Top 5 Books for 2025 so far

We are halfway through 2025, and it has been another good year for reading God-exalting material so here are my top 5 books of the year so far in no particular order:

Consider the Lilies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God by Jonny Ardavanis

Cultivating Spiritual Growth: Striving for Maturity in Christ by Conrad Mbewe

Fight Like a Man: A Bold, Biblical Battle Plan for Personal Purity by Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne

The History and Theology of Calvinism by Curt Daniel

A Biblical Theology of Climate Change by Darrell Harrison and Virgil Walker

Around The Web-December 13, 2019

The Cinedoc By What Standard is on the Founders website

New & Noteworthy Books in Theology for WTS Books

All Bibles published by Crossway is 50-70% off till the end of December

Cage-Stage Calvinism, Infant Baptism, and more from the Daily Reformation Podcast

Christ’s Kingdom Considered with Brandon Adams from Covenant Podcast

“O Holy Night” Points to Greater Hope than Social Justice by Josh Buice

Boasting in the Cross by Dave Jenkins

The Anti-Gospel Message of Joel Osteen by Kevin Halloran

Why Is Jesus Called the Firstborn of Creation? by Wyatt Graham

Around The Web-August 9, 2019

The ESV Scripture Journal New Testament Set is now available in Hardcover

The Tyndale Commentary Set is on sale

One Way to Use “American Gospel” in Your Church by Philip Van Steenburgh

One Church, One Body from Just Thinking

The B.A.R. Podcast speaks with Costi Hinn regarding his new book

The Trinity from Genesis to Revelation by Abner Chou

Deep Theology by Sinclair Ferguson

Biblical Evidence for the Deity of Christ and Biblical Evidence for the Humanity of Christ by James Williams

The Tragedy of Apostasy – Refresher by Eric Davis

Kris Williams reviews a sermon by Robert Morris on Calvinism.

Around The Web-June 7, 2019

WTS Books has two sales going on: The Bible Speaks Today and Theorectial Practical Theology

Living Out – A Follow-Up and Call to Further Action by Tom Buck

Dave Jenkins on The Importance of the Clarity of Scripture for the Christian Life

The Theological Grounds for Orderly Public Gatherings by Tom Nettles

'I Don’t Need Theology, I Just Need Jesus’ Just Means You Have Bad Theology by Jack Lee

Calvinism 101 with Kevin DeYoung from Crossway

Love Is Not A Feeling by Carl Trueman

Doctrine and Devotion discuss David Platt's prayer for President Trump

The Sword and The Trowel on the history of the Southern Baptist Convention and their hope for reformation

Proof for the Doctrine of Limited Atonement

The following proofs may be given for the doctrine of particular atonement: It may be laid down, first of all, as a general principle, that the designs of God are always surely efficacious and cannot be frustrated by the actions of man. This applies also to the purpose of saving men through the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. If it had been His intention to save all men, this purpose could not have been frustrated by the unbelief of man. It is admitted on all hands that only a limited number is saved. Consequently, they are the only ones whom God has determined to save.

Scripture repeatedly qualifies those for whom Christ laid down His life in such a way as to point to a very definite limitation. Those for whom He suffered and died are variously called "His sheep," John 10:11, 15, "His Church," Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25-27, "His people," Matthew 1:21, and "the elect," Romans 8:32-35. The sacrificial work of Christ and His intercessory work are simply two different aspects of His atoning work, and therefore the scope of the one can be no wider than that of the other. Now Christ very definitely limits His intercessory work, when He says: "I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me." John 17:9. Why should He limit His intercessory prayer, if He had actually paid the price for all? It should also be noted that the doctrine that Christ died for the purpose of saving all men, logically leads to absolute universalism, that is, to the doctrine that all men are actually saved.

It is impossible that they for whom Christ paid the price, whose guilt He removed, should be lost on account of that guilt. The Arminians cannot stop at their half-way station, but must go all the way. If it be said, as some do say, that the atonement was universal, but that the application of it is particular; that He made salvation possible for all, but actually saves only a limited number—it should be pointed out that there is an inseparable connection between the purchase and the actual bestowal of salvation. The Bible clearly teaches that the design and effect of the atoning work of Christ is not merely to make salvation possible, but to reconcile God and man, and to put men in actual possession of eternal salvation, a salvation which many fail to obtain, Matthew 18:11; Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; 3:13; Ephesians 1:7. And if the assertion be made that the design of God and of Christ was evidently conditional, contingent on the faith and obedience of man, attention should be called to the fact that the Bible clearly teaches that Christ by His death purchased faith, repentance, and all the other effects of the work of the Holy Spirit, for His people. Consequently these are no conditions of which the fulfilment is simply dependent on the will of man.

The atonement also secures the fulfilment of the conditions that must be met, in order to obtain salvation, Romans 2:4; Galatians 3:13, 14; Ephesians 1:3, 4; 2:8; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 3:5, 6.

