Moody Publishers is pleased to announce the winners of multiple titles in The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Awards, and the Christianity Today’s 2024 Book Awards.

The Gospel Coalition presented an award of distinction in Evangelism and Apologetics to God Speaks Science: What Neurons, Giant Squid, and Supernovae Reveal About Our Creator by John Van Sloten. Each year a panel of judges evaluates the best Christian books across 12 categories, choosing 24 as recommended helpful resources for individuals and the church. Two titles are chosen from each category, reflecting both an overall and award of distinction winners.

Christianity Today awarded three Moody Publishers’ titles in their respective category: 14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible, by James Coakley – Bible & Devotional, This Seat’s Saved, by Heather Holleman – Young Adults, and The Grace Marriage: How the Gospel and Intentionality Transform Your Marriage, by Brad and Marilyn Rhoads – Marriage and Family. The purpose of the awards is to highlight the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture. “Our awards honor top titles in areas like theology, discipleship, apologetics, and missions, as determined by an array of knowledgeable judges. We hope these books bring glory to God, attention to deserving authors, and wisdom and discernment to believers of all stripes.” Matt Reynolds, Associate Editor, Books.

“We’re so happy to have these wonderful books and authors honored by CT and TGC,” said Randall Payleitner, Publisher at MP. “Whether it is helping readers get back to their Bibles, middle schoolers find their place at the table, married couples choosing grace in their daily interactions, or everyday readers see God in the whole of His creation—these four award-winning books are perfectly timed, and delightfully written! I’m proud to partner with faithful, expert, inspiring authors like Jim Coakley, Heather Holleman, Brad and Marilyn Rhoads, and John Van Sloten to reach readers, right where they are, with books that draw them closer to God.”

Moody Publishers is a nonprofit Christian publishing house located in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, IL. Since being founded by D. L. Moody in 1894, Moody Publishers has distributed more than 300 million books, spanning from Bible commentary and reference to spiritual and relational growth. All proceeds from Moody Publishers benefit the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, which exists to educate and equip students for Christian ministry.

PEABODY, MA—Christianbook International Outreach (CIO) announces a milestone 2,000,000 books and Bibles distributed to Christian pastors, theological students, and churches in 81 countries. “We are grateful to all of our partners who have generously helped to bring about this tremendous impact, including the publishers who have contributed at reduced pricing and many times donating resources, and our ministry partners who have helped distribute them,” states CIO Board Chair Ray Hendrickson.

CIO is the not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable arm of Christianbook. CIO’s mission is to distribute books to international Christian leaders and theological schools, and Bibles to those without access to them. These efforts began informally through Christianbook in 2008, with CIO established in 2021 to formalize and accelerate the distribution of more resources to the global church.

“Christianbook is committed to supporting the ministry efforts of Christianbook International Outreach,” Christianbook President and CEO Michelle Carrara states. “We believe that the work CIO is doing is of paramount importance. We deeply appreciate the generosity of our publishing and ministry partners for their contributions to CIO. Our dedicated partners have enabled CIO to make a meaningful impact in the lives and communities of so many people globally.”

Hendrickson, who was one of the two brothers that started Christianbook, says it was during a 2018 trip to Uganda and hearing from leaders there that reenforced his lifelong heart for missions: “What we believed up to that point we believe even stronger now. The church is growing exponentially around the world, but resources like books and Bibles are often hardest to obtain where they are needed most.”

Pastor J from Uganda, a CIO partnership recipient, sums it up for many. In a country where over 70 percent of pastors have no theological training, he shares, “In the midst of our difficult reality, hope is rising among many untrained pastors. Already, over 133 of our pastors have received training in theology and leadership—training that was made possible by CIO. In addition, we have seen visible shifts and improvements in the ministry practice and preaching culture because of the high utility of the context-sensitive book resources we have received from CIO. We could not be more grateful.”

