This list only concerns theological books. I read other things. For example, I am making my way through the Brother Cadfael novels by Ellis Peters. These are well constructed, witty, and beautifully written mysteries set in the 12th Century. My brother Craig Henebury has authored two thrillers, Sleep and Benjamin Grey and the Cricklewood Mansion. I think both are worthy of your perusal. I also made forays into some secular assessments of the world, especially the pervasiveness and damage of Feminism, that I think are (sadly) more prescient than what the Church has produced. The belief that women are good and unaccountable and men are bad and “the problem” is destroying society and is eroding the churches.
It has to be said though, that due to what is going on in my life I did not get to read as many books as I usually do. I was also occupied with reading theological articles quite a lot last year.
But this blog is about theology. So what have I read in 2025 that I want to write about here? In no particular order here are the best books (and one or two poor ones) that have passed before my eyes in the past year:
John Bunyan – The Holy War
I went through this book with my Church this past year and everyone found it beneficial. The original edition is somewhat longwinded, so I recommend grabbing an edited edition of about 200+ pages long. Bunyan is really good at showing the relentlessness of sin, exposing weaknesses in even our virtues, and describing the commitment of Christ to us, even when He tests our resolve.
Ben Witherington III – Biblical Theology
This is a large work from a respected scholar. This book includes several informative studies, such as the author’s insistence that hesed in the OT is not principally “covenant love” but Divine compassion and mercy. He argues that God’s covenants were not unconditional, but disregards the oaths at the core of those covenants, which are often unconditional. Witherington’s penchant for dipping into critical scholarship is evident in several notable areas – not great. All the same, his practical theology chapters at the end of the book are valuable.
David Zahl – The Big Relief
Zahl is a gifted wordsmith who places his finger on important aspects of life’s struggles, and with candor and wit directs people to Christ. He occupies a place on the Left side of Evangelicalism, but articulates important issues thoughtfully. His previous book, Low Anthropology, is very good. This one has good parts, but I wish he would be more straightforward with the Gospel.
J. Matthew Pinson (ed.) – Jonathan Edwards: A Reformed Arminian Engagement
I have never quite understood why Calvinists don’t read and interact with Arminian writings. It’s as if they think they’ll catch something. While not being Arminian myself, I have benefitted from reading Arminius, Wesley, Oden, Marshall etc. This is a fine set of essays on Edwards which are both respectful and critical. Edwards should be treated carefully as his philosophical inclinations were not very orthodox. I ought to give this work a review. We’ll see. Anyway, this is worth your time.
W. H. Griffith-Thomas – The Holy Spirit of God
A classic presentation which includes history, the OT witness, doctrine, and practical application. This is one you should have in your library.
Petrus Van Mastricht – Theoretical-Practical Theology: Vol. 1, Prolegomena
Last year I said that I was reading through Vol. 2 (which I was), but I went back to this volume again to review Mastricht’s view of Theology. Basically, he sees Theology as the application of God’s truth to living (cf. John Frame). I don’t like his approach to natural theology, but I do appreciate the clarity of his insights. For someone who believes method in Theology is crucial (I wrote a dissertation on it), I like the way Mastricht plots out a way forward which focuses on living for God in this evil world.
John Arrowsmith – Plans For Holy War
I intend to review this in my Puritan Books Evaluated series. I confess to being bemused as to why it was translated and edited for publication. It is a disappointing work to say the least. Arrowsmith enjoys demonstrating the breadth of his reading but betrays the shallowness of his contemplation. It appears to be written for the gallery. Compared to Gurnall or Brooks this is like a puddle next to a lake.
Dane Ortland – The Heart of Jesus
This is a shorter version of the author’s Gentle & Lowly. It does a good job of bringing out how committed our Lord is to us, even with our great imperfections. Like the larger work this one is a tad one-sided as it doesn’t stress the note of discipline found in the Puritans, but it is a good book to have on the Church Bookshelf.
Josiah Boyd – God Under Oath
I reviewed this a little while back. I think Boyd has done an outstanding job of putting the main tenets of Biblical Covenantalism into a small book that can be the basis of an individual or Church Bible Study. Our Church has this for sale. May I humbly commend it to your Church too.
John Durant – A Discovery of Glorious Love
An excellent set of meditations on Christ’s love for His saints. We all need reminding of the love that sent Jesus to the cross, and the love of our High Priest for believers. Profitable devotional reading.
Francois Fenelon – Let Go
This is a book I come back to a lot. It’s ideal for those undergoing hard times. I often use this in Biblical Counseling sessions, especially with the overwhelmed. It does not teach “let go and let God” so much as “trust in the Lord with all your heart.” There is a sincerity in Fenelon’s wise counsels that is bracing.
Christopher Cone (editor) – An Introduction to the New Covenant
A multi-author work which argues that the Church has no relation to the New covenant. All the writers do solid work defending their point of view. However, in crucial areas the reasoning fails to really engage the reasons for inclusion of the Body of Christ in the New covenant since it is purchased with “the blood of the New covenant” (1 Cor. 11:25). A lot of the argumentation looks like an attempt to steer attention away from what the texts are actually saying. Still, this is a cogent presentation of the Israel-only perspective.
Adam Harwood – Christian Theology
Written by a Southern Baptist representing a Provisionist viewpoint on soteriology, this well organized Systematic Theology has much to commend it. I find Harwood’s explanations of his positions cogent for the most part, even when I’m in disagreement (as e.g., his historic premillennialism). He has thought about his reader, and so presents the material attractively. The “core” Trinitarian doctrines are very well handled. One feature of this book I really appreciated was the impressive selection of sources in the footnotes. Harwood doesn’t inundate you with a glut of footnotes. Instead, he is careful to make his references count.
