Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 0-005

TOP TEN CHRISTIAN BOOKS OF THE 1900s

as compiled by Andrew Butcher <> from his worldwide poll.

The list, in order, is as follows:

(1) The Bible;

(2) Mere Christianity by C S Lewis;

(3) Knowing God by J I Packer;

(4 equal) Perspectives on the World Christian Mission Movement edited by Ralph Winter and Stephen Hawthorne;

(4 equal) My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers;

(5 equal) The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee;

(5 equal) The Narnia Chronicles by C S Lewis;

(5 equal) Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan;

(5 equal) Through Gates of Splendour by Elizabeth Eliott;

(5 equal) Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh MacDowell.

Andrew offered some comments on the list:

(a) All but one of these books are written by men;

(b) Most of these books are written after 1950 (i.e. the latter half of the 20th century);

(c) C S Lewis is the only author to have appeared twice;

(d) There is only one non-European author represented (Watchman Nee);

(e) Of the European authors most of them are American;

(f) Most of these books have been reprinted several times.