Top 10 Christian Books Read in 2020

 

It’s time for my Christian book recommendations for 2020. My Goodreads Challenge lists 140 books. I read a lot more secular books than usual especially during the second part of the year largely due to finding them free locally and being at home a lot due to Covid-19.

For those that missed them, you can also see my 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 selections.

You can read my Goodreads reviews by clicking on the title link. 

1. Living Stones of the Himalayas- The third in the trilogy by an American missionary surgeon in Nepal. These are funny and real.

2. 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You- I remember this giving me a shock earlier in the year but then I promptly forgot its warnings and carried on as before....It seems to be virtually impossible to separate ourselves from the technology that we have become reliant on.

3. The Victor- Much loved children's author Patricia St John shines in this lesser known tale of forgiveness.

4. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe- A classic and well worth a re-read. Surely everyone has now heard about the Chronicles of Narnia, if only people thought about the spiritual side of things too.

5. Tony- Little known auto-biography by a man who came to faith from a background of drink but was then lured by false promises of healing when he was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

6. John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace- Well researched biography about this slave trader turned Christian minister.

7. Lady Jane Grey: Nine Day Queen of England- I don't always get on that well with Faith Cook's writing style, but this is well written and an eye opener for the Ecumenical movement.

8. Born Again- Every Christian will know this story about the dramatic fall from grace of prominent politician Charles Colson and how he found faith in the midst of his trial.

9. No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green- This has to feature as it had such a big impact on me as a young Christian. The tragic story of Keith Green who lost his life at 29 told through the eyes of his wife.

10. Singing Through the Night- Eye opening stories about the persecuted church.

So, that's my list for 2020. Hopefully, you find something on it worth looking at for 2021. Happy reading!

Why a Christian Can't Just Leave Their Faith at Home

There’s been a lot of discussion in the media recently about Donald Trump’s expected appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court. The comments in the secular press, certainly in Britain, have been overwhelmingly negative due to Ms Barrett’s views on abortion influenced by her Catholic faith.

A similar thing happened in the UK a few years ago when MP Jacob Rees-Mogg was questioned about his views on abortion and homosexuality. Just prior to this he had been the up and coming posh but trendy MP who appealed to a wide demographic. His Catholic views, however, suddenly made him unpalatable. People seemed to assume that he needed educating or that he would apologise and back down realising his mistake. Instead, he suggested that a new form of bigotry was emerging against Christians. It was suggested to him that he would never be able to hold high office in Britain with his views as they were unacceptable to a vast swathe of the population.

Most people are surprised to hear that Christians up and down the country are facing intolerance and discrimination on a daily basis. They reject the idea that Christians are becoming a side-lined minority because they still think we live in a Christian country. A lot of people with no faith to speak of still class themselves as Christians and still ask what group/denomination you are part of if you express anything beyond mere intellectual assent to a vague belief in God. They class such people as extreme or suggest that they take their religion too seriously.

When pointing out that Christians are now regularly silenced and sacked, and occasionally prosecuted for their biblical beliefs, people initially may be sympathetic. However, when gay marriage or homosexuality, abortion or creation are mentioned, they change their tune and either fall silent indicating passive disapproval or denounce such views openly. They advise that things have moved on, society has progressed and that science has proven that people don’t have a choice about some of these things.

Others tell Christians that it’s okay to hold these views privately but that they should never bring them to work. They are told that they must not allow their Christian views to influence decisions in the workplace. They are told that they cannot express religious opinions. They are banned from purchasing stalls at public markets if they are intending to sell or distribute Christian books.

Just last week a friend of mine who had been told he was making a positive contribution to an open public market with his potter’s wheel display, was suddenly banned because he was giving away Christian books. He was told he couldn’t even share his own story of conversion as he showed people how to make pots. In essence, he was gagged and rejected. The authorities wanted the feel good factor of people being able to learn a new skill, but not the real message of hope in Jesus that can permanently transform broken lives. How tragic.

The expectation that Christians can somehow divorce themselves from what they believe and then continue as if they were atheists whilst at work is evidence of a fundamental misunderstanding of what a Christian is.