Additionally, Pastor J highlights the city’s only Pastors and Leaders Library, which was established with the help of CIO and its partners. “It has provided a study place where all our pastors can go and learn any topic of interest that is relevant to their dreams or current struggles. This space has helped greatly in grounding pastors in theology,” he states.

While a U.S.-based pastor might not imagine preparing a sermon with no resources, not even a study Bible, that is the reality faced by many pastors around the world each week. “We are looking to change that so that international pastors are well-equipped to preach the gospel,” Hendrickson says. “We are grateful for—and dependent upon—our partners in this outreach. With new and continued support we can ensure millions more essential resources reach the global church. The need is great and it’s urgent.”

For more information and partnership opportunities, please contact Craig Stoll, Managing Director, Christianbook International Outreach, 405-596-9154, or cstoll@ChristianbookOutreach.org. Visit our website at christianbookoutreach.org.

 

 

December 2023 | LISLE, IL—Christianity Today has released the winners of its 2024 CT Book Awards, and InterVarsity Press had seven titles recognized with Awards of Merit or as finalists in individual categories. The honorees from IVP include:

• Christian Living/Spiritual Formation Award of Merit: On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living by Alan Noble
• Church/Pastoral Leadership Award of Merit: In Church as It Is in Heaven: Cultivating a Multiethnic Kingdom Culture by Jamaal E. Williams and Timothy Paul Jones
• Apologetics/Evangelism Award of Merit: Humble Confidence: A Model for Interfaith Apologetics by Benno van den Toren and Kang-San Tan
• Bible and Devotional Finalist: Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal by Esau McCaulley
• Biblical Studies Finalist: Nobody’s Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament by Sandra L. Glahn
• Missions/Global Church Finalist: Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement by Wang Yi, edited by Hannah Nation and J. D. Tseng
• Politics & Public Life Finalist: Just Discipleship: Biblical Justice in an Unjust World by Michael J. Rhodes

“We and others in our industry respect these awards due to the rigorous review that the content receives,” said IVP President and Publisher Terumi Echols. “It’s not a popularity contest. It honors what nourishes the soul, challenges the mind, moves the heart, and strengthens our walk as Christians.”

On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living, the CT Award of Merit recipient in the Christian Living/Spiritual Formation category, is a deeply personal essay by Alan Noble, who considers the unique burden of everyday life in the modern world. Sometimes, he writes, the choice to carry on amid great suffering—to simply get out of bed—is itself a powerful witness to the goodness of life, and of God.

Ethan McCarthy, Associate Editor at IVP, said, “The idea was to do a really short, widely accessible book that drew on some of Alan’s previous cultural criticism work (his book You Are Not Your Own in particular), but in a much more immediate and personal vein, applying some of those ideas to the particular experience of mental suffering. I think it’s Alan’s loveliest work to date: it’s got the kind of concision and clarity that show not only Alan’s skill as a writer, but also how much he’s wrestled with these ideas. It’s at once almost jarringly realistic about the reality of human suffering, but completely saturated in the sober hope of the gospel.”

Noble (PhD, Baylor University) is associate professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, cofounder and editor in chief of Christ and Pop Culture, and an advisor for the AND Campaign. He has written for The Atlantic, Vox, BuzzFeed, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, and First Things. He is also the author of Disruptive Witness and You Are Not Your Own.

The Award of Merit recipient in the Church/Pastoral Leadership category, In Church as It Is in Heaven: Cultivating a Multiethnic Kingdom Culture by Jamaal E. Williams and Timothy Paul Jones, shows how multiethnic churches provide a unique apologetic for the gospel. Along the way, the authors tell the story of their own church—a majority-white congregation which is being transformed into a family that reflects the diversity of heaven. “This is as clear and compelling a book about the multiethnic church as I know of,” said McCarthy. “These guys bring not only real skill as writers, and a learned and compelling biblical basis for their model, but also a wealth of practical experience from their own church. This isn’t a bunch of nice-sounding ideas, or a ‘what if?’ kind of book. It’s coming out of the actual struggles and joys of working toward the multiethnic kingdom of God in our actual churches, with actual people.”

