It is surprisingly difficult to find a list of Christian books that have been released in any given month—especially if you want that list to be filtered by books released through particular publishers. That’s one of the reasons why I close each month by coming up with my list of New and Notable books. I comb through what I’ve received in the past month (and scour all the publishers’ websites) to come up with a list of titles that are interesting to me—and may just be interesting to you. Here are my picks for April. In each case, I’ve included the publisher’s description.
Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Matt Smethurst. “Pastor and author Timothy Keller (1950–2023) built a lasting legacy in Christian ministry, planting Redeemer Presbyterian Church and cofounding the Gospel Coalition. With sharp biblical insight that has shaped countless church leaders, along with counsel on the Christian life that has stirred and strengthened audiences worldwide, Keller’s teaching promises to influence generations to come. Synthesizing Keller’s work topic by topic, each chapter of this book highlights a key aspect of the Christian life—covering his views on prayer, suffering, friendship, vocation, intimacy with God, and more. Written by pastor Matt Smethurst, Tim Keller on the Christian Life draws from Keller’s nearly 50 years of sermons, conference messages, and books to share practical theological insight that will galvanize leaders and laypeople alike.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
What Makes You Beautiful: 20 Daily Devotions for Girls by Kristen Wetherell. “In a society that values physical beauty, worldly achievements, and popularity, many young people suffer under the weight of the world’s expectations. The pressure to conform is especially intense for young girls who long to be accepted. Thankfully, the Creator of the world doesn’t judge our beauty through these impossible ideals. Instead, he focuses on the character of our hearts—our love for Christ, our fear of him, and our continual transformation by his grace. Written for girls ages 9–12, this devotional traces the theme of beauty to help young readers know and love the one who created them in his likeness. Each reading includes a portion of a poem, a related Bible verse, a concise devotion, and a brief prayer. As young readers marvel at the beauty of God, they will be transformed, learning that the more they appreciate God’s beauty, the more beautiful they will become.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Somethingism: Exploring Our Sense of More by Luke Cawley. “Most of us have a sense that there may be more out there than only what we can see or touch—not necessarily a God but something. You could call this intuition ‘somethingism.’ Some who believe this would also say they are ‘spiritual but not religious.’ This book offers those with this sense of belief in ‘something’ the opportunity to begin to explore faith. Imaginative and thoughtful chapters consider the possibility that the sense of something out there correlates to a someone who not only exists but can be encountered and known in the person of Jesus. A fresh approach to evangelism that particularly resonates with younger generations, this book is great to read individually, with a friend, or over four sessions in a group. There are questions to fuel reflection and discussion.” (Buy it at Amazon)
Every Hour I Need You: 30 Meditations for Moms on the Character of God by Katie Faris. From early mornings to sleepless nights and busy activity schedules in between, motherhood is difficult, sanctifying work. Confronted with the struggles and unknowns of raising children, women are reminded daily of their need for help, and from this awareness comes the heart cry of every mother: a longing to be known and loved through it all. Having raised 5 children between the ages of 7 and 18, Katie Faris understands the challenges of parenting and the importance of remembering God’s provision and providence. In Every Hour I Need You, she walks with women, helping them contemplate God’s unchanging character and discover how his purposes are at work, even in the everyday moments of motherhood. These 30 brief devotions focus on distinct characteristics of God—including his sovereignty, generosity, and patience—inviting women to know him more through his word, experience deeper spiritual affections and stronger faith, and serve Christ through the care of their families at home.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The People in Paul’s Letters: A Compendium of Characters by Guy Manuell. “Of the twenty–seven books of the New Testament, thirteen are letters written by the apostle Paul to early Christian communities and individuals. These churches were working out the reality of living for Christ and His Kingdom in a world antagonistic to the gospel. Many of the individuals in these congregations were mentioned by name in Paul’s letters, and there is much to be learned from them. We can learn as much by considering Paul’s interactions with people as his directions about Christian thought and behaviour. Although separated by twenty centuries, many of the issues we face today relate closely to matters they encountered. Guy Manuell has thoroughly researched the people mentioned in Paul’s letters. Each person has an individual entry, starting with the verses in which they are found, and giving a full explanation of who they were and their relationship to Paul.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
