10 Christian Bestsellers You Should Own
Walk into a Christian bookstore and you will be greeted with shelves and shelves of faith-based novels and Bible teaching books. Log onto an online store and even more titles are at your fingertips. So how do you know what to buy?
Take a look at these best-selling Christian works. They are ones you should definitely keep in your book collection at home.
1. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Missionary Sarah Young shares uniquely inspired spiritual insight in memorable, thought-provoking daily devotionals. Jesus Calling is written from Jesus' point of view in a touching first-person format that enables readers to experience the Savior speaking directly to them through scripture.
"It felt a little awkward the first time I tried it, but I did receive a short message. The content was biblical, and it addressed themes that were current in my life: trust, fear, and closeness to God. I responded by writing in my journal as usual; at that point my journaling changed from monologue to dialogue. Day by day, messages began to flow more freely." – Sarah Young, on beginning a "dialogue" with God
2. Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
A writer, a philosopher, a motivational speaker, an outdoorsman, but most of all, an intense and intent man who is unashamed to be called a Christian who is fiercely adventurous and an outside-of-the-box thinker, John Eldredge is unflinchingly honest about men, women, the heart, and the Church--all in the name of recovering lost souls to new life in Christ. In one of his best books, Wild at Heart, Eldredge speaks to the hearts of men, in particular.
“Men want a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. That is what is written in their hearts... It is undeniable... An authentic man is, therefore, a man who is living with strength and courage and offering his strength on behalf of others. It is not about selfishness.” – John Eldredge
3. The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman
“Once you identify and learn to speak your spouse’s primary love language, I believe that you will have discovered the key to a long-lasting, loving marriage. Love need not evaporate after the wedding, but in order to keep it alive most of us will have to put forth the effort to learn a secondary love language.
"We cannot rely on our native tongue if our spouse does not understand it. If we want him/her to feel the love we are trying to communicate, we must express it in his or her primary love language.” – Dr. Gary Chapman
4. The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
It is safe to say that The Love Dare, a book derived from the highly successful movie, Fireproof, has had a tremendous impact on marriages far and wide. Marriages have been saved, lives have been strengthened, and a marriage movement has begun.
"We opened The Love Dare with a concept in the introduction that you must determine to lead your heart, not follow your heart. If you are following your heart, something else or someone else is leading it. Scripture says to guard your heart with all diligence. It says that where your treasure is, there your heart is also." – Alex Kendrick
5. Her Mother’s Hope by Francine Rivers
The first part of a two-book saga, Her Mother’s Hope is an incredible story about the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters. At the turn of the 20th century, Marta journeys through Europe, ending up in California with a husband and children. Oldest daughter Hilde inherits her mother’s desire to find her calling and does as a nurse. During the trying times of WWII, Hilde marries and starts a family of her own. She wants her daughter to never doubt her love, but life conspires against her. Each woman must weigh the importance of their desires as they seek God’s guidance in the family.
"I want to whet the appetite for the real thing: the Bible and a personal relationship with Jesus. I try to weave Scripture throughout the story so people receive the Word and see what it might mean in their lives – how the Lord is present and real and passionately interested in each of us. He is not an idea. He is real, all-powerful, all-knowing, the embodiment of love, deeply involved in our existence, and He created each of us for a purpose." – Francine Rivers, on her mission as a Christian writer
6. Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman
"Tragedy. It is no respecter of money, social status, or previous trials. In our logical minds, we want to find a meaning, to question why. Such is the journey of Mary Beth Chapman, wife of award-winning recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman, in her new book Choosing to SEE. Mary Beth shares her heart about her personal journey after the tragic death of their five-year old Maria, but it’s more than that. Through laughter and tears, Mary Beth shares about her struggles with clinical depression, the challenges of married life, and her questions about God’s plan. Readers will definitely find hope in the pages of this book. Just like Mary Beth, you too can learn to “choose to see” God’s plan for your life." – CBN.com critic
7. Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado
Pastor and author Max Lucado believes that you can make an impact in your community and around the globe. His new book, Outlive Your Life, shows every day people how to change the world.
“There’s a lot of wisdom in the phrase: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” It’s when we try to do everything, that’s when we get overwhelmed. When we do nothing, that’s when we get bitter. But if we can find that one thing we do – that one unique assignment in our hometown or around the world – that’s the way we keep sanity in a difficult culture.” – Max Lucado
8. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper
Little did Don know he would be late for the service that night--not just by minutes or hours, but by months--and before he got home, he would take a detour he would never forget. Not only did the truck hit Don's car, it ran over the passenger side of the small Ford Escort, completely crushing the vehicle and killing Don Piper. Instantly, Don began an amazing journey.
""In all honesty, as awesome as the sight was, the sound was more amazing. I heard literally thousands of praise songs. They were all praise songs. I really couldn't see anything. I was so preoccupied with the people around me, I couldn't see anything. But you could sense this hum of wings hovering all about you, like you were being ministered to by angels, and they were observing this whole episode." – Don Piper
9. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis left his childhood Christian faith to spend years as a determined atheist. After finally admitting God existed, Lewis gave in and knelt in prayer to become what he described later as “the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.”
“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. Just how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust? … Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist—in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless—I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality—namely my idea of justice—was full of sense. Consequently atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning." (Mere Christianity, 45-46)
10. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
Germany, 1939. Hitler’s rise to power stunned everyone with its speed and ferocity. The world watched in horror as the Nazis bullied first a nation and then a continent. But in Germany, a resistance was building that worked to dismantle the Third Reich from the inside. Their primary aim: assassinate Hitler. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and pastor, was a leader in the cause.
“Today, as Christians, we need role models; there’s something about Bonhoeffer. To me, he’s the ultimate role model for Christians today.” – Eric Metaxas
