I believe that there's always a Christian book that is written exactly for you, books that are made to touch your heart and soul. God uses Christian books to have an encounter with us, to meet us in areas of our life where we need understanding and enlightenment. So, what are the criteria in picking Christian novels?
You always have to consider the book you choose. First, it has to make you fall more in love with Jesus. Well, most Christian books are actually written this way, to let you know that He's the perfect lover, and no one else can love you like He does.
Second, the novel must talk about the truth. It must be Bible-based, and portrays God as He is in the bible, and not written just to make a love story out of the book. The book must capture you, touch you, and romance you the way that God wants to do so.
Third, the novel must be well-written. This is a quality that every book should have, even if it's not a Christian book. For us Christians, it must be well written for the writer does not write for his reader alone. Instead, he or she is talking and writing about God and offering Him the best that He deserves.
Fourth, the novel must talk about the love that has happened on the cross. It must talk about the sacrifice and the hardship Jesus has gone through that is focused in one mission and that is to save us from God's wrath.
Fifth, the characters of the novel are also important. They have to posses the character of Jesus in them.
Look for a novel where you can relate yourself as one of the characters. It can help you know more of God's love for you.
Make sure that the novel you buy is Christ-centered. When you pick for a novel, choose the one that can help change you from the inside out, something you can consider life changing and can help you encounter Christ. Look for novels that will help you long for Him more; novels that will make you hunger to be closer to God.
Here are some of the books I can recommend:
• Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
• The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers
• Mark of the Lion: A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure As the Dawn (Vol 1-3) by Francine Rivers
• Pretense (Contemporary Romance) by Lori Wick
• Unveiled: Tamar (The Lineage of Grace Series #1) (No 1) by Francine Rivers
• Unshaken: Ruth (The Lineage of Grace Series #3) by Francine Rivers
• Unashamed: Rahab (The Lineage of Grace Series #2) by Francine Rivers
• Unspoken: Bathsheba (The Lineage of Grace Series #4) by Francine Rivers
I also love collecting books by Darlene Zschech. She's a worship leader from Hillsong Church. Her book is really amazing. She writes her book as a fruit of her personal encounter with God.
