The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced this evening the six category winners of the 2008 Christian Book Awards and the “Christian Book of the Year” during the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS).
For the first time in the award program’s 30-year history, a Bible and an audio product has won the “Christian Book of the Year” honor: The Word of PromiseTM New Testament Audio Bible (Thomas Nelson) features the talents of actors such as Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ”), Academy Award winners Lou Gossett, Jr., and Marisa Tomei, in a scripted dramatization of the New King James Version (NKJV) of the New Testament.
This was the first year the ECPA Recognition Committee included media presentations of the Bible in the Christian Book Award program. The “Christian Book of the Year” is chosen from the 32 Christian Book Award finalists, across six categories, using both independent judging criteria (measuring overall excellence) and sales data (reflecting consumer impact).
Presented annually to the best in Christian publishing since 1978, The Six Category Winners for the 2008 Christian Book Awards are:
Bibles
Discover God Study Bible
Tyndale House Publishers, 9780842369183
Bible Reference & Study
An Old Testament Theology by Bruce K. Waltke
Zondervan, 9780310218975
Children & Youth
Teen Virtue: Confidential by Vicki Courtney
B&H Publishing, 9780805441925
Christian Life
When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box
by John Ortberg, Zondervan, 9780310253501
Fiction
In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764201677
Inspiration & Gift
Step into the Bible by Ruth Graham
Zondervan, 9780310714101
The Christian Book Awards, established in 1978 as the Gold Medallion Book Awards, recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian books. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design and significance of contribution. They are the oldest and among the most prestigious in the religious publishing industry.
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization, comprised of nearly 250 member companies worldwide, representing a combined revenue of nearly $2 billion and was founded in 1974.
