Books and Other Stuff from 2025
These are a few of my favorite things.
It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone already. I know it is probably the cliché-est of clichés to suggest that “time flies,” but it really does. And it really has, of late. I’m sure there is some sort of phenomenon that someone far smarter than me has theorized and published peer-reviewed papers about that would explain why it feels as though time seems to speed up the longer you’re alive. I’ll just chalk it up to one of those “facts of life” that just is. The busyness of being a husband, dad, pastor, preacher, aspiring writer, occasional podcaster, and whatever other vocations I’ve undertaken creates a frenetic alchemy that seems to keep my days running in fast forward. Some of you may not feel the tactility of that reference since you didn’t grow up watching Disney movies on VHS, but I digress.
Having done a couple of these over these years (here and here), I’d feel remiss if I didn’t try to keep up the habit this year, too, especially since there were some really great books that I don’t know if I’ll get to review anytime soon. This at least allows me to process some of the things I’ve read and/or consumed (more on that in a second) over the last twelve months for either your perusal or my own personal catalog, or both. What follows doesn’t account for all the stuff I’ve read, but these are the primary entries that I would recommend you read, if you haven’t already. I’ll add a comment or two to each entry as I see fit, and I’ve tried to categorize this better this year, hopefully, allowing you to skip over the sections you don’t have interest in.
Also, inspired by the lists curated by Griffin Gooch and Dave Zahl, I’m trying something new with this year’s “End-of-Year List” by including some of my favorite media that aren’t books. Let’s get to it.
Theologia Crucis Books
As you might’ve gathered this past year, Martin Luther’s paradigmatic “theology of the cross vs. theology of glory” has become my theological muse, of sorts. I honestly can’t get enough of it, which bodes well for an announcement I hope to make public within the next few days. Having amassed a treasure trove of volumes on the subject, there are a few that stand out:
Theology of the Cross: Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation and Reflections on Its 28 Theses, by Caleb Keith and Kelsi Klembara. To understand the theologia crucis, one ought to begin with its optimal articulation, as expressed by Luther himself in his Heidelberg Disputation. Caleb and Kelsi have really achieved something with this little book from 1517 Publishing, which boasts a new translation of Luther’s theses (thank you, Caleb!), along with an assortment of essays reflecting chunks of Luther’s assertions, all in just over one hundred pages. This is a massive win.
Theologia Crucis: A Companion to the Theology of the Cross, by Robert Cady Saler. I’m not sure where I came across this concise entry, but I’m glad I did. Saler doesn’t spend a lot of time mining the historical context of the theologia crucis and, instead, is eager to tease out its function within the life of the church. I wasn’t convinced of everything he proposed, but there are several great passages throughout that make this centi-page book worth your while.
The Power of the Cross: Theology and the Death of Christ in Paul, Luther, and Pascal, by Graham Tomlin. By far, the most impactful work on the theology of the cross that I’ve read recently is this one. Tomlin’s project is quite a feat, as he examines the history and theology of three different figures living in three different eras of the church to find the sinews of the theologia crucis that make it so resonant. From the apostle Paul to Luther to Blaise Pascal of “Pascal’s Wager” fame, The Power of the Cross engages the reader with biblical, theological, and philosophical considerations of the theologia crucis that convey its significance for those who belong to Christ. If you are at all interested in this theological paradigm, Tomlin’s work is a great place to start — fair warning, though: it’s dense.
Theology Books
The Well That Washes What It Shows: An Invitation to Holy Scripture, by Jonathan A. Linebaugh. Since I already wrote a full-length review of this for my friends at 1517, I won’t parrot myself here. Needless to say, what Jono does with this book is not only sensational but also necessary, especially given our current ecclesiastical climate. By and large, the church is desperate for more accessible books concerning the law-gospel paradigm and more books engaging readers with how to read and understand the Bible as a whole. The Well That Washes What It Shows accomplishes both in one fell swoop.
The Word of the Cross: Reading Paul, by Jonathan A. Linebaugh. I had seen this entry referenced and cited by friends and colleagues so frequently, I had to see what all the fuss was about for myself. This earlier work from Jono is, essentially, a compendium of essays on a variety of New Testament-related themes that serve to unfurl the meaning of the cross and the surprise of grace. This is a must-read.
The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World, by David Zahl. Everything DZ writes is worth your while, but his endeavor to write about grace, synthesizing the fundamental thesis for his online ministry, Mockingbird, was no small feat. Books about grace are seemingly a dime a dozen, but Dave’s razor-sharp approach to writing, culture, and theology makes The Big Relief relieving in and of itself, even while it draws you further up and further into the relieving news of the gospel.
Church Life Books
What Is Faith?, by J. Gresham Machen. It feels somewhat banal to suggest you read something from someone as revered as Machen, because, well, duh. Nonetheless, what he does in this treatise is so timely, I wish someone would republish it just so more eyes would come across it. Nearly everything Machen explains feels like he is writing to you and me right now. This book is incredibly timely.
