books

Kirk Cameron to Continue Library Readings: 'We Are in a Battle for the Hearts' of Children

Kirk Cameron to Continue Library Readings: 'We Are in a Battle for the Hearts' of Children

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.

George MacDonald and the Christian Imagination

George MacDonald and the Christian Imagination

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.

Actor Zachary Levi Opens Up about How God Delivered Him from Depression, Suicidal Thoughts

Actor Zachary Levi Opens Up about How God Delivered Him from Depression, Suicidal Thoughts

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

An Activist Kids' Book Worth Giving

An Activist Kids' Book Worth Giving

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.

10 Controversial Christian Books You Should Read Anyway

10 Controversial Christian Books You Should Read Anyway

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

Hope, 'HopePunk,' and the Gospel

Hope, 'HopePunk,' and the Gospel

There’s a new genre of literature that most people have never heard of: “hopepunk.” Coined in 2017 by fantasy author Alexandra Rowland, “hopepunk” was a reaction to a different kind of writing dominating the market that year, a genre that Rowland and others refer to as “grimdark.” Grimdark emphasizes the cruelty that so often defines human interaction. Think, for example, of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones, a show which hit its highwater mark in 2017 and which capitalized on a trifecta of gore, nudity, and nihilism. AMC’s The Walking Dead and the more recent Netflix global hit Squid Game are also examples of shows that attempt to portray the very worst of human nature as graphically as possible.

Sean Feucht Announces New Book Deal after First Deal Was Allegedly 'Canceled' over His Political Views

Sean Feucht Announces New Book Deal after First Deal Was Allegedly 'Canceled' over His Political Views

Worship leader and activist Sean Feucht has signed a new book deal with Regnery Publishing after claiming that HarperCollins, his previous publisher, canceled his books over his political views.