Top 50 Evangelical Authors

According to the ECPA, here's a list of the current top 50 "best-selling" evangelical authors (Click here: ECPA E-LINK).  A list like this tells us a great deal about the state and health of American evangelicalism.

Alcorn, Randy C.
Alexander, Shaun
Arterburn, Stephen
Beers, Ron
Bell, Rob
Blackaby, Henry T.
Brunstetter, Wanda E.
Chapman, Gary
Cloud, Henry
Colbert, Don
Collins, Brandilyn
Dekker, Ted
DeMoss, Nancy Leigh
Dungy, Tony
Eggerichs, Emerson
Eldredge, John
Ethridge, Shannon
Feldhahn, Shaunti
Gregory, David
Hagee, John
Heavilin, Marilyn
Henderson, Dee
Hybels, Bill
Jakes, T. D.
Jeremiah, David
Kilgore, Kay Wheeler
Kingsbury, Karen
LaHaye, Tim
Lewis, Beverly
Lucado, Max
MacArthur, John
McGraw, Robin
Meyer, Joyce
Miller, Donald
Moore, Beth
Oke, Janette
Omartian, Stormie
Osteen, Joel
Piper, Don
Rice, Helen Steiner
Rivers, Francine
Rosenberg, Joel C.
Shepherd, Sheri Rose
Strobel, Lee
Warren, Rick
Weaver, Joanna
Wick, Lori
Yancey, Philip

Novels, fluff, counseling, and "how to" stuff clearly dominates.  MacArthur and Strobel seem to be the only exceptions.  

Comments

[Jeff A.]

A little surprised not seeing RC Sproul. I thought he was the common man's reformed theologian.

["lee n. field"]

>A little surprised not seeing RC Sproul.

He's overwhelmed. Have you seen the Stormie Omartian 10 foot shelf?

[reg]

While the list is more than a little light, I think Yancey's books make a for good read- particularly his grace book. I don't think we should be too harsh.
The list is about "best-selling" not "best." While I like Stott, Lewis, Ryken Boice, Horton, Riddlebarger, Johnson, etc. I can see why they would not be of mass interest. Also, as is true in most areas, "nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste fo the american people."

[Ivan]

Can someone tell me why a man who when preaching never mentions "sin, sinful condition, desperate, without hope, sinful heart, depraved" etc. ....

And when he also never mentions Jesus as "Savior from rebellion, stubborness, idolatry, adultery, spiritual whoredom" etc. can be considered an evangelical?

Of whom in the list am I speaking?

[Lane Chaplin]

Ivan, I believe that Michael Horton will be able to answer that for you on the 14th, Lord willing. :)

I read a few comments about the culture's quote-unquote "need" for entertainment. I just started "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Postman. Is this book recommended?

[Jeff A.]

Postman was generally very good. His conclusions sometimes are a little out of line, but his processing (and usually the end results) were very astute. See also: The End of Education, The Disapperance of Childhood, and Technopoly.

[Kyle]

Not sure I'd include David Jeremiah in the Wacko List, either.

Tragic about Piper.

[Michael]

I am perplexed why no one is defending Henry Blackaby? Is he considered to be contributing to the overall problems in Evangelicalism?

[Greg]

I'd think that the wacko's are less of a threat than those who open the Bible and use it to support what they want to say. Moralistic/therapeutic messages are what I've seen on television from David Jeremiah... the form of the "gospel" on his program was merely an appendage to his message. He tends to use OT characters as examples for how to live our lives, e.g., Five Steps to This, 7 Principles for That. Meanwhile, his flock no doubt feels that they've got a "man of God" who "speaks the Word". No doubt that he does present himself well and that he is very sincere; but just how does he present Jesus Christ and his Gospel? This is the type of "preaching" that I sat under for decades.

Perhaps "ministers" who mirror his ways are more dangerous than the easy to detect "wacko's" -- it's difficult for most to discern how they distract one from the Bible's central theme of Christ and his redemptive plan for man.

While that's sufficient enough for me to be wary of him, Jeremiah also has ties to mystical/contemplative prayer advocates such as Erwin McManus and speaks of them favorably.

[timinater]

MacArthur, Strobel, Ethridge,Eggerichs,Yancey, Rivers. These arthurs are ok. They write dicent books. Most of the others are wacky list. Though how can you say much about a typical fiction writer unless they are end times books.

[Old Reader]

Nice to see good ole' Helen "just a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine do down" Steiner Rice on the list. A little greeting card of syrup is nice every once in a while. And besides, dead though she be these nearly 30 years SHE HAS OUTLASTED HAL LINDSEY!! (you will note his absence from the list.) But alas, there are still enough doom sayers here to rock our future world. I guess his torch hasn't fallen -- it has just been taken up by other hands.

