The Christian Book of the Year Awards. Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Winners. Finalists. Past winners.

Since 1978 the Christian Book Awards (formerly the Gold Medallion Awards) have awarded excellence in six categories: Bibles, Bible Reference & Study, Children & Youth, Inspiration & Gift, Christian Life, and Fiction. The awards are overseen by The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association .

Five finalists are selected in each category following a stringent judging process by judging panels specially selected for each category. Each title is evaluated and scored based on category-specific criteria such as content, literary quality, design and impact. The top scoring book in each category is named the Christian Book Award Winner. The Christian Book of the Year is chosen among the finalists based on its overall impact on the consumer as measured by sales. The 2009 finalists will be announced in January and the winners at the first annual Christian Book Expo in Dallas, Texas in March.

2008 Winners | 2008 Finalists | Past Winners Christian Book of the Year

2008 CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDED TO AUDIO BIBLE

First Ever Audio and Bible Product to Receive the Award
Six Other Categories of Christian Book Award Winners Also Announced

July 13, 2008, Orlando, FL—The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced the six 2008 category winners of the Christian Book Awards and the “Christian Book of the Year” during the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando. jim_caviezel_passion_of_christ

For the first time in the award program’s 30-year history, a Bible and an audio product has won the “Christian Book of the Year” honor: The Word of Promise™ New Testament Audio Bible (Thomas Nelson) features the talents of actors such as Jim Caviezel- (right in "The Passion of the Christ”), Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach, Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Lou Gossett, Jr., and tomei-marisa Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (left), in a scripted dramatization of the New King James Version (NKJV) of the New Testament. Since its release in October 2007, The Word of Promise™ has been consistently among the top Bibles on the ECPA bestseller lists and is the #1 bestselling Bible retailing for more than $30.

This was the first year the ECPA Recognition Committee included media presentations of the Bible in the Christian Book Award program. “Our industry will always be about quality, Christ-honoring content,” states ECPA President Mark Kuyper. “As the digital age evolves, the ECPA Recognition Committee desires to remain open to recognizing excellence in the variety of ways our publishing members present their content. The Scriptures have always had a unique oral tradition and our members have continued to creatively produce amazing presentations of this written Word, so allowing audio presentations of the Bible into the Christian Book Award program this year was a timely decision.”

The “Christian Book of the Year” was chosen from the 32 Christian Book Award finalists, across six categories, using both independent judging criteria (measuring overall excellence) and sales data (reflecting consumer impact).

Presented annually to the best in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Awards honor excellence within six genre categories.

The Six Category Winners for the 2008 Christian Book Awards are:

2008 Winner- BIBLES
Discover God Study Bible
Tyndale House Publishers, 9780842369183

Every problem in life is based on an incorrect view of God. The Discover God Study Bible is the first study Bible specifically designed to address this problem. Every note and feature draws the reader to a deeper understanding of who God is and how He can transform their life. it features an easy-to-use TopicGuide to every major topic and teaching of the Bible.

2008 Winner- BIBLE REFERENCE & STUDY
An Old Testament Theology by Bruce K. Waltke
Zondervan, 9780310218975
An Old Testament theology by a leading Old Testament scholar who combines a technical with a spiritual understanding of the Old Testament.

From the Back Cover
The Old Testament is more than a religious history of the nation of Israel. It is more than a portrait gallery of heroes of the faith. It is even more than a theological and prophetic backdrop to the New Testament. Beyond these, the Old Testament is inspired revelation of the very nature, character, and works of God. As renowned Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke writes in the preface of this book, the Old Testament’s every sentence is “fraught with theology, worthy of reflection.”

This book is the result of decades of reflection informed by an extensive knowledge of the Hebrew language, the best of critical scholarship, a deep understanding of both the content and spirit of the Old Testament, and a thoroughly evangelical conviction. Taking a narrative,
chronological approach to the text, Waltke employs rhetorical criticism to illuminate the theologies of the biblical narrators. Through careful study, he shows that the unifying theme of the Old Testament is the “breaking in of the kingdom of God.” This theme helps the reader better understand not only the Old Testament, but also the New courtney_vicki Testament, the continuity of the entire Bible, and ultimately, God himself

2008 Winner - CHILDREN & YOUTH
Teen Virtue: Confidential by Vicki Courtney (left)
B&H Publishing, 9780805441925

Book Description
Following up her best-selling editions of TeenVirtue and TeenVirtue 2, Vicki Courtney's TeenVirtue Confidential takes an even more interactive direction than before by offering God-focused answers to real questions sent in from teenage girls. The main topics here are: The Future, Guys, Body Development and Sex, and Faith.