Creator to Crown: A Christ-Centered Catechism, by P. Adam McClendon and Chris Hulshof. I had the privilege to write an endorsement for this one, which I was glad to do. When other denominations think of Baptists, they don’t often associate them with any sort of creedal heritage, which is unfortunate, since there are a number of sound Baptist creeds and confessions. What Creator to Crown does is offer an accessible resource for churches and church leaders to engage with Benjamin Keach’s Baptist Catechism. I can’t wait for this one to get released in June.
Dying to Preach: Embracing the Cross in the Pulpit, by Steven W. Smith. Along with a smattering of books and articles on the theologia crucis, I also consumed a myriad of entries on pastoral ministry, specifically preaching. In Dying to Preach, preachers are encouraged to embrace their own death whenever they enter the pulpit. The event of the sermon is a place to die so that others may live, which is what happens to the preacher and what the preacher preaches about as well. Every homiletician should digest this one.
Other Media
Favorite TV Show. This is easily Severance, which I wrote about at length here, here, and here. Somehow, I feel like a lot of folks have forgotten about this one, but I haven’t. I’m still reeling from that final shot. Otherwise, my other favorite is a toss-up between two rather unexpected shows, both of which surprised me. As a fan of the mockumentary comedy made famous by The Office, St. Denis Medical over on Peacock has the makings of another long-running entry in the genre. The way I’ve explained it to friends who are skeptical of it is that it feels like it has a “Season 3 Level” understanding of its characters in the first season. The other show that completely caught me off guard was the YouTube series The Promised Land, another mockumentary-style show that was pitched as a cross between The Office and The Chosen. That description is mostly true, but in a way, it sells this show short. The Promised Land can easily stand on its own. I cannot wait for more episodes in this series; a full review is coming shortly.
Favorite Film. This was an uncharacteristically light year for movies for me. I got caught up in other shows or decompressing and de-stressing via Fortnite trios, which meant that feature-length films took more of a backseat than I’d care for. I am eager to change that this year, though, with so many films on my “to watch” list that it’s hard to know where to start. I really wanted to like Havoc, because, well, Tom Hardy, but there was too much language and the script was atrocious. Much like everyone else, I enjoyed KPop Demon Hunters more than I thought I would, thanks to my kids. I also really enjoyed The Bikeriders and The Thursday Murder Club. But honestly, I’m just going to call this category a push since I didn’t devote enough time to it.
Favorite Film Score. This one’s easy: Hamnet by Max Richter. This score is hauntingly beautiful, especially the culminating track, “Of the undiscovered country,” which I often put on repeat three or four times in a row whenever I have it on. Like Interstellar before it, Hamnet is going to be the background soundtrack for many essays, sermons, and books to come.
Favorite Comfort Food Show. My wife and I couldn’t get enough of Culinary Class Wars on Netflix, a South Korean cooking competition that was immediately enthralling. Also, we are dedicated fans of The Traitors, though we’re partial to the UK version (the second season was so dang good!). I don’t make a habit of watching reality television, but I am such a sucker for this show. It’s so campy and full of intrigue.
Favorite Song. “All Shall Be Well” by Tenth Avenue North is easily my favorite Christian song from 2025, but “What a friend (from the studio)” by Benjamin William Hastings is such a close runner-up that I had to mention it as well.
Favorite Album. Both of the above albums, Learning to Trust and How I’d sing it on a sunday (from the studio), respectively, are great listening experiences, by the way. But I absolutely love Jess Ray’s “MATIN” series, culminating in MATIN 4: Home, which is sublime.
Favorite Documentary. Both The Perfect Neighbor and Unknown Number: The High School Catfish left me absolutely gutted in their own unique but equally devastating ways.
Favorite YouTube Clip and/or Channel. I mean, I really want to say the AI-generated 1950s soul version of “Baby Shark,” because it is just so dang good, but I’m worried about what you might say about liking something Baby Shark-related and something synthetically created. So, I guess I’ll go with Alex Melton’s Blink-182-style cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer.” This is the version of this song I can listen to on repeat.
Favorite Instagram. I really love what’s going on with @itsjustcinema. Also, one of my new favorite memes is “Because that’s why.” Thank you, @itsbobbyfinn!
Favorite Substack Not Authored by Griffin Gooch. Since so many of my peers will probably say GIRLS by Freya India, and rightly so, I couldn’t get enough Diary of a Failed Comedian by Peter James. I gobbled up everything he wrote almost as soon as he published it.
Well, that’s it, or at least, that’s all I can remember right now. Here’s to another year of writing and promoting Jesus’s grace upon grace far and wide.
Grace and peace to you, and Happy New Year, friends!