Christians have not always had the warmest views on fiction. Puritans worried that novels were essentially written for people to read in their spare time… and “idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” More recently, some Christians have worried about whether some genres—fantasy with its descriptions of magic or thrillers with their descriptions of crime—are ones that Christians can contribute to. However, there is a fine tradition of Christian storytelling. From Dante’s the Divine Comedy to C.S. Lewis’ Narnia stories to G.K. Chesterton’s murder mysteries, Christians have shown that it’s possible to honor God by creating imaginative stories in many genres. Here’s a look at 100 classic and modern novels by Christians that you should consider reading.
Table of Contents
- 10 Christian Fantasy Novels
- 10 Christian Fable Novels
- 10 Christian Science Fiction Novels
- 10 Christian Mystery Novels
- 10 Christian Historical Fiction Novels
- 10 Christian Romance Novels
- 10 Christian Thriller Novels
- 10 Christian Literary Novels
- 10 Christian Comedy Novels
- 10 Christian Horror Novels
- Articles about Christian Novels
10 Christian Fantasy Novels
From epic stories about magic rings to fairy tales exploring the wonder of aquatic creatures, here are some excellent fantasy stories exploring theological themes.
1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Whalesong by Robert Siegel
3. Shardik by Richard Adams
4. Taliesin by Stephen Lawhead
5. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
6. The Crescent Stone by Matt Mikalatos
7. The Alpine Tales by Paul J. Willis
8. Son of the Shield by Mary Schlegel
9. The Genesis Tree by Heather L.L. FitzGerald
10. Wraithwood by Alyssa Roat
Further Reading: 15 Classic Christian Fantasy Books for Kids and Adults
10 Christian Fable Novels
These novels are not quite fantasy novels, not quite stories set in the real world either. Some of them are allegories. Others are closer to fairy tales. They each provide an engaging means to understand spiritual truths.
1. The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
2. The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
3. New in Town by Harry Blamires
4. Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
5. The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings
6. These Nameless Things by Shawn Smucker
7. The Chasm by Randy Alcorn
8. Room of Marvels by James Bryan Smith
9. Four in the Garden by Richard Hocker
10. Messages from Estillyen William E. Jefferson
Further Reading: The Life and Work of John Bunyan
10 Christian Science Fiction Novels
These stories may explore how faith and science connect or explore the wonders of God’s creation. Either way, they give readers things to consider in imaginative contexts.
1. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
2. The Messiah of the Cylinder by Victor Rosseau
3. Oxygen by John B. Olson and Randy Ingermanson
4. Edge of Oblivion by Joshua A. Johnston
5. Pilgrimage by Zenna Henderson
6. The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley
7. Blackout by Connie Willis
8. Crystal Witness by Kathy Tyers
9. The Chase by Bradley Caffee
10. The Paradise Protocol by Anna Zogg
Further Reading: 15 Great Christian Sci-Fi Books for Kids and Adults
10 Christian Mystery Novels
Many people have suggested that mysteries are grounded in a Christian view that good and evil truly exist, and that good will eventually triumph. These mysteries provide compelling stories about discovering the truth, even when the search gets complicated.
1. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers
2. The Three Taps by Ronald Knox
3. Whispers in the Dark by Eleanor Taylor Bland
4. Trouble at the Brownstone by Robert Goldsborough
5. Do We Not Bleed? By Daniel Taylor
6. Inspector French’s Greatest Case by Freeman Wills Croft
7. The Baccarat Club by Jessie Louisa Rickard
8. Mr. White’s Confession by Robert Clark
9. Guilt by Association by Heather Day Gilbert
10. Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa
Further Reading: 10 Inspiring Christian Mystery Authors You Can Read Today
10 Christian Historical Fiction Novels
Novels set in the past can be fun, and they can be challenging. Some show us how people from past times lived out their faith. Others show how living out faith has always been complicated in different ways. These historical fiction novels capture one or both realities in surprising ways.
1. Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green
2. The Tale of Troy by Roger Lancelyn Green
3. Saint Julian by Walter Wangerin, Jr.
4. Christy by Catherine Marshall
5. Saints and Villains by Denise Giardina
6. Mary Queen of Bees by Diane Glancy
7. Silence by Shūsaku Endō
8. Saplings of Sherwood by Avellina Balestri
9. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
10. Rain by Dana McNeely
Further Reading: Who Was Walter Wangerin Jr?
