Top Ten Non-Fiction Books of 2023
Being in seminary naturally results in reading a lot of material — books and articles — that shape and inform the reader’s worldview, theology, and spiritual formation. At least, that’s what I found to be true for myself. Some of the books were school-recommended, others were recommended to me by trusted people, and still others were ones that I discovered myself as I wanted to learn more about various topics. So here are my top ten non-fiction books of various genres for 2023.
The Sacred Art of Listening (Kay Lindahl)
Genre: Spiritual formation and spiritual direction
Suggested for: Those who are yearning for space to be heard and to listen to others.
The Sacred Art of Listening is a meditative devotional for forty days of reflections on listening and silence. Each day includes a beautiful piece of artwork to assist the reader in grounding oneself and in meditation on what the author is saying. Each reflection is 1-2 pages long with profound insights on what it means to listen to one another, to God, and to yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to encounter God and grow in the likeness of Christ.
Good Boundaries and Goodbyes (Lysa TerKeurst)
Genre: Spiritual formation, counselling, and relationships
Suggested for: Anyone who needs assistance on clarifying boundaries and working toward healthy relationships.
Lysa TerKeurst has written many books on her personal life struggles, particularly her marriage, and her insight was perfectly timed for me as I struggled to learn how to construct good boundaries and maintain healthy relationships in my own life. Her words are kind and gentle, without condemnation for all of us who consistently compromise ourselves and our boundaries. Her words are also clear and encouraging to the reader, who feels as though she is walking beside us in our challenges. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with implementing good boundaries in their life and relationships because it feels ‘selfish.’
On the Shoulders of Hobbits (Peter Kreeft)
Genre: Literary analysis and moral ethics
Suggested for: Anyone who loves The Lord of the Rings and Narnia
On the Shoulders of Hobbits is an examination of the virtue of storytelling and the ways in which Tolkien and Lewis reflected Christian values in their works of fiction. As a LOTR and Narnia fan, I loved the in-depth look at various characters, including Frodo and Sam, Gandalf, Aragorn, Aslan, the Pevensie children of Narnia, and the White Witch. Kreeft also examines the traditional Aristotelian ethical virtues—wisdom, prudence, courage, and loyalty—and how the characters of these stories embody them. I realize that this is a fairly nerdy book (for the fantasy nerds and for the ethical/philosophical/theological nerds)… but I loved it and I recommend it!
The Naked Anabaptist (Stuart Murray)
Genre: Theology
Suggested for: Those who are curious about Anabaptism’s history, theology, and modern applications
Having been raised in an Anabaptist tradition, I was curious about what Anabaptism was actually all about. Stuart Murray is an Englishman, which intrigued me. Here is a man who believes in Anabaptism and is heavily involved in the Mennonite churches in London, England, but is not ‘culturally Mennonite.’ Hence, he’s a ‘naked’ Anabaptist, stripped of all the images of horse and buggy and sixteenth-century dress. He succinctly describes the historical origins of Anabaptism, its seven core convictions, and the relevance of Anabaptism in a postmodern, post-Christian world. It is a very compelling vision of the Christian faith and its positive influences in the world.
Spare (Prince Harry)
Genre: Memoir
Suggested for: Those who enjoy memoirs and royal family intrigue
I won’t deny it. I definitely felt a little sneaky when I was reading Spare. I’d heard so much about it but I really didn’t want to be seen as indulging the gossip around the British monarchy. Eventually, my curiosity won out and I read this sucker within two days (I was also sick at the time…).
I enjoyed it immensely. Prince Harry’s voice was humorous and witty. Regardless of where one might fall on the dispute between Harry and the monarchy, I found it a very insightful behind-the-scenes view at the institution of the monarchy and the absolute greed of the paparazzi. Spare is a fascinating study in how history is always told with a personal bias (because of course, we always tell our own stories from our own perspective), but that makes it no less legitimate. Haters may hate, but Harry has the right to tell his own story.
