A good portion of my ministry revolves around reading counseling-related (or counseling-relevant) resources, not only for my own personal growth but also for the production of the Hope + Help Podcast. Yes—I read every single book we discuss on the show in advance of the conversation! Every so often, I'm given an invitation to preview a book manuscript for the purposes of potentially offering a pre-publication endorsement. I consider these requests an undeserved-yet-tremendous privilege to handle carefully.
What am I looking for when considering a endorsement? Apart from the obvious hallmarks—like the book being biblically-sound where foundational Christian doctrines are concerned, or not containing any blatant contradictions to what I understand the Scriptures to teach—I do have a loose mental checklist I keep in mind as I read:
• Does this resource regard the Scriptures as the highest source of authority and wisdom when it comes to understanding and addressing the book's topic?
• Is this resource written in a tone which is full of grace and truth, comfort and counsel, hope and help?
• Is this a resource I would use in counseling/discipleship contexts or recommend to someone who is struggling with the issue the book seeks to address?
• Did I glean insights from this book which will helpfully influence the way I think about its topic in the future?
• Does this resource make what I believe to be a valuable contribution to the existing conversation surrounding its topic?
• Does this resource communicate a nuanced understanding of the multi-faceted and embodied nature of human suffering and sin?
• Do I believe this resource is well-written, well-edited, and enjoyable to read in general?
• Does this resource exalt Christ and his gospel as the reader's ultimate hope and treasure?
• Is this resource written by someone who has extensive personal and/or professional experience pertaining to the topic?
This past year, I issued endorsements for ten new books which fit within this general framework. Ultimately, every reader must discern for themselves what to "take away" and "leave behind" from the Christian books they read (Acts 17:11). While my endorsement doesn't necessarily mean I wholeheartedly agree with every single word the author has written, it does mean that I believe the book is worth your time and attention. That being said, here are the books which I gladly reviewed in 2023, accompanied by their respective endorsements (in no particular order).
What am I looking for when considering a endorsement? Apart from the obvious hallmarks—like the book being biblically-sound where foundational Christian doctrines are concerned, or not containing any blatant contradictions to what I understand the Scriptures to teach—I do have a loose mental checklist I keep in mind as I read:
• Does this resource regard the Scriptures as the highest source of authority and wisdom when it comes to understanding and addressing the book's topic?
• Is this resource written in a tone which is full of grace and truth, comfort and counsel, hope and help?
• Is this a resource I would use in counseling/discipleship contexts or recommend to someone who is struggling with the issue the book seeks to address?
• Did I glean insights from this book which will helpfully influence the way I think about its topic in the future?
• Does this resource make what I believe to be a valuable contribution to the existing conversation surrounding its topic?
• Does this resource communicate a nuanced understanding of the multi-faceted and embodied nature of human suffering and sin?
• Do I believe this resource is well-written, well-edited, and enjoyable to read in general?
• Does this resource exalt Christ and his gospel as the reader's ultimate hope and treasure?
• Is this resource written by someone who has extensive personal and/or professional experience pertaining to the topic?
This past year, I issued endorsements for ten new books which fit within this general framework. Ultimately, every reader must discern for themselves what to "take away" and "leave behind" from the Christian books they read (Acts 17:11). While my endorsement doesn't necessarily mean I wholeheartedly agree with every single word the author has written, it does mean that I believe the book is worth your time and attention. That being said, here are the books which I gladly reviewed in 2023, accompanied by their respective endorsements (in no particular order).