A Christian is a new creation, they have been rescued from their sin and born again to a new life with a new Master. They are living for a new life, beyond this one, in Heaven with Jesus. They won’t conform to the world or embrace secular values. They cannot adopt views that are acceptable to the masses if they go against what is clearly stated in the Bible which is God’s Word. They won’t change what they believe or soften their stance on controversial issues. If they do and are ashamed of Jesus, He says that He will be ashamed of them when He returns.

A true Christian cannot and will not leave their faith at home because it is who they are. They likely believe they have been placed by God in their workplace to influence those around them by their words and behaviour. How can they do this if they are no different to their peers, if they don’t stand up for what they believe when the opportunity arises?

Would you ask someone to cut off an arm or leg or to wear a gag or blindfold in order to go to work? Of course not. Yet, the expectation that a Christian can leave their faith at home is no different to this ridiculous suggestion. This is why Christians would rather lose their jobs, their homes and everything else than deny their Lord.

Many stories of Christians being discriminated against quietly slip from public attention but are regularly highlighted by organisations like the Christian Institute and Christian Legal Centre who are working tirelessly to defend them.

Are we really a tolerant, democratic country or do we just support freedom of expression and conscience when it suits our purposes?

Common Mistakes by Christian Authors

I thought it would be useful to pull together some of the recurring issues that I’m seeing in books written by Christians. These are the things that annoy, the things that damage, and the things that usually result in the book being thrown away prior to its conclusion.

For those that wonder whether this is legalism, wherever we draw the line, Christians’ standards should surely be different to the standards of those who haven’t been bought for a price. How will the power of God be proved, if there is no visible difference between us and those still living in darkness?

I’ve included examples of books with these issues and linked to my reviews. Where relevant, I’ve also linked to my other posts that deal with the topics in more detail:

1. Use of swearing and blasphemy. I’m constantly finding profanity in Christian books. My post on this subject is the most popular to date. Yet, even here, Christians aren’t all in agreement and several have (poorly) attempted to defend the use of swearing in books. In my opinion, using a quotation containing a swear word, or just using the first letter and blanking the rest out, is just as bad. Examples include: No Graven Image, Run Baby Run, Mission Under Fire, Dan Walker's Football Thronkersaurus

2. Irreverent titles. Choosing a title is so important as it will be the main thing that stays in people’s minds. It will appear on any promotional and advertising material and will be used in conversation about the book. It’s no good coming up with a dodgy title and then justifying it with a long winded explanation, because readers don’t have the explanation when they initially consider the book. Examples include: The Prodigal God, The Heavenly Man, The Insanity of God, The Devil in Pew Number Seven

3. Glorifying sin. This often occurs in auto-biographies. Sometimes, authors are keen to demonstrate the dramatic changes in their lives when they become Christians. This is a worthy goal, but do we really need to know all the ins and outs of the drug taking, sexual conquests, and criminal activity. There needs to be a sense of shame and regret that accompanies these type of confessions, not a nostalgia or pride. I used to relay an amusing tale of drunken exploits from before I was converted until I realised that it was hardly honouring to God. It was almost coming across as if I was looking back with regret that I no longer had these experiences, rather than that I was relieved to be free from my lifestyle of sin which was ultimately meaningless and empty. Examples include: Street God, Junkie Meets Jesus

4. Poor conversion testimony and/or Gospel presentation is missing key elements. I’ve seen this in fiction and non-fiction. I’m not someone who thinks that every Christian book should contain the Gospel message explicitly. However, if people in Christian books become Christians, it needs to be clear what it is they are subscribing to; what do they now believe? I’ve read books where the character has some kind of overwhelming sensory experience that they attribute to God. They then decide this means they are a Christian, and everyone else in the book accepts this as if this is what makes a Christian. Surely, anyone can see the issue for any non-believers who happen to be reading the book. I’ve read of conversions with no mention of conviction of sin, focusing instead on the love of God exclusively. Likewise, those who seem to fall in love with Jesus which meets a need in their life at a particular time. This isn’t saving faith. Examples include: Journey to Riverbend, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Negotiator, Once an Arafat Man