Jamaal E. Williams (DEdMin) serves as lead pastor of Sojourn Church Midtown in Louisville, Kentucky, and as president of the Harbor Network. Timothy Paul Jones (PhD) teaches apologetics at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as a preaching pastor at Sojourn Church Midtown. In addition, he has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books, including Finding God in a Galaxy Far, Far Away; Christian History Made Easy; and, with James Garlow and April Williams, the bestselling The Da Vinci Codebreaker. 

Humble Confidence: A Model for Interfaith Apologetics received the 2024 CT Award of Merit in the Apologetics/Evangelism category. Coauthored by Benno van den Toren and Kang-San Tan, Humble Confidence provides a global, intercultural introduction to Christian apologetics. They present a model of apologetics as crosscultural dialogue and accountable witness, then explore how it plays out in relation to specific contexts and the major world religions—including primal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, secularism, and late-modern spiritualities.

“I’m delighted that CT’s judges have recognized what a remarkable book this is,” said Jon Boyd, Associate Publisher and Academic Editorial Director. “Humble Confidence both inspired and stretched me in my thinking about crosscultural apologetics, so it doesn’t surprise me that the authors have been awarded this honor. Van den Toren and Tan’s very approach to apologetics itself opens up new territory in interfaith dialogue, and then they deliver on their title’s promise—with exemplary levels of both Christian humility and Christian confidence.”

Van den Toren (PhD, Theological University in Kampen) is professor of intercultural theology at the Protestant Theological University in Groningen, the Netherlands. He has taught in French-speaking Africa and at Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University, and his books include Christian Apologetics as Cross-Cultural Dialogue and Reasons for My Hope: Responding to Non-Christian Friends.

Tan (PhD, Aberdeen University) is general director of BMS World Mission. He is also chair of the Commission on Mission and provides leadership for the Global Baptist Mission Network of the Baptist World Alliance, and he has previously served as head of mission studies at Redcliffe College and executive director of AsiaCMS.

Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal by Esau McCaulley is the 2024 CT Book Award finalist in the Bible and Devotional category. In this short volume, priest and scholar McCaulley introduces the season of Lent, showing us how its prayers and rituals point us not just to our own sinfulness but also beyond it to our merciful Savior. Lent is part of the Fullness of Time Series which invites readers to engage with the riches of the church year, exploring the traditions, prayers, Scriptures, and rituals of the seasons of the church calendar.

The IVP finalist in the Biblical Studies category was Nobody’s Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament by Sandra L. Glahn. “It seemed highly unlikely to me that anyone could say anything fresh about 1 Timothy 2. Sandra Glahn has proven me wrong,” said Amy Peeler, professor of New Testament at Wheaton College. “With its close attention to material culture and biblical text, Glahn’s evidence demands that we understand Artemis differently and therefore read this passage with fresh eyes. Immediately compelling through Glahn’s honest personal narrative, Nobody’s Mother kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to see Glahn’s conclusions. Now that I’ve read them, I know I’ll be thinking about them, and changing how I teach this text, for a long time.”

Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement was a CT Book Award finalist in the Missions/Global Church category. Featured here is a manifesto by well-known pastor Wang Yi (edited by Hannah Nation and J. D. Tseng) and his church, Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, to clarify their theological stance on the house church and its relationship to the Chinese government. Wang Yi is a leader of a Chinese house church. He is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence for refusing to comply with PRC regulations regarding church registration.

The IVP finalist in the Politics & Public Life category was Just Discipleship: Biblical Justice in an Unjust World. Biblical scholar Michael Rhodes argues that the Bible offers a vision of justice-oriented discipleship that is critical for the formation of God’s people. Grounded in biblical theology, virtue ethics, and his own experiences, he shows that justice is central to the Bible, central to Jesus, and central to authentic Christian discipleship.

