Are you new to Christianity and wondering how to immerse yourself in the traditions and teachings of this vast religion? Are you a lifelong Christian facing questions about life, faith, or culture but aren’t sure where to find answers?
One of the best places to turn is a religious bookstore. If you’ve ever been to a Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million, you may have seen the Religion or Christian Living section. A religious bookstore is a much more expansive version of these.
In this article, we’ll look at ten examples of things you may find in a religious bookstore. We hope you can find what you’re looking for!
The Best Christian Publishers in Religious Bookstore
Did you know there are entire publishing companies dedicated to producing Christian content? These publishers offer many kinds of content, ranging from memoirs, theology, fiction, etc. We’ll briefly name two leading publishers in this sphere below.
1. Zondervan
Many Christians consider this publisher to be the gold standard. They are a branch of Harper Collins, one of the largest publishers in any industry. Some of their published authors include Rick Warren and Rob Bell.
Zondervan publishes several genres, including children’s books, fiction, and nonfiction. They’ve recently established a Christian Young Adult imprint called Blink Young Adult.
2. Thomas Nelson
Existing since 1798, this fellow subsidiary of Harper Collins shares a leading role in Christian publishing. Like Zondervan, it publishes several genres and leading names. One of their published fiction authors is Ted Dekker, whose Circle trilogy made him a superstar of Christian fantasy in the line of Frank Peretti.
Another more famous figure published by TN is the devotional writer Max Lucado. This publisher also published Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling, a widely beloved devotion.
Classics of Theology and Nonfiction
If you’re somebody who loves studying the intellectual side of Christianity, these works will likely be favorites. In this section, we’ll look at three leading nonfiction works that any Religious Bookstore would include.
3. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
This book is a long-beloved favorite for skeptics, newcomers to faith, and those who want an introduction to Christian theology. Lewis, a former atheist, first explores why there must be a Creator God.
Once he does so, he provides logical arguments for Christ’s identity. Lastly, he explores some of the essentials of Christian living, such as the sacraments of baptism and communion.
4. Why I Am a Christian by John Stott
The evangelical scholar and theologian John Stott was considered by many the C.S. Lewis of his day. Like Lewis, he tackles many questions of faith in this landmark book.
As a professional theologian himself, Stott gives his reasons for why he believes in the Christian faith. This book has helped persuade skeptics around the world of Christianity.
5. Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
For those interested in theological “heavy-lifting,” Calvin’s Institutes may be just the thing they need. John Calvin, the second most important Protestant Reformer after Luther, first propagated Reformed theology.
Calvin’s theology has played a fundamental role in the development of American Protestantism and evangelical Christianity. Reading these volumes can enhance your understanding of five hundred years of religious development.
Classics of Christian Fiction
Christianity has produced some of the finest literary and artistic works of the last thousand years. Several of these appear in any bookstore, but some are much easier to locate in religious bookstores. In this section, we’ll examine classic Christian fiction.
6. The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Throughout the Middle Ages, Christians wrote several stories in the form of allegorical journeys. The climax of this genre is Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, a work written at the height of English religious conflicts in the Reformation.
Bunyan’s novel follows the allegorical protagonist Pilgrim as he travels towards The Celestial City. Along the way, he veers off track, makes friends, and meets frightening enemies in a beautiful metaphor for the Christian life.
7. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Once again, Lewis makes the list. Children of all backgrounds have grown up reading the Narnia books, each allowing them to inspire their imaginations. Likewise, many adults continue to love the Narnia books for their theological merit and excellent storytelling.
8. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien and Lewis share one of the most famous literary friendships of the last few centuries. The two of them have helped to shape the Fantasy genre beyond anybody else’s work.
Tolkien, a devout Catholic, wrote his first book, The Hobbit, as a children’s novel. Its immense popularity led to the writing of The Lord of the Rings, a profound book in three parts.
This gripping story follows the tale of an unlikely assortment of heroes facing the worst odds to destroy an ancient evil’s source of power. A crown jewel in Christian writing, many religious stores have this novel in their stock.
9. Study Bibles
You can hardly imagine an online religious bookstore without an assortment of study Bibles. These assets have several additional resources to help you understand the scriptures. These include readable translations, footnotes offered by leading theologians, and maps to help follow the stories.
You can find study Bibles for all sorts of readers. Some aim themselves towards professionals, genders, or age groups. Some even focus on the thought of specific denominations, such as The Lutheran Study Bible or The Orthodox Study Bible.
10. Bible Commentaries
Even the best study Bibles pale in comparison to a comprehensive Bible commentary. A religious bookstore online has much more freedom to carry entire commentary sets. You can use these to deepen your understanding of Scripture in ways you never imagined possible!
Find Your Bookstore Today
If these options sound like the books you crave, search for a religious bookstore near me! You’ll often find that a brick-and-mortar store carries many of these great religious works.
However, if you want a broader selection, a religious bookstore online may have what you need. Search around and find the books you need today!
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