5. Dogmatic on secondary issues. This is an obscure one and, again, tends to appear in autobiographies. Some authors use their personal stories as a platform for espousing strong views on a particular doctrinal, or church based, issue. The last thing a reader wants, when reading a biography, is suddenly to be hit with a sermon on charismatic gifts, Calvinism, replacement theology, home-schooling, political dogma, or the perils of different Bible translations. Authors should realise that they are shooting themselves in the foot when they do this because they will alienate anyone who doesn’t share their view and also annoy anyone who does share their view but just wanted to read a biography. If people want to read about these other issues, they will buy books about them or listen to sermons about them in church! Examples include: The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, God Less America, The Mind of Terror, Hillary's America

6. Too much personal detail. This is more about protecting the author than anything else especially if the book receives wide acclaim. What if our circumstances change and there are things in the book we wish we hadn’t included? What if we want to work as a a missionary in a closed country in the future; will our book put us in danger? I’ve seen books with details of sexual exploits, even some where names are mentioned. Also, books detailing criminal activity which appears never to have been dealt with by the criminal justice system. Additionally, books containing things that are just too personal for others to read. Our emotions are changeable; we can write and publish something but later feel exposed and vulnerable. It’s important to get feedback from friends and family prior to publication and especially to ask permission from those that will appear in a book. We must think about our purpose in writing and weigh up the pros and cons before publication. Examples include: A Heart for Freedom, Why I Stayed, Why Me?, Once an Addict, Unashamed

7. Failure to uphold biblical principles. This is one of my pet peeves. Is it really okay for a Christian character in a fictional tale to pursue a relationship with a non-believer despite the clear biblical instruction not to do this? What message is sent to the audience when the relationship works out despite the sinful behaviour? What if the Christian character appeared to know it was wrong but did it anyway and God appears to bless the decision? There are so many books out there like this but how damaging is this for a Christian trapped in an emotional entanglement with a non-believer and trying to make the right decision? What about Christian characters who swear, don’t go to church, dismiss parts of the Bible, commit crime, or appear to turn a blind eye to corruption, or bribery. We should not have Christian characters who behave exactly as their worldly counterparts behave. How about authors who promote evolution? Examples include: Why There Almost Certainly is a God, Wild At Heart, Things Forgotten, Nevertheless, Captivating, Bruchko, The Truth Seeker

8. Spiritual ramblings. Another pet peeve. I’ve been forced to skip whole chapters of books where the author rambles on and on about the goodness of God in a particular situation without actually saying anything. They use plenty of emotion and a range of flowery words to describe how they feel and basically seem like a record stuck on different versions of God is so good. The problem is, readers can’t usually relate to someone else’s emotional and spiritual experience of God because it’s personal. It either feels very cringe worthy or just pointless. A good writer will demonstrate the greatness of God through detailing the circumstances and His interventions without nonsensical ramblings about how they feel about it all. Examples include: Kisses from Katie (audio version is worse), God Knows My Name, Tables in the Wilderness

9. Failing to live up to their own standards (and God's). This has been an issue in the public eye recently because of the downfall of popular author, Joshua Harris. There have also been organisations that have written books and then later been exposed for corrupt practice. Authors with life-style issues and addictions have written books detailing the power of God helping them overcome these sins and then relapsed some years down the line. Essentially, if you’re going to write a book about it, make sure you’re truly converted. It does great damage to the church of God when these people with public profiles fall. Christians will fall into sin from time to time as we aren’t immune to temptation, but we are new creations in Christ, and shouldn’t then respond arrogantly, or wallow in lifestyle sins that we have been freed from in the past. We definitely shouldn’t try to justify ourselves in these circumstances. Examples include: Saving Levi, Anointed for Burial, Sinner's Creed

10. Focus on the subjective without checking Scripture. There is a danger when authors relate their subjective experiences, or their characters’ experiences, as if they are main-stream for Christians. This can apply to signs and wonders, appearances of Jesus, dreams, visions, healings, tongues speaking, casting out demons, prophecy, visits to Heaven, callings by God, talking to God, directions from God etc. The impression can be given that, unless a reader experiences these things, as the author or character has done, they are not a true believer. It could also make someone feel inadequate spiritually or, worst case scenario, it could result in someone waiting for these experiences to happen to them before they trust Jesus for themselves. If authors want to include these things in their books, they really must make it clear that it is their personal experience and not something that is likely to happen in the life of every Christian. The Bible is the only source of authority when things like this occur and we need to be referring back to it constantly. Examples include: I Dared to Call Him Father, Back to Jerusalem, Sadhu Sundar Singh, Heaven is for Real, I Told the Mountain to Move

