Introduction

Every year I try to read books on different topics that interest me. I want to share a list of books that I read in 2025. Just a quick warning: I read books by different authors with theological viewpoints different from my own. Just because I read a book does not mean I agree with everything the author says.

1. 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity by John C. Lennox.

As a software engineer, I work with AI almost every day and have a pretty good idea of what it is. But I was much more interested in the theological view of AI and in how we, as Christians, should treat it.

John Carson Lennox is a prominent Northern Irish mathematician, philosopher of science, and Christian apologist. He is an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and an Emeritus Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College. I think he is one of the best Christian intellectuals of our day. He is also a polyglot, speaking English, Russian, French, Spanish, and German. He famously debated well-known atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens.

So, as you can probably sense, he is one of my favorites. This book is a good introduction to the topic of AI, offering a balanced perspective. Some sections may be a bit tedious, but his discussion of AI from the perspective of the book of Revelation is especially interesting. You can see this book here.

“Man thinks he can become God. But infinitely greater than that is the fact that God thought of becoming human.”

2. Against Liberal Theology: Putting the Brakes on Progressive Christianity by Roger Olson

When we think of liberalism in Christianity, it often includes certain Christian standards or aspects of Christian culture that people don’t share with us. But the topic of liberal theology is much deeper than that. It is a theological framework that presents the Bible and the work of Christ in a completely different way—one that does not align with what Scripture teaches.

Although it uses the same terms and the same Bible, it means something entirely different. If you want to learn more in depth about the history of liberal theology, how it evolved, how it affected Christianity, and the dangers of this theology, this book would be a good resource.

In light of such a massive transformation of biblical content and belief it is no wonder that “liberal churches . . . are struggling to survive” 

3. The Peace Maker by Ken Sande

We, as Christians, live in a sinful world, and because of this we will have personal conflicts with people around us—especially with other Christians. Ken Sande is a trained engineer, lawyer, and mediator. He has helped reconcile hundreds of family, business, church, and legal conflicts. In his book, Ken provides a guide with practical steps on how we should resolve these conflicts. It is a good, simple read with very practical steps grounded in Scripture.

Conflict is one of the many tools that God will use to help you develop a more Christ-like character. To begin with, he may use conflict to remind you of your weaknesses and to encourage you to depend more on him

4. Judges For You: For Reading, For Feeding, For Leading Book by Timothy Keller

Every year I try to pick one book of the Bible for personal study. This year I chose the Book of Judges. It is not an easy book, but the commentary by Timothy Keller really helped me enjoy it and understand it better.

What I like about Keller’s commentary is that it is clear and applicable. The author does a great job of showing how the Book of Judges speaks into everyday life. If you are looking for a technical commentary, this may not be the best choice. But if you are looking for something more practical, this book is a great resource.

We need to remember that we are saved by grace when we fail. But we need to remember it much more when we succeed.

5. Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships by Ed Welch

The Bible teaches that we, as Christians, should care for one another. We can find many Bible verses that include the words one another or others. But how do we actually live this out? Ed Welch, a well-known Reformed biblical counselor, author, and faculty member, shares eight practical ways to do this, grounded in Scripture. This is a nice, short book if you are interested in learning how you can be a blessing to other believers in the body of Christ.

Most Christians know we should care for one another. But few of us know how.

6. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

This is not the first time I am reading this book. It is one of my favorites. One of the main reasons is that this book helped me with my faith when I was struggling to reconcile my faith—especially things I could not fully understand with my mind. I first read it in high school, and since then I have continued rereading it throughout my life. Every time I read it, I learn something new or notice something I missed before.

C. S. Lewis is also one of my favorite authors. It amazes me how he can take complex ideas and present them so clearly. His logic and reasoning are consistent and intellectually strong. If you know someone who is struggling with their faith, this book can be a great gift and a real help. I believe every Christian should read this book at least once in their lifetime.

No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good . . . Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is

7. What is The Church by R.C. Sproul

Although I do not adhere to Reformed theology, I do think R. C. Sproul is a great teacher, and I enjoy reading and listening to him on certain topics because I think he is one of the best teachers in the church. His short book on the church is a nice, concise read. I do not agree with the covenant theology presented in the book, but the historical background and the discussion of the creeds were excellent.

He also told us to take great care in exercising church discipline, lest in our zeal to purify the church we rip out the wheat along with the tares.

8. From the Resurrection to His Return: Living Faithfully in the Last Days by D. A. Carson

This is a short book about how we should live in the last days before Jesus comes. It is very brief—around 50 pages or so—but packed with biblical truth. D. A. Carson is a well-known theologian who has been very influential in our time, both through his Bible commentaries and as a cofounder of the Gospel Coalition.

But the Bible is not a magic book, as in: “A verse a day keeps the devil away”. It is a book that points us to Jesus, and this Jesus saves and transforms…. These Scriptures make you “wise for salvation”.

9. Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I? by Timothy Keller

We all struggle, and sometimes we also struggle with forgiveness in our lives. This is probably the most complete work on forgiveness that I have seen. The book contains a lot of helpful information, and there are also parts that I didn’t find directly applicable to me but still found interesting. I have read quite a few books by Keller, and while this may not be one of his very best, it is still a good book on such an important topic.

Forgiveness is a form of voluntary suffering. In forgiving, rather than retaliating, you make a choice to bear the cost.

10. Karl Marx and the Satanic Roots of Communism by Richard Wurmbrand

This is a very disturbing book written by a Romanian Lutheran pastor who spent 14 years in prison under the communists for his faith. I have heard mixed reviews about this book, with some saying that certain claims are not accurate or not well proven. Still, the connection the author draws between Karl Marx and satanism is deeply disturbing—if it is true. At times, the author goes into too much detail about occult practices, which I did not find beneficial for everyone who might read this book.

I wish to avenge myself against the One who rules above. — Karl Marx

11. The Pursuit of God: Updated Edition by A.W. Tozer

This is not the first time I am reading this book either. This time I decided to read the updated edition to see if I would understand it better. It is not a big book, but it is a classic. Tozer wrote this book overnight during a train trip.

Reading it again, I discovered new thoughts and new truths for myself once more. The book has great spiritual depth, but it is also very practical for daily life. After reading this book, you find yourself wanting to draw closer to God.

Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth.

Bible—Book of Judges

As I mentioned before, this year I focused on studying the book of Judges. God used this book of the Bible to show me how much we all need a Judge who will deliver us—Jesus Christ. Human judges are faulty and sinful, but Jesus Christ is the perfect Judge. Thank God for Jesus Christ.

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)

Conclusion

This year was busy for me, and I didn’t read as many books as in previous year. But I thank the Lord for how He used some of these books to encourage me and help me grow in my faith. Let me know in the comments which book you read had the greatest spiritual impact on you.