Some featured articles in this bright and fun magazine-styled book series include "Your Top 10 Questions for Guys . . . and Their Answers," "Your #1 Question for God," ""Words of Wisdom from College Women," "Quiz: Are You a Cell-Mannered Girl?," and "Sex Questions . . . We Have the Answers."

Vicki Courtney is a greatly trusted name among Christian moms, and TeenVirtue Confidential is a safe and cool pick for their precious daughters.

CHRISTIAN LIFE
When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box by John Ortberg (below right)
Zondervan, 9780310253501

Review when_the_game_is_over_it_all_goes_back_in_the_box_cover ortberg_john
"…a thoughtfully written instruction manual for Christian 'game players' of all ages. Using games as a metaphor, Ortberg presents carefully considered tactics for succeeding in life from God's vantage point. Each chapter weaves the rules of gaming with the Christian journey: understanding the object of the game (being spiritually 'rich' toward God); the setup (keeping score, taking turns, preventing regret); how to play (with rules, gratitude, and a mission; hazards (competition, greed, losing); and winning (choosing the right trophies). Christians will especially appreciate Ortberg's wise counsel on being the kind of player other people want to sit next to, as he exhorts readers to learn to lose with grace, win with grace and forgive with grace. Perspective is key; after all, 'when the game is over, it all goes back in the box.' Ortberg demonstrates some finesse in bringing together the extended game imagery with various real-life stories that are by turns comical and poignant. With excellent tools for personal and group study alike, this book's strategy offers a win-win solution." — PW Religion BookLine

2008 Winner- FICTION
In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols (below left)
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764201677

From Publishers Weekly
Nichols’s latest effort follows the wanderings of Miranda DeSpain, a youn nichols_linda g woman who has been unable to recover from a painful adolescent experience. An upstanding drifter (she always finds gainful employment where ever she goes), Miranda finds herself in bucolic Abingdon, Virginia, where she meets an array of lovely Christian townsfolk, among them a spunky 11-year-old girl named Eden who helps Miranda find a job and a place to live. Nichols’s writing style is often engaging, and while some of her characters are clichéd (the ruggedly handsome, tough but tender leading man, for example), a few of her characters, most notably Eden, are quirky and real. Nichols blends the romance genre with a more problem-oriented women’s novel here. While there are few surprises and the many coincidences make it difficult to suspend disbelief, the plot holds together well enough, with likable characters fighting nobly against adversity and unlikable characters trying their best to change. Spiritual themes such as forgiveness and redemption are well integrated into the novel, and the Christian characters are genuine, openhearted and giving. Readers looking for sentimental yet well-written women’s fiction won’t be disappointed.

2008 Winner - INSPIRATION & GIFT
Step into the Bible by Ruth Graham
Zondervan, 9780310714101

Product Description
In just 10 minutes, your family can take a step into the Bible. Fresh, creative and engaging, this devotional helps you explore the Bible together. Designed for use with kids ages 10 and under, Step Into the Bible includes the following features:100 Bible stories highlight the core values of the Christian faith; Unique layout with rich, full-color photography; Open ended questions encourage exploration and spark imagination; Me graham_ruth mory verses build spiritual character and knowledge. This book is a children's Christian classic.Â I am happy to recommend it to all parents, and urge them to take advantage of its unique approach.Â I know of no book on the market like it. Billy Graham. Ruth Graham shares this collection of Bible stories that has been used by four generations of the Graham family.

From the Publisher
Written by Ruth Graham (righT), the daughter of today's most beloved evangelist, Billy Graham, Step Into the Bible is a beautiful four-color family devotion with over 300 photographs that retells 100 important Bible stories and helps parents and children walk together on their faith journey. Each devotion takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and has been used by four generations of the Graham family.