11. Changing and misquoting the Bible. This should go without saying, but sadly I see too much of this either through ignorance or deliberate manipulate to fit a particular point the author wants to make. It the intention of the author is to make the Bible story or teaching more accessible to a particular group of people, then there is room for manoeuvre here. An example would be missionaries trying to deal with cultural issues e.g. Judas inadvertently becoming a hero because friendship betrayal is considered extremely clever in Peace Child! However, most authors are not dealing with situations like this and should not then be changing the Bible. This happens more often in films where dramatic licence is taken, but these films are often based on books. Authors’ that write about Bible themes should always remember that they are dealing with the perfect Word of God which is not something to be treated lightly, and that account will have to be given for every careless word. Examples include: The Shack, The Prayer of Jabez, The Purpose Driven Life

12. Too much graphic detail. Christians will argue about this until the cows come home. What is too graphic? The fact is, we all have different standards and different things effect each of us in different ways. Some may not be affected by violent scenes whilst others may have nightmares. Some may not be tempted when reading sexual scenes, others definitely will. Some may be able to tune out bad language, others won’t. We all need to remember that we have a fallen, sinful nature that will feed on graphic detail in a way that may not be helpful. We need to consider how much of this we are exposing ourselves to and how that affects our thinking and our behaviour. We need to ensure we are also focusing on good, pure things and know where to draw the line. To deny that what we read and fill our minds with has any effect on us spiritually is ignorant and foolish. There are plenty of Bible verses that prove that we are affected and that we are responsible for what we read, watch and listen to. Christian authors who put these things out there need to be aware that they could be causing a brother or sister to stumble, or putting temptation in their path or planting ideas that weren’t there before. It’s easy to place the responsibility on the reader, but Christian authors must surely consider how their words could affect others. Examples include: Bone Man's Daughters, Redeeming Love, Bridge to Haven

13. Excessive focus on dark themes. Should Christians read Ted Dekker or John Grisham? What about Frank Peretti? How about C.S. Lewis or Tolkien? Some of these books fall into the horror genre and I would question whether Christians can justify reading them. Some are fantasy but with a big focus on demonic activity. Some deal with the Occult in detail. Others involve magic and witchcraft. Again, Christians draw the lines in different places but authors really must consider the impact of their writings on their audience particularly as some of these authors are writing for children. Should a Christian author really write a book that makes a reader feel sick, or scared, or that gives them nightmares? I’ve heard authors argue that we need to be aware of the spiritual battle and learn the tactics of the enemy in order to defeat him. This is a weak argument, the Bible encourages us to study the Truth to determine error, it tells us to beware of the devil but never to investigate his schemes. Instead, we are told to put on the full armour of God and to resist the devil and he will flee from us. Examples include: The Screwtape Letters, By Reason of Insanity, Showdown, This Present Darkness

14. Misleading titles and summaries. How annoying is it when you’ve purchased a book on a subject that you were interested in reading about, but the book is about something else? What about when the book has large sections dealing with something not mentioned in the summary? How about if it extensively details the early life of the subject when the book is meant to be about something that happened to them later on? Christians need to be honest about their books and not try to sell them as something they aren’t. It’s not clever to deceive someone into buying a book with a Christian message when they aren’t interested In Christianity. The deception will just annoy them and they will have the perception that Christians aren’t truthful, or that Christianity is so desperate for converts that we are resorting to underhand tactics rather than relying on the power of God to open blind eyes. Likewise, dramatic claims to fame, or to some extraordinary experience, in a sub-title to grab attention, must be backed up by the content or readers will just be disappointed and irritated. Examples include: Taming the Tiger, False Witness, Shouting into the Silence, While the World Watched, Flash: The Homeless Donkey, They Say We Are Infidels, The Boy Born Dead

I’m sure there are more mistakes that Christian authors make, but these are some that I’ve come across. It’s worth highlighting that there are plenty of Christian authors out there who avoid all of these pitfalls and write excellent books. You can check out my 5 star reviews on Goodreads for some of these.

