So it’s that time of year again, and I hope some of these books will make it to your bookshelf—there are some good ones! You can go back and look at past years if you so choose. (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017). Also, if you’re on GoodReads, let’s connect. You can also follow me on Amazon.

  1. Church Shift by Sunday Adelaja — An interesting book from a very curious pastor. The story behind Pastor Adelaja’s work in Ukraine is incredibly fascinating. There’s a lot you can learn from this book, despite the fact that it may not be inside your “tradition.”
  2. The Thriving New Medical Practice by Patrick Phillips & Vicki Rackner — Read this book as we launched the new business. Gave some interesting insight!
  3. The Myth of the Rich Doctor by Vicki Rackner — See #2.
  4. Cash Crunch to Cash Flow by Patrick Phillips & Bryan Malatesta — See #2.
  5. The Grace of Shame by Tim Bayly — Has a lot of great things about how we should not only think, but also how we should talk about homosexuality. 
  6. Born with a Purpose by Rebecca Rushdoony Rouse — The Rushdoony family history is fascinating! 
  7. Puritan Economic Experiments by Gary North — An important little book on how the Puritans attempted to figure out the whole “New World” thing.
  8. The Biblical Trustee Family by Andrea Schwartz — Oh, that the atomistic family would go away! 
  9. A Word in Season Vol. 3 by R.J. Rushdoony — This series is simply outstanding. You should be reading these each day.
  10. Pierre Viret by R.A. Sheets — I confess that I never knew about Viret, but I also confess that I’m better for having read this biography. It’s really, really well done, and it even gives you a snapshot of Geneva that’s different from the prevailing views. Highly recommend this one.
  11. The Problem of Slavery in Christian America by Joel McDurmon — This is probably the book of the year for me. I can’t tell you how important this work was, is, and will be. Without a doubt, every single Christian needs to read this. 
  12. The Radical Cross by A.W. Tozer — I really like Tozer. 
  13. Selling Among Wolves by Michael Pink — This came highly recommended, and I see why. If you’re in business and/or sales, you really need to check this one out. 
  14. How Children Learn by John Holt — This was an arduous book to get through and I’m not sure why. Perhaps I wasn’t as focused as I am with other books? Anyhow, it’s a good book and as a homeschooling parent, I definitely agree with much of what Holt was suggesting. 
  15. Faith & Wellness by R.J. Rushdoony — This is a very, very good book. It’s not Rushdoony’s most popular book, but it shouldn’t be ignored, either. His application of the “faith for all of life” delves into the medical industry and the role of doctors, and I found it to be very helpful in navigating the statist problems we face today. 
  16. The 10x Rule by Grant Cardone — Success! Failure! This book! Is intense! // In all seriousness, I just don’t know how I feel about books like this. He argues that if you put in 10 times the effort of everyone else, you’ll be more successful. He may be right, and I certainly don’t want to devalue the role of hard work–but these books are…something. 
  17. Toward a Christian Marriage by R.J. Rushdoony — A great little book!
  18. Birds of the Air by Michael Bull — Sometimes Bull has great insight. Then he talks about baptism and covenant and suddenly he doesn’t know what he’s talking about it. Fun idea for a book, though. 
  19. Only Believe by Paul Taylor — It’s ok. Look, I get it. Sometimes Van Til can be difficult. But I felt like this book missed a great opportunity to teach people the basics of presuppositionalism. It’s not horrible, but I think it could have been much better. Maybe it’s a preference thing. IDK
  20. A Christian Reconstructionist Primer by Andrew Sandlin — Old and out of print, I somehow tracked down a used copy. It’s ok; it’s not the greatest thing out there. Maybe I’ll write a new primer. 
  21. The Saint Andrews Seven by Stuart Piggin — A neat little book about a praiseworthy missionary movement out of England. 
  22. The Greatest Fight in the World by C.H. Spurgeon — Meh. It’s ok. Spurgeon uses more metaphors than dictionaries have words. Did I do this right?