For a complete list of IVP award winners visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

Contact: Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

Biblical Critical Theory named CT’s Book of the Year

(Grand Rapids, Mich) Dec. 2023 – Zondervan, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is honored to have three books recognized in Christianity Today’s 2024 Book Awards, with one being named Book of the Year. Annually Christianity Today (CT) chooses books in twelve categories that are “most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture.” Awards were announced on December 4, 2023.

The following Zondervan titles were recognized:

• Children- Award of Merit – The Things God Made: Explore God’s Creation through the Bible, Science and Art, by Andy McGuire, Zonderkidz
• Church/Pastoral Leadership – Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church, by Michael Kruger, Zondervan Reflective
• Apologetics/Evangelism – Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture, by Christopher Watkin, Zondervan Academic
• CT’s Book of the Year – Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture, by Christopher Watkin

“Zonderkidz is thrilled to see The Things God Made recognized with the Children’s Award of Merit,” says vice president and publisher of Zonderkidz, Megan Dobson.  “Andy McGuire’s art is absolutely stunning and brings to life the creation story in a whole new way with engaging and educational text sure to inspire wonder in children and their families.”

“Zondervan Reflective is honored to partner with Dr. Michael Kruger to bring this timely and much-needed material to readers,” said Ryan Pazdur, vice president and publisher of Zondervan Reflective. “Spiritual abuse is a problem in today’s church and we must all learn to wisely identify and confront it.”

“It is my delight to congratulate Dr. Christopher Watkin on behalf of Zondervan Academic for the double honor of receiving CT’s Book of the Year and winning the Apologetics/Evangelism category,” said Katya Covrett, vice president and publisher of Zondervan Academic. “It has been incredible to see his work have such a formative impact on Christian engagement with modern life and culture in ways that are both biblically faithful and culturally relevant. We celebrate with Chris this high recognition of his book.”

To read the full 2024 Book of the Year Awards Announcement from Christianity Today, click here.

Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in different genres and subject areas for the general reader; curriculum for individual and group Bible study; books for children and young adults; academic resources including textbooks and reference books; ministry resources; and books on faith and culture. Zondervan is located in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit www.zondervan.com.

Contact: Amy Bigler, Public Relations Director, amy.bigler@harpercollins.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Zondervan today announced that Mark Glesne is joining Zondervan Books as Vice President of Marketing. Zondervan Books is the home to multiple award-winning books and bestselling authors including Rick Warren, Shauna Niequist, Craig Groeschel, Lee Strobel, and Rebekah Lyons.

Glesne joins Zondervan Books with twenty years of marketing experience, most recently leading for six years the Special Imprints team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. In that role, he led the brand marketing teams for New York Times bestselling authors Lysa TerKeurst and Max Lucado, as well as other high-impact publishing initiatives for the company.

As the Vice President of Marketing for Zondervan Books, Glesne will set the strategy and oversee all marketing and publicity efforts for the publishing group. “I’m incredibly excited to join the Zondervan Books team,” he commented, “and look forward to serving our faithful authors alongside our innovative publishing team.” His first day will be December 11, 2023.

“Mark has a rare combination of broad marketing expertise, deep publishing experience, and firm commitment to Zondervan’s mission,” said Webster Younce, VP and publisher of Zondervan Books. “We could not be happier to have him join Zondervan.”

Zondervan is a HarperCollins Company and part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Zondervan is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian communications. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

CAROL STREAM, Ill.—December 8, 2023—Tyndale Kids author Alyssa Clements has received a 2023 Children’s Award of Distinction from the Gospel Coalition for her debut book, The Size of Everything (Tyndale Kids, 2023). This award was presented on December 4, 2023.

To select the recipients of this award, a panel of judges voted on the quality of the book’s faithfulness to Scripture, application of gospel-centered truths, demonstration of spiritual discernment in contemporary contexts, and mission to unite and renew the church. The Size of Everything was selected as a “helpful [resource] for the church and for individual believers.”

Commenting on this book, the judges noted, “Although human beings are neither the biggest nor the smallest of God’s creatures, the book explains we hold a unique place in creation as image-bearers of God. Readers who don’t like to experience awe and wonder should stay far away from The Size of Everything.”

