10 Christian Bestsellers You Should Own | CBN

25 Books Every Christian Should Read

The ULTIMATE LIST of 50 Best* Christian Books of All Time | Becoming Christians

The Best Christian Books of All Time - TCK Publishing

100 best Christian books

Mere Christianity

Mero Cristianismo

Knowing God

Conociendo a Dios

Enjoying Peace in His Presence

Disfrutando la Paz en Su Presencia

Jesus Calling

Jesús Llama

The Love Dare

El Desafío del Amor

Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

Sobrecogido por un Dios Implacable

Crazy Love

Amor Loco

The Cost of Discipleship

El Costo del Discipulado

The Imitation of Christ

La Imitación de Cristo

In the mid-fourth century, within the span of the Roman Empire, a man named Augustine is born in a region known today as eastern Algeria. His life story reveals a fascinating journey through a world tainted by sin, where he, like many young men of his time, is taught to prioritize material gain and earthly pleasures over the pursuit of God. Augustine's schooling and early life in Thagaste and Carthage sees him dabble in various sexual escapades and engage with false philosophical doctrines, particularly Manicheism. However, his immersion in this world of materialism gives him a deeper understanding of its associated chaos, confusion, and sorrow.

Despite his wild youth, Augustine cultivates a love for philosophical understanding, acquainting himself with doctrines of Manicheism, skepticism, and Neoplatonism. The latter, in particular, profoundly influences him, leading to a unique integration of Catholic theology with Neoplatonic concepts. His quest for truth takes him from Thagaste to Carthage, Rome, and finally Milan, where his interest in Catholicism, his mother's faith, begins to grow. Simultaneously, he continues his profession as a rhetoric teacher, a career he later despises for its empty promises, and indulges in sensual pleasures. However, his time in Milan proves to be transformative when he realizes the true essence of Catholicism. Struggling to fully devote himself to a chaste life, Augustine eventually experiences a profound conversion in a Milanese garden, leading him to become a devoted Catholic.

The latter part of Augustine's life shifts dramatically from personal narrative to an exploration of religious and philosophical issues. In particular, he delves into the themes of memory, time and eternity, and the interpretation of the Book of Genesis. Despite this stark shift, a common thread of redemption ties his life and philosophical musings together. He views his personal journey back to God as a metaphor for the entire creation's return to its creator. This return, along with Augustine's desire to inspire others to seek the same, is encapsulated in his confessions. For him, "confession" signifies both an admission of guilt and an act of praise to God.

Confessions

Confesiones

The Secret to Love that Lasts

El Secreto para un Amor que Perdura

The 5 Love Languages

Los 5 Lenguajes del Amor

In an undisclosed manner, an array of correspondences come to light between an experienced demon named Screwtape and his naive nephew, Wormwood. The mentor, Screwtape, provides guidance to his novice nephew on how to lead a British man, known as "the Patient," astray and into the clutches of Hell. Wormwood, having received training at a college for demons, is assigned the task of tempting the Patient. However, Screwtape is unimpressed by the education his nephew received, blaming the college's inefficient director, Slubgob. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that the Patient, a caretaker to his demanding mother, has recently embraced Christianity, presenting a new challenge for Wormwood. 

Throughout the early exchanges, Screwtape advises Wormwood to manipulate the Patient's understanding of Christianity, urging him to view it as a personal, internal belief rather than a way to interact with the world. To succeed, Wormwood is instructed to create conflict between the Patient and his mother over trivial matters at home. As the invisible Wormwood shadows the Patient, he subtly encourages negative emotions and unhealthy diversions. Meanwhile, Screwtape, a proven soul-winner for Hell, operates within Hell's "Lowerarchy," a monstrous corporation responsible for devising the best tactics to ensnare souls on Earth.

When World War II engulfs the globe, the Patient experiences fear over potential conscription. Wormwood is directed to manipulate the Patient's uncertainty and use it to his demonic advantage. The Patient then encounters a group of non-Christian friends, and Wormwood seeks to cultivate hypocrisy within him, making him view himself superior to both his humble church companions and his new intellectual friends. However, the Patient experiences a spiritual reawakening, strengthening his faith, making Wormwood's task even more difficult. Following the Patient's religious renewal, Screwtape advises Wormwood to tempt the Patient with sexual desires. Yet, the Patient falls in love with a Christian woman who influences him positively. During this period, Wormwood accuses Screwtape of heresy to Hell's authorities for contradicting Hell's teachings about God's love for humans, causing Screwtape to transform into a centipede in anger. Nevertheless, Screwtape manages to clear his name by explaining his statement was merely an analogy. As the war intensifies, the Patient's life is threatened, and Wormwood is advised to exploit his fear. However, the Patient's humility due to his self-perceived cowardice makes him a difficult target. Eventually, the Patient loses his life in a German air raid and his soul ascends to Heaven. As a result of his failure, Wormwood is forced to replace the Patient, with Screwtape relishing the idea of consuming his nephew, emphasizing the absence of mercy in Hell.

