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Christianity Today 2023 Book Awards: A Comprehensive Guide to the Winning Titles
Introduction:
The annual Christianity Today Book Awards are a highly anticipated event in the Christian publishing world, recognizing excellence and impact in theological writing, biblical scholarship, and Christian living. This year's awards saw a diverse range of compelling books vying for recognition, reflecting the breadth and depth of contemporary Christian thought. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the Christianity Today 2023 Book Awards, highlighting the winning titles and exploring the themes and significance of each. We'll provide detailed summaries, allowing you to easily discern which books might enrich your faith journey and broaden your understanding of Christian perspectives. Prepare to discover inspiring reads and expand your theological library!
H1: The Winners & Their Impact: A Category-by-Category Breakdown
The Christianity Today Book Awards span various categories, each representing a distinct area of Christian publishing. Let's examine the winning books in each category, analyzing what made them stand out and the impact they've already made:
H2: Best Bible Study Book
(Winner Name and brief description here – replace with the actual winner from 2023)
This section will delve into the specific methodology, target audience, and theological approach employed in the winning Bible study book. We'll discuss how it innovates within the genre, explores unique biblical perspectives, and engages modern readers with ancient scripture. Key takeaways and discussion points will be highlighted for potential readers.
H2: Best Book on Theology/Doctrine
(Winner Name and brief description here)
This section will analyze the winning book's contributions to theological discourse. We'll examine its argumentation, methodology, key arguments, and engagement with other theological viewpoints. We will evaluate its originality, its accessibility to different levels of theological understanding, and its overall impact on theological thought.
H2: Best Book in Christian Living
(Winner Name and brief description here)
This section will explore the practical application of the winning book's message. We'll assess its relevance to contemporary Christian life, its clarity of presentation, its actionable advice, and the potential for personal transformation it offers readers.
H2: Best Biography/Autobiography
(Winner Name and brief description here)
This section will analyze the narrative style, the historical accuracy (where applicable), and the inspirational impact of the winning biography/autobiography. We'll look at how the book portrays the subject's life and legacy, and its contribution to a wider understanding of Christian history or leadership.
H2: Best Book in Apologetics/Evangelism
(Winner Name and brief description here)
This section will examine the arguments, strategies, and effectiveness of the apologetic approach presented. We'll evaluate the book's persuasiveness, its accessibility to a non-Christian audience, and its contribution to current conversations about faith and reason.
H3: Beyond the Awards: Trends and Observations in Christian Publishing
Analyzing the winning books reveals broader trends within Christian publishing. This section will discuss emerging themes in contemporary Christian thought, the evolving relationship between faith and culture, and the shifting landscapes of Christian readership.
H1: In-Depth Look at a Winning Title: [Book Title]
(Example: Let's say "The Grace-Based Life" won a category. This section would be rewritten with the actual winner.)
H2: Introduction: This section will offer a concise overview of "The Grace-Based Life," outlining its central theme and introducing the author's background and perspective.
H2: Main Chapters and Key Arguments: We'll break down the book's structure, summarizing the key arguments and concepts presented in each chapter. We'll explore the author's use of scripture, examples, and illustrations to support their thesis.
H2: Strengths and Weaknesses: This section will offer a balanced and critical assessment of the book, highlighting its strengths and acknowledging any potential weaknesses or limitations.
H2: Concluding Thoughts and Lasting Impact: This section will assess the lasting contribution of the book to Christian thought and practice. We will consider its potential impact on readers and its place within the broader Christian literary landscape.
H1: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When are the Christianity Today Book Awards announced each year? (Answer)
2. How are the winners chosen? (Answer)
3. Are the awards judged by a panel of experts? (Answer)
4. Where can I purchase the winning books? (Answer with links to reputable online retailers)
5. Are there different categories for fiction and non-fiction? (Answer)
6. What is the significance of the Christianity Today Book Awards? (Answer)
7. Can I nominate a book for future awards? (Answer)
8. Do the awards have a significant impact on book sales? (Answer)
9. How does Christianity Today select the judges for the awards? (Answer)
H1: Related Articles:
1. Top 10 Christian Books of 2023: A broader overview of influential Christian books published this year.
2. The Best Christian Fiction Novels of 2023: A dedicated list focusing on award-winning and highly-rated fiction.
3. Understanding the Theological Landscape of 2023: An analysis of the major theological trends reflected in the year's publications.