Let's stop and think about our purpose in writing, and whether the content is acceptable to God, before we put our names to something that may be in the public domain for generations to come!

What a Christian is not.....

It is assumed, almost universally, that everyone knows what a Christian is. Sadly, as societies drift further and further from God, ignorance reigns.

In recent weeks, when I’ve explained what I believe to individuals, I’ve been asked what faith I belong to, what denomination I’m in, and even whether I’m a Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, Catholic or with the Latter Day Saints, (the same as Mormons.)

When I respond that I’m a Christian, a Christian that believes the Bible, I usually receive a bewildered look. Of course, no one says anything at this point because in Britain we are too polite, but I know exactly what they are thinking. They’re wondering why I take it all so seriously and insist on telling others about it. And, perhaps they are confused because they also believe they are a Christian but recognise that there is something very different about my life in comparison with theirs.

So, I thought it would be helpful to dispel the myths by explaining what a Christian is not…..

1. Someone who was born in England, America, or any other countries that are, or have been, culturally Christian. There may well be Christians in these countries, but being born into the country doesn’t make someone a Christian. When I speak to someone and ask them when they became a Christian, as soon as they reply “from birth,” or “I was born one,” or “I’ve always been one,” I know there is something amiss. A Christian can usually date their conversion, if not by exact date, to an age, or period of a few years, even if they were very young.

2. Someone who goes to church. Again, most Christians attend church regularly: the Bible says we shouldn’t give up meeting together and gives instructions for how church should be organised. But, there are plenty of people attending church that aren’t Christians. There is now even a church for atheists! Many people go through religious rituals of all kinds, and a lot of these are very sincere, but these things don’t make someone a true Christian. Likewise, many attend church at Christmas and Easter, weddings and funerals, but this won’t save them.

3. Someone who has been christened, baptised or confirmed. In response to the question, “are you a Christian?” people often tell me they have been christened or baptised, usually as a baby. Others point out that they’ve gone through a religious ceremony at a certain age. However, a lot of these people don’t even believe in God, and the fact of their christening has made no difference in their life. They just keep it as a “get out of jail free” card, as if it will possibly make everything okay in the end.

4. Someone who lives a good life or is a good person. Most people, on some level, associate Christianity with being a good person; doing charitable works, helping people, giving to the poor etc. I often get told I’m a good person by non-Christians who think I’m involved in some kind-of social work. Those that question further and find out that I’m basically sharing my faith with people are less enamoured. If I get the chance to explain, I will tell them why helping people practically with immediate needs won’t help them with their eternal destination on Judgement Day. The fact is that we cannot live good lives, or be good people. We are born with sinful natures which mean that even our good acts are tainted by mixed motives. One small thing that we do wrong is enough to keep us out of Heaven forever. It’s bad news for all those that are relying on their good works outweighing their bad when they stand before God, no one will make it.

5. Someone who knows the Bible. There are people out there who are relying on their academic knowledge, or being widely read. They are often the same people who dismiss parts of the Bible when it suits them. They know what the Bible says but it hasn’t changed their lives. I’ve met older people like this: when asked if they are Christians, they respond sharply, “of course,” but follow up questions reveal that they don’t understand the Gospel message. They know verses from the Bible, and hymns, and can quote these at length. When I gently try to explain what I believe in the hope they will realise it’s different to what they’ve said, they become offended and then belittle me. They remind me that these are things they’ve known their whole lives and have been brought up on. They can’t understand why I’m even speaking to them, and tell me to go and talk to others who need to hear what I’m saying. It is tragic that these sincere people are not saved.

6. Someone who is in full-time Christian work. On a recent camp, a young girl was astonished when I suggested that some Church of England vicars may not be Christians. I’m sure there are many that are, but some will just be doing a job. Certainly, in previous generations, men chose “the church” as their profession whether or not they believed the truths they were teaching. There were some serving alongside me on the mission field who later renounced the faith. We’ve seen recently, the well known pastor and author, Joshua Harris, abandon the faith, and his marriage. We can’t assume that church leaders, youth workers, missionaries, or others in Christian work, are Christians.

