Books of the Quarter
Redeeming Sex in Marriage: How the Gospel Rescues Sex, Transforms Marriage, and Reveals the Glory of God
Scott Mehl
P&R Publishing, 2024
216 pages
Sex is everywhere in our society. And the Bible has a lot to say about it. But sex is still a hard topic to talk about at church. It can feel taboo to bring it up. And this means that many Christian couples have a weak understanding of God’s purposes for sexual intimacy. Thankfully, Scott Mehl has written a biblical, sensitive, and practical guide to help couples as they navigate sexual faithfulness in their marriages. If you have been struggling with sex in your marriage (or even if you haven’t), I can’t think of another Christian book I would recommend more on this topic!
— Daniel Chan
A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation
Matthew C. Bingham
Crossway, 2025
354 pages
In an age when “spiritual formation” is often repackaged as mindfulness, emotional wellness, or vague spirituality, A Heart Aflame for God is a welcome reminder that we don’t need trendy disciplines; we need to rediscover the divinely appointed means by which our Spirit-given thirst for God is both stirred and satisfied.
Bingham’s unique contributions will be the chapters on meditation, self-examination, and the natural world. If your soul feels dry, distracted, or disoriented, read this book. It will not only inform your mind—it will ignite your heart.
— Stephen Chen
A Light on the Hill: The Surprising Story of How a Local Church in the Nation's Capital Influenced Evangelicalism
Caleb Morell
Crossway, 2025
325 pages
Our church has benefited greatly from the ministry of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Their pastors, publications, and people have helped to shape our understanding of the church. In this biography of that imperfect, but faithful group of believers, Caleb Morell highlights key moments and figures in its history. Well-researched and well-written, this is an encouraging look at how God can use a local congregation to steward and spread the gospel through its members and pastors. Highly recommended!
— Daniel Chan
A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life
J.I. Packer
Crossway, 2022
576 Pages
J.I. Packer writes: “Puritanism was at heart a spiritual movement, passionately concerned with God and godliness.” Christians today need to think deeply about Scripture, Christ, and holiness. Thankfully, the Puritans can help us in this task. A Quest For Godliness gives us an introductory, yet rich look into what the Puritans believed and taught regarding the Bible, the Gospel, the Holy Spirit, the Christian life, and ministry. While this work requires concentration and careful evaluation, it can help sharpen our minds regarding important biblical and theological truths.
— Ryan Choy
The Dynamic Heart in Daily Life: Connecting Christ to Human Experience
Jeremy Pierre
New Growth Press, 2016
272 Pages
Our hearts are the seat of our thoughts, desires, and volition. While God was the intended Object of the heart's thinking, wanting, and willing, the fall rendered it desperately wicked. We can assent to a biblical truth and turn our affections Godward today, and yet willfully dive headlong into sin tomorrow. Is there hope for the heart of man? Jeremy Pierre examines the transformative work of God in the hearts of those who have embraced Jesus Christ through faith. There's hope for reorienting wayward hearts to think, want, and will after God, as He originally intended, engaging with Him in real-time through the ebb and flow of everyday life.
— Brian Chang
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Donald S. Whitney
NavPress, 2014
352 pages
1 Timothy 4:7 (NASB) says: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” It is essential that Christians pursue holiness to grow in godliness. Donald S. Whitney argues that the path to Christian maturity and godliness must include the spiritual disciplines. These are not subjective practices, rather, they are the practices we find in Scripture that promote spiritual growth. While the more obvious disciplines are covered, this resource can also spur us on towards the more neglected practices of fasting, evangelism, and silence and solitude. Whitney provides a helpful resource to encourage believers in their disciplines, while outlining many practical tips to get us started.
— Ryan Choy
Impossible Christianity: Why Following Jesus Does Not Mean You Have to Change the World
Kevin DeYoung
Crossway, 2023
160 pages
We all believe that salvation is by faith and grace alone, and yet some of us still walk around feeling like spiritual failures because we could be doing more: more prayer, more evangelism, or even more to remedy society’s pressing issues. But that’s normal, right? Wrong. In this short book, Kevin DeYoung argues that Christianity is not meant to feel impossible. This book reexplains Christianity in a refreshing yet thoroughly biblical way and I commend it to all—especially to those with a more sensitive conscience.
— Jonathan Wood
Knowing God’s Truth: An Introduction to Systematic Theology
Jon Nielson
Crossway, 2023
320 pages
Many people think of systematic theology as primarily an academic exercise, one full of theoretical arguments and limited relevance to one's daily life. However, Jon Nielson's book shows that for any Christian, knowing more about their God (i.e., theology) not only strengthens a Christian's mind, but also means a joyful engagement with God that deepens our love for Him.
— Kevin Zhang
Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age
Samuel D. James
Crossway, 2023
208 pages
Quit Instagram. Take a digital sabbath. Samuel D. James doesn’t advocate for ANY of these solutions in this short and accessible book. Rather, this book is about how to live wisely, given the formative power of the web. He points to five “liturgies” of technology and how it has already shaped how we think and feel; In other words, TikTok isn’t simply a neutral tool; it changes your soul. So put down the phone, and pick up this book, that you may live wisely in this digital age!
— Stephen Chen
The Company We Keep: In Search of Biblical Friendship
Jonathan Holmes
Cruciform Press, 2014
122 pages
We have so many ways to connect with others these days, but the reality is that many of us still long for deeper friendships. This is especially true when it comes to our relationships within the church. In <em>The Company We Keep</em>, Jonathan Holmes provides a vision for biblical friendships among believers. This short, easily accessible book guides you to Scripture and offers practical suggestions for cultivating gospel-centered friendships.