10 Questions about Salvation: 30 Devotions for Kids, Teens, and Families by Champ Thornton. “Everyone has questions about religion, but when you’re young, finding the answers can be difficult. Some books are too complex and others don’t dive deeply enough into the faith topics that matter most to kids and teens. So where can young readers go to grow in their understanding of God and his word? The 10 Questions series invites children ages 8–14 to investigate spiritual questions and provides reliable theological and practical answers on their level. The first book, 10 Questions about Salvation, helps readers find joy, security, and hope in God’s gracious love. Each 10 Questions book presents one main topic, poses 10 vital questions on the topic, and answers each question through 3 short devotions. Readers can work through the 30 readings in any order they choose. Written to be read alone or aloud with family, 10 Questions about Salvation is the perfect way to start or end each day reflecting on the things of God.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Why Your Work Matters: How God Uses Our Everyday Vocations to Transform Us, Our Neighbors, and the World by Tom Nelson. “Americans spend a majority of their waking hours working, whether paid or unpaid. Due to rapidly advancing technology, hybrid work, shifts in the economy, and more, the working world has become an increasingly complex place to navigate. In this newly expanded and updated version of his 2011 book, Work Matters, author and pastor Tom Nelson wrestles with the latest trends and dynamics of work, including remote work, work-life balance, technology, the meaning of Sabbath, and working for the common good. Nelson explores the grand story of work in the Bible, revealing that all work matters in God’s economy and that Christians can love and serve their neighbors no matter what they do for their daily vocation. He helps readers discover that their work matters deeply–not just now but for eternity. Why Your Work Matters contains 70% new material and has been updated throughout. It includes six new chapters and a new introduction.” (Buy it at Amazon)
Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul: A Visual Guide by David A. deSilva. “A fundamental principle of biblical interpretation is the importance of context–historical, literary, and canonical. But an often-neglected source of context for understanding Scripture is the field of archaeology. The physical and cultural world we inhabit affects us deeply, and that was no less true for the original writers and readers of Scripture. Archaeology provides insights into important questions like, What did these believers see day to day? What messages did they receive from their environment? What social practices influenced them? In this first of three planned volumes, New Testament scholar David deSilva uses archaeological findings to explore places where the apostle Paul ministered and his audiences lived. This visually compelling and beautifully designed book contains more than 250 full-color photographs of sites and artifacts. The author focuses on the fruits of archaeology in regard to the sites associated with Paul’s ministry in Acts and in Paul’s own writings. This book helps readers understand the real-life situations Paul addressed.” (Buy it at Amazon)
A Light on the Hill: The Surprising Story of How a Local Church in the Nation’s Capital Influenced Evangelicalism by Caleb Morell. “Capitol Hill Baptist Church, located just blocks away from the center of American power, has a rich 150-year history. Its members have participated in significant world events, advocated for religious freedoms, and spoken out against the moral failings of the times. There’s no doubt this church has had a unique impact on evangelicalism from a significant location. But these lively characters and their unique experiences only tell part of this engaging narrative. Through real-life stories, A Light on the Hill reveals how God works through church bodies and remains faithful during times of uncertainty. Exploring themes such as pastoral ministry, faithfulness, courage, racial reconciliation, church and politics, and more, this book will help readers see the long-term effects of faithful church ministries. Ultimately they will be encouraged to invest in a local church and preserve the gospel for the next generation.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Death of the Deadly Sins: Embracing the Virtues That Transform Lives, edited by Daniel M. Doriani. “Pride. Greed. Anger. Envy. Sloth. Gluttony. These sins have endured since the beginning, but they do not need to endure in a believer’s life. This book explores their counterpoint virtues—showing how we can drive out vice with Christlikeness as we learn to increasingly desire, discern, and practice what is good. Daniel Doriani, Michael Kruger, Jen Pollock Michel, and others explore biblical teaching on godly character and the practices and means of grace that promote virtue.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
