Five-star grace books 2013
A few months ago my book, The Gospel in Ten Words, joined an exclusive club of books that have received 100 five-star reviews on Amazon. In recognition of this achievement, Amazon sent me a gold-framed certificate, a gift voucher, and a personal note from Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos.
Actually, none of that happened. But it should have. Come on Amazon. Get with the program!
Anyhoo, the 100 five-star reviews prompted two thoughts. First, it reminded me of how grateful I am to all of you who have taken the time to post a review of my book on Amazon. You guys made this happen, so thank you!
Second, and in the hopes of promoting the message of grace, I thought it might be fun to see what other grace books had received 100 five-star reviews. So I did something I haven’t done for far too long – I made a list.
How I made this list
To get on the list of five-star grace books, books had to satisfy two criteria:
• The book must be mainly about the gospel of grace – it should be foundational, not fictional
• The book must have received at least 100 five-star reviews on Amazon as at 31 December 2013
Inevitably, I had to make some judgment calls. For instance my list excludes some excellent grace-based novels like The Shack and the classic children’s book You Are Special. But the list does include the partly-fictional book The Cure.
My list also excludes classics like Spurgeon’s All of Grace and Gillham’s Lifetime Guarantee – books that were first published long before Amazon reviews came along.
On the other hand, I decided to include books that say little about grace but a lot about God’s unconditional love (eg: Wayne Jacobsen’s He Loves Me). My thinking is that if you know the unconditional love of God you know about grace.
To my surprise, the final list was small. Just eleven books (see below). But the list is surely incomplete. No doubt I have missed some books. This is where you come in. If you can think of any books that meet the two criteria above, let me know and I will add them in due course. I expect this list will grow and I plan to update it each year.
Why did I compile this list?
Two reasons. First, I hope this list will promote discussion. For instance, you may ask, “Why have you neglected this great author?” And I will reply, “I haven’t heard of him (or her). Thank you for telling me. Which books of their’s do you think should be added to the list below?”
Or you may say, “Where is Bob George’s Classic Christianity? or Andrew Wommack’s Grace: The Power of the Gospel? Those are awesome grace books!” And I will reply, “Neither book has yet received 100 five-star reviews – so go write a review and push them onto this list.” [2015 update: Classic Christianity has now made the cut.]
Second, I compiled this list to promote the gospel. You may say, “I haven’t heard of this book on your list. Is it any good?” And I will reply, “At least 100 people think it so. Why don’t you read it and decide for yourself.”
Ultimately I wrote this list to encourage you to read the books on it. All of the books below will help you grasp the good news of God’s unconditional love and grace. All of them will bless the socks off you.
Five-star grace books (2013)
Without further ado, here is a list of all the five-star grace books available on Amazon as of 31 December 2013 (listed in order of publication date). The links below will take you to my review of each book:
- What’s So Amazing About Grace, by Philip Yancey (Feb 2002)
- The Ragamuffin Gospel, by Brennan Manning (June 2005)
- Destined to Reign, by Joseph Prince (July 2007)
- He Loves Me, by Wayne Jacobsen (Aug 2007)
- The Naked Gospel, by Andrew Farley (Aug 2009)
- Unmerited Favor, by Joseph Prince (Feb 2010)
- The Cure, by Lynch et al. (Dec 2011)
- Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater than We Imagine, by Max Lucado (Sep 2012)
- The Gospel in Ten Words, by Paul Ellis (Sept 2012)
- Jesus Is, by Judah Smith (Feb 2013)
- The Power of Right Believing, by Joseph Prince (Oct 2013)
Escape to Reality 
Hey,
Now, i can stock my GRACE library, thanks.
Have you heard of the Prophet Kobus Van Rensburg? He was an off-da-hook Grace preacher who passed on last week.
I’d like you to check him out if you can! He has a channel on free-to-air satellite ‘The SpiritWord Channel’
Thanks once more, have an awesome 2014.
Paul – thank you so much for your emails, blogposts, books, etc. It has been almost two years since my eyes were opened to Jesus and the message of the gospel of grace…
Hi Cody,
I really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your exciting journey towards grace. I have posted your whole story over on our Grace Stories page where the word limits are less restrictive. Check it out.
I am busy working my way through this list of recommending reading. All good choices it seems. Almost done with “The Power of Right Believing”. When done then to get started on “….20 questions”. Gotta throw in some of Wommacks books for reading however. I really love this message of Grace.
