Perhaps, in the coming decades, some enterprising religious historian will study how the 2020 coronavirus pandemic affected Christian magazine journalism. Fair warning: You won’t find anything terribly revealing in CT’s book coverage.
As the lead editor responsible for that coverage, I remember feeling a bit embarrassed in our morning meetings during those first few weeks of lockdown in March and April. updates from colleagues throbbed with urgency. they were commissioning timely op-eds that analyzed the virus in all its theological and sociopolitical complexity. they were chasing stories about believers running the medical frontline and churches transitioning to online services. meanwhile, my own work continued as if nothing had changed.
You are reading: Best christian books 2021
at the time, all sorts of writers and bloggers were making covid-19 inspired reading lists. some aspired to hyper-relevance, promoting books on the science of contagion or the history of past pandemics. Others encouraged making the most of the free time that stay-at-home orders provide: why not take the opportunity to finally crack open that dusty copy of Moby-Dick or War and Peace? it all made me nervous because I was shirking my journalistic duty by sticking to regularly scheduled programming.
In the end, though, I’m glad the pages of our book haven’t been swept away with the coronavirus tide. Of course, much of that is due to forces beyond our control, namely the fact that, beyond a few fast-paced pamphlet-style offerings from luminaries like John Piper and N. t. wright, pandemic-focused titles were yet to come off the presses. For good reason, most books take time to make.
but, more importantly, he was determined to preserve a degree of detachment on principle from the onslaught of daily headlines. coverage of our books will always be attentive to the news cycle; after all, today we call ourselves Christianity, not Christianity in general. but even in moments of crisis, we will not allow a myopic sense of what is happening now to govern our priorities, as if books that do not speak directly to the danger at hand are luxuries worth enjoying only after the danger has passed. .
Hopefully, as you examine this year’s award winners, you’ll find a healthy balance between current events and timeless truths, between news that keeps us informed and good news that keeps us rejoicing, both in health as in illness. —matt reynolds, book editor
apologetics/evangelization
Tell a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age
josue d. chat | zondervan
For many believers today, the prospect of discussing God with friends, neighbors, and colleagues feels daunting. telling a better story illuminates a possible way forward. In a calm and no-nonsense tone, Joshua D. chatraw promotes a posture of invitation, taking seriously the spiritual thirst that is evident if you take the time to look. chatraw urges Christians to pay greater attention to the dreams, aspirations, heartaches, and losses of those with whom they are involved. other people, he stresses, are more than one-dimensional thinking beings; they have imaginations and emotions that play a vital role in making them receptive to the gospel story. —Simon Smart, Executive Director, Center for Public Christianity, Sydney, Australia
(Read CT’s interview with Joshua D. Chatraw.)
merit award
why does god care who i sleep with?
sam allberry | the good book company
I’ve read dozens of books on a biblical view of sexuality, and this one is excellent for several reasons. First, it’s honest. Sam Allberry shares his personal struggles with sexuality in an authentic way, and makes no secret of the challenges Christians face in making biblical sexual ethics compelling today. Second, in addition to offering biblical answers, he explains the reasons why God gives particular commands. And third, he recognizes that the issue of sexual ethics touches on our ultimate desires, which can only be fulfilled through healthy relationships with God and other people. This is a relatively short book, but it is packed with insight. —Sean McDowell, Associate Professor of Christian Apologetics, Biola University Talbot School of Divinity
biblical studies
read with the grain of scripture
ricardo b. hay | eerdmans
This volume, which presents a collection of essays written throughout Richard B. Hays’s career represents some of the New Testament scholar’s best work. Like a masterful composer constructing a complex symphony, Hays artfully weaves his writing together, allowing the reader to hear recurring melodies that focus on scripture as narrative, the unity of scripture, the reading of scripture within the community of faith. and the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus. . penetrating theological and exegetical ideas permeate his work; he expects no less from such an experienced and respected scholar. Ultimately, the book bears witness to the complexity and coherence of the biblical story, sung by many voices but written by one author, God himself. —Carol Kaminski, Professor of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
merit award