Linda Howard, associate publisher at Tyndale House Publishers, added, “We’re thrilled to see The Size of Everything honored by The Gospel Coalition! This book is a fun way to show kids their special place in God’s creation. It beautifully reminds readers how much they are loved by their Creator while teaching them fun and interesting facts about the world around them. We are excited to see the impact it will have.”

The Size of Everything, illustrated by Angelika Scudamore, is a hardcover picture book for six-to-ten-year-olds with over 80 brilliantly colorful illustrations, 45 fantastic creations, and 100 scientific facts and funny tidbits. While informational, it also touches on the themes of God’s power and creativity and how special humans are to God. A Tyndale Faith and Science kids book, The Size of Everything is ideal for kids at home and in the classroom.

Alyssa Clements is a third-grade teacher turned book editor who loves learning about the fascinating world God has created and exploring how it all points back to him. Alyssa lives in West Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, Forrest, and her two wonderfully curious children.

For more information on Tyndale Kids titles, please visit www.tyndale.com.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a substantial portion of annual revenue—millions of dollars per year—through corporate donations and the work of Tyndale House Foundation. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Contact: Natalie Wierenga, nataliewierenga@tyndale.com, 630.784.5211

CAROL STREAM, Ill.—December 8, 2023—Tyndale Fiction author, Patricia Raybon, was honored with Christianity Today’s 2024 Fiction Book Award for her second novel in the Annalee Spain Mysteries series, Double the Lies (Tyndale Fiction, 2023).  Double the Lies follows Patricia’s Christy Award–winning debut, All That Is Secret.  Christianity Today’s 2024 Fiction Book Award was presented on December 4, 2023.

Christianity Today describes selections for this prestigious award as: “the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture.”

Commenting on Double the Lies, Alton Gansky (novelist and writing mentor) wrote, “Raybon weaves a well-paced, gripping story tailor-made for mystery lovers.”

Stephanie Broene, acquisitions director of Tyndale Fiction, added, “We are so thrilled for Patricia and grateful to Christianity Today for this recognition. Writing at what she calls the ‘daring intersection of faith and race,’ Patricia brings an important voice and valuable perspective to her entertaining mysteries. Tyndale is proud to be her publishing partner.”

Set in the 1920s, Double the Lies is a thrilling race against the clock as amateur detective Annalee must contend with the Klan-run police and solve a murder before she is framed for it. Fans of historical fiction and mysteries will find a story filled with secrets, discrimination, lies, and love.

Patricia Raybon is an award-winning author and essayist whose books include All That Is Secret, Stephen Curry’s March 2022 Literati Book Club pick; My First White Friend, a Christopher Award–winning memoir about racial forgiveness; and I Told the Mountain to Move, a prayer memoir that was a Christianity Today Book of the Year finalist. Patricia’s essays on faith, race, and grace have been published in national outlets, including the New York Times Sunday Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, USA Weekend, Country Living, Christianity Today, and others; posted on popular blogs; and aired on National Public Radio. She lives with her husband, Dan, in her beloved home state of Colorado.

For more information on Double the Lies, please visit www.mediacenter.tyndale.com.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a substantial portion of annual revenue—millions of dollars per year—through corporate donations and the work of Tyndale House Foundation. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Contact: Isabella Graunke, isabellagraunke@tyndale.com, 630.784.5298

Bellingham, WA | December 2023 | Lexham Press celebrates John Andrew Bryant’s A Quiet Mind to Suffer With receiving Christianity Today’s 2024 book award for the Christian Living/Spiritual Formation category.

Christianity Today judge Shar Walker notes, A Quiet Mind to Suffer With is “profound and deeply troubling, lovely and heart-wrenching. I’m both grieved and grateful when I think of the suffering Bryant endured to give us something so wise, true, and beautiful. This book sheds conventional genres, somehow combining memoir, poetry, lecture, sermon, and essay all in one.”