Adapted from Louis Berkhof's Systematic Theology

Around The Web-March 15, 2019

America’s First ‘Non-Binary’ Person Switches Back: ‘There Is No Third Gender’

#MeToo, Feminism, and Tyranny by Tom Hicks

Should Christians “Self Care?” by Tim Challies

10 Reasons Why the Bible Regards Women Higher than All Other Systems by Eric Davis

The Most Important 5-Letter Word in Calvinism by Jeff Medders

Am I Sitting Under Healthy Preaching? by David Mathis

Don’t Mistake Transfer Growth for Evangelism by Michael Niebauer

Around The Web-March 13, 2019

The ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible is 50% off for one week

What Is Biblical Marriage? 11 Essential Principles by Jake Mailhot

The Crisis and Comfort of Romans 7 by Josh Buice

Jim Orrick– Mere Calvinism from Equipping You In Grace

The Wrong Strategy in Sunday School: Why Pascal’s Wager Fails Children by John Piper

Is Gay Okay for Christians? What about Transgender? from Denny Burk

Resentment and the Market Demand for ‘Reconciliation’ by Alex Kocman

Farewell Francis by Jordan Standridge

Michael Kruger and D.A. Carson answer the question, Did the church create the Bible?

Around The Web-February 6, 2019

Pat Abendroth talks about his journey from dispensationalism to covenant theology on Office Hours

On Living in a Post-Christian Context by Tim Challies

Christian good works are by the grace of God by Mike Ratliff

9 Marks Journal: Ecclesiology for Calvinists and the latest Pastors' Talk on this same subject

Why We Still Need the Puritans by Nate Pickowicz

The Lord Purifies His People by John MacArthur

The Reproductive Health Act of Horror: The Lies Behind Abortion Without Limits by John Ensor

Around The Web-January 16, 2019

Books from the Short Studies on Biblical Theology are on sale at WTS Books

In China, they’re closing churches, jailing pastors – and even rewriting scripture

An Open Letter to Baptist Pastors Considering Open Membership

Why Are We Baptist, Bridge Out Ahead from Layman's Cup

When Discontent Sheep Show Up by Nick Kennicott

Ask Pastor John: Are Calvinists Inconsistent with Romans 9?

How To Kill A Church by Jared C Wilson

John MacArthur on how to counsel a Reformed mother who lives a husband who is a Roman Catholic

James White on the Stanley/Flowers Interview

If you have not seen the interview Leighton Flowers did with Andy Stanley regarding Calvinism, you probably saved yourself from a big headache. I watched that interview and left with frustration and more questions. Both Stanley and Flowers show their confusion over the matter. Flowers who is suppose to be one defending the faith seemed not to care about Stanley's stance on unhitching the Old Testament from the faith or encouraging Christians to stop saying, "The Bible says."

It took two videos for James White to unpack what was said and express concern over the comments of both Stanley and Flowers. Please note, in the second half of the second video, White addresses comments made by Adam Fannin:

Around The Web-November 14, 2018

The Most Dangerous Question You Can Ask When Studying the Bible by Michael Kelley

Pastors' Talk: On Equipping the Church to Fight Pornography Together (with Deepak Reju)

Collin Hansen—The Strengths, Weaknesses, and Future of New Calvinism from Equipping You In Grace

Why Does Church Membership Matter? by David McLemore

When the Future You Planned for Never Comes by Bryan Stoudt

Repentance and the Power of the Gospel by Martin McNeely

Clint Eastwood reads praise song lyrics.

Joe Thorn on Confessionalism, New Calvinism, and Doubt

SelfWire:

Joe Thorn breaks down confessionalism, subscription, doubt, New Calvinism, and the practice of Christian orthodoxy

Recommended Reading:

Recovering a Covenantal Heritage: Essays in Baptist Covenant Theology edited by Richard C. Barcellos

New Calvinism: New Reformation or Theological Fad? edited by Josh Buice

Around The Web-October 17, 2018

Justin Peters and KJV Only Discussion from Striving for Eternity

5 Myths about Calvinism by Greg Forester

From the Reformation 21 blog: The Statement on SJ&G Explained (I am sure more will be added to this list in the coming weeks)

Infographic: The Story of Redemption

Why Does Piper Avoid Politics and What’s Trending?