The Screwtape Letters

Las Cartas de Screwtape

The Practice of the Presence of God

La Práctica de la Presencia de Dios

What on Earth Am I Here For?

¿Para qué estoy aquí en la tierra?

The Purpose Driven Life

Una Vida con Propósito

A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

La Investigación Personal de un Periodista sobre la Evidencia de Jesús

The Case for Christ

El Caso de Cristo

A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home

Una guía completa de todo lo que la Biblia dice sobre nuestro hogar eterno

Heaven

Cielo

Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul

Descubriendo el Secreto del Alma de un Hombre

Wild at Heart

Salvaje de Corazón

Belief in an Age of Skepticism

Creencia en una Era de Escepticismo

The Reason for God

La Razón de Dios

Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

Recuperando el Corazón de la Fe Cristiana

The Prodigal God

El Dios Pródigo

The story begins with a man caught in a spiritual crisis named Christian. He is visited by a guide named Evangelist who pushes him to escape his doomed city and find salvation in the heavenly city of Mount Zion. Christian, failing to persuade his family to join, sets off and encounters trials and tribulations along the way. Despite temptations from worldly figures and getting stuck in a swamp of despair, he remains steadfast in his faith. A revelation of Christ's tomb and cross makes his burden fall away, and he receives a certificate for entry to the heavenly city. However, after misplacing this certificate and retrieving it, he fights off a monster named Apollyon and continues his journey.

Joined by another voyager from his hometown called Faithful, they are warned of impending dangers by Evangelist. They find themselves in Vanity where they are imprisoned and Faithful is executed, but Christian escapes. He later befriends Hopeful and they navigate through various challenges such as deceitful characters, temptations of wealth, and a terrifying Giant Despair who imprisons them. They escape by remembering they have a key of promise and are later guided by shepherds through dangerous mountains on their path to the heavenly city. They encounter various characters whose beliefs or lack thereof they challenge, and manage to stay alert despite the fatigue brought on by the Enchanted Ground by discussing religious doctrine.

Finally, Christian and Hopeful reach their destination, the Celestial City, after braving a river crossing that nearly drowns Christian. They are joyously welcomed by the city's residents. Christian's wife, Christiana, decides to follow in her husband's footsteps and embarks on the same journey with her children and a servant named Mercy. They too encounter various challenges, including threats from ruffians and the effects of eating forbidden fruit. They are aided by various characters including the Interpreter's servant, Great-heart, and they defeat several giants. They are welcomed in the Celestial City and Christiana eventually goes to meet the Master, followed by the other pilgrims.

22 Best Christianity Books of All Time

Mere Christianity

Knowing God

Jesus Calling

Enjoying Peace in His Presence

The Love Dare

Crazy Love

Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

The Cost of Discipleship

The Imitation of Christ

Confessions

The 5 Love Languages

The Secret to Love that Lasts

The Screwtape Letters

The Practice of the Presence of God

The Purpose Driven Life

What on Earth Am I Here For?

The Case for Christ

A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

Heaven

A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home

Wild at Heart

Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul

The Reason for God

Belief in an Age of Skepticism

The Prodigal God

Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

The Pilgrim's Progress

90 Minutes in Heaven

A True Story of Death & Life

Desiring God

Meditations of a Christian Hedonist

Foxe's Book of Martyrs

In His Steps

What Would Jesus Do?

Sources

What To Read Next

22 Best Christianity Books of All Time

Mere Christianity

Knowing God

Jesus Calling

Enjoying Peace in His Presence

The Love Dare

Crazy Love

Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

The Cost of Discipleship

The Imitation of Christ

Confessions

The 5 Love Languages

The Secret to Love that Lasts

The Screwtape Letters

The Practice of the Presence of God

The Purpose Driven Life

What on Earth Am I Here For?

The Case for Christ

A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

Heaven

A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home

Wild at Heart

Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul

The Reason for God

Belief in an Age of Skepticism

The Prodigal God

Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

The Pilgrim's Progress

90 Minutes in Heaven

A True Story of Death & Life

Desiring God

Meditations of a Christian Hedonist

Foxe's Book of Martyrs

In His Steps

What Would Jesus Do?

Sources

What To Read Next

Share this page