Author John Andrew Bryant responded to the award win, saying, “I would never have thought that this strange book would be acknowledged in this way. My main hope was that this memoir would be a song to Jesus and a gift to others–a gift to those who endure the affliction of a mental illness and a gift to those who love them. This award encourages me to continue to hope this book might be such a gift. I’m honored and grateful.”

A Quiet Mind to Suffer With also received honorable mention in the Counseling category for the 2023 Southwestern Journal of Theology Book Awards.

Pastor, Jesus is Enough by Jeremy Writebol received an Award of Distinction in the Ministry category in the The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Awards and was selected as a finalist in the Church & Pastoral Leadership category in the Christianity Today 2024 Book Awards. Pastor, Jesus is Enough was also a 2023 For the Church Book Award runner-up.

The Gospel Coalition judges share, “The book is theologically stout but wonderfully devotional, biblically tethered but highly applicational. It’s a beautiful and evergreen work of shepherding through writing. As the tide of evangelicalism shifts once again away from interest in the sufficiency of the gospel, this book powerfully urges repentance, return, and recommitment to the good news at the heart of pastoral ministry.”

Writebol, responding to the recognition, said, “I am honored to be selected for these awards and that the book has been recognized as a solid source of encouragement and help to pastors and Christian leaders. I am hopeful that [these awards] will propel the work into the hands of more leaders and serve the body of Christ well.”

In further award news, Southwestern Journal of Theology Book Awards listed Bulwarks of Unbelief by Joseph Minich as an honorable mention in the category of Applied Theology/Ethics.

Lexham Press is committed to excellent publishing that loves the church, loves the faith, and loves the Word, drawing from the Christian tradition and the global church to provide resources for pastors, scholars, parents, and students of the Bible. As part of the Logos Bible Study family of brands, Lexham Press seeks to increase biblical literacy, thoughtful reflection, and faithful Christian action around the world. To learn more about Lexham Press, visit lexhampress.com.

Contact: Lavender Duke | Marketing & Publicity at Lexham Press | press@lexhampress.com

 

 

December 8, 2023, WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that four books—Impossible Christianity by Kevin DeYoung; A Praying Church by Paul E. Miller; Remaking the World by Andrew Wilson; and Reforming Criminal Justice by Matthew T. Martens—have been named winners in their respective categories for the Gospel Coalition’s 2023 Book Awards.

Impossible Christianity: Why Following Jesus Does Not Mean You Have to Change the World, Be an Expert in Everything, Accept Spiritual Failure, and Feel Miserable Pretty Much All the Time (Crossway, August 2023) by Kevin DeYoung was awarded in the Popular Theology category. This book speaks to anxious Christians who feel inadequate or overwhelmed in their faith and assures them that they can experience lasting joy in a life of sincere and simple obedience. TGC comments, “In an age of extrabiblical burdens and stifling demands, Impossible Christianity is a breath of fresh air.”

A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World (Crossway, January 2023) by Paul E. Miller was awarded in the Ministry category. Addressing church leaders in a post-Christian culture filled with discouragement, cynicism, and unbelief, Miller’s book casts a vision and provides direction for a return to the simple yet life-changing practice of praying together. “Miller’s magnificent book stands as a compelling wake-up call,” writes TGC.

Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West (Crossway, September 2023) by Andrew Wilson was awarded in the History and Biography category. In this skillfully researched book, Wilson explains how seven historic events in 1776 shaped today’s post-Christian West and equips believers to share God’s truth in the current social landscape. “Remaking the World is an imaginative work of cultural apologetics that every church leader should grapple with,” writes TGC.

Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal (Crossway, November 2023) by Matthew T. Martens was awarded in the First-Time Author category. Written from personal experience as a noted attorney and seminary graduate, Martens examines the American criminal justice system and proposes a vision for it that is based on Christ’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves. TGC comments, “To some extent, all Americans participate in our justice system—from voting to serving on juries. As Christians, we can do this with wisdom, peace, and hope. We can love our neighbors well as we point to the perfect justice of the God who justified us. Martens shows us how.”

