Top 10 Books of 2023

Continuing from my previous end of year post, I’ve decided to another do a short review (capped at 3 sentences) for each of the top 10 books I’ve read this year. Sadly, I did not read a science book this year. Perhaps spending the year tutoring two N-levels physics students was sufficient exposure for me? Also, the only fiction book I read this year (Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry) was honestly quite underwhelming given its hype. I hope that this encourages you to pick up some of these titles, or even just think about the issues they touch on. Feel free to get in touch to talk more about any of them!

Critical Evaluation of Pentecostal Spirit Baptism

This essay is a critical evaluation of the Pentecostal doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit. It will first explain the doctrine in terms of its separation from regeneration, subsequence to conversion, and initial evidence of the gift of speaking in tongues, by referring to Pentecostals’ arguments. Thereafter, it will show that the doctrine is founded on shaky biblical grounds as it neglects the redemptive-historical context of unique conversion events in Acts and the multi-cultural connotation of the gift of speaking in foreign tongues. The essay will then draw some implications of this critical evaluation on Christian living in terms of Pentecostals’ two-tiered ecclesiology and neglect of the actual work of the Holy Spirit, as well as considerations on gospel partnerships with them, before finally drawing some concluding remarks. 

Testimony for Grace Baptist Church Membership Transfer

I’m grateful to have joined the covenant community at Grace Baptist Church, Singapore. In doing so, we had to share our testimonies to the congregation. Here is what I wrote.

Book Review on Setting Hearts on Fire by John Chapman

Introduction

Setting Hearts on Fire (1999) by John Chapman is a guide on how to prepare and deliver evangelistic sermons.¹ The big idea is that one has a twin responsibility in giving evangelistic sermons: “to understand rightly the message of the Bible, and to explain it clearly to [one’s] hearers.”² This review will first summarise the book, before critiquing specific elements and offering concluding remarks on the book. Despite some misgivings at specific points, the review generally recommends the book’s methodology of giving evangelistic sermons.

Tribute to Tim Keller (1950-2023)

Keller might well be the Christian author whose books I’ve read the most. If anything, it speaks to the breadth of his writing, and his uncanny ability to apply the truths of the gospel to all of life.

Exegetical Essay on 1 Kings 19:1-18

I’ve not posted here in a while, but I have a few pieces lined up. First is an essay for my final first-year module in theological college on 1 Kings 19:1-18. Credit to my professor Ben Thompson for pointing us towards an interpretive key to the passage. I hope that this edifies you, even as it may correct some commonly held misunderstandings on interpreting the passage!

Book Review: Paul and the Law by Brian Rosner

For a while now, I’ve pondered about the question of how to view the Law as a Christian. The classic Reformed tripartite distinction of civil, ceremonial, and moral law always seemed anachronistic and not in line with the biblical evidence, but I struggled to come up with a better alternative. In this regard, Rosner’s NSBT monograph was an extremely helpful read for me, as he shows how Paul treats the Law, which is instructive for us as New Covenant Christians. I hope that this review will pique your interest in the subject!

Written in response to a critique of his published dissertation on Paul’s use of Scripture for ethics, Paul and the Law: Keeping the Commandments of God (2013) by Brian Rosner tackles the complex topic of how the apostle views the Mosaic Law. As Rosner puts it, the exegetical challenge lies in how Paul’s epistles “present both negative critique and positive approval of the law.”¹ A classic example of this duality (explored by Rosner in his introductory chapter) is 1 Corinthians 7:19.

For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

1 Corinthians 7:19 (ESV)

Top 10 Books of 2022

Back in December 2017, I set myself the goal of reading 100 books in the next 5 years, and not going below 20 each year. While what counts as a “book” may be somewhat suggestive, but by my count, I’m glad to have reached this goal. However, I did not reach another goal that I had set for myself this year to write a few more reviews, so I’ve decided to do a short review (capped at 3 sentences) for each of the top 10 books I’ve read this year to make up for it.

Exegetical Paper on Genesis 35:1-15

I am currently finishing my final first-year modules in Bible College. This is an exegetical essay I wrote for my Introduction to Old Testament I class on Genesis 35:1-5. It needs greater reflection from a Christian perspective, but I hope that it blesses you anyway!

Introduction 

The main theme of Genesis 35:1-15 is the faithful continuation of God’s promises to the patriarchs through Jacob’s faith. The main purpose of the passage is to encourage Israel to continue to have faith in God and not in foreign gods, because of His presence with them. This essay will first justify the above assertions through an analysis of the text, before briefly explaining how it speaks to Christians today. 

Book Review: Paul’s Missionary Methods by Roland Allen

This is a book review I had to do on a class on Christian missions. I hope that it helps you to think biblically about this concept!

Introduction 

The premise of Roland Allen’s Missionary Methods: St Paul’s or Ours (1912) is that the modern methods of conducting Christian missions have lost touch with the Paul’s methods in the Bible. Allen argues that this should not be so, and that a greater conformity, or even a replication, of Paul’s methods is needed for effective and biblical missions. This review will first summarise the book, before critiquing chosen sections and offering concluding remarks on the book. Despite some misgivings at specific points, the review generally recommends the book as a critique of modern missions.