14 Evangelical Authors for the Christian Soul
Who doesn’t enjoy a good book, especially one that enriches the soul and encourages growth in faith?
If you’re a reader of Christian literature, you might recognize impactful titles like Unshakable Hope, The Purpose Driven Life, and The Case for Christ.
These books provide encouragement and practical insights, serving as guides to strengthen your walk with God.
In that spirit, here are fourteen evangelical authors whose writings have inspired and uplifted readers around the world.
1. C.S. Lewis
Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) was a celebrated writer, literary critic, and influential Christian apologist.
He was once an atheist but eventually embraced Christianity and joined the Church of England.
This conversion had a deep impact on his work and writings.
Lewis is regarded as an intellectual giant of twentieth-century Christianity and continues to be one of the most influential writers of his era and today.
He wrote so many books reaching a broad audience, and his works continue to attract new readers each year.
One of his most popular books is Mere Christianity, where Lewis uses simple analogies and everyday experiences to convey deep truths about faith and morality.
Other highly regarded works by Lewis include Spirits in Bondage, The C.S. Lewis Collection (30 vols.), The Pilgrim’s Regress.
2. Max Lucado
Max Lucado is an American author known for his down-to-earth writing style and warm storytelling.
Lucado has a gift for making profound truths accessible to readers.
One of his standout books, Just Like Jesus, explores the truth that God’s goal is to shape our hearts to be like Christ’s.
In this devotional, Lucado gently guides readers to understand how embracing Jesus’s love, patience, and grace can bring real change.
Another key book, Anxious for Nothing, offers practical advice on overcoming anxiety through faith and prayer, drawing from Philippians 4 as its main focus.
In this book, Lucado reassures that peace is possible when we trust in God’s promises.
Among his many other widely popular books are Unshakable Hope, You Are Special, God Never Gives Up on You, and Experiencing the Heart of Jesus.
3. Philip Yancey
Philip Yancey is an American author known for exploring some of the most fundamental questions and profound mysteries of faith.
His writing often invites readers to grapple with deep issues in a thoughtful and compassionate way.
One of his most renowned books, What’s So Amazing About Grace?, explores the life-changing impact of God’s grace.
Through real-life stories, Yancey illustrates how grace changes everything, making meaningful truths accessible and relatable.
Another impactful work, Disappointment with God, tackles the challenging questions surrounding God’s role in human suffering.
With honesty and empathy, Yancey offers insight for believers who are wrestling with their faith in times of pain.
Other insightful books by this author include The Jesus I Never Knew, Where the Light Fell, and Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?.
Each of these books offers a fresh perspective on the struggles and questions many Christians face.
4. Rick Warren
Looking to better understand your purpose?
Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?, delivers a clear guide for your spiritual journey.
As you read, you’ll learn how to know yourself and your Creator better, helping you live life to its fullest.
After that, you might also enjoy his other books like God’s Power to Change Your Life and God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions.
Rick Warren is also the pioneer of the Purpose Driven Movement—a global network of tens of thousands of churches from different denominations.
5. John Piper
John Piper, a theologian and pastor, is widely known for his deep commitment to spreading the message of Christian joy and the glory of God.
He has written over fifty books and one of his bestsellers, Desiring God, inspired the creation of Desiring God Ministries, where more than three decades of Piper’s preaching and writings are freely available.
In this book, Piper explains why seeking maximum joy is key to glorifying God, famously stating, ‘God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.’
If you’re interested in exploring more of his work, some other notable titles include Finish the Mission, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, and When the Darkness Will Not Lift.
6. Joyce Meyer
Joyce Meyer is an American Christian author, speaker, and one of the most well-known televangelists.
She founded Joyce Meyer Ministries, a global outreach focused on sharing biblical teaching and practical advice for everyday life.
Joyce’s messages often emphasize practical faith, overcoming challenges, and finding freedom from fear, rejection, and past trauma.
Her best-selling book, Battlefield of the Mind, helps readers recognize and overcome negative thinking patterns, showing how our thoughts shape our lives.
Drawing from her own journey of healing from childhood abuse and personal struggles, Joyce inspires her audience to pursue spiritual growth and emotional healing.
Other popular books by Joyce Meyer include Living Beyond Your Feelings, Confident Woman, Managing Your Emotions, and The Joy of an Uncluttered Life.
7. Paul David Tripp
If you want to understand how the gospel brings practical hope to brokenness, Paul Tripp is a great resource.
He aims to connect the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.
For daily encouragement, his book New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional offers 365 gospel-centered reflections.