a god without limits: the spirit according to the old testament
jack levison | academic baker
Who knew a word study could read like an adventure story: welcome to the world of the holy spirit in the old testament. As Jack Levison guides us through the various uses of the word in the Hebrew scriptures, he offers insight into the refreshment, surprise, danger, and limitlessness of God’s spirit. Reading this book instantly enhanced my own appreciation of how the New Testament speaks of the Holy Spirit not in a vacuum but in continuity with the Old Testament testimony. this is an exciting and illuminating read from start to finish. —Peter Gosnell, Professor of Religion, University of Muskingum
children & youth
Brave World Changers: 50 True Stories of Brave Women of God
shirley ray redmond | harvest house editors
All parents know the power of influence and peer pressure. why not let our children be influenced by Christians whose lives show us what they believe? From around the world and across the centuries, Shirley Raye Redmond selects 50 women who reveal what it means to live for God. the beautiful illustrations grab even the youngest kids right away, but it’s the stories that have kept our family coming back again and again. these portraits of women who lived for the glory of god have opened my children’s eyes to what god could do with their own lives. —Barbara Reaoch, former director of the children’s division of the International Bible Studies Fellowship
merit award
jesus and the big surprise: a true story about jesus, his return and how to be prepared
randall good game | the good book company
Put in a very engaging and personal way, Jesus and the Big Surprise centers on the parable of the watchful servants (Luke 12:35-48). “He will dress to serve,” Jesus says of the returning teacher, and “he will seat them at table and come to serve them” (v. 37). what a beautiful truth to share so powerfully with little ones! Catalina Echeverri’s whimsical and engaging illustrations add to the delight of this wonderful picture book. —glenys nellist, author of the series love letters from god and time to cuddle
Christian life/discipleship
Racial Trauma Healing: The Path to Resilience
sheila wise rowe | intervarsity press
In this book, Sheila Wise Rowe offers a comprehensive examination of the nature and impact of racial trauma. Vividly, she helps us to walk in the shoes of Black people in America and understand the realities they face, but ultimately to point the way to hope and healing. its combination of biblical insights, personal stories, historical background, and cultural analysis makes it a useful and timely read. she challenged me to embrace the influence of racial trauma in my own life and invite others to join me in both grief and healing. —Bryan Carter, Senior Pastor, Concord Church (Dallas)
merit award
Created to Bring Us Closer: Our Life as Royal Priests of God
edward t. welsh | crossing
many books are rich in doctrine but poor in application; many others try to build the application on the most superficial doctrinal foundations. Edward T. welch’s created to approach weaves doctrine and life in a wonderful and unique way. As we follow the Bible’s priestly theme, we see why our hearts burn for closeness, how Jesus draws us closer, and what that means for our daily mission in a fractured world. The result is a recovery of our status as royal priests of God, an identity that can truly transform our approach to God and one another. —scott hubbard, editor of desiringgod.org
the church/pastoral leadership
a place to belong: learning to love the local church
megan hill | crossing
The church is central to God’s redemptive work on earth. yet we often struggle to see the beauty of it through the off-key singing, clashing personalities, and elements of its mission that are largely unseen. But as Megan Hill suggests, the importance of the church goes far beyond what we can see with our eyes. His book encourages readers to rediscover the privilege of belonging to a local church, where elders care for us and provide us with opportunities to selflessly serve with our gifts. If you have become disenchanted with the church, or are looking to find your place within it, this book is for you. —ernest cleo grant ii, pastor of epiphany fellowship in camden, new jersey
merit award
Pastor’s Soul Diary: Holy Moments in a Life of Ministry
m. craig-barnes | arm press
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m. Craig Barnes expresses the haunting beauty of pastoral life with an exquisite intimacy that conveys the essence of living life with a congregation. the fictitious device he uses (journal entries of a pastor about to retire) works remarkably well. I recognized the sacred and the profane in each character he described. More than simply allowing others to look over his shoulder voyeuristically, he teaches pastors to appreciate the divine image and holy presence in ordinary people and in mundane moments. —Hershael York, Dean of Divinity School and Professor of Christian Preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
(read ct’s review of a pastor’s soul diary).
