By: KFA
Classic Christian Books on Easter: Reading the Cross

The Easter season is a time for reflection and committing to the Lord. One of the ways in which we seek to better understand the nature of the cross and Christ’s resurrection is through reading Christian books on Easter that examine the Biblical account and apply it to our lives today. You can find new Easter books each year, but we wanted to share some of our favorites across the decades. When paired with reading the Bible itself, these classic Christian books on Easter will help you and your family to gain a deeper grasp on this complex subject. We all enjoy hunting for eggs or eating a few chocolate candies, but why not use this important holiday for something more?

“3:16” - Max Lucado

We’re not sure that there is a single other author who has written as many books on the death and resurrection of Christ as Max Lucado. Arguably the best of this collection is “3:16,” a book that dissects one of the most popular verses in the Bible, and one that sums up the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross rather succinctly. Some of Lucado’s other books on the subject of Jesus death and resurrection are “He Chose the Nails,” “And the Angels Were Silent,” “Jesus,” and “Six Hours One Friday.”

“The Case for Christ” - Lee Strobel

Another one of today’s most prolific authors is Lee Strobel, the famous journalist-turned-Christian writer. His “The Case for…” series is an important one that examines evidence pertaining to the Bible, the life of Jesus, creation, and more. His most popular work is “The Case for Christ,” which chronicles his personal journey of discovering who Jesus really was. The book became one of 2017’s biggest Christian films, introducing Strobel and his work to a new generation of believers. If you would like a more Easter centered version of the book, Lee Strobel has also written “The Case for Easter.” This book is only about 100 pages and would make a great read for the Easter season.

“The Imitation of Christ” - Thomas A. Kempis

Classic Christian books on Easter aren’t only found within the last century, as we can see from “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas A. Kempis. Written during the 15th century, this book focuses more on the life of Christ in order to teach us how to live similarly today. Since it was written by a monk six hundred years ago, you might think that the wisdom is outdated, but you will find that the lessons you will learn are every bit as applicable today.

“The Women of Easter” - Liz Curtis Higgs

Most of the classic Christian books on Easter focus on Jesus, the disciples, and other men of the Bible, but the women play an important role during these events as well. If you want a slightly different take on the Easter story, change your vantage point to that of women like Mary Magdalene. It’s interesting to dive deeper into these characters whom we only briefly hear from in the Bible and think about Jesus’ impact on their lives. Through this we can also have a better understanding of who Jesus was during His short time on earth.

“The Jesus I Never Knew” - Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey is a wonderful writer who has spent years examining Biblical ideas like grace, prayer, and grief. There are many preconceived notions out there when it comes to who Jesus was and what He valued. Yancey uses this book as an occasion to study the character of Jesus and dissect His interactions and words in order to arrive at a more fleshed out individual. Once we perceive who Christ really is, we can set out to follow Him in a more accurate way.

“Jesus the King” - Timothy Keller

Also released under the title of “King’s Cross,” Timothy Keller’s book is one that tries to look at the life of Jesus in a fresh way (a task that may seem impossible for one who has read most of the titles on this list of classic Christian books on Easter). As you can tell by the title, Keller tackles the role of King Jesus and what that means. When we read the account of Jesus in the gospels, Christ doesn’t exactly ride in on a horse to conquer enemies on a battlefield, so how does the title of “king” fit with the character that we see?

“Mere Christianity” - C.S. Lewis

Among the many contributions made by C.S. Lewis throughout his life is his series of radio broadcasts made during the 1940s. “Mere Christianity” is the culmination of these broadcasts as well as earlier writings by Lewis. Though not specifically about the Easter holiday, this seminal work is an encapsulation of what it means to be a Christian and a basic defense of the faith. As we move on from the holiday season, “Mere Christianity” is a starter’s pack for continuing the Christian journey.

“More Than a Carpenter” - Josh McDowell

Josh McDowell is perhaps best known for his work in the area of apologetics. “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” is one of the most highly regarded books on the subject and has long served as a model for authors seeking to defend Christianity. “More Than a Carpenter” is similar to Lee Strobel’s “The Case for Christ” in that it investigates the man known as Christ in order to battle skeptics and answer questions that believers may have. After 40 years of helping the religious community understand the story of Christ, “More Than a Carpenter is a fitting addition to our list of classic Christian books on Easter.

“The Crucified Life” - A.W. Tozer - Classic Christian Books on Easter

A.W. Tozer was a contemporary of C.S. Lewis who spoke to millions of people throughout his life and continues to make an impact today. His most famous books include “The Pursuit of God” and “Knowledge of the Holy.” The book we’re including on the list of classic Christian books on Easter is “The Crucified Life,” a book which was actually published long after the death of Tozer. In this writing, Tozer’s thoughts on the cross have been compiled to deliver an interesting mandate on what it means to take up your cross and follow Jesus. How important is Jesus’ death and resurrection to the Christian life we live today? Let’ A.W. Tozer walk you through it.

“Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die” - John Piper

For those of us who grew up in the church, the idea of Jesus death and resurrection may be a simple fact of life. For others, however, it may not be fully understood. No matter which side of that equation you stand on, it never hurts to investigate the need for Jesus’ sacrifice. “Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die” by John Piper is one of the classic Christian books on Easter because it not only talks about who Jesus is, but what part we play in His story.

“Jesus The Son of God” - D.A. Carson

Do you ever wonder how Jesus could be related to God or wanted to know more about what this relationship means? Theologian and author D.A. Carson tackles this subject in his short book, “Jesus The Son of God.” Using scripture and the language of the Bible, Carson sets out to help readers gain insight into who Jesus was on a spiritual level. This is valuable information to have both for ourselves and for when we talk about Christ with those around us.

That does it for our list of the classic Christian books on Easter. There is simply an outrageous number of books out there from scholars, pastors, theologians, and other religious figures discussing the importance of Easter and Christ’s defeat of death, but these are certainly among the best.

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