4. The Impact of Social Media on Christian Book Promotion: An exploration of how marketing and social media influence book sales.
5. How to Choose the Right Christian Book for Your Needs: Practical guidance for readers navigating the vast Christian book market.
6. A Review of [Specific Book Title]: A dedicated in-depth review of one of the award-winning or notable books from 2023.
7. Interview with a Christianity Today Book Awards Judge: Insights into the judging process from a judge's perspective.
8. The Evolution of Christian Publishing: A historical overview of the Christian publishing industry and its impact.
9. Christian Books for Beginners: A curated list for new readers exploring Christian literature.
This comprehensive guide provides a detailed overview of the Christianity Today 2023 Book Awards, ensuring high rankings for the targeted keywords while delivering insightful and valuable content to readers. Remember to replace the bracketed information with the actual winners and details from the 2023 awards.
christianity today 2023 book awards: Handing Down the Faith Christian Smith, Amy Adamczyk, 2020-07-02 A new examination of how and why American religious parents seek to pass on religion to their children The most important influence shaping the religious and spiritual lives of children, youth, and teenagers is their parents. A myriad of studies show that the parents of American youth play the leading role in shaping the character of their religious and spiritual lives, even well after they leave home and often for the rest of their lives. We know a lot about the importance of parents in faith transmission. However we know much less about the actual beliefs, feelings, and activities of the parents themselves, what Christian Smith and Amy Adamczyk call the intergenerational transmission of religious faith and practice. To address that gap, this book reports the findings of a new national study of religious parents in the United States. The findings and conclusions in Handing Down the Faith are based on 215 in-depth, personal interviews with religious parents from many traditions and different parts of the country, and sophisticated analyses of two nationally representative surveys of American parents about their religious parenting. Handing Down the Faith explores the background beliefs informing how and why religious parents seek to pass on religion to their children; examines how parenting styles interact with parent religiousness to shape effective religious transmission; shows how parents have been influenced by their experiences as children influenced by their own parents; reveals how religious parents view their congregations and what they most seek out in a local church, synagogue, temple, or mosque; explores the experiences and outlooks of immigrant parents including Latino Catholics, East Asian Buddhists, South Asian Muslims, and Indian Hindus. Smith and Adamczyk step back to consider how American religion has transformed over the last 100 years and to explain why parents today shoulder such a huge responsibility in transmitting religious faith and practice to their children. The book is rich in empirical evidence and unique in many of the topics it explores and explains, providing a variety of sometimes counterintuitive findings that will interest scholars of religion, social scientists interested in the family, parenting, and socialization; clergy and religious educators and leaders; and religious parents themselves. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Case for Christ Lee Strobel, 2010-11 The book consists primarily of interviews between Strobel (a former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune) and biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger. Each interview is based on a simple question, concerning historical evidence (for example, Can the Biographies of Jesus Be Trusted?), scientific evidence, (Does Archaeology Confirm or Contradict Jesus' Biographies?), and psychiatric evidence (Was Jesus Crazy When He Claimed to Be the Son of God?). Together, these interviews compose a case brief defending Jesus' divinity, and urging readers to reach a verdict of their own. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: You're Only Human Kelly M. Kapic, 2022-01-18 Work. Family. Church. Exercise. Sleep. The list of demands on our time seems to be never ending. It can leave you feeling a little guilty--like you should always be doing one more thing. Rather than sharing better time-management tips to squeeze more hours out of the day, Kelly Kapic takes a different approach in You're Only Human. He offers a better way to make peace with the fact that God didn't create us to do it all. Kapic explores the theology behind seeing our human limitations as a gift rather than a deficiency. He lays out a path to holistic living with healthy self-understanding, life-giving relationships, and meaningful contributions to the world. He frees us from confusing our limitations with sin and instead invites us to rest in the joy and relief of knowing that God can use our limitations to foster freedom, joy, growth, and community. Readers will emerge better equipped to cultivate a life that fosters gratitude, rest, and faithful service to God. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Christy Catherine Marshall, 2017-10-03 The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions. But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her — and her one-room school — as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove. Yearning to make a difference, will Christy’s determination and devotion be enough? |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Spirit of Early Evangelicalism D. Bruce Hindmarsh, 2018 The Spirit of Early Evangelicalism sheds new light on the nature of evangelical religion by locating its rise with reference to major movements of the 18th century, including Modernity, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Dragon and the Stone Kathryn Butler, 2022-04-18 An Adventure Novel for Middle-Grade Readers Steeped in Magic, Mystery, and Glimmers of Hope—Book 1 in the Dream Keeper Saga Even though she's only 12 years old, Lily McKinley already feels the weight of the world's brokenness. She's seen it in her mother's exhaustion, her grandmother's illness, and the cruelty of Adam, the bully at her school. But most tragically, she experienced it two months ago when her father died in a terrible accident. As an artistic daydreamer, Lily has a brilliant imagination to help her cope, but that imagination often gets her into trouble. One day, it transports her to a fantasy world called the Somnium Realm, where her father's secret history embroils her in an epic quest. With the help of a dragon guide named Cedric, Lily battles evil shrouds, harpies, and other creatures to find her way through grief, rescue the world from evil, and discover the power of redemption. This thrilling novel by Kathryn Butler mixes fantasy with Christian themes, taking middle-grade readers on a quest through castles, forests, and caverns to help a young girl find hope and usher in restoration. Christian Themes: This exciting story invites readers into deep conversations about the gospel and theological issues including faith, mourning, sacrifice, salvation, and redemption Ideal for Middle-Grade Readers and Families: Includes kids' favorite fantasy and adventure elements with imaginative new characters and settings they'll love Book 1 in the Dream Keeper Saga by Kathryn Butler |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Great Good Thing Andrew Klavan, 2016-09-20 No one was more surprised than Andrew Klavan when, at the age of fifty, he found himself about to be baptized. The Great Good Thing tells the soul-searching story of a man born into an age of disbelief who had to abandon everything he thought he knew in order to find his way to the truth. Best known for his hard-boiled, white-knuckle thrillers and for the movies made from them--among them True Crime and Don’t Say a Word--bestselling author and Edgar Award-winner Klavan was born in a suburban Jewish enclave outside New York City. He left the faith of his childhood behind to live most of his life as an agnostic until he found himself mulling over the hard questions that so many other believers have asked: How can I be certain in my faith? What's the truth, and how can I know it's the truth? How can you think, live, and make choices and judgments day by day if you don't know for sure? In The Great Good Thing, Klavan shares that his troubled childhood caused him to live inside the stories in his head and grow up to become an alienated young writer whose disconnection and rage devolved into depression and suicidal breakdown. In those years, Klavan fought to ignore the insistent call of God, a call glimpsed in a childhood Christmas at the home of a beloved babysitter, in a transcendent moment at his daughter's birth, and in a snippet of a baseball game broadcast that moved him from the brink of suicide. But more than anything, the call of God existed in stories--the stories Klavan loved to read and the stories he loved to write. Join Klavan as he discovers the meaning of belief, the importance of asking tough questions, and the power of sharing your story. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Care of Souls Harold L. Senkbeil, 2019-06-26 Drawing on a lifetime of pastoral experience, The Care of Souls is a beautifully written treasury of proven wisdom which pastors will find themselves turning to again and again. Harold Senkbeil helps remind pastors of the essential calling of the ministry: preaching and living out the Word of God while orienting others in the same direction. And he offers practical and fruitful adviceâ€born out of his five decades as a pastorâ€that will benefit both new pastors and those with years in the pulpit. In a time when many churches have lost sight of the real purpose of the church, The Care of Souls invites a new generation of pastors to form the godly habits and practical wisdom needed to minister to the hearts and souls of those committed to their care. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Love That Is God Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt, 2020-08-11 “God is love is the radical claim of Christianity,” writes Frederick Bauerschmidt at the beginning of this little meditation on the essentials of Christian faith. In a rich yet accessible style reminiscent of C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, Bauerschmidt breathes life back into that claim, drawing from Scripture, great Christian and non-Christian writers of the past, and his own lived experience to show just how countercultural and subversive Christianity is actually meant to be. Eschewing the abstract and dogmatic in favor of the relational and inviting, he offers something for everyone, from lifelong churchgoers and students of religion to the growing population of “nones” among younger generations who are increasingly seeking spiritual fulfillment outside of institutional Christianity. With further reading suggestions (both scriptural and nonscriptural) at the end of each chapter, The Love That Is God is the perfect starting point of a spiritual journey into deeper relationship with God. Michael Ramsey Prize (2023) |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Urban Apologetics Eric Mason, 2021-04-06 Urban Apologetics examines the legitimate issues that Black communities have with Western Christianity and shows how the gospel of Jesus Christ—rather than popular, socioreligious alternatives—restores our identity. African Americans have long confronted the challenge of dignity destruction caused by white supremacy. While many have found meaning and restoration of dignity in the black church, others have found it in ethnocentric socioreligious groups and philosophies. These ideologies have grown and developed deep traction in the black community and beyond. Revisionist history, conspiracy theories, and misinformation about Jesus and Christianity are the order of the day. Many young African Americans are disinterested in Christianity and others are leaving the church in search of what these false religious ideas appear to offer, a spirituality more indigenous to their history and ethnicity. Edited by Dr. Eric Mason and featuring a top-notch lineup of contributors, Urban Apologetics is the first book focused entirely on cults, religious groups, and ethnocentric ideologies prevalent in the black community. The book is divided into three main parts: Discussions on the unique context for urban apologetics so that you can better understand the cultural arguments against Christianity among the Black community. Detailed information on cults, religious groups, and ethnic identity groups that many urban evangelists encounter—such as the Nation of Islam, Kemetic spirituality, African mysticism, Hebrew Israelites, Black nationalism, and atheism. Specific tools for urban apologetics and community outreach. Ultimately, Urban Apologetics applies the gospel to black identity to show that Jesus is the only one who can restore it. This is an essential resource to equip those doing the work of ministry and apology in urban communities with the best available information. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Jesus and the Eyewitnesses Richard Bauckham, 2008-09-22 Noted New Testament scholar Bauckham challenges the prevailing assumption the accounts of Jesus circulated as anonymous community traditions, instead asserting that they were transmitted in the name of the original eyewitness. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Jesus Walter Wangerin Jr., 2009-05-18 Walter Wangerin Jr. is know for his powerful storytelling in such books as The Book of the Dun Cow, The Book of God, and Paul: A Novel. Now he offers the most important story of the Christian faith—the life of Jesus presented in the author’s inimitable style. Rich in atmosphere and historical detail and as compelling as any contemporary fiction, this novel will move readers with its creative perspectives and deep insights. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Heaven Is for Real Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent, 2016-07-11 A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven. Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear. Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how reaaally big God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit shoots down power from heaven to help us. Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Christ and Calamity Harold Senkbeil, 2021-03-31 Lord, do you not care if we perish? That's what the frightened disciples shouted to Jesus as he slept in the stern of a storm-tossed boat. In the midst of suffering and uncertainty, we're all prone to think that God has forgotten us, he doesn't care, or he's powerless to do anything. And that's true of us in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Christ and Calamity, Harold L. Senkbeil speaks pastorally to our suffering and uncertainty. Senkbeil shows God's constant and faithful grace to us. With Paul he encourages us: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thess 5:16-18). Calamities come in many different sizes, and God addresses them all in his word and by his Spirit. Even when we don't see or feel it, God is always faithful. If I dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me (Ps 139:9-10). The disciples' faith in the midst of the storm may have been weak, but Jesus was mighty to save. And he will save you, too. No matter how small your faith, you can count on him to hear your anguished cry and to answer. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Center Church Timothy Keller, 2012-09-04 Practical and Gospel-centered thoughts on how to have a fruitful ministry by one of America's leading and most beloved pastor. Many church leaders are struggling to adapt to a culture that values individuality above loyalty to a group or institution. There have been so many church growth and effective ministry books in the past few decades that it's hard to know where to start or which ones will provide useful and honest insight. Based on over twenty years of ministry in New York City, Timothy Keller takes a unique approach that measures a ministry's success neither by numbers nor purely by the faithfulness of its leaders, but on the biblical grounds of fruitfulness. Center Church outlines a balanced theological vision for ministry organized around three core commitments: Gospel-centered: The gospel of grace in Jesus Christ changes everything, from our hearts to our community to the world. It completely reshapes the content, tone, and strategy of all that we do. City-centered: With a positive approach toward our culture, we learn to affirm that cities are wonderful, strategic, and under-served places for gospel ministry. Movement-centered: Instead of building our own tribe, we seek the prosperity and peace of our community as we are led by the Holy Spirit. Between a pastor's doctrinal beliefs and ministry practices should be a well-conceived vision for how to bring the gospel to bear on the particular cultural setting and historical moment. This is something more practical than just doctrine but much more theological than how-to steps for carrying out a ministry. Once this vision is in place, it leads church leaders to make good decisions on how to worship, disciple, evangelize, serve, and engage culture in their field of ministry—whether in a city, suburb, or small town. — Tim Keller, Core Church |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Religion and International Relations K.R. Dark, 2000-01-26 Discussions of religion in international relations have often focused narrowly on religious fundamentalism and on the potentially negative consequences of religious differences. This book attempts to take a more balanced and much broader view of the subject, bringing together new research-based studies by specialists from international relations, history and theology. Case-studies and thematic analyses examine both seldom-discussed issues - such as the political consequences of large-scale religious change - and review old themes in new ways. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert Rosaria Champagne Butterfield, 2014 Rosaria, by the standards of many, was living a very good life. She had a tenured position at a large university in a field for which she cared deeply. She owned two homes with her partner, in which they provided hospitality to students and activists that were looking to make a difference in the world. In the community, Rosaria was involved in volunteer work. At the university, she was a respected advisor of students and her department's curriculum. And then, in her late 30s, Rosaria encountered something that turned her world upside down -- the idea that Christianity, a religion that she had regarded as problematic and sometimes downright damaging, might be right about who God was. That idea seemed to fly in the face of the people and causes that she most loved. What follows is a story of what she describes as a train wreck at the hand of the supernatural. These are her secret thoughts about those events, written as only a reflective English professor could.--Back cover. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Reading with the Grain of Scripture Richard B. Hays, 2020-10-22 Christianity Today Book Award in Biblical Studies (2021) “All these essays illustrate, in one way or another, how I have sought to carry out scholarly work as an aspect of discipleship—as a process of faith seeking exegetical clarity.” Richard Hays has been a giant in the field of New Testament studies since the 1989 publication of his Echoes of Scripture in the Letters of Paul. His most significant essays of the past twenty-five years are now collected in this volume, representing the full fruition of major themes from his body of work: the importance of narrative as the “glue” that holds the Bible together the figural coherence between the Old and New Testaments the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus the hope for New Creation and God’s eschatological transformation of the world the importance of standing in trusting humility before the text the significance of reading Scripture within and for the community of faith Readers will find themselves guided toward Hays’s “hermeneutic of trust” rather than the “hermeneutic of suspicion” that has loomed large in recent biblical studies. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Erasing Hell Francis Chan, Preston M. Sprinkle, 2011-07-01 Addressing a variety of views on hell, the Bible, and the character of God, offers an eloquent response to the recent media storm surrounding questions of eternal destiny. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Christmas in the Crosshairs G. Q. Bowler, Gerry Bowler, 2017 Is there a War on Christmas? This book surveys the history of the world's most popular festival and the never-ending battles it has engendered ever since its hotly-contested invention in the Roman Empire. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Christian World of The Hobbit Devin Brown, 2012 A fantastical story rooted in the author's faith. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer Laura Wifler, 2021-09 Teach kids how to pray with this beautifully illustrated Bible storybook. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Storm-Tossed Family Russell D. Moore, 2018-09-15 Christianity Today Beautiful Orthodoxy Book of the Year in 2019. Why do our families have so much power over us? In The Storm-Tossed Family, bestselling author Russell Moore (Onward, Christianity Today's 2016 Book of the Year Award Winner) teaches readers whether you are married or single, whether you long for a child or shepherding a full house, you are part of a family. Family is difficult because family—every family—is an echo of the gospel. Family can be the source of some of the most transcendent human joy, and family can leave us crumpled up on the side of the road. Family can make us who we are, and family can break our hearts. Why would this social arrangement have that much power, for good or for ill, over us? |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Torn Justin Lee, 2012-11-13 An evangelical Christian examines the impact of sexuality, the LGBTQ+ movement, and the future of the church in this thoughtful, deeply researched guide to navigating and mending the social and political division in our families and churches. As a teenager and young man, Justin Lee felt deeply torn. Nicknamed God Boy by his peers, he knew that he was called to a life in the evangelical Christian ministry. But Lee harbored a secret: He also knew that he was gay. In this groundbreaking book, Lee recalls the events--his coming out to his parents, his experiences with the ex-gay movement, and his in-depth study of the Bible--that led him, eventually, to self-acceptance. But more than just a memoir, TORN provides insightful, practical guidance for all committed Christians who wonder how to relate to gay friends or family members--or who struggle with their own sexuality. Convinced that in a culture that sees gays and Christians as enemies, gay Christians are in a unique position to bring peace, Lee demonstrates that people of faith on both sides of the debate can respect, learn from, and love one another. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: God of All Things Andrew Wilson, 2021-03-02 Abstract theology is overrated, for God can be found in even the most ordinary of things. Jesus used things like a lily, sparrow, and sheep to teach about the kingdom of God. And in the Old Testament, God repeatedly describes himself and his saving work in relation to physical things such as a rock, horn, or eagle. In God of All Things, pastor and author Andrew Wilson invites you to rediscover God in this way, too--through ordinary, everyday things. He explores the idea of a material world and presents a variety of created marvels that reveal the gospel in everyday life and fuel worship and joy in God--marvels like: Dust: the image of God Horns: the salvation of God Donkeys: the peace of God Water: the life of God Viruses: the problem of God Cities: the kingdom of God God of All Things will leave you with a deeper understanding of Scripture, the world you live in, and the God who made it all. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Wisdom Pyramid Brett McCracken, 2021-01-15 We're facing an information overload. With the quick tap of a finger we can access an endless stream of addictive information—sports scores, breaking news, political opinions, streaming TV, the latest Instagram posts, and much more. Accessing information has never been easier—but acquiring wisdom is increasingly difficult. In an effort to help us consume a more balanced, healthy diet of information, Brett McCracken has created the Wisdom Pyramid. Inspired by the food pyramid model, the Wisdom Pyramid challenges us to increase our intake of enduring, trustworthy sources (like the Bible) while moderating our consumption of less reliable sources (like the Internet and social media). At a time when so much of our daily media diet is toxic and making us spiritually sick, The Wisdom Pyramid suggests that we become healthy and wise when we reorient our lives around God—the foundation of truth and the eternal source of wisdom. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Interpreting Your World Justin Ariel Bailey, 2022-09-20 Whether we interpret Scripture or culture, it matters what we do, not just what we think or feel. How do we live with our interpretation, and how do we live it out? This book helps us understand how culture forms us as political actors, moves us aesthetically, shapes the rhythms of our lives, and connects (or disconnects) us from God and neighbors we are called to love. The goal is to be equipped to engage culture with greater fluency and fidelity in response to the triune God. This short, accessible introduction to the conversation between theology and culture offers a patient, thoughtful, and theologically attuned approach to cultural discernment. It helps us grow our interpretive skill by training our intuition and giving us a slower, more deliberate approach that accounts for as much of the complexity of culture as possible. The book explores 5 dimensions of culture--meaning, power, morality, religion, and aesthetic--and shows how each needs the others and all need theology. Each chapter includes distinctive practices for spiritual formation and practical application. Foreword by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Air We Breathe Glen Scrivener, 2022-05-01 Discover the Christian roots of the values we prize in western society. Is Christianity history? Or is Christian history the deepest explanation of the modern world? Today in the west, many consider the church to be dead or dying. Christianity is seen as outdated, bigoted and responsible for many of society’s problems. This leaves many believers embarrassed about their faith and many outsiders wary of religion. But what if the Christian message is not the enemy of our modern Western values, but the very thing that makes sense of them? In this fascinating book, Glen Scrivener takes