— Daniel Chan
Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care
Uche Anizor
Crossway, 2022
185 pages
Overcoming Apathy is short enough for the apathetic to finish, practical enough for meaningful change. Anizor’s definition of apathy is clear and concise, carefully differentiating it from depression. There’s neither brow-beating, shaming, nor furious exhortations—just a gospel-centered approach for anyone struggling with apathy in their spiritual life.
— Stephen Chen
Surviving Religion 101: Letters to A Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College
Michael J. Kruger
Crossway, 2021
272 pages
Many colleges make it difficult for Christians to thrive in their faith especially when professors make it a point to discredit Scripture and the reliability of the Bible. In this work, Michael J. Kruger gives several short, concise, and helpful chapters to address common objections students may hear on their college campuses regarding God and the Bible. Though the title targets college students, this book can equip Christians in every stage of life as it addresses controversial topics such as hell, evil, contradictions in the Bible, homosexuality, and miracles. Christianity is not an unreasonable faith, Scripture is not unreliable, and God is not a barbarian. This book is a useful tool to assure believers of these truths and to help answer opponents in love. You can read this book from cover to cover or you can read each chapter as standalones. Whatever you decide, it is a straightforward and beneficial read.
— Ryan Choy
Untangling Emotions
J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith
Crossway, 2019
225 pages
What do we do with our emotions? Do we squash them and try to shelve them away? What if our emotions overwhelm us? What do our emotions say about us? Groves and Smith provide a practical and biblical introduction when we are not sure what to do with our feelings. This book is invaluable for those who desire to compassionately guide others who are struggling with their feelings, and required reading for the Christian to understand and engage their emotions for the glory of God.
— Stephen Chen
Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids
David Murray
Crossway, 2017
224 pages
While there are many Christian resources out there for children, it’s harder to find ones that help them engage directly in reading the word of God. Thankfully, David Murray has helped fill that need! He has created a reading plan targeted at kids ages 6-12 that takes them through the Bible over the course of a year, one day at a time. <em>Exploring the Bible</em>, along with its sequel,<em> Meeting with Jesus,</em> features daily Bible passages, prayer points, memory verses, age-appropriate questions, and even space for sermon notes. Based on personal experience with our own children, it’s a great way to help kids begin reading Scripture for themselves!
— Daniel Chan
Christianity Explained: Share The Christian Message One To One From The Gospel Of Mark
Michael Bennet
The Good Book Company, 2021
68 pages
Christianity Explained can help believers reach their neighbors and those who have little to no understanding of Jesus, the Bible and the Gospel. Both practical tips and a simple curriculum with six studies through the Gospel of Mark are provided. Though the material is simple, it is biblical and creative in its approach as an evangelistic small group study. While many of us know the call to reach the lost, sometimes we desire tools to get us going. Christianity Explained is a resource that believers can look to in their endeavor to reach the lost for Christ.
- Ryan Choy
Charity and Its Fruits: Christian Love as Manifested in the Heart and Life
Jonathan Edwards
Banner of Truth, 1969
368 pages
Comprising 15 sermons preached by Edwards on 1 Corinthians 13:1—10, this is a must read for any Christian. Written around the time of the Great Awakening, it is warm and accessible. More importantly, its truths and applications are essential for our fractured age. Each chapter is a challenge to both the grumbling Christian and the contented one. The last chapter, “Heaven is World of Love” is beautiful and stirring, and worth its weight in gold. After finishing this volume, I wanted to read each sermon in toto from the pulpit!
- Stephen Chen
Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction
Kevin DeYoung
Crossway, 2021
178 pages
As the roles of men and women continue to be debated and deconstructed in the public sphere, there is a pressing need for straightforward, biblical truth concerning the roles of men and women in the church. DeYoung is clear and gracious as he presents the case for complementarianism by walking through key passages from Scripture and answering common objections. Along the way, he provides several helpful suggestions for pursuing a biblical vision of manhood and womanhood in our day and age. If you’re looking for an accessible introduction to complementarianism, this is it!
- Daniel Chan
The Peacemaker
Ken Sande
Baker Books, 2004 (3rd edition)
321 pages
In a time where conflict is everywhere; between family members or friends, at our workplaces, in airplanes and restaurants, even in the church, The Peacemaker is an essential read for all believers in Christ. While this book is not new, it is still very relevant, biblically based and full of godly and practical wisdom. This book helps us to remember the Four G's: Glorify God, Get the log out of your eye, Gently restore, and Go and be reconciled.
- Andrew Ho
Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope
Matthew McCullough
Crossway, 2018
191 pages
Cancer, COVID, and the common cold. These are all reminders that a casket awaits all humanity. Yet how easily we brush off the inevitable and live like immortals! McCullough’s meditation on death is a much-needed book for young and old alike, teaching us that thinking of death allows one to live with less fear, with more wisdom, and with more hope.
- Stephen Chen
Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice
Thaddeus J. Williams
Zondervan, 2020
261 pages
Writing on perhaps one of the most polarizing issues of our day, Thaddeus Williams poses twelve questions for Christians ready to walk down the road of social justice. Though a proponent of social justice, Williams nevertheless critiques its modern movement and how it can be at odds with the gospel. Though some might equivocate over the “what about” arguments presented, and Christians will still be wondering, “how should we respond,” this is a winsome book that is well-researched and helpful for any who are willing to change their thinking about our modern zeitgeist.
- Stephen Chen