These reflections aim to help readers trust God and rely on His grace.
After reading this, consider exploring some of his other impactful works, such as Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense, Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church, and Do You Believe?
8. Lee Strobel
Lee Strobel, a former atheist with a background in journalism, brings a unique perspective to his Christian books.
Much of his work explores the person of Christ, offering evidence to help readers feel confident in Him.
A great starting point is Strobel’s classic book, The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus.
In it, Strobel shares his journey from atheism to faith while building a compelling case for Christ’s divinity.
This book was later adapted into a drama film in 2017.
If you find The Case for Christ compelling, consider exploring more of his titles, such as:
The Case for Hope, The Case for a Creator, and Spiritual Mismatch: Hope for Christians Married to Someone Who Doesn’t Know God.
9. Elizabeth George
Elizabeth George’s books emphasize Christian living and personal Bible study.
She writes not only for adult women but also for young women and girls, encouraging them to grow in their faith and strengthen their personal walk with the Lord.
In addition to writing, George provides Bible teaching and training to the wives of seminary students at Talbot School of Theology and The Master’s Seminary.
While you could start with almost any of her books, Proverbs for a Woman’s Day: Choosing a Life of Excellence is a great choice.
This book guides readers through all thirty-one chapters of Proverbs, helping them apply God’s wisdom to their daily lives.
After that, consider exploring more of her books, such as The Heart of a Woman Who Prays, and Loving God with All Your Mind.
10. Priscilla Shirer
Priscilla Shirer is a Bible teacher and author known for her empowering messages, particularly for women.
She is also a conference speaker and the founder of Going Beyond Ministries, which she established with her husband.
Shirer’s books cover important topics such as listening to God, spiritual struggles, prayer, and other aspects that strengthen the Christian life.
While all of Shirer’s books are worth reading, you could start with Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer.
In this book, she encourages women to develop a strategic approach to prayer, helping them navigate the spiritual battles of life.
Using relatable language and powerful imagery, Shirer illustrates how prayer can be a weapon against the challenges Christians face.
Once you finish Fervent, consider exploring more of her works, such as Discerning the Voice of God, Divine Disruption, and Awaken: 90 Days with the God Who Speaks.
11) Myles Munroe
Myles Munroe (1954-2014) was a Bahamian preacher and author.
He was widely known for his teachings on leadership and purpose, and the kingdom of God.
He left behind a significant legacy in Christian thought and leadership development.
One of his well-known books, Understanding Your Potential, explores the idea of potential as a God-given gift within each person.
Munroe uses clear principles and practical examples to encourage readers to discover, grow, and fully use their God-given potential.
His other recommended works include Rediscovering the Kingdom, Purpose and Power of Praise and Worship, The Spirit of Leadership, and Waiting and Dating.
12. Beth Moore
For many years, Beth Moore has faithfully served women through her teaching and writing.
She is not only a best-selling author but also an evangelist and teacher.
Additionally, she founded Living Proof Ministries, an organization focused on helping women know Christ through His Word.
You could start with her book Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life.
In this book, Moore uses Scripture to show that all of life’s concerns, including both joys and trials, matter to God.
After that, consider exploring more of her works, such as Get Out of That Pit, To Live Is Christ, and Delivered.
13. Timothy Keller
Timothy Keller, who passed away in May 2023, made a significant impact on the church through his writing.
Keller’s books explore topics such as who God is, marriage, suffering, and more.
To begin your journey with his work, start with his most famous book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism.
This book presents Keller’s key apologetic insights.
Another important work is Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism, which aims to help believers effectively share the Christian message.
To explore more of Keller’s writings, consider these titles: Making Sense of God, The Prodigal God, The Songs of Jesus, and The Meaning of Marriage.
14. Jackie Hill Perry
Jackie Hill Perry is a poet, speaker, and writer whose works are shaped by her personal journey of faith and redemption.
She often discusses God’s transformative power in areas of identity, sexuality, and sanctification.
In her influential book, Gay Girl, Good God, Perry shares her testimony of coming to faith and experiencing God’s grace in the midst of her struggles with same-sex attraction.
She presents her story with vulnerability and invites readers to explore how God’s love changes hearts and identities.
In her other book, Holier Than Thou, she addresses the holiness of God.
Writing on how holiness is not impossible to reach but is a sign of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Perry has also made a significant impact through her poetry collections and spoken-word pieces.
Through these works, she boldly addresses faith, identity, and discipleship, encouraging believers to find freedom and purpose in Christ.