readers on a journey to discover how the teachings of Jesus not only turned the ancient world upside down, but continue to underpin the way we think of life, worth, and meaning. Far from being a relic from the past, the distinctive ideas of Christianity, such as freedom, kindness, progress and equality, are a crucial part of the air that we breathe. As author Glen Scrivener says in his introduction: “The extraordinary impact of Christianity is seen in the fact that we don’t notice it. This is a book for both believers and sceptics-giving Christians confidence to be open about their faith and showing non-Christians the ways in which the message of Jesus makes sense of their most cherished beliefs. Whoever you are, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the values you hold dear as you discover the power and profundity of Jesus and his revolution. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Shatter Me Tahereh Mafi, 2011-11-15 The gripping first installment in New York Times bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series. One touch is all it takes. One touch, and Juliette Ferrars can leave a fully grown man gasping for air. One touch, and she can kill. No one knows why Juliette has such incredible power. It feels like a curse, a burden that one person alone could never bear. But The Reestablishment sees it as a gift, sees her as an opportunity. An opportunity for a deadly weapon. Juliette has never fought for herself before. But when she’s reunited with the one person who ever cared about her, she finds a strength she never knew she had. And don’t miss Defy Me, the shocking fifth book in the Shatter Me series! |
christianity today 2023 book awards: God's Liar Thom Satterlee, 2020-01-22 The year is 1665. England is in the midst of the Restoration, and John Milton, a blind, politically and religiously marginalized writer associated with Oliver Cromwell's failed attempt to form a republic, has not yet published Paradise Lost. When one of the worst plagues in history descends upon London, he and his much younger wife are forced to flee to the countryside. There Milton is befriended by the local curate, Rev. Theodore Wesson, who knows nothing about Milton's controversial past or the dangers of associating with him. Soon their fates become intertwined when the curate's hopes for advancement are threatened by his relationship to the notorious traitor and king-killer, John Milton. The situation tests Wesson's loyalty--to the monarchy, to friendship, to a church career--while complicating his already blurry sense of God's involvement in human affairs. For Milton, the cost is potentially even greater: the target of assassination attempts since the restoration of the monarchy five years earlier, he has real reason to fear for his life. A riveting and briskly paced novel that transports the reader to a very particular place and time even as its themes resonate with our own time, Thom Satterlee's God's Liar will take its place next to works as varied as Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall and Colm Toibin's The Master. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Bavinck James Eglinton, 2020-09-29 Dutch Calvinist theologian Herman Bavinck, a significant voice in the development of Protestant theology, remains relevant many years after his death. His four-volume Reformed Dogmatics is one of the most important theological works of the twentieth century. James Eglinton is widely considered to be at the forefront of contemporary interest in Bavinck's life and thought. After spending considerable time in the Netherlands researching Bavinck, Eglinton brings to light a wealth of new insights and previously unpublished documents to offer a definitive biography of this renowned Reformed thinker. The book follows the course of Bavinck's life in a period of dramatic social change, identifying him as an orthodox Calvinist challenged with finding his feet in late modern culture. Based on extensive archival research, this critical biography presents numerous significant and previously ignored or unknown aspects of Bavinck's person and life story. A black-and-white photo insert is included. This volume complements other Baker Academic offerings on Bavinck's theology and ethics, which together have sold 90,000 copies. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Pastoral Leadership Harold L. Senkbeil, Lucas V. Woodford, 2021-08-04 Christ's sheep need shepherding. That's where you come in. With more than 60 years of ministry between them, Harold Senkbeil and Lucas Woodford have come to understand that everything in ministry--even administration, leadership, and planning--revolves around the ancient tradition of the care of souls. Pastors are entrusted with the care of a flock by the Good Shepherd and are called to be faithful to this task. But pastoring seems to be getting more and more difficult. Based on a sound theological framework, Senkbeil and Woodford present a set of practical tools for church leadership and strategy. Calling on their vast experience, they encourage pastors to protect, guide, and feed their flock as Jesus would, bridging the eternal wisdom of the word of God with the everyday practicality of hands-on leadership. Originally published as Church Leadership & Strategy, this revision includes a new chapter and litany. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Redeem All Corrina Laughlin, 2021-12-21 The church -- The start up -- Media missions -- The influencers -- Racial reckoning and repair. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know Terry Glaspey, 2021-02-02 Let Your Faith Be Moved by the Masterpieces Art becomes a masterpiece when it stands the test of time and challenges its viewers to see the world from a new perspective. The vast legacy of human expression is therefore a rich resource of introspection and wisdom for Christians today. 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know anthologizes some of humanity’s most influential and renowned works of art. Terry Glaspey masterfully analyzes how each piece responds to the reality of the human condition and Christian truth. Glaspey examines architecture, plays, novels, paintings, films, and even albums, evoking how some probe the dark corners of human suffering, while others capture the mystery, beauty, and wonder of life. Each selection is universally revered for its craftsmanship and ubiquitously esteemed across both time and cultures. From Rembrandt’s The Return of the ProdigalSon to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to Johnny Cash’s At Folsom Prison, every masterpiece reveals some truth that has both enriched the Christian faith and left an indelible mark on the legacy of artistic achievement. Through engaging these masterpieces, Christians today can enrich their own faith with the creativity of history’s brilliant artists. This book serves as both historian and biographer, as devotional and art criticism. May this book be a modest doorway into a world of deeper appreciation, a guide to the treasures of our tradition that enriches both your faith and understanding of the human experience. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Case for Miracles Lee Strobel, 2018-03-27 New York Times bestselling author Lee Strobel trains his investigative sights on the hot-button question: is it really credible to believe God intervenes supernaturally in people's lives today? This provocative book starts with an unlikely interview in which America's foremost skeptic builds a seemingly persuasive case against the miraculous. But then Strobel travels the country to quiz scholars to see whether they can offer solid answers to atheist objections. Along the way, he encounters astounding accounts of healings and other phenomena that simply cannot be explained away by naturalistic causes. The book features the results of exclusive new scientific polling that shows miracle accounts are much more common than people think. What's more, Strobel delves into the most controversial question of all: what about miracles that don't happen? If God can intervene in the world, why doesn't he do it more often to relieve suffering? Many American Christians are embarrassed by the supernatural, not wanting to look odd or extreme to their neighbors. Yet, The Case for Miracles shows not only that the miraculous is possible, but that God still does intervene in our world in awe-inspiring ways. Here’s a unique book that examines all sides of this issue and comes away with a passionate defense for God's divine action in lives today. Also available: The Case for Miracles Spanish edition, kids' edition, and student edition. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Jesus Storybook Bible Sally Lloyd-Jones, 2010-06-15 The Moonbeam Award Gold Medal Winner in the religion category, The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. At the center of the Story is a baby, the child upon whom everything will depend. Every story whispers his name. From Noah to Moses to the great King David---every story points to him. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle---the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the Story unfolds, children will pick up the clues and piece together the puzzle. A Bible like no other, The Jesus Storybook Bible invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation---and at the center of their Story too. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Morals of the Story David Baggett, Marybeth Baggett, 2018-05-08 For centuries the moral argument—that objective morality points to the existence of God—has been a powerful apologetic tool. In this volume, David and Marybeth Baggett offer a dramatic, robust, and even playful version of the moral argument, showing that it not only points to God's existence but that it also contributes to our ongoing spiritual transformation. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Winsome Conviction Tim Muehlhoff, Richard Langer, 2020-12-08 In today's polarized context, Christians often have committed, biblical rationales for very different positions. How can Christians navigate disagreements with both truth and love? Tim Muehlhoff and Rick Langer provide lessons from conflict theory and church history on how to negotiate differing biblical convictions in order to move toward Christian unity. |
christianity today 2023 book awards: The Evolution of a Pentecostal Scholar Martin Mittelstadt, 2024-10-10 This collection of previously published essays reveals a personal journey. Two decades ago, I could not have anticipated the twenty-first century theological and methodological shifts in biblical studies. In these essays, I encourage readers to observe my evolution by way of adventures in Luke-Acts. In so doing, I invite readers to reimagine a story not simply about the past, but rich with possibilities |
christianity today 2023 book awards: Eat This Book Eugene H. Peterson, 2000-07-01 |