Austin's Blog

•”Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers” by Dane Ortlund

This book caused me to love Jesus more deeply. We cannot fathom the height, depth, and breadth of his heart for us.

•”None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God” by Matthew Barrett

The author utilizes the works of Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas to showcase the profundity and beauty of classical theism. I was encouraged to possess a greater vision of God.

•”Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ” by Timothy Keller

This was the best advent book I read. Keller mined the scriptures of riches I hadn’t even considered before. This may be in my top three Christmas books from here on out.

•”Gadsby’s Hymns” by William Gadsby

A friend recommended this hymn book to me and I’m better for it. It contains some of the greatest lyrics men and women have ever penned about God, glory, and his grace.

•”History of the Christian Church, Vol. 7” by Philip Schaff

I’ve owned his collection for years but just read volumes 7 and 8 for a class. It was so devotionally satisfying as well as encouraging learning about Luther and God’s faithfulness in the past. We stand upon the shoulders of giants.

•”Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans” by Robert Elmer

Outside of the “Valley of Vision”, this is the best prayer book I’ve used. It modernizes the English for greater readability. I often don’t know what or how to pray and these men have aided me tremendously in my inability and ignorance.

•”The Enduring Authority of the Christian Scriptures” edited by D.A. Carson

Can the Protestant view on the authority of Scripture be defended well? Carson and his crew of scholars argued so. I learned so much and walked away with a greater confidence in the Bible.

•”The David Story” by Robert Alter

Alter is a master grammarian and translator. His work helped me to see the David story with fresh eyes. Each page revealed something I missed before. His translation of the Old Testament is a treasure.