The Top Five Books That We Have Read or Re-Read in 2019

Sorry this is so late. We just noticed it sitting in the folder. How distracted we can get.

Once again, these are not necessarily brand-new books or first-time reads for 2019, but they are the top five that we feel should be remembered and brought to your attention again. And, as we have said previously, these reviews are not exhaustive. We are hitting only some high points that we think might make these books useful or interesting to you also.

5. The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt

This is a study of victimhood and how academic “freedom” is being held hostage by political correctness and the militant—actually in some instances violently vindictive—views of the so-called victims. Feelings triumph over reason. Accusation and mob momentum, who is yelling the loudest, and who says the vilest things “in defense” first—so long as they can fall back to claims of being oppressed—clashes with intellectual exploration. Debate is no longer honored, but only the effort to silence anyone who suggests questioning another—as long as that other can identify as a victim of some sort. It is worth reading to see how this new state of thinking has obliterated the “freedom” even to rationally explore an opposing point of view, let alone to criticize it.

4. The Imperfect Disciple by Jared C. Wilson (Twitter: @jaredcwilson)

Another excellent book by the author of Unparalleled exploring the fits and starts, the stumbles, doubts, and backstep of an honest and growing disciple of Jesus Christ. It is light, but worth the reading.

3. What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit by Stanley M. Horton

This is an old survey of the passages, stories, and various teachings concerning the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible. It is full of scripture references. It is a study book, not a light read. You will want to check the scriptures, read the cross-references and other sources that Horton cites. If you have any interest whatsoever—regardless of whether you believe, accepts, or think you may understand the teachings concerning speaking in tongues and the baptism—in the Holy Spirit, this book should be consulted and considered. Even if you think you disagree with any teaching you’ve ever heard about the Holy Spirit, intellectual integrity demands that you reference, check, cross-check, and ruminate upon the biblical summaries compiled by Stanley Horton. If you are going to disagree, and presume to teach others to disagree with anything concerning the Holy Spirit or any teaching you have heard or think you have heard on the topic, you need to read the work of Stanley Horton and refute it—or more precisely, the Scriptures he has gathered in one place for you to consider and to know.

2. Friends Divided by Gordon S. Wood

This is the story of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. It explores their deep and affectionate friendship and admiration for each other, and lengthy correspondence between them and often including Abigail Adams, John’s wife whom they both respected for her wit and wisdom and treasured for her charm and beauty. Then, the political rivalry and great falling out. That was only to be surpassed by a much more truly remarkable reconciliation and rekindling of the affections and passions for this country and each other’s commitment that fueled these once-young revolutionaries, no visionaries, as they forged a nation with posterity in mind. It is a truly remarkable story of two men so different and so much alike that they even died on the same day, the 50^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

1. The Life Story of Ben Yehuda: Tongue of the Prophets by Robert St. John

A marvelous, captivating book about a young man who in 1858 was born into a Jewish home in the Russian Empire. In order to avoid being drafted, his family placed him with another family in order to take advantage of a one-son exemption. This is the story of how a passion for Hebrew was birthed within him and how it consumed him until he became the father of modern Hebrew. His dedication was complete. The book reads like a novel. It is well worth the time to hear how Ben Yehuda had to invent modern Hebrew words to fit the ancient language of the prophets of God. Hear how he was treated with disdain by the religious leaders who felt he was tinkering with the sacred. But it is not only about the language. It is also about the difficulties in bringing Jews back to Israel. If you have any love for Israel, the history of its people and fascination with the language, you must read this book. It is one that we are sure we will read again. Eliezer Ben Yehuda died in 1922. Spent. He only saw Israel as a nation again in his heart. But he did hear the words of his beloved every-day language spoken in his homeland. It is the story of a devoted life.

Certainly, there are other and more likely better books for you in terms of edification, building up in the faith. There are perhaps some more informative, even some better written. Indeed, you may disagree with the value we see in these five. But alas, we can only share the little bit we have. These obviously are superficial comments, not anything near deep critique.

Enjoy. Feel free to comment. And, of course, suggest others to us for next year. They do not need to be trendy or even new. As Solomon once said, there is not much new under the sun anyway.