Charles Spurgeon once said, “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” Below is a list of the top five non-scriptural books that Waldron, Semrad, McCormick, and Dovel visited, i.e., read through, in 2024.

Sam Waldron 

1. The Wonderful Works of God by Herman Bavinck.
2. Geerhadus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theologian, Confessional Presbyterian by Danny E. Olinger.
3. Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians by Philip Edgcumbe Hughes.
4. Commentary on 1 & 2 Corinthians by Charles Hodge.
5. 2 Corinthians by David Garland.

Rexford Semrad

1. The Mystery of Christ by Sam Renihan.  “At least my 5th reading, worth it every time. The best covenant theology book every written, by far.”
2. Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen. “Classic and just as applicable today as the week it was written.”
3. This was John Calvin by Thea B. Van Halsema & John Calvin, Genius of Geneva by Lawrence Penning. “Both of these Calvin biographies are worthwhile and enjoyable, but I always yearned for more of the story as found in Merle d’Aubigne.”
4. Reading Backwards: Figural Christology and the Fourfold Gospel by Richard B. Hays. “His theology isn’t perfect, but the work as a whole is thought-provoking and helpful.”
5. The Doctrine of Last Things: An Optimistic Amillenial View by Sam Waldron. “More than just The End Times Made Simple I & II combined. An excellent, systematic explanation and defense of what I consider the most biblical view of eschatology!”

Austin McCormick

1. A Practical Commentary, or an Exposition, with Notes, on the Epistle of James by Thomas Manton.
2. The Cause of God & Truth, Parts 1-3 by John Gill.
3. The Blessed and Boundless God by George Swinnock.
4. Living in God’s Two Kingdoms by David VanDrunen.
5. The Theology of Robert Hall Jr. by Austin Walker.

Dewey Dovel

1. Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton by W. Andrew Hoffecker. “This was an extensive biography devoted to surveying the life and theology of “the most
   significant American theologian of the nineteenth century” (from the back cover). It is a volume that features a fascinating historical investigation into the life of Charles Hodge, along with a robust assessment of his core theological convictions.”
2. Letters of Samuel Rutherford. “Over the centuries, many Christians have come to cherish this classic compilation of letters from one of the most prominent Puritans of the seventeenth century. I was especially enriched by this spiritual treatise, and I highly recommend incorporating it into one’s daily devotional readings.”
3. Systematic Theology: From Canon to Concept by Stephen J. Wellum. “As the first volume in a two volume series, this theological tome set the bar extremely high for its forthcoming counterpart. In both my preaching and writing endeavors, this text has been a great supplement to Wellum’s masterful work in biblical theology, Kingdom Through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants.”
4. The Ten Commandments by Cornelius Van Til. “Although Cornelius Van Til is most known for his work in apologetics, this exposition of the Ten Commandments was an immensely edifying read. Regardless of one’s apologetical preferences, confessionally Reformed Christians should have much to appreciate from this highly accessible and thought-provoking book.”
5. Watchfulness: Recovering A Lost Spiritual Discipline by Brian G. Hedges. “Every Christian should strive to grow in their fervency and frequency to engage in self-watch. In my personal experience, few resources have given me more effective tools to actually do so than this succinct synthesis of biblical insights, and various works from prominent Puritan heroes.”