Beltway Books: What Christians read

1997's top-selling Christian books, plus dog of the year | Roy Maynard

Max Lucado's book The Great House of God will likely end the year as the top-selling Christian book of 1997 (though the Christian Booksellers Association won't release final figures until early 1998). And it's fine as a devotional book, with solid theology and sound conclusions. But it neither attempts nor achieves anything outstanding.

The Great House of God is essentially an extended topical sermon, combining anecdotes with Scripture verses to make an extended metaphor, using the image of a house to portray God's providence. "When your car is stuck in traffic, you can step into the chapel. When the gust of temptation unbalances your stride, step behind the wall of his strength. When the employees belittle you, take a seat in the porch swing next to your Father; he'll comfort you. Remember, this is no house of stone. You won't find it on a map. You won't find it described in a realtor journal. But you will find it in your Bible."