women
mother to son: letters to a black child about identity and hope
jasmine l. holmes | intervarsity press
from mother to son, jasmine l. holmes opens her heart to her children and her readers, exhorting us to love and better understand each other within the challenging social, political, and religious landscapes we occupy. she calls us to be happily complex, nuanced, and untribal in our conversations about the most difficult aspects of living as salt and light in this fallen world. his book inspired a series of longings in me: to read more widely and deeply, to get better at conversations with those with whom I disagree, to live the implications of the gospel with courage and tenderness, and to write letters to my now teenage son , helping you unapologetically embrace beauty and face the challenges that come with your ethnicity. —Kristie Anyabwile, writer and speaker, editor of Her Testimonials, My Heritage
(read review of ct from mother to son).
merit award
Handle With Care: How Jesus Redeems the Power of Touch in Life and Ministry
lore ferguson wilbert | b&h publication
I hadn’t given much thought to the importance of healthy touch until recently, when an older, single friend told me how many days she’d gone without it during the pandemic. lore ferguson wilbert’s book opened my eyes to the ministry of godly and wholesome human touch. He helped me see how much of Christ’s work on this earth involved touching those to whom he ministered, and how necessary that touch was. We are creatures incarnate, and touch plays an important role in how we live out the call to glorify God in our lives. Drive Carefully is a timely guide that urges believers to follow Christ by extending the touch ministry to others. —christina fox, counselor and writer, author of a holy fear
(read ct’s interview with lore ferguson wilbert.)
culture and arts
the sound of the indescribable beauty of life
martin schleske | eerdmans
I once heard artist makoto fujimura say that when planting a church, a pastor’s first move should be to invite artists to play a central role. after reading the sound of the indescribable beauty of life, I understand why. Martin Schleske is a writer, violin maker and, like all true artists, a lifelong learner. This unique book blends theology, philosophy, and personal stories of suffering and joy to emphasize the deeply artistic nature of our individual and communal callings. He invites us to experience the sacred creativity of the gospel through the eyes of an attentive, ardent and devoted artist and seeker. —mary mccampbell, associate professor of humanities, lee university
merit award
the body of bezaleel: the death of god and the birth of art
katie kresser | cascading books
Who are we for creation to render its strange wonders, however fleetingly, to mere creatures? With beautiful prose and stunning imagery, art historian Katie Kresser explores the place and role of the visual arts in the history of the Church and the Western world at large. The Body of Bezalel is both a basic manual and an opportunity for beginners and art lovers alike. kresser outlines a clearly cruciform history of art, emphasizing its implications for how we live and love god and neighbor. we take a perverse pleasure in “seeing through” the artifice that overwhelms our culture; Kresser reminds readers that it is possible to taste and see the truth, in all its otherness. —matt civico, good words blogger, common activities editor
fiction
my eden
s. meter. helmet | farrar, straus and giroux
This is a surprising and timely book, written with a compassion and tenderness rarely given to difficult subjects like political tension within families and communities. In our polarized world, where reductionist thinking is largely the norm, s. meter. Hulse’s novel offers us nuanced characters who are trying to work out their complicated ties with other people. it reminds us that no individual should ever be reduced to a moment, an action or a belief. —lanta davis, associate professor of humanities and literature, indiana wesleyan university
merit award
liar of god
thom satterlee | tilted books
theodore wesson is a young, ambitious and doubtful Anglican curate looking to leave his small country parish. In 1665, he meets a blind stranger named John Milton, who comes to town as a refugee from both plague and political disapproval. (The great poet has yet to write his masterpiece, Paradise Lost, and is considered a traitor by much of England for his part in Oliver Cromwell’s republican revolution.) Milton’s support for persecuted Quakers extends Wesson’s notions of God. but over time the friendship is strained when his clerical advancement threatens. is wesson a reliable narrator? Maybe, maybe not. he certainly is cautious and well aware of his own brokenness. But this is part of what makes the Liar of God so charming. In the end, this is a beautiful story about faith and doubt, providence and humanity, and the reality of finding the god alive and active. —cynthia beach, professor of english at cornerstone university, author of the surface of water
history/biography
tornado god: american religion and violent weather
pedro j. thosen | oxford university press
In this captivating study, peter j. Thhuesen assesses the mysteries of the tornado, his defiance of even the latest meteorological techniques to fully explain it, and the sense of awe, terror, and awe it provokes. Tornadoes are often personified as evil beings that descend without warning on defenseless populations, and for good reason. Primarily appearing in North America, these devastating storms cause catastrophic damage each year, leaving survivors wrestling with age-old questions of providence and theodicy. The tornado also raises ethical questions, as many scientists attribute its increasing frequency to climate change. Thhuesen weighs all of these factors in a comprehensive narrative that is a delight to read. —James Byrd, Professor of American Religious History, Vanderbilt University
(read ct’s review on the tornado god).