7. Someone who has a relative that is a Christian. This is an interesting one. I’ve met people who say, “my wife does the religious bit,” or “my niece is the one who’s into all that.” Sometimes, these people seem to be relying on their connection to this person whether through marriage or biology. They think that they don’t need to do anything about it themselves because their family is somehow covered by the devotion of the one person with faith. This is not a common view, but needs to be mentioned. The Bible makes it clear that faith is an individual matter, and that on Judgement Day we will stand alone before God to account for our lives.

8. Someone who separates themselves from the world. There are many examples of people believing that God desires us to cut ourselves off completely from society and live nomadic lives. The idea is that we are tainted by the sin of the world and therefore need to be separate in order to be holy and acceptable to God. There are monks, and some nuns, that have done this, and even harmed themselves physically, in an attempt to prove their devotion. The Bible says that we are to be in the world but not of it and that we are to be witnesses to non-believers. How can we do this if we are living completely separate lives? God does not require this of us and it is actually a form of self-righteousness or pride, thinking that we can reach God by our sincerity or acts of devotion over and above other people.

9. Someone whose life doesn’t change when they are converted. A Christian is a new creation with the Holy Spirit living inside them changing their desires, thoughts, attitudes and behaviour. If there is no visible difference, over time, between a person’s life before and after they say they became a Christian. There is a problem with their story. This is often what happens when someone makes an on the spot decision at a crusade, rally or meeting. They are swayed by the emotional atmosphere and really believe they should respond to an altar call but, afterwards, they change their mind, or forget the decision, or choose to continue as before. It is God who is at work, changing a person, and He doesn’t fail. We all mature at different rates but there is no such thing as a carnal Christian. Christians will fall into sin from time to time as we are all tempted, but they will respond in repentance and faith not in defiance and continuation of the sin.

10. Someone who doesn’t believe the Bible. There are people around who say they are Christians but either reject the whole of the Bible, or parts of it. These people haven’t understood the Gospel message of salvation. The Christian faith rests entirely on the Bible. It is God’s Word and therefore our source of authority. It provides instructions for life and conduct. More importantly, it tells us how we can be saved judgement for our sin, and go to Heaven forever. A person who thinks the Bible is unimportant, old-fashioned, out of date, or who doesn’t read it, or who rejects large parts of it, is not a Christian. This includes cults like the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons (Church of the Latter Day Saints.) Both cults have their own religious books that contradict parts of the Bible. They don’t believe that Jesus is God.

11. Someone who is religious. When talking to people in the street, they often say, “I’m not religious” as if that is an answer to the Christian message. Somehow, people have convinced themselves that they don’t have to think about God unless they are religious. That God is only for religious people and as they aren’t religious they can live without reference to Him. This is an illogical philosophy. If God exists and created everything and everyone, we are all accountable to Him whether we are religious or not. It’s the same for those who believe they can somehow magic God out of existence by what they believe; “I don’t believe in God therefore He can’t judge me.” A more logical approach would be to say, “I’ve considered the Christian message and decided I don’t believe it is TRUE. I understand the consequence if I’m wrong but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.” Ultimately, Christians can’t force someone to believe, they can only present the Gospel message and ask people to consider whether it is true. If it’s true then it applies to everyone so look carefully at the overwhelming evidence!

12. Someone who focuses on signs, wonders and miracles. The Bible makes it clear that there will be people who have been involved in these things that are not saved. They may even convince themselves that they are doing these things in Jesus’ name but He will reject them on Judgement Day. This includes those who steal money from people for so-called faith healings and then live in luxury and self-indulgence. We cannot buy miracles, health, wealth or happiness from God and no human can provide these things on God’s behalf. We are told to pray to God and wait for His answer. A true Christian knows that they cannot expect a life of ease and prosperity because we are told to count the cost of following Jesus and that we should take up our cross and follow Him daily.

