Lifeway wins numerous awards for best books in 2023

It’s the time of year when organizations present their annual book awards. In early December, the publishing arm of Lifeway Christian Resources, B&H Publishing, received more than two dozen awards and acknowledgments from Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Southwestern Journal of Theology, World Books of the Year and the Top Shelf Book Awards.

“I’m so proud of B&H Publishing’s authors and publishing professionals,” said Devin Maddox, director of B&H books. “Year after year, their work is recognized as being among the top Christian publishers in the world. It’s exciting to see the way God continues to use Christian books in His work to disciple His church.”

Theology Titles Triumph

Theology books made up the bulk of this year’s awards for B&H Publishing. Christianity Today recognized three of the publisher’s titles in the categories of popular theology (“Hope for God’s Creation” by Andrew J. Spencer; “God, Gift, and Guide” by Gregg Allison) and academic theology (“The Trinity and Canon” by Brandon D. Smith).

Meanwhile, The Gospel Coalition presented two awards of distinction in theology categories for the books “To Be a Woman” by Katie J. McCoy and “You Are a Theologian” by Jen Wilkin and J.T. English. Smith’s book on the Trinity also won The Gospel Coalition’s academic theology award, while Southwestern Journal of Theology recognized five B&H Academic titles in their annual awards.

“Winning a book award is always a thrill for an author, and it’s equally exciting for those of us who work on acquiring, editing and marketing the book,” said Madison Trammel, associate director of publishing. “We’re so grateful to our award-winning authors this year for entrusting their wonderful works to us. Academic books rarely make bestseller lists, so book awards are one of the best opportunities to spotlight quality new releases.”

Going into an election year, many Christians may be considering how their faith plays into the public square. On that note, B&H received several awards for books that examine politics from a Christian perspective.

“Baptist Political Theology” was recognized as Christianity Today’s winner in the politics and public life category and Southwestern Journal of Theology’s winner in the Baptist studies category. “Political Gospel: Public Witness in a Politically Crazy World” by Patrick Schreiber also won a top shelf book cover award from the Evangelical Christian Press Organization. Top shelf book cover awards identify industry leaders in graphic and artistic design.

Women & Spanish Authors

Ten of B&H Publishing’s female authors were honored as top writers and editors in this year’s awards. Christianity Today recognized Kelly Minter in the Bible and devotional category (“The Blessed Life”), Linda MacKillop in the young adults category (“Hotel Oscar Mike Echo) and Emily Bennett for the missions/global church category (“Before You Go”).

Meanwhile, The Gospel Coalition presented an award of distinction to Amy Baik Lee (“This Homeward Ache”) in the first-time author category and recognized Rebecca McLaughlin in the Bible study and devotional literature category (“Navigating Gospel Truth”).

“There’s nothing that makes us happier than seeing readers love books like we do,” said Mary Wiley, trade books manager. “When respected organizations like The Gospel Coalition and Christianity Today deem those books to be among the best within Christian publishing, we celebrate, not just for great literature, but because books that readers love transform hearts.

“Awards also help readers find great books, and we’re thankful more people will be able to benefit from the words in their pages because of these recognitions,” said Wiley. “We work with some of the most faithful, gifted communicators. I’m thankful God chooses to move through the ministry of books.”

Earlier in the year, Lifeway Christian Resources and B&H Español were named Publisher of the Year by the Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association. This is the fifth time Lifeway—the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles—has been named Spanish Publisher of the Year.

Lifeway also received the award for Bible of the Year for “The Thematic Study Bible” (Biblia Temática de Estudio), edited by Miguel Núñez. “The Thematic Study Bible,” published June 2022, features a collaboration of theologians and pastors from various Spanish-speaking countries.

“We’re extremely grateful to God not only for the privilege of serving Him through a Bible like this but also for this recognition that testifies to a great work,” said Emanuel Elizondo, editor-in-chief. “Our desire is to continue glorifying God through resources of depth and quality.”

A full list of 2023 Lifeway and B&H Publishing awards can be found below.

Christianity Today book awards

• Bible and devotional, award of merit — “The Blessed Life: A 90-Day Devotional Through the Teachings and Miracles of Jesus” by Kelly Minter
• Young adults, finalist — “Hotel Oscar Mike Echo: A Novel” by Linda MacKillop
• Missions/global church, finalist — “Before You Go: Wisdom from Ten Women Who Served Internationally” edited by Emily Bennett
• Politics and public life, winner — “Baptist Political Theology”edited by Thomas S. Kidd, Paul D. Miller and Andrew T. Walker
• Theology (popular), award of merit — “Hope for God’s Creation: Stewardship in an Age of Futility” by Andrew J. Spencer
• Theology (popular), finalist — “God, Gift, and Guide: Knowing the Holy Spirit” by Gregg Allison
• Theology (academic), finalist — “The Trinity in the Canon: A Biblical, Theological, Historical, and Practical Proposal” edited by Brandon D. Smith

The Gospel Coalition book awards

• Academic theology, winner — “The Trinity and the Canon: A Biblical, Theological, Historical, and Practical Proposal” edited by Brandon D. Smith
• Public theology and current events, award of distinction — “To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond” by Katie J. McCoy
• Popular theology, award of distinction — “You Are a Theologian: An Invitation to Know and Love God Well” by Jen Wilkin and J.T. English
• Christian living, award of distinction — “Never Cast Out: How the Gospel Puts an End to the Story of Shame” by Jasmine L. Holmes
• First-time author, award of distinction — “This Homeward Ache: How Our Yearning for the Life to Come Spurs On Our Life Today” by Amy Baik Lee
• Bible study and devotional literature category, award of distinction — “Navigating Gospel Truth: A Guide to Reading Faithfully” by Rebecca McLaughlin

ECPA top shelf book cover awards for design excellence

• Non-fiction, winner, “Political Gospel: Public Witness in a Politically Crazy World” by Patrick Schreiber, (Susan Browne, art director)
• Non-fiction, winner, “Fostered: One Woman’s Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family through Foster Care” by Tori Hope Petersen, (Susan Browne, art director)

WORLD books of the year

• Book of the year, winner, “Being Elisabeth Elliot” by Ellen Vaughn
• Book of the year, honorable mention, “You Are a Theologian: An Invitation to Know and Love God Well” by Jen Wilken and J.T. English

Southwestern Journal of Theology

• Baptist studies, winner — “Baptist Political Theology” edited by Thomas S. Kidd, Paul D. Miller and Andrew T. Walker
• Discipleship/spiritual formation, winner — “Formed in His Image” by Coleman M. Ford
• Christian education, winner — “Faithful Learning” by Jacob Shatzer
• Book of the year, honorable mention — “The Trinity in the Canon: A Biblical, Theological, Historical, and Practical Proposal” edited by Brandon D. Smith
• Theological studies, honorable mention — “A Handbook of Theology” edited by Daniel L. Akin, David S. Dockery and Nathan A. Finn
• Christian education, honorable mention — “Transformational Teaching” by Kenneth S. Coley, Deborah L. MacCullough and Martha E. MacCullough

Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association

• Bible of the year — “The Thematic Study Bible” (Biblia Temática de Estudio), edited by Miguel Núñez
• Book of the year — “A Year in the Psalms” (Un Año en Los Salmos)
• Book of the year — “How Do I Order My Life?” (¿Cómo Ordeno Mi Vida?) by Jeanine Martinez

For the Church Awards

• “Women Leading Well” by Emily Dean
• “Pastoring Small Towns” by Ronnie Martin and Donnie Griggs

–By Aaron Wilson