merit award
They Knew They Were Pilgrims: Plymouth Colony and the American Fight for Freedom
john g. turner | yale university press
john g. Turner is an extremely thorough and broad-minded historian, as well as a charming writer. They Knew They Were Pilgrims should become the standard account of Plymouth Colony and its place in American religious history. The book deftly brings together a wide range of sources to tell a nuanced story about New England’s early settlers and their interactions with Native Americans. More importantly, Turner does not neglect the voices of women, often marginalized, and brings to light figures such as Awashonks, the chief of a Rhode Island tribe who served, in the author’s words, as “a tenacious defender of His town”. readers will gain a clear sense that the American concept of religious freedom is as diverse and complex as the people who first created it. —Beth Allison Barr, Associate Professor of History, Baylor University
(read ct’s review of they knew they were pilgrims).
missions/global church
A Public Missiology: How Local Churches Witness to a Complex World
gregg okeson | academic baker
In our current era of quick responses and tweeted solutions to complex challenges, believers and local congregations need clear guidance to understand their communities and be salt and light within them. a public missiology provides this abundantly. drawing on a diverse set of cultural examples, gregg okesson guides readers through this process without losing sight of the critical role of individual conversion, thus defusing the most common criticism against pastors and laity who want to influence societies that surround them. This book inspired me, encouraged me, and provided me with many moments of deep reflection. I highly recommend it to teachers, college students, pastors, lay leaders, and a variety of ministry and NGO practitioners. —Mary Lederleitner, managing director of the Church’s Evangelism Institute, author of Women on God’s Mission
merit award
A Multitude of All Peoples: Engaging the Global Identity of Ancient Christianity
vince l. bantu | academic ivp
This is an important book! His thesis is simple: Christianity has always been a global faith. vince l. Bantu tells a fascinating story of the roots of Christianity in places like Egypt, Ethiopia, Arabia, India and China, a story that is rarely told. In the process, he shatters the widespread misperception of Christianity as a primarily white, Western, and often oppressive religion that was exported to the rest of the world. Carefully researched, the book describes vibrant ancient churches in the non-Western world with indigenous leadership and contextualized theology, patterns that speak to the identity and mission of the church today. Bantu have rewritten the script for how we understand the character of global Christianity. I congratulate you for that! —Dean Flemming, Professor of New Testament and Missions, Midamerica Nazarene University
(read an excerpt from a crowd of all peoples).