[Atanael]

to almost post-modern christian writers to know that I don't spend a single penny on their books, I stick to the simplicity of the old writers such as Spurgeon, Martin lloyds Jones etc...

[Bookman]

As someone who is familiar with recent releases in Christian publishing, I would suggest that the majority of those who have posted on this board reconsider their positions. While there is admittedly lot of poor theology from the authors on this list, this community seems to approve of nothing more recent than Spurgeon (or, if pressed, Lewis). A similar position would be to denounce movies and support only the performance of Shakespeare because it is technically superior drama. This highlights one of our huge failings in the Reformed churches -- we are far too impressed with our own theology (created in large part centuries ago) and do not consider others' thought seriously. In essence, we fail on I Cor. 8:2-3 and put God in our theology box and mark it "TULIP." I am as guilty of this as any.

The reality of this situation is that, while some of the stuff written by folks on this list is flawed, some if it also is useful. The major categories denounced (such as "Christian fiction") can be quite helpful and also (commentators above suggest it is a bad thing!) entertaining. I suggest that some folks on this blog consider reading some of it (such as the Circle Trilogy by Dekker, for example) before writing it off.

It is certainly true that valuable things endure (i.e. Augustine, or the hymns of the church). Many of these books won't last a year in public thought. But don't downplay their impact and usefulness because they haven't been around more than a century -- modern Christian literature (even, gasp!, fiction) is being used of the Spirit to change lives today. If you don't believe me, ask William Mackenzie, speaking at the 2007 Desiring God Conference for Pastors.
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByConference/13/1982_Words_for_the_World_Rejoicing_in_Gods_Global_Use_of_Christian_Literature/

And, yes, for all his faults and goofiness, God has used Rick Warren in a powerful way. Be thankful that he uses you despite your faultiness as well.

[Greg]

Bookman:

"we are far too impressed with our own theology (created in large part centuries ago) and do not consider others' thought seriously. In essence, we fail on I Cor. 8:2-3 and put God in our theology box and mark it "TULIP." I am as guilty of this as any."

We have no redemptive revelation from God outside of Scripture. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is revealed in great detail, beauty and profundity throughout Scripture. For you to attempt to reduce our understanding of it to a single acronym seems overly simplistic in the context in which you've stated it. It is not just doctrine, it is the power of God for salvation for those who believe -- as revealed in great detail in Romans, Perhaps you'd care to elaborate on whom we've not carefully considered?

It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and no one has the authority to modify it, shade its meaning or add to it or reduce it or its centrality in any way. We are obligated to defend its truthfulness and completeness in the face of those who claim to be Christian teachers; perhaps it is those who teach falsely (many from the list) that are puffed up and do not heed the warnings given toward those who wish to teach.

"While there is admittedly lot of poor theology from the authors on this list, this community seems to approve of nothing more recent than Spurgeon (or, if pressed, Lewis)"

I'm surprised that you seem to be so unaware of the books that those who frequent this blog read that you should write what you did (see other threads). A number of the contemporary authors whom I read are Mike Horton, KR, David Wells, Gene Veith, Sproul, Packer... What you've alleged is simply not true, but perhaps just in ignorance.

(I'll let others deal with the fiction issue)

Re Rick Warren. RW's PDL is not only bad theology; but it is filled with Scripture taken out of context, paraphrases quoted as Scripture, RW diminishes sin and God's wrath, and RW rewrites the Gospel message into what is not the Gospel. RW tells you that this book is not about you, but then proceeds to make the book entirely about "you".

RW's church has pandered to the culture. He's taken surveys to see how the people want to worship. What is lacking in his church, among other things, is reverence and awe in worship (Heb. 12) and Christ and the Gospel as central to preaching (no preaching anyways... that's too offensive for Rick). On stage (yes a stage) I've seen video (youtube) of Saddleback's dancers... females making pelvic thrusts while the crowd cheers them on.

Rick makes a mockery of true Christianity and parades himself as an Evangelical leader. Yet when he gets on Larry King as an evangelical, the gospel message is noticeably missing. Perhaps he is ashamed of the Gospel? Whereas, I've seen John MacArthur use the opportunity to present the Gospel.

Yes, God can use RW as God used even Pharoah, but I wouldn't recommend Pharoah's "theology" either...even to look for 'bits of truth' or 'useful tips'.

RW's call for 'deeds not creeds' should be taken seriously. While we see deeds flowing out of creeds, RW sees just deeds. Yes, he gives lip service to creeds when pressed, but they are not a part of what he teaches; creeds are just not seeker sensitive.

"faults and goofiness" ... its a bit more serious than that!

I recommend David Wells' book "No Place for Truth or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology".

[Cynic Sage]

Steve Arterburn? The guy who gets churches to send him money to ship his "how to stop masturbating" books to American soldiers in Iraq? Oy Vey!

http://cynicsage.blogspot.com/2007/05/pimping-purity-part-2-purity-is-hell.html