Books We Enjoyed in 2023

We asked our Western Seminary faculty members to share what books they enjoyed reading the most this past year. The following list reflects a wide range of topics covering books both old and new. You may want to consider adding a couple of these to your reading list in 2024. Here is what they had to say:

Daniel K. Eng

Matthew W. Bates, Why the Gospel?: Living the Good News of King Jesus with Purpose (Eerdmans, 2023)

“Writing for churchgoers, Matthew W. Bates discusses how the gospel is much more than individual conversion—it is a proclamation of Jesus as the King. This is good news, not just because it involves forgiveness of our sins, but more importantly because it promotes God’s glory to all of his creation. This message, and its impact, ought to be understood by all in the church.”

Ron Marrs

Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well (Penguin, 2015)

“In this significant book, Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen distinguish between three types of feedback: appreciation (thanks), coaching (here’s a better way to do it), and evaluation (here’s where you stand).  One of the most helpful insights was their observation is that one of the reasons we have trouble accepting feedback is that there is a tension between wanting to learn/grow and wanting to be loved and accepted. During my reading of the book, someone close to me gave me feedback on my peaching.  He said it was a very good sermon, but I talk too fast. After a pause I said, ‘Thanks for the feedback.’”

Josh Mathews

Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, O Jerusalem! (Simon & Schuster, 1988)

“As this book’s subtitle suggests, this historical book recounts ‘day-by-day and minute-by-minute the historic struggle for Jerusalem and the birth of Israel.’ It is a thorough treatment of the events of 1947 and 1948 in Palestine and Israel, written by journalists Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins. The detailed information included in this 640-page work is presented with measured nuance, even while addressing fraught and at times tragic moments in political, geographic, and military history. It’s also an engaging read, and timely in light of recent events in Israel.”

Steve Mathewson

Bill Kynes and Will Kynes, Wrestling with Job: Defiant Faith in the Face of Suffering (IVP, 2022)

“Too often, we go to the book of Job for an answer to the question, ‘Why do the righteous suffer?’ But the book does not answer that question. Instead, as Bill Kynes says, its central question is, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ In other words, is God really worthy of our worship? Or do we simply worship him to get his blessings? Kynes helps us to see how the book of Job rescues us from a simplistic view of God’s justice. He argues that ‘Job’s case shatters the myth that our own righteousness can protect us from unfair suffering.’ Yes, there is such a such a thing as innocent suffering. However, Kynes helps us see how the book of Job paints a portrait of God’s wisdom and goodness and greatness that will keep us trusting and worshiping even when our circumstances are not fair. Although I enjoyed this book because it was engaging and well-written, I treasure it most for the way it has encouraged me to persevere in faith to the very end.”

David Nystrom

G.B. Caird, The Language and Imagery of the Bible (Bristol, 1980)

“C.S. Lewis once had occasion to reflect on the matter of reading old books. Reflecting on the false lure of the new he opined, ‘The only palliative is to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds, and this can be done only by reading old books.’ The Language and Imagery of the Bible by G.B. Caird might in the age of Snapchat qualify not only as “old” but perhaps ancient. To ignore it might be a mistake, because Caird, the Dean Irelands Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture at Oxford, was a gifted writer, brilliant scholar and as a clergy person had an eye for the power of the living word. Perhaps the chief point of the book is to help us understand that the Bible often expresses truth in functional not propositional terms. Jesus does not say to his disciples, ‘By the way, I am fully God and fully man...Just thought you would like to know.’ Rather he says, ‘The Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing’ (John 5:19). Caird points out that rather than assert ‘God is omnipotent,’ Scripture is more likely to make this same point by having God say, ‘...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.’ (Isaiah 55:11). Caird writes with energy, brevity, and wit. You could do worse than spend a few hours in an easy chair with this book.”

Jeremiah L. Peck

Thomas R. Kelly, A Testament of Devotion (HarperOne, 1941)

“The book included a biography of the life of Thomas Kelly and a collection of a few essays. I found it fascinating, particularly in view of its datedness. Many of the same strivings which drove Thomas drive many contemporary preachers and academics. Thomas’ reflections on the eternal versus the temporary in view of his life experience are worthwhile for the modern reader.”

Jon Raibley

Mary E. and Stephen D. Lowe, Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth Through Online Education (IVP, 2018)

“Stephen and Mary Lowe take an in-depth look at connections, interactions, and influence that take place within social networks. They include some intriguing exegetical analyses of Biblical terms including Paul’s use of syn-compound words for together-with, joint, fellow, etc. to demonstrate the importance of vertical and horizontal connections, and the one-another commands to explore various areas of human wholeness, and the types of interactions that can facilitate growth in these areas. They go on to make the case that spiritual transformation, along with other types of growth, can be accomplished even if face-to-face interaction is not possible. Even if your emphasis (or preference) is not online interaction, the concepts they discuss are helpful for being deliberate about the ways we interact with others, to facilitate reciprocal influence and spiritual maturity.”

Stephen Stallard

Russell Moore, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America (Sentinel, 2023)

“In this book, Russell Moore pleads with American Evangelicalism to return to its biblical roots. He surveys some of the challenges that dot the evangelical landscape, including tribalism, political entanglement, scandal, and disillusionment. Moore's prophetic critique is controversial, but I believe it is worth hearing because it is rooted in Scripture. The best part of the book is that it leaves the reader with hope. American Evangelicalism can experience reformation, because the gospel is true. Repentance and renewal are always an option. All we have to do is answer the altar call. I will be recommending this book again and again.”