books

Bestselling novelist Beverly Lewis, 73, has written more than 100 adult and children's books during her career, which began in 1993 with the publication of Holly's First Love, the first in a 14-book series for pre-teen girls. She followed that with a 24-book series for children, The Cul-de-Sac Kids, before releasing her first Amish-themed book in 1997, The Shunning, which was part of The Heritage of Lancaster County series and included two more books: The Confession and The Reckoning.

A musical based on the latter Amish series will be released in theaters on February 20. Called The Confession Musical, it stars John Schneider and Chonda Pierce. Emmy-Nominated screenwriter Martha Bolton wrote the stage play.

Emmy-award-winning This Is Us actress Chrissy Metz has often said prayer is integral to her daily life, and in a new children's book, she encourages children to pray while telling them that God is by their side, both day and night.

Actor and author Kirk Cameron says he will continue to hold book readings at public libraries nationwide as a way to “stand up” for biblical values and represent members of the faith community who feel silenced.

The author of a popular new children's book about the Wise Men says much of what passes for facts about the Magi is likely false.

Tomorrow, December 10, is the anniversary of the birth of a man regarded as the father of modern fantasy literature, someone who profoundly influenced writers such as G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis. Though the writing of pastor and author George MacDonald often lacked theological precision, his legacy includes inspiring some of the most important Christian fiction of all time. Like Tertullian and Origen, fathers of the faith whose theology veered away, at times, from orthodoxy, the bulk of MacDonald’s work has served to enliven the Christian faith of future generations.

In a recent interview with Faithwire, Ainsley Earhardt highlighted the importance of sharing the gospel with children.

Actor Zachary Levi recently opened up about how God delivered him from several personal struggles in his life, including depression and suicide.

Kids deserve better books than the ones currently being written for them. Too many children’s books today are activist books, not really written to kids (and certainly not for them) but for grown-ups who want to be the kind of parents who would give this kind of book to their kids. I must admit, however, that I recently received an “activist” kid book that I really like, and so does my kid. Here is what you should know about the children's book Pro-Life Kids.

It’s a tale as old as time: your friends on social media are ranting about how a “so-called Christian” book is pure evil. “Don’t waste your money on this heresy!” they announce. “Cover your children’s eyes! These lying pages would make good toilet paper!”

Meanwhile, you’ve got other friends talking about the exact same book and singing a very different tune: “The best thing I’ve ever read! It’s changing my life! If you love Jesus, you’ll place an order tonight!”

So who do you listen to? To read, or not to read?

There’s no single answer to this question. (Unless you plan on recommending or criticizing the book yourself, in which case you should probably read it.) Controversial books aren’t inherently worth reading. But Christians don’t need to be scared by controversy either. Often, books are controversial because they raise difficult and important questions. If we only read things we already agree with—if we avoid everything that might make us uncomfortable—we’ll never learn anything new.

Here are 10 controversial Christian books that are definitely worth the read, whether you wind up agreeing with the author or not.

Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/kurmyshov