Even if you haven’t read it, it is doubtful that you haven’t heard about it. Though published fully a decade ago the massive popularity of Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling only continues to climb. In its first three years, the book sold a respectable 60, 000 copies. By 2010 it had sold its first million, but in the last four years that number has multiplied exponentially, putting the current sales figure at around 10 million.
Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling has also spawned a several spin-offs, including Jesus Today and two children’s titles, Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids and Jesus Calling Storybook Bible. And the trend does not show any signs of slowing up. On Amazon’s webpage for the book it is listed as #1 for “Worship and Devotion” and “Christian Living” and currently has over 5,500 five star reviews (July, 2014).
To say the least, Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling is quite the publishing phenomenon, and even if you have not read it yourself it is very likely that many of your fellow church members have or other Christian friends have.
Today Michael John Plato, our Review Editor for Culture and Contemporary Religion, reviews this publishing phenomenon for Books At a Glance members. After placing the book in its contemporary philosophical and theological context and telling us a little about the author herself, Plato surveys and analyzes the substance of Young’s bestseller, providing insightful observations, along with a helpful list of quotations from the book, and a final assessment.
The Books At a Glance “Culture and Contemporary Religion” summaries and reviews are designed to keep you informed and up to date regarding trends and ideas that touch today’s evangelical church – for good or for ill. Check out this important review here!