10 Christian Romance Novels
Romance novels have a reputation for being simplistic or schmaltzy. When done well, they can be a great vision of one of the most human experiences, emphasizing the challenge and beauty that love contains.
1. The Key to Everything by Valerie Fraser Luesse
2. My Dearest Dietrich by Amanda Barratt
3. Unscripted by Davis Bunn
4. The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
5. The Quiet Woman by Terence Faherty
6. When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin
7. Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke
8. For the Love of Emma by Starr Ayers
9. Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron
10. Finding Love on Whidbey Island, Washington by Annette M. Irby
Further Reading: 15 Female Christian Authors You Should Know
10 Christian Thriller Novels
Mysteries emphasize the search to find the truth. Thrillers highlight the battle between good and evil during that search. These thriller novels illustrate how brutal that fight can be and why it’s worth fighting for.
1. War in Heaven by Charles Williams
2. Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal
3. The Sleuth’s Conundrum by Kimberly Rose Johnson
4. Safe by Jill Case Brown
5. Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill
6. Acceptable Risk by Lynette Eason
7. The String by Caleb Breakey
8. Shadow Merchant by Bruce Hennigan
9. The Awakened by Richard Spillman
10. Vigilant by Sara Davison
Further Reading: Why Was Charles Williams the Odd Inkling?
10 Christian Literary Novels
The Christian life has many layers, always challenging us with new surprises. Literary novels about faith can emulate that process, giving readers challenging ideas that push them to grow spiritually and discover storytelling’s many facets.
1. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
2. Godric by Frederick Buechner
3. Can You See Anything Now? by Katherine James
4. The Sharp Teeth of Love by Doris Betts
5. The Russian Dreambook of Colour and Flight by Gina Ochsner
6. A Land Without Sin by Paula Huston
7. Dill of the Nile by William Griffin
8. Jewel by Bret Lott
9. The Risk of Returning by Shirley and Rudy Nelson
10. The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr
Further Reading: 50 Christian Authors You Should Know
10 Christian Comedy Novels
The gospel means “good news,” and comedy can be the best way to explore the good news. These comedy novels celebrate goodness (reminding readers what to pursue) or satirize evil (warning readers what to avoid).
1. Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene
2. The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton
3. Affairs of the Heart by Malcolm Muggeridge
4. Black Mischief by Evelyn Waugh
5. The Ninth Configuration by William Peter Blatty
6. This Ever Diverse Pair by Owen Barfield
7. A Tale of a Tub by Jonathan Swift
8. The Complete Little World of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi
9. The Cassandra Crossing by Hope Bolinger
10. A History of the Island By Eugene Vodolazkin
Further Reading: 10 Things to Know about Ronald Knox
10 Christian Horror Novels
Sometimes the most compelling Christian stories call evil what it is, warning readers about the insidious dangers of temptation and the spiritual battle around them. Here are some novels that explore those spiritual ideas in compelling ways.
1. Old House of Fear by Russell Kirk
2. The Oath by Frank Peretti
3. An Evil Guest by Gene Wolfe
4. The Ghost Box by Mike Duran
5. The Curse of Crow Hollow by Billey Coffey
6. The Bad Ones by Kelly Martin
7. Let the Ghosts Speak by Bryan Davis
8. Willow Marsh by Jo Cassidy
9. The Ripper of Monkshood Manor by Mary Gray
10. The Strange Man by Greg Mitchell
Further Reading: 10 Horror Novels by Christians for Halloween
Great Articles about Christian Novels
If you want to know more about some of the writers on this list, here are some articles you might enjoy:
The Life and Work of C.S. Lewis
10 Things You Need to Know about George MacDonald
Forgotten Christian Fantasy Pioneer Robert Siegel
10 Things You Need to Know about J.R.R. Tolkien
What Makes Owen Barfield the First and Last Inkling?
What You Need to Know about Frederick Buechner
What You Need to Know about Dorothy L. Sayers
10 Things You Need to Know about G.K. Chesterton
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