Christianity Today Book Awards 2008

Books, like proverbs, receive their chief value from the stamp and esteem of ages through which they have passed.—Sir William Temple

Of the hundreds of books nominated for a Christianity Today book award, a small percentage receives awards. Those awarded often deserve extra attention.

Christianity Today Book Awards 2008

Apologetics/Evangelism

There Is A God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind

Antony Flew with Roy Abraham Varghese (HarperOne)"Makes the philosophical search for God both accessible and exciting. After a meal of Flew's rich stew of argument and opinion, one lifts a spoonful of most professional apologetics and mutters, 'Thin soup indeed.'"

Biblical Studies

The Jesus Legend: A Case for the Historical Reliability of the Synoptic Jesus Tradition

Paul Rhodes Eddy and Gregory A. Boyd (Baker Academic)"Answers a timeless question: Can we trust the Gospels to report to us an historical portrait of Jesus? This is simply an amazing book: exhaustive in its coverage, elegant in its style. Will see heavy use for many years to come."

Christianity and Culture

Faith in the Halls of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the American Elite

D. Michael Lindsay (Oxford)"A lucid and well-documented survey. If we ever doubted that evangelicals have been playing a significant role in modern culture, we need doubt no longer. Lindsay's access to hundreds of leaders is an accomplishment in itself."

Christian Living

Caring for Mother: A Daughter's Long Goodbye

Virginia Stem Owens (Westminster John Knox)"Owens provides a moving and painfully honest personal account of her own journey with an aging parent struggling with dementia. Honesty, simplicity, and openness to the hard, deep lessons that age, dementia, and death offer those who come alongside."

The Church/ Pastoral Leadership

The Call to Joy and Pain: Embracing Suffering in Your Ministry

Ajith Fernando (Crossway)"Simple, yet deep. Speaks directly to the heart of the pastor, to this confusing intersection where the calling into Christ's service, our greatest delight, is also the source of suffering. Fernando escorts the reader on a journey into the essence of ministry that will change the minister forever."

Fiction

Quaker Summer

Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)"Samson shines with themes of grace, purpose, and the emptiness of what we call success. Her stories prompt Christians to rethink stereotypes and call them to riskier living. Neither contrived nor saccharine; manages to convict without preaching."

History/Biography

A Secular Age

Charles Taylor (Belknap)"Massive and erudite, yet moving. Offers a powerful historical analysis of secularization, secularity, and secularism in the modern West. The best book ever written on the West's transition 'from a society where belief in God is unchallenged and, indeed, unproblematic to one in which it is understood to be one option among others, and frequently not the easiest to embrace.'"

Missions/Global Affairs

Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity

Lamin O. Sanneh (Oxford)"Global sweep and academic depth. A masterful piece demonstrating the development of global Christianity. Sanneh shows missions as the complex story of missionaries and the national movements that missionaries set in motion, in all its warts and glory."

Spirituality

The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways That Jesus Is the Way

Eugene H. Peterson (Eerdmans)"Rugged and fearless, challenging and informed. Draws readers into a bold and knowledgeable conversation on the ways we go about following Jesus—and the ways we do not. A refreshing and accomplished reflection. A truly landmark work."

Theology/Ethics

Resounding Truth: Christian Wisdom in the World of Music

Jeremy S. Begbie (Baker Academic)"A profoundly creative, wonderfully engaging reflection on the encounter of theology and music. Impressive for its thoughtfulness, theological depth, and balance. Offers a robust theology of creativity and worship. Begbie's book is as good a way as any to discover afresh how faith comes through hearing."

*sigh* too many books, too little time