politics and public life
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Politics after Christianity: Political Theology in a Fractured World
david vandrunen | academic zondervan
david vandrunen provides a clear framework for Christians of all persuasions to participate in the political process in diverse contexts. while those on either side of the political spectrum will find little solace in its pages, the broad center will find intellectual resources not only to develop their own ideals but also to find common ground with their fellow citizens. Analyzing God’s covenant with Noah in Genesis 9, Vandrunen identifies this often-overlooked passage as not just another story in the history of God’s interaction with humanity, but as the foundation of all public life. Politics, in its broad understanding, extends beyond mere statecraft to include economic and even family relationships. the greatest strength of the book is that it advocates political, social, and religious balance within the contours of the scriptures. —timothy d. padgett, managing editor, the colson center
merit award
Reclaiming America for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States
andrew l. white head and samuel l. perry | oxford university press
Using extensive empirical analysis and quotes from insightful interviews, Andrew L. white head and samuel l. Perry provide the clearest picture yet of the beliefs and behaviors common to Christian nationalism, demonstrating how this movement co-opts the narrative and images of Christianity for political purposes. his book explains why Christian nationalists hold their views and how they differ from others who are religiously active. While readers may disagree with elements of the authors’ analysis, anyone reading Taking America Back for God should agree that it fills a significant gap in our understanding of an influential portion of the American electorate. —phillip bethancourt, pastor of central church (college station, texas)
(read ct’s analysis of three recent books on Christian nationalism).
spirit formation
life deeply formed: five transforming values to take root in the path of Jesus
rich villodas | stream of water
With the heart of a pastor, the mind of a scholar and the voice of a friend, rich villodas offers a book for our times. all around us there is evidence that Christians, in the words of villodas, have been “shaped by a superficial world.” The path to deeper spirituality is an ancient path, but leading people down it in the third decade of the 21st century requires overcoming the obstacles of our time. Deeply Formed Life offers a rare combination of timeless truth and timely direction to restore balance, focus, and meaning within our souls. —richella parham, author of a spiritual formation manual and mythical self
(read deeply formed life ct review).
merit award (tie)
the way up is down: becoming oneself by forgetting oneself
tombs of marlena | intervarsity press
the way up is down reflects on the importance of humility and selflessness, drawing on personal stories and the example of philippians 2:5-11, in which paul exhorts us to imitate the mentality of a servant of jesus. Marlena Graves has a lovely writing voice. she is fun, cheerful and casual. but the book also has a forceful, prescient quality, as befits an author writing from outside the white male mainstream. this book affected me. It made me feel uncomfortable (in a good way). people within my demographic (white males) would do well to read it. —Gerald Sittser, Professor of Divinity at Whitworth University, author of Water From a Deep Well and Grace in Disguise
soul care in African-American practice
barbara l. peacock | intervarsity press
barbara l. Peacock is a credible spiritual guide with deep evangelical convictions and a deep commitment to the African American community. Her book consists of short, engaging chapters, each featuring an African-American Christian whose life and ministry illustrate a theme she wishes to emphasize. Peacock’s writing bears the marks of someone who has read and studied deeply in the area of Christian spirituality. She continually invites readers to take good care of their own souls and nurture her love for Christ. —James Wilhoit, Emeritus Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry, Wheaton College
theology/ethics
“he went down to the dead”: an evangelical theology of Holy Saturday
Matthew and. emergent | academic ivp
Matthew and. Emerson’s book studies a little-explored corner of Christology, namely, what happened during the time that Christ died and was laid in the tomb. Involving a wide range of sources from all periods of church history, it makes a persuasive case for recovering the doctrine of the descent of Christ. Many evangelicals cringe at the phrase “descended into hell” in the Apostles’ Creed because of its perceived connections to Roman Catholicism. but emerson clears up misunderstandings that prevent us from identifying with the historical beliefs of the catholic (universal) church. he also highlights the pastoral encouragement offered at the coming of christ: we should not face death alone, since jesus faced it and defeated it. —j. v. fesko, professor of systematic and historical theology, reformed theological seminary
(read ct’s interview with matthew y. emerson.)
