challenged me to cherish the scriptures and to remember that real life begins when you give your life away for Christ.
When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper
This was another super convicting book, especially since this year God has been convicting me about my food addiction. Piper’s look into how to fight for real joy in our lives was so encouraging, and just what I needed when I read it.
None Like Him: 10 Ways God is Different from Us (and Why That’s a Good Thing) by Jen Wilkin
This book was amazing and convicting look at the attributes of God. I learned so much about the sinful ways I try to usurp God’s authority in my own life. Life changing for me. This was definitely my favorite read of the year (fiction and nonfiction) and the book I bought multiple copies of to hand out for Christmas.
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