  23. Jesus, the Gentle Parent by L.R. Knost — Neat little book. Has some wonky theology in a few places, but the concepts are really good. It will trigger most Christian parents, though.
  24. The Pagan Heart of Today’s Culture by Peter Jones — If Peter Jones wrote it, it’s gonna be good. And he wrote this little book. 
  25. The Foundations of Social Order by R.J. Rushdoony — Probably the most unique book written in the history of the world, and that’s no exaggeration. This is a paradigm-shift that has been helpful for me as I develop my own thinking and understanding in Christian Reconstruction. I HIGHLY recommend this book. 
  26. A House For My Name by Peter Leithart — I know Leithart has his fair share of federal-vision wonkiness, but this is probably one of the best books on Old Testament survey that’s out there. It’s VERY good. 
  27. People Raising by William Dillon — My friend Charl recommended this book and I’m glad he did. I think it’s probably one of the better books on raising funds. By the way, you can donate to Cross & Crown by going here. (See? It’s okay to ask.)
  28. Building an Empire by Brian Carruthers — A pretty good book on multi-level marketing. While that phrase itself has a stigma, it’s nothing to be afraid of, really. 
  29. Existentialism is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre — I just don’t see what the fuss is about Sartre. Not that impressive.
  30. Humanism by Stephen Law — A short little introduction to the topic of humanism. It’s not that in-depth but that’s all right. 
  31. The Problem with Socialism by Thomas DiLorenzo — You really need to get this book. Like, right now.
  32. Abolition by Kevin Novak — There’s no neutrality, especially in education, and Novak does a wonderful job showing why Christians should not be in the government school. 
  33. The Bible and War in America by Joel McDurmon — A very helpful book on a topic we don’t much talk about.
  34. The Fourth Cup by Scott Hahn — A Protestant turned Romanist, Hahn’s book on the topic of Christ’s drinking of the final cup of passover is actually quite good. 
  35. Our Right to Drugs by Thomas Szasz — Yes, drugs can hurt you. No, the drug war isn’t helping. #EndTheDrugWar
  36. Through New Eyes by James Jordan — What a fantastic read this was! Classic James Jordan.
  37. Woke Church by Eric Mason — This is a GREAT book. While I would probably disagree with Mason on a few practical applications (like throwing more tax-funded theft-money at public schools), overall I’m right there with him on the issue. 
  38. Dream with Me by John Perkins — You just need to read John’s story here. I cried at multiple points. It’s phenomenal. (Also, my comment above regarding Mason would stand here, too).
  39. Understanding Jesus by Joseph Amaral — Setting aside Amaral’s Rapture fever, the book is not entirely horrible. There are a few things you might learn about some of the cultural cues of Jesus’ day. Just don’t get caught up in it all. Some people think blowing a shofar is more spiritual than playing chess. It’s not. 
  40. Tithing and Dominion by R.J. Rushdoony & Edward Powell — This book is a punch in the larynx region. On the topic of tithing, it stands alone at the top.
  41. The New Case for Gold by James Rickards — If you’re not signed up with me at 7K Metals and buying gold and silver, I don’t know what else to tell ya. 
  42. Come Outerism by William Goodell — Churches can be corrupt, as evidenced by the U.S. Slave Trade, and therefore must be rebuked and left. Same applies today.
  43. Christianity Considered by John Frame — A pretty good little book for skeptics and seekers. Definitely something you could give to a friend who’s floundering and/or searching.
  44. The Synagogue, Not the Temple, The Germ and Model of the Christian Church by James Gall — This is an old book but a good one. It highlights the difference between a temple model of church, and the biblical, synagogue model of the church. I take issue with a couple things, but overall it’s pretty good. And crazy unique–not many are writing on this issue.
  45. Mere Fundamentalism by Douglas Wilson — It’s a very unique book. I don’t recall reading anything quite like it. Definitely recommend.

Books in progress and on the docket for 2019:

(And a truck-load more!)