I am stunned and totally gobsmacked to NOT see Grace, The Power to Change by J B Richards on that list. That was the book and he was the preacher who started it all, back in the late 1980s. How quickly they forget.
As a son of the CEO of the universe, I would like to congratulate you on this achievement. Thank you for helping to spread the good news of His grace and love! 🙂
Thanks LJP! Happy New Year to you. And thanks for being one of E2R’s top 5 commenters in 2013. Keep ’em coming!
Cool, thanks! It’s always a pleasure to gain new insights from your posts and all of the great comments that come in. Happy New Year to you and your family as well.
wow, congrats paul!
thanks for letting Jesus do His stuff through your stuff! 🙂
and thanks for the new list… the growth of my grace library has been greatly influenced by your many book reviews and recommendations… and authoring! 🙂
happy new year to you and your family!
Hi Paul, I have benefitted immensely from your “10 Words” and this blog! As a believer who has spent a significant time in both the Arminian and Calvinist camps I am thrilled to see this convergence of grace going on. It seems that it is bringing unity to the Body as both continue to boldly embrace the incredible Gospel of freedom!
I just read Tullian Tchividjian’s (Billy Graham’s Presbyterian grandson!) 2013 book called “One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World.” I thought what a wonderful way to express God’s unconditional love as “One way love”!! It has an endorsement on the front by Max Lucado. After being enlightened (by you) I disagree now with the “sin nature” focus of chapter 4 but Tullian makes some absolutely breath-taking statements about grace (and he is getting ALOT of flak for it, btw…which the Scriptures reveal is a good sign!)
Thanks Kate, for your feedback. As it happens, I have just written a review for One Way Love and plan to upload it in a few weeks. I felt about it as you do – it’s excellent on the love of God but a little confusing when it says we are 100% righteous and 100% sinful. That said, I would not hesitate to add the book to the list above once it reaches 100 5-star reviews because the confusing bits are few while the call to rest in Christ’s finished work is clear and unequivocal. Would you agree?
Absolutely, we must endorse the truth coming from these theologians! I praise God that there are more and more strong voices proclaiming God’s grace/unconditional love.
I am curious about the above list. I have read maybe half of the titles you mention. Which ones are clear about the new nature of the believer (besides you and Prince)?
(I look forward to reading your review of Tchivijian’s book!)
If you’re looking for a book on our identity in Christ, I would recommend a book that in’t (yet) on this list: God’s Astounding Opinion of You, by Ralph Harris. It’s excellent.
I appreciate the book tip…I just downloaded it on my kindle. Looks like a great book and timely to read right now. Thanks!
Have you thought of Tim Keller’s “The Prodigal God”? He’s been Tchividjian’s mentor over the years. His book has 350+ five star reviews.
No, I hadn’t heard of that one. If a few others recommend it here, I’ll definitely check it out.
Hi!
The book by Jeremy White ” The Gospel Uncut: Learning to rest in the grace of God” is superb!! Explains a lot of things in Scripture too. Helped me as much or more as all the other high rated Gospel books on grace and God’s love. which I love too.
Also the book by Dan Stone : “The rest of the Gospel when the partial Gospel has left you worn out.” Not done reading it yet but very blessed and encouraged by it so far.
SOO happy these kinds of books are coming out more now, or in the last few years.
Had been, still a little afraid to read the bible except for Daily Light on your daily path because of a lot of verses that would put me in shock. I tend to take things literal right away.
I have both your books Paul and have been reading up on your website on Scriptures etc.. and they have helped me a lot!! Along with the books I just mentioned.
God bless!!
Rosa.
Hi Rosa, I’m so glad you have benefited from Jeremy’s good book.
Thank you , and then I emailed him and asked if he could recommend any other good books to read and besides Andrew Farley’s books and Andrew Nelson’s( I haven’t read them yet) he mentioned yours. GITW. So glad he did. Your book is also on Ralph Harris recommended reading list. That’s how I found out about your website. And after reading some of it got the book and now also GITQ which I’ve just started.
Thanks again.