merit award
the holy spirit (theology for the people of god)
gregg allison and andreas j. kostenberger | b&h academic
In this two-part introduction, Gregg Allison and Andreas J. Köstenberger draw on their respective fields of biblical and systematic theology to provide a wide-ranging articulation of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. both sections offer not only a helpful overview of past Trinitarian controversies, but faithful evangelical responses to their counterparts in our day. though complete, the book is never dry. Rather, the reader emerges with what the authors call a “thanksgiving theology” for the Holy Spirit, which is both love and gift. —Elisabeth Rain Kincaid, Assistant Professor of Ethics and Moral Theology, Nashotah House Theological Seminary
the beautiful orthodox book of the year
reading while black: African-American biblical interpretation as an exercise in hope
esau mccaulley | academic ivp
This is an amazing book that I think every Christian should read, even those, like me, who don’t live in the United States. Esau McCaulley combines profound scholarship with an extraordinary ability to communicate with his readers, and his book brings the Bible back to the center of our awareness of issues of race and discrimination. he is unapologetic in his resolute Christian voice and is prophetic in the best sense of the word. from well-chosen quotes from black artists to troubling and occasionally amusing vignettes, the book feels like you’ve been given a new pair of glasses through which to reexamine a familiar history. hopefully, it will launch a new type of conversation around a very tense and difficult topic. —Sarah C. Williams, Research Professor of the History of Christianity at Regent College
by reading as black, mccaulley does a tremendous service to the church by bringing black ecclesial interpretation into dialogue with the urgencies of our cultural moment, offering much-needed hope. This is the book I wish I had had years ago as I struggled to integrate my black church upbringing, my evangelical theological training, and my pastoral calling to cross-cultural ministry. At a time when a growing number of Black people are questioning the legitimacy and relevance of Christianity to Black concerns, McCaulley has insightful answers. he courageously tackles some of the issues most troubling black people with the precision of a scholar and the heart of a pastor. if you are a child of the black church, this book will remind you of home; if not, mccaulley hospitably opens the doors for him to come in, sit at our table and be nourished by our testimony of what the lord has done for us. —Russ Whitfield, Senior Pastor, Grace Mosaic Church (Washington, DC)
This book is about hope. It’s deeply theological, but it’s also full of practical compassion and wisdom, made all the more compelling by McCaulley’s inclusion of bits of his own story. the way he turns abused biblical passages on their head, showing god’s heart for deliverance, is both erudite and beautiful. I believe this book will continue the necessary conversations within the church. I was honored, challenged and moved by it. —rachel joy welcher, editor of fathom magazine, author of talking back to the culture of purity
(Read ct’s September 2020 cover story, an excerpt adapted from Reading Being Black, as well as an additional excerpt from the book.)
merit award
christ and calamity: grace and gratitude in the darkest valley
harold l. senkbeil | lexham press
I loved this book. it is full of the unvarnished truth about the problems of our fallen world, but it is neither abstract nor “teaching.” Rather, it exudes loving empathy and radiates a gentle serenity as it reminds us that Christ is not absent from our suffering, but deeply in it with us and for us. There is a shameless liturgical dimension to Christ and calamity, which makes it especially useful as a ministerial resource. I have already recommended the book to a struggling believer and found it immensely helpful. Any Christian struggling with the trials and challenges of life will find it a great comfort and blessing. —tim patrick, principal, bible college south australia
At first, I couldn’t understand why this book was in the running. as I read on, the well got deeper and deeper. Although Christ and Calamity is neatly worded and borders on cliché at points, there is genius in Harold L. senkbeil’s use of a slowly emerging common language. he does not back down from difficult passages of scripture, but properly overlays them only after securing his audience’s trust with reassurance and comfort. even in matters of death, senkbeil refuses to give in to the cloying staples of heavenly relief; it simply instills the promises of scripture, no more and no less, into the heart of the reader. the end result is truly beautiful. —dru johnson, associate professor of biblical and theological studies, the king’s college
This book is timely, given the realities of covid-19, but it emphasizes that calamity visits us all on many different occasions and in many different ways. With short chapters, each focusing on a section of scripture, it somewhat resembles a classic Puritan devotional. Christ is very front and center. and hope is embedded in each chapter, but without feeling like a magic wand to ward off suffering. this is an excellent book that will pass the sniff test for anyone who really suffers. —stephen mcalpine, senior pastor, providence church midland, western australia
Do you have anything to add on this? do you see something we missed? share your feedback here.
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