I always enjoy reading end-of-year book lists. Often, I find a couple to add to my upcoming year’s list. Hopefully this list will give you a couple to consider.
This year’s list blends some theology/ministry books with some works of fiction. One of the criteria that qualified these books was their sticking power; I found myself continuing to think about them weeks, and in some cases, months after reading them. Books are like good friends–they continue to check in on us, helping us along the way.
So, here are my top-ten books I enjoyed reading in 2025, with my favorite listed at the bottom.
10) Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End – David Gibson. Ecclesiastes is a tough book to get your arms around. David Gibson is very helpful. If you’re looking for an accessible, faithful, and practical resource on the book of Ecclesiastes, I recommend this. It will certainly be helpful to pastors and others who are teaching through the book, but I don’t think the average church member looking to grow will find this too difficult.
9) Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners: Loving Others as God Loves Us – Michael Emlet. Emlet offers a deeply pastoral framework for understanding people: every person is a saint (in Christ), a sufferer (in a fallen world), and a sinner (in need of repentance). That simple lens has far-reaching implications for how we care for one another. The book is full of wisdom, compassionate counsel, and real-life examples. Emlet’s categories help us avoid reductionism and instead approach people with the same balance of grace and truth that God shows us. A very helpful resource for anyone involved in discipleship or pastoral care.
8) Virgil Wander – Leif Enger. Who doesn’t like a story about rebirth? Virgil Wander is a novel about a fresh start for a dying town and the people who live there. Leif Enger writes with the easy-going, down-to-earth style typical of upper-Midwest or small-town life. The cadence and content draw you in. In this case, we find Virgil’s life change dramatically after a near-death experience. Mix in some small-town shenanigans, a mystery or two, and a strange visitor who makes elaborate kites — and you have an entertaining, clean, and fun read. Exactly what I was looking for on a cold and grey New England weekend. I also enjoyed his previous book, Peace Like a River, which was a bestseller a couple years ago.
7) The Law and the Gospel – Ernie Reisinger. Reisinger’s classic little book is still one of the clearest introductions to the relationship between God’s law and God’s gospel. He helps readers see how both work together to reveal our sin, drive us to Christ, and guide us in the Christian life. This is a short book, but a rich one — the kind of resource you can hand to a church member or revisit yourself when you need clarity on the basics. Reisinger writes with pastoral simplicity and theological precision, making it a dependable primer on a vital topic.
6) John Owen: A Christian Vision for Every Stage of Life – Crawford Gribben. John Owen is often remembered for his towering theological works, but Gribben gives us a fresh perspective — tracing Owen’s life and ministry through the different seasons of his journey. From his early struggles in academia to his political engagement and pastoral labors, Owen’s life was marked by faithfulness amid shifting circumstances — even seasons of grief and doubt. Gribben helps us see how Owen’s theology wasn’t just academic; it was deeply lived. This book offers encouragement for believers in all stages of life, reminding us that faithfulness in one season prepares us for the next.
5) The Fulfillment of the Promises of God: An Explanation of Covenant Theology – Richard Belcher. Belcher provides a careful, readable walkthrough of covenant theology — rooted in Scripture, sensitive to historical debates, and focused on clarity. He traces the flow of the biblical covenants and shows how they reveal the unity of God’s redemptive plan centered in Christ. I found it especially helpful that Belcher interacted with the various camps within Covenant Theology. He did so with kindness and clarity, fairly presenting and evaluating their views. For those wanting a solid introduction to covenant theology, accessible but not shallow, Belcher is a reliable guide.
4) Dark Matter – Blake Crouch. Dark Matter is a fast-paced, mind-bending thriller that’s hard to put down. Crouch explores themes of identity, choice, and the roads we don’t take — all wrapped in a story involving quantum physics and parallel realities. It’s one of those books where you tell yourself you’ll read “just one more chapter,” and suddenly an hour’s gone by. Though purely a sci-fi thriller, the book raises interesting questions about meaning and the kind of life worth pursuing. If you enjoy high-concept stories that also carry emotional weight, this one delivers.
3) The Humans – Matt Haig. The Humans is one of the more imaginative novels I read in awhile. Haig tells the story of an alien sent to earth who must inhabit the body of a Cambridge mathematician — and in the process discovers the strange beauty of being human. It’s witty, quirky, and often surprisingly moving. While not written from a Christian perspective, the book surfaces questions about purpose, love, and what truly matters in life. Haig has a way of shining a light on ordinary moments and showing that they’re not ordinary at all. A thoughtful and enjoyable read.
2) What Is a Reformed Baptist? – Tom Hicks. Hicks offers a concise and accessible introduction to Reformed Baptist identity. He clearly explains the theological convictions that shape the tradition — its view of Scripture, confessional commitments, covenant theology, and the nature of the local church. What I appreciated most was the clarity and charity with which he writes. Each of the chapters are packed and could stand alone as valuable reference for each subject. I also appreciated the irenic spirit modeled in the 2 London Confession. Avoiding caricature, Hicks presents a warmly pastoral vision of what it means to be a Reformed Baptist. If you’re looking for a short, trustworthy overview — either for yourself or to give to others — this is an excellent place to start.
1) The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas. Few novels grip the imagination like The Count of Monte Cristo. This epic tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption follows Edmond Dantès, a man wrongfully imprisoned who escapes, discovers great wealth, and embarks on a calculated quest for vengeance. But as the story unfolds, it becomes much more than a revenge narrative — it wrestles with questions of justice, God’s providence, and mercy. Dumas masterfully shows the cost of bitterness and the necessity of grace. Though long (my copy was over 800 pages), it doesn’t feel like a slog. I actually wanted more. The novel’s rich character development and intricate plotting make it well worth the time investment. I remember hearing R.C. Sproul say it was one of his favorite novels. Now I can say the same. If you’ve never read it, give it a shot; I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
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