Andreas Köstenberger and Gregory Goswell’s Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach (Crossway, March 2023) received an honorable mention in the Academic Theology category. The book provides an essential foundation for interpreting all 66 books of the Bible, identifying the central themes of each text and discussing its place in the overall storyline of Scripture.

Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing, comments, “We are quite delighted to see these four authors win book of the year for their respective categories, along with two authors sharing an award of distinction. So our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Kevin DeYoung, Paul E. Miller, Andrew Wilson, Matthew T. Martens, Andreas J. Köstenberger, and Gregory Goswell for writing such wonderful books, and thank you to the Gospel Coalition for their encouragement and support in promoting and commending good books for God’s people!”

The Gospel Coalition, founded in 2005, reviews nearly three hundred books per year on their website and in their academic journal, Themelios. Awards are given to titles that are gospel-centered, faithful to Scripture, spiritually discerning, and unifying and renewing for the church.

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-based content to honor our Savior and serve his church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information, visit crossway.org.

Contact: Lauren Susanto, lsusanto@crossway.org

Additional Crossway Titles Earn Distinction

December 8, 2023, WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is excited to announce that Elisabeth Elliot: A Life by Lucy S. R. Austen has been named winner in the History and Biography category of Christianity Today’s 2024 Book Awards, and Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age by Samuel D. James has been named winner in the Culture and the Arts category.

Elisabeth Elliot (Crossway, June 2023) takes readers on an in-depth journey through the life of Elisabeth Elliot, one of the most widely known Christians of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Lucy S. R. Austen explores Elliot’s birth to missionary parents, her courtship and marriage to Jim Elliot, her missions work in Ecuador, and her private life and public work after she returned to the United States. This thorough and thoughtful single-volume biography highlights Elliot’s example of love for God and obedience to his commands, leading readers to ponder what it means to follow Jesus.

Digital Liturgies (Crossway, September 2023) examines the connection between patterns in technology and human desires. Samuel D. James exposes five “digital liturgies” that prohibit people from contemplating big truths, accepting the uncomfortable, and acknowledging God as their Creator. He then calls readers to live faithfully before Christ, finding wisdom through Scripture and rest in God’s perfect design.

Additionally, Knowing God’s Truth: An Introduction to Systematic Theology by Jon Nielson was awarded runner-up in the Young Adults category. CT notes, “It’s a huge challenge to write a systematic theology book for teens in language they can understand. But Nielson succeeds at this task, helping students grasp deep concepts like eschatology and soteriology.”

How to Read and Understand the Psalms by Bruce K. Waltke and Fred G. Zaspel won the award of merit in the Biblical Studies category. One of CT’s reviewers commends, “When it comes to works of biblical studies, my ideal is high-level scholarship that connects to pulpits and pews. How to Read and Understand the Psalms is a masterful example, and it now qualifies as my go-to introduction for this section of Scripture.”

“We are delighted that the 2024 Christianity Today Book Awards have recognized these books. We love publishing good books, and we give thanks to God for the privilege of doing so. All four of these recognitions are well deserved.” says Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing. “Lucy S. R. Austen spent a decade researching and writing her incredible biography of Elisabeth Elliot, facing significant challenges along the way in order to tell the story with grace and truth. Samuel James, my colleague at Crossway who is wise beyond his years, wrote his very first book and it won book of the year for culture and arts. We hope these recognitions lead to more people reading and benefiting from these excellent resources.”

The Christianity Today Book Awards are presented to books in fifteen different categories, including Theology, Christian Living and Spiritual Formation, and Biblical Studies. According to Christianity Today’s website, winners are nominated for their “capacity to awaken slumbering souls, whether they ring out with theological wisdom, literary beauty, pastoral warmth, or everyday encouragement.”

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-based content to honor our Savior and serve his church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information, visit crossway.org.

Contact: Lauren Susanto, lsusanto@crossway.org, crossway.org