Baptism in the Early Church from Thomas Kidd and Justin Taylor

John Calvin and the Doctrine of Irresistible Grace by Keith Mathison

In this video, the question of the importance of Adam and Eve is explained

Around The Web-April 4, 2018

The Importance of Hell by Tim Keller

How to Respond When Leaders Fail from Doctrine and Devotion

The Gospel-Shaped Pastor by Jared C Wilson

10 Most Significant Discoveries in the Field of Biblical Archaeology by Tim Challies

The ESV Archaeology Study Bible (Hardcover Edition) is available at WTS Books

Where Did The Pope Come From? by Leonardo De Chirico

Creeds, Confessions, Catechisms, and Covenants in Corporate Worship by Jake Stone

John 3:16 Teaches Limited Atonement by James N. Anderson

You don't have to be a Cessationist to know that tongues are not a gift promised for every believer

Around The Web-March 9, 2018

Sale on Christianity Explored resources

The Ultimate Apologetics Giveaway

Matt Chandler, Mark Dever, and Kevin DeYoung on how big your church should be

Joel Beeke-Knowing and Growing in Assurance of Faith from Equipping You In Grace

C. J. Mahaney Withdraws from T4G

Does Jesus Really Want Me to Hate My Family? by Jeff Robinson

Jared C Wilson discusses the contemporary church methodology of "video preaching"

5 Reasons Christians Cannot Abandon the Church by Aaron Earls

We Don’t Need To Go Back To The Early Church by J.A. Medders

Trailer to the book, New Calvinism: New Reformation or Theological Fad? edited by Josh Buice

Around The Web-October 25, 2017

Banner 100 Winner giveaway (250+ Banner Books) from Banner of Truth

The Prosperity Gospel in Our Closet by Jimmy Needham

How God Has Upheld Connie Dever by Tilly Dillehay

All for the Gospel by R.C. Sproul

Robert Jeffress, Roman Catholicism, the Reformation, and then Kevin Thompson on John 6 from James White

The Four C’s of Biblical Leadership by Juan Sanchez

Six Reasons to Practice Spiritual Disciplines by Landon Coleman

Tim Challies on how this resurgence of Calvinism began.

The Five Kinds of Calvinists

Recently, the guys over at Doctrine and Devotion put together a five part segment called, "Five Kinds of Calvinists." I encourage you to listen to each one prayerfully along with having a good sense of humor in the process:

The New Calvinist

The Bad Calvinist

The Half-Caf Calvinist

The Straw Calvinist

The Good Calvinist

Around The Web-September 22, 2017

Five Elements of a Church Membership Class by John DiVito

Which of the Five Points of Calvinism Is Most Difficult for You? by Erik Raymond

Why Biblical Christianity Is Intolerant in an Age of Tolerance from John MacArthur

Jared C Wilson speaks with Christian George about preaching, ministry, writing, and Charles Spurgeon

Jesus Did Not Die So You Could Be Cool: In Praise of “Christian Culture” by Owen Strachan

Repentance Is a Posture by Kelly Needham

The Warfare Worldview of Ephesians by David Schrock

This video is a trailer to a new book from The Gospel Coalition called Our Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor



The B.A.R. Podcast talked with Gabriel Hughes, the voice behind When We Understand The Text, about how the ministry got started.

How Romans 9 Affected The Life And Ministry of John Piper

Desiring God:

1. Romans 9 makes me confident that God’s word will not fail and all the promises of Romans 8 will prove true for me, even in the worst suffering.

2. Romans 9 makes me stand in awe of God, and leads me into the depth of true God-centered worship

3. Romans 9 helps protect me from trifling with divine things.

4. Romans 9 helps to keep me amazed at my own salvation.

5. Romans 9 makes me groan over the indescribable disease of our secular, God-belittling culture.

6. Romans 9 makes me confident that the work which God planned and began, he will finish — both globally and personally.

7. Romans 9 makes me see everything in the light of God’s sovereign purposes — that from him and through him and to him are all things, to him be glory forever and ever.

8. Romans 9 makes me hopeful that God has the will, the right, and the power to answer prayer that people be changed.

9. Romans 9 reminds me that evangelism is absolutely essential for people to come to Christ and be saved, and that there is great hope for success in leading people to faith, but that conversion is not finally dependent on me or limited by the hardness of the unbeliever.

10. Romans 9 makes me sure that God will triumph in the end.

Resources On The Five Points Of Calvinism

For those not familiar with the five points of Calvinism, they are:

Total Depravity

Unconditional Election

Limited Atonement

Irresistible Grace

Perseverance of the Saints

These words form the acrostic T.U.L.I.P. There are many resources on the five points of Calvinism. Here are few that I recommend:

Articles by R.C. Sproul:

TULIP and Reformed Theology: An Introduction

Total Depravity

Unconditional Election

Limited Atonement

Ireesistible Grace

Perseverance of the Saints

Books:

Five Points: Towards a Deeper Experience of God's Grace by John Piper

Going Beyond the Five Points: Pursuing a More Comprehensive Reformation

What's So Great About the Doctrines of Grace? by Richard D Phillips

Proof: Finding Freedom Through the Intoxicating Joy of Irresistible Grace by Daniel Montgomery and Timothy Paul Jones

Sermons:

God Condemns Justly with Joe Thorn

God Saves Sovereignly with Joe Thorn

God Atones Effectively with Joe Thorn

God Calls Irresistibly with Joe Thorn

God Sustains Faithfully with Jim Renihan