Having explained what a Christian is not, it would be remiss of me not to, briefly, explain what a true Christian is. The Bible says:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3 vs 16)

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10 vs 13)

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10 vs 9)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1 vs 9)

A true Christian is someone who acknowledges that they have sinned against God. They have confessed their sin and turned away from it (repentance). They have placed their whole faith and trust in Jesus, who lived a perfect life, and then died in their place on the cross. Jesus was punished by God instead of the sinner. They are following Jesus as Saviour and Lord, seeking to live a life that pleases Him. They have a certain hope of Heaven through Jesus’ death and resurrection, not through the good things they now do.

As you can see, being a Christian is about what you believe, not about any number of other things. A true Christian will change and become more like their Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The first step is to believe that He died for you on the cross and to ask for forgiveness of your sin. He promises to forgive all those who come to Him and ask.

Have you trusted Jesus yet?

Top 10 Christian Books Read in 2019

It’s time for my Christian book recommendations for 2019. My Goodreads 2019 Challenge lists 77 books. I can't answer why it is exactly the same as last year, more by luck than judgement.

For those that missed them, you can also see my 2016, 2017 and 2018 selections.

I have now given up trying to cover a range of genres and sub-genres and accepted that I read a lot more biographies, especially by or about missionaries, than anything else. I prefer books with a clear Gospel message and Christian purpose in writing.

The majority of the books I recommend here are clean—no bad language or sexual content and limited graphic violence. Where there is slight deviation I have commented in my review so you should know what to expect. You can read my Goodreads reviews by clicking on the title link. The books appear in the order I read them in 2019.

1. Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story- I was surprised that I enjoyed this book more than Joni's first book about her diving accident. I can just see so many circumstances where this book will be helpful for Christians in gaining perspective in the midst of difficult circumstances. 

2. Spiritual Depression- I was amused to re-read my review of this, apologies for the brevity. I liked how practical this book was despite it being written a while ago. Every Christian struggles with a lack of joy at some point. This book helps to refocus the mind and heart.

3. Ice and Fire- Another book on discouragement, which needs to be included as it's up to date and contains examples of men and women of God who can inspire us to persevere in the race. I read this after a long Summer of beach missions when the excitement and fellow evangelists had disappeared back to their local work. It helped combat the "post camp blues".

4. Our Witchdoctors are too Weak- This was really funny, at least I thought so. It's also pretty unique as modern missionary biographies tend to focus on the spiritual emotions of the author rather than the practical side of missionary life. This author examines missionary life from the perspective of the tribes people when Westerners appear in their midst. Granted, at times he takes it too far and borders on the ridiculous and you really have to share his sense of humour to get this book.

5. John Williams: Messenger of Peace- This is in the Christian Heroes: Then & Now series. They are written for teens and adults. This is worth reading just for the story that I've quoted in my review. Williams approaches what he thinks is an unevangelised island in Polynesia only to find the natives have already heard the Gospel via a chain of Chinese whispers that originated with him decades earlier!

6. The Doulos Story- This was a blast from the past. I read it originally whilst serving on the Logos Hope, a sister ship to Doulos. It is a good reminder of the ups and downs of life as a volunteer, in a Christian community, whilst serving in various foreign countries.

7. Abide- More of a booklet than a book. Explains why a daily quiet or devotional time is necessary for spiritual growth.

8. Troubled Journey: A Missionary Childhood in War-Torn China- I've included this for the unique perspective it offers. Children were often sent away from parents for years or sent home to their country of origin for schooling. This painfully honest account by well-known author Faith Cook reveals the lasting damage.

9. Missing, Believed Killed- Life for missionaries during the Simba rebellion in the Congo. Margaret Hayes relays the various atrocities without sensationalism and keeps trusting God throughout her ordeal.

10. On the Far Side of Liglig Mountain- I like this author who works as a missionary doctor in the mountains of Nepal. I included his first book, Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees, in last year's list. I'm currently reading the final book of the trilogy. Hale simply tells stories from the field, many are about the remote hospital where he works. He doesn't hold back, revealing both the joys and sorrows and the small spiritual breakthroughs in a country where it is illegal to evangelise and to change faith from the national Hindu religion.

So, that's my list for 2019. Hopefully, you find something on it worth looking at in 2020. Happy reading!