I just finished The Shack and it seriously changed my life. I always thought it was odd seing you, Paul, and others refer to God as Abba or Daddy or Papa. It didn’t feel respectful enough for who I thought God was. But now, I really feel like Papa is the best word ever to describe Him! I never got that personal feeling before, and this really opened my eyes. I also loved the way it showed the trinity, I understand how they are one and the same now more than ever! I get that it is fictional and therefore probably doesn’t make this list because of that, but I definitely recommend it to anyone new to grace who is having trouble seeing God in this new light :]
Joy, go with your Holy Spirit-given intuition. The Shack struck a chord among millions even if the writing wasn’t par with certain standards out there. It was because of its core message. What you learned about our Papa God is worth everything and don’t let a critic take a grain of that away from you. The truth of your Abba Father resonates with you because it reflects, and yet is infinitely deeper than, the love you have for your own children/family. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about The Shack–you are right, it dispels the 2 lies that fuel all religion: distance and delay.
Regarding the revelation of the Trinitarian life of God, again you were spot on how important and vital that is! Yes, it makes Him personal. Also it reflects the theology of the early church notably one named Athanasius who wrote the Nicene Creed. Someone named Dr. C. Baxter Kruger wrote a book in 2012: “The Shack Revisited: There Is More Going On Here Than You Ever Dared to Dream” that expounds on the deep and profound theology found in The Shack.
So glad you were blessed by this book.
I’m sorry to take issue! I think that ‘The Shack’ is a horrible mess and as such an embarrassment to the wider Christian community.
Actually, I’ve never read a Christian novel that is in any way of some literary quality, which is a crying shame given that good writing could be a great vehicle to spread the gospel. (Exceptions: ‘Quo Vadis?’ or maybe ‘The Cardinal’, which is primarily cheesy so probably wouldn’t make the list anyway … ;-)).
Also, surprised that Philip Yancey tops the list. I love his books but I don’t think he’s a grace writer. For example, in his book on prayer there is a whole chapter dedicated to why God doesn’t want everybody healed and how illness can be a blessing. For me this is no minor quibble – if God isn’t all good and all gracious, this taints the message.
‘Destined to Reign’ – now we’re talking. Shame about the off-putting self-helpy cover and title – it’s the most solid, convincing theology I’ve ever read, very easily in a league with Martin Luther.
A book that helped clarify and solidify my understanding of grace is Clark Whitten’s, Pure Grace. Looking forward to diving into a few on your list. Blessings in 2014!
I’ve just finished reading Pure Grace and will post a review probably next month or so. I agree – it’s a good read!
paul….i love you!!! God bless you
Have you read Paul White book Between the Pieces? It’s pretty good.
I haven’t, not. In fact, I hadn’t heard Paul White had released another book. I have read Revelation to Transformation and enjoyed that very much. Thanks for letting me know.
Anybody read Jerry Bridges, Transforming Grace? I haven’t read it just wondering. My friend wants to read it and talk about it together.
I have read Transforming Grace .
Picked it up at the thriftstore once. One of my very first total grace teachings. A gift from God it really was.
Me too! One of my first read books on amazing wonderful grace!
Hi all..
Paul, thank you so much for your blog and book recommendations.. I love all of them..
Well, i have to agree with Heike about Yancey but like JP said, don’t throw the baby with the bath water.. There are truths in his writings also.. 😉
I would like to recommend a book, it’s not openly talking bout grace but of love..
Love Does by Bob Goff.. It doesn’t talk bout grace but the love showed, now that’s the heart of God himself..
Correct me if i am wrong..
Oh yes, and Paul your blog was a Godsend when i was in Cemetery, sorry Seminary.. hehe..
What about Grace Walk Steve McVey
Grace Walk is on the official list, just not the original list above (which was compiled in 2013, before it had met the threshold). The official list is bigger than the one you see above.
Hi Paul, Thanks for compiling this list. It sure is useful to me. For a long time I never saw the Old Testament as a grace book, I could only think of the New Testament as God’s grace book. But praise God after He opened my spiritual eyes, I fell deeper in love with His amazing grace visible all through the Old Testament. What an amazing God we have who is so madly in love with us!
Hi Paul, not sure if you’re keeping up on this list; if so, Andrew Wommack’s “Grace: The Power of the Gospel” now has over 200 five-star reviews. Soooo good! Also, his book entitled “The True Nature of God” may qualify as a grace book. It’s incredibly impactful and has almost 500 five-star reviews. Thanks Paul!
To be honest, I’d just about forgotten this page existed. I don’t think I have updated it even once. It was one of those ideas that died on the vine. When I first started reviewing grace books, there weren’t very many. Now there are hundreds, which is great. But these days I don’t have time to read half of the books that get sent to me.
No worries Paul! I love Andrew Wommack so I just noticed the change. What a good problem to have, so many grace books. Thank the Lord!