At the end of the last few years, I’ve created a “Best of” list (here are my best of 2021 and 2022), but for various reasons, I’m paring down my list this year—one list, a compilation of all my favorite things, in one place.
Here we go.
1. Jon Guerra’s Ordinary Ways album
My friend Brett at The Gospel Coalition agrees with me, calling Jon Guerra’s album the best thing released in 2023. Jon Guerra writes with a musical and lyrical depth uncommon to much of the music released today. Watch this short video where Jon explains some of the musical and lyrical themes at work in the song “My Transfiguration”, located right in the album's center. I promise you it will blow your mind all that’s happening in one song.
2. Timothy Keller by Collin Hansen
Part of what made Tim Keller a helpful teacher in my life was his depth, so reading a biographical account focused on his spiritual and intellectual formation was everything I imagined it could be: inspiring, motivating, and humbling. My favorite book of 2023.
3. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
I read this book as part of my preparation for a preaching series on the book of Ecclesiastes and found this to be the perfect companion to an often misunderstood book of the Bible. Though I don’t agree with all of his conclusions about where to find meaning, the premise that humans are meaning-making people is such a helpful way to think about life.
4. Nate Bargatze’s SNL “Washington’s Dream” Skit
The whole Bargatze-hosted show is worth your time, but this five-minute skit is so well executed.
5.Debut albums from Candace Coker and Skye Peterson
Two of my favorite albums of 2023 are debut albums from young female artists.
If you’re a fan of soulful vocals, Candace is for you. If you’re a fan of Amy Grant, Skye is for you (seriously, she sounds just like young Amy). “Desert” by Candace Coker was one of my favorite songs of 2023. “Real Love” by Skye Peterson was also one of my favorite songs of 2023.
6. Yana Ignatovic’s “Forevermore” Release
Not only is she the worship director at my church but she is out here releasing great music for everyone to hear. A beautiful song that she poured herself into.
7. The Asbury Outpouring
Back in February I wrote about how a revival of repentance that started in a small town in Kentucky could have an impact on a generation around the world. As we long for the Lord to move again in our time, may we remember: repentance always precedes revival.
8. Biblical Critical Theory by Christopher Watkin
Now I must admit, it’s been five months of reading this, and I’m still not done. In other words, it’s long. But I have thoroughly enjoyed this book for its considerable depth mixed with accessibility. Watkin does a great job of the interplay between theological considerations, cultural examples, and Biblical analysis.
9. Matthew Loftus in The Atlantic on the Love of Vices
One of the best articles I read all year: “Our hearts and minds are shaped not only by reason but also by our experiences, affections, and, most important, our habits, which are just as often inexplicably self-destructive as they are reasonable.”
10. “Your Mind is Not Your Friend” by The National
What a song. Pointed. Truthful. Kind. For all those who struggle with mental illness, may this encourage you.
Chorus:
Don't you understand?
Your mind is not your friend again
It takes you by the hand
And leaves you nowhere
11. Oppenheimer
It’s a good general rule of thumb to watch anything Christopher Nolan directs, with Oppenheimer being no exception to that rule. Sure, it’s a movie about an atomic bomb, but really it’s a movie about power.
Alissa Wilkinson’s review of the movie is excellent: “A movie like Oppenheimer is never just a retelling of someone’s life, especially not someone whose story is, admittedly, fairly well documented. Great storytellers know how to harness the elements of their craft to find the story inside the story, and this one is about the fearsomeness of power across time and space, the apocalyptic nature of it, tied to the expansion or depletion of the soul.”
The scene of Oppenheimer’s speech following the success of Trinity is one of the greatest film scenes ever. Watch it here:
12. Manchester Orchestra’s EP The Valley of Vision
Aptly named after my favorite prayer book of Puritan prayers, MO’s EP explores the up and down nature of our emotional lives. Are they the best band in the world right now? The second song on the EP, “The Way” was one of my favorite songs of 2023.
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You can check out my playlist of my top songs of 2023 (Spotify), as well as a playlist of the best full-length albums released in 2023 (Spotify).
What did I miss?!?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!