The Homiletical Plot (Eugene Lowry)
Genre: Preaching
Suggested for: Those who preach in Christian contexts
This is a rather special book, and I don’t imagine that many people will take me up on the suggestion to read it. However, it is a wonderful resource on narrative preaching—that is, preaching as storytelling. Everyone loves a good story, so why should preaching be any different. Of course, it’s not just a story, but the Story that we are trying to communicate to others in meaningful ways. The Bible is complicated and difficult to study and explain to others. Lowry’s narrative approach is invaluable in learning how to create tension within your sermon in order to gain and maintain an audience’s attention. This is the best resource I’ve read on preaching.
The Wounded Healer (Henri Nouwen)
Genre: Spiritual formation
Suggested for: Those who want to learn about Christian leadership
This was the first book I’ve read by Nouwen. I anticipate reading many more! The Wounded Healer is a small book (only 101 pages in my copy), but it is incredibly rich. Nouwen discusses several challenges present in our world: dislocation from culture and community, rootlessness, hopelessness, and loneliness. He suggests that the most effective leadership stems from our own woundedness, which becomes a source of life for others. You may have heard that ‘hurt people hurt people.’ Well, Nouwen says that hurt people are able to see the hurt in others and are the best healers for hurt people. Christian leadership imitates Christ, who was wounded so that he might stand in solidarity with our suffering. I highly recommend this book for anyone involved in Christian leadership or ministry. But really, it’s probably good for all of us to read.
Introvert By Design (Holley Gerth)
Genre: Devotional journal
Suggested for: Introverts
Holley Gerth, author of The Powerful Purpose of Introverts, has written a truly delightful devotional journal that assists the introvert in processing their day with meditative and reflective prompts, as well as setting goals, practicing gratitude, and identifying moments that drain and fill us. It was calming and refreshing to engage with this journal for thirty days.
Psalms in 30 Days (Trevin Wax)
Genre: Devotional
Suggested for: Those who want to engage with the Psalms daily and begin a regular practice of praying through the Psalms
I’ve read through this book twice now and I absolutely love it. Trevin Wax incorporates prayers from saints through the centuries, as well as well-known creeds and prayers from Scripture, prior to engaging the reader in praying through the Psalms. I’ll admit, I did not read this in thirty days. There are morning, afternoon, and evening sections, and I would often read one or two of these each day. It is a wonderful way to still one’s heart and center one’s mind on the God of the Psalms at morning, afternoon, and/or night. Also, the book itself—its cover design and interior formatting—is gorgeous.
That All Shall Be Saved (David Bentley Hart)
Genre: Theology and Philosophy
Suggested for: Those who enjoy reading dense philosophical arguments and controversial interpretations of Scripture
I’ve been doing quite a lot of reading on theology, which includes soteriology (things pertaining to salvation) and eschatology (things pertaining to the things at the end of time). That All Shall Be Saved is a theological and philosophical examination of universal salvation. Thankfully, it was not my first read in this topic (for that, I’d recommend The Evangelical Universalist by Gregory MacDonald).
It is densely written, but I thoroughly enjoyed Hart’s witty, bold style. He minces no words in his argument for universal salvation. Some might find this off-putting. I found it incredibly refreshing. Universal salvation is one of those off-limit interpretations of Scripture due to the condemnation of this approach by the early church in 553 AD (note: this is over five hundred years after the death and resurrection of Jesus). What most of us modern readers don’t know though is that there are many well-known early church fathers before this time and theologians throughout the past millennia that were staunch universalists (Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, and George MacDonald to name a few), which means that it warrants examination.
That All Shall Be Saved is worth reading even if you disagree with universalism because Hart carefully examines the historical apostolic interpretation of Scriptures, the philosophy regarding the problem of evil and the problem of free will, the theological implications of bearing the divine image of God, and the Scriptural support for universal salvation in Paul’s letters. It’s thorough and bold and dares to answer your questions.
If you decide to read any of these, let me know! I’d love to know your thoughts. That’s it for 2023, folks.