The 2008 Christian Book Award finalists were as follows:

Bibles

The Apologetics Study Bible, B&H Publishing, 9781586400248

Aspire: The New Women of Color Study Bible, Zondervan, 9780310934783

Dad's Bible: The Father's Plan, NCV, Robert Wolgemuth, Editor, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9780718019426

Discover God Study Bible NLT, Robert F. Barnes, David P. Barrett, Brenda Josee, Editors, Tyndale House Publishers, 9780842369183 Winner

The Word of Promise™ New Testament Audio Bible NKJV, Carl Amari, Producer, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9780718024246 Winner Christian Book of the Year

Bible Reference & Study

Acts, Darrell L. Bock, Baker Academic/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801026683

An Old Testament Theology, Bruce K. Waltke, Zondervan, 9780310218975 Winner

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson, Editors, Baker Academic/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801026935

Dictionary of Major Biblical Interpreters, Donald K. McKim, IVP Academic, a division of InterVarsity Press, 9780830829279

Wiersbe Bible Commentary 2 Volume Set with CD Rom, Warren W. Wiersbe, David C. Cook, 9780781445412

Children & Youth

My Adopted Child, There’s No One Like You, Dr. Kevin Leman and Kevin Leman II, Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800718893

Read and Share Bible, Gwen Ellis, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9781400308538

Scars That Wound: Scars That Heal, Jan Kern, Standard Publishing, 9780784721049

Teen Virtue: Confidential, Vicki Courtney, B&H Publishing, 9780805441925 Winner

Wait Until Then, Randy Alcorn, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781414310411

Christian Life (six finalists listed due to tie)

Faith in the Halls of Power, D. Michael Lindsay, Oxford University Press, Inc., 9780195326666

The Grand Weaver, Ravi Zacharias, Zondervan, 9780310269526

John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace, Jonathan Aitken, Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781581348484

unChristian, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, Baker Books/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801013003

When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box, John Ortberg, Zondervan, 9780310253501 Winner

Who Stole My Church?, Gordon MacDonald, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9780785226017

Fiction (six finalists listed due to tie)

Between Sundays, Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, 9780310257721

Chasing Fireflies, Charles Martin, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9781595540560

Deception, Randy Alcorn, Multnomah Books, 9781590526163

In Search of Eden, Linda Nichols, Bethany House Publishers/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764201677 Winner

Quaker Summer, Lisa Samson, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9781595542076

Summer of Light, W. Dale Cramer, Bethany House Publishers/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764229961

Inspiration & Gift

Happily Ever After, Kristin Armstrong, FaithWords, a division of Hatchette Book Group USA, 9780446579896

The Message//REMIX: Solo, Eugene H. Peterson, NavPress, 9781600061059

Moments with You, Dennis and Barbara Rainey, Regal Books, 9780830743841

Precious Lord, Take My Hand, Shelly Beach, Discovery House Publishers, 9781572931954

Step into the Bible, Ruth Graham, Zondervan, 9780310714101 Winner

Christian Book of the Year
Past Winners

2007

Ever After. Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan

2006
Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Kevin J. Vanhoozer, General Editor, Baker Academic

2005
Experiencing the Passion of Jesus. Lee Strobel and Gary Poole, Zondervan

2004
The Purpose Driven Life. Rick Warren, Zondervan

2003
The Purpose Driven Life. Rick Warren, Zondervan

2002
The Prayer of Jabez. Dr. Bruce H. Wilkinson, Multnomah Publishers

2001
The Prayer of Jabez. Dr. Bruce H. Wilkinson, Multnomah Publishers

2000
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. Jim Cymbala with Dean Merrill, Zondervan

1999
Just Like Jesus. Max Lucado, Word Publishing

1998
What's So Amazing About Grace. Philip Yancey, Zondervan Publishing

1997
In the Grip of Grace. Max Lucado, Word Publishing

1996
The Jesus I Never Knew. Philip Yancey, Zondervan Publishing

1995
When God Whispers Your Name. Max Lucado, Word Publishing

1994
When God Doesn't Make Sense. Dr. James C. Dobson, Tyndale House Publishers

1993
The Body. Charles Colson with Ellen Santrill Vaughn, Word Publishing

1992
The Coming Economic Earthquake. Larry Burkett, Moody Press

For full list of all past category winners visit official ECPA Christian Book AwardS site