A Christian novelist doesn't necessarily have to write books solely about Christianity. The authors featured below, after all, have a wide-ranging subject matter from fantasy to mystery and apocalyptic fiction to supernatural suspense. But all believe or have believed heartily in their faith.
Here are 10 of the most famous Christian novelists.
1. G.K. Chesterton
As Relevant magazine wrote, "he argued for Christian morality in unexpected ways." This is what
Chesterton wrote in 1904: "The Christian, I repeat, puts the mystery into his philosophy. That mystery by its darkness enlightens all things."
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2. C.S. Lewis
Perhaps the most famous Christian novelist in history, Lewis, best known for his "Chronicles of Narnia" series, was deeply affected as a young boy by the death of his mother and,
for a time, became an atheist. He believed that experience allowed him to "remember what Christianity looks like from the outside."
Lewis also authored what many considered the greatest allegory on the spiritual warfare and the Christian struggle in "The Screwtape Letters."
3. J.R.R. Tolkien
A good friend of C.S. Lewis (and a major influence why Lewis converted) and author of the much beloved "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy,
he described his fantasy series as "a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision."
4. Flannery O'Connor
That her short stories are more well known than her two novels does not diminish the fact that O'Connor is considered one of the finest American storytellers. O'Connor was master at turning a dark mirror onto human nature for comedic effect. Her work is considered a must-read for serious students of literature, whether Christian or not.
5. Marilynne Robinson
Although this critically-acclaimed novelist would likely bristle at being placed in such a narrow category,
according to an interview with The Paris Review, her Christian faith is apparent in her novels. Robinson's books are highly regarded and have been recepients and nominees for many prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, which she won for her second novel, "Gilead."
6. Jerry B. Jenkins
Best known for his "Left Behind" apocalyptic fiction series he co-wrote with Pastor Tim LaHaye, he's written nearly 180 works of fiction, including series for adults and children and nine standalone novels.
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7. Dorothy L. Sayers
Known primarily as a mystery writer, she became a Christian apologist after having a secret child out of wedlock in the 1930s,
according to Christianity Today.
8. Frank Peretti
He's authored 21 books, amounting to 15 million copies in print. Much of his work focuses on the supernatural and arguably could be considered Christian fiction's first contemporary horror novelist.
9. Jan Karon
When asked about the force behind New York Times best-selling "Mitford" series,
Karon told Beliefnet, "God. On my own, I would never have considered writing about a balding, pudgy, 60-something cleric!"
10. Catherine Marshall
A testament to Marshall's impact on Christian novelists,
Christian publishers hand out Christy awards, which are named after Marshall's famous novel of the same name, to those in the industry that are "honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction" in their work.
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