My Top 5 Books for 2012

The new year has begun and everyone and their brother is posting their "Top..." list of 2012. Therefore, I thought I would venture into the fray and do the same. I would draw your attention to the title of this entry. It is "my" list. There is bound to be some disagreement and some omissions as many titles have come off the presses this year. However, with that being said, these are the top 5 books that were published in 2012 that I have personally read.

5. The Law of Christ by Charles Leiter.

Whether you adhere to "Covenant Theology," "Dispensational Theology," or "New Covenant Theology" this book will cause you to think well on what it means to serve Christ "in newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." Leiter does not tow the party line according to any of these systems, but simply and profoundly unpacks the role of Christ's commands to his church in the life of the church and individual believers. Leiter attempts to look at this matter Christologically and biblically.

4. Transformed by God: New Covenant Life and Ministry by David G. Peterson.

Peterson looks at the New Covenant promise given in Jeremiah. He unpacks its significance in its original context and shows its significance for the New Testament as well as the life of the New Testament church. Peterson does a masterful job of looking at the biblical data regarding the New Covenant and makes clear exegetical conclusions for the life of the New Covenant believer.

3. Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored by Michael G. Brown and Zach Keele.

As someone who believes Covenant Theology to be the architecture of God's unfolding of redemption, there are many times I find myself clarifying what adherents to Covenant Theology really believe. Typically, the follow up question I get is whether or not there is a good book that introduces Covenant Theology. Sacred Bond is my new "go to" book for introducing Covenant Theology. If you are looking for such a book, Brown and Keele write clearly and winsomely on the subject showing why Covenant Theology is important and how its central tenants fit together biblically.

2. The Creedal Imperative by Carl R. Trueman.

Trueman's book is, to be quite blunt, necessary. It is necessary because there is a want for understanding the role of creeds and confessions in the life of the church. It is Trueman's belief, and his burden for writing this book, "that creeds and confessions are vital to the present and future well-being of the church" (p. 12). He looks at the common cultural objection against creeds and looks historical at the development of creeds and confessions. He looks at their usefulness and shows how confessions and praise are intertwined. Whether you are part of a confessional church or not, you need to read this book and think well on its content.

1. Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books by Michael J.
Kruger.

I don't think I am overstating my belief that this book is in the "Top 10" of my all-time reads. I cannot say enough good things about this book. I read it over vacation this last summer and could not put it down; much to the chagrin of my family at times. Where canonical studies tend to fall more in the category of historical studies, Kruger has given to the church the theological underpinnings of the New Testament canon along with historical matters. This is essential reading for the church. His burden is to show the church that they have a perfectly biblical rationale for accounting for its knowledge of the canon.

Kruger introduces and evaluates the typical models associated with the formation of the New Testament canon. He introduces his view, which happens to be quite biblical and much more satisfying that the other views. Furthermore, he counters many objections that could be leveled at the view Kruger introduces.

That is, my friends, is my Top 5. As I said, I am sure there are others that could be mentioned and probably should be mentioned. These, however, are from the pile of books that I have read this last year. There appears to be a number of excellent titles to be released this year as well.