Australian Christian Book of the Year

2018 Australian Christian Book of the Year

The Bible in Australia: A Cultural History by Meredith Lake is the 2018 Australian Christian Book of the Year

Meredith Lake gives an arresting and comprehensive account of how preachers, suffragists, unionists, politicians, writers, painters, musicians, immigrants and Indigenous peoples have used the Bible to shape Australian history and culture. Scripture arrived tattooed on the bodies of convicts aboard the First Fleet and, in the hands of Indigenous Christians, has nourished movements for justice, for land rights, and for recognition and reconciliation. Lake shows that Australia has been neither a secular society nor a Christian nation. At every level the Bible has been held to be everything from a resented imposition to the word of God. However, even while Bible reading and biblical literacy decline, the Bible is an indelible part of our story. This is a history of national importance and an insight into Australian culture.

The Bible in Australia: A Cultural History
Meredith Lake
NewSouth Publishing
ISBN 9781742235714

Shortlisted

A Doubter’s Guide to Jesus: An Introduction to the Man from Nazareth for Believers and Skeptics

John Dickson

Zondervan

ISBN 9780310328612

Shortlisted

Jesus the Game Changer: How the Life and Teaching of Jesus Changed the World and Why it Matters

Karl Faase with George Marriott & Jane Faase

Olive Tree Media

ISBN 9780994543424

Shortlisted

Known by God: A Biblical Theology of Personal Identity

Brian S. Rosner

Zondervan

ISBN 9780310499824

Shortlisted

Martin Luther: A Wild Boar in the Lord’s Vineyard

Mark Worthing

Morning Star Publishing

ISBN 9780648030539

Shortlisted

Mr Eternity: The Story of Arthur Stace

Roy Williams & Elizabeth Meyers

Acorn Press

ISBN 9780994616654

Shortlisted

Pathways: Local Mission for All Kinds of Churches

Ken Morgan

Pathways 4 Mission

ISBN 9780648105008

Shortlisted

The Glue: Relationship as the Connection for Effective Youth Ministry

Mike Stevens

Urban Zeal

ISBN 9781640082151

Shortlisted

The Bidura Effect

E. P. George

Ark House Press

ISBN 9780648173489

Shortlisted

The Frog and the Fish: Reflections on Work, Sex, Technology, Stuff, Truth and Happiness

Chris Parker

National Institute for Christian Education

ISBN 9780648064329

2017 Australian Christian Book of the Year

Our Mob, God’s Story:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists Share Their Faith

Edited by Louise Sherman and Christobel Mattingley

Bible Society Australia

ISBN 9780647519585

Sixty-six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from the city and the bush tell the story of the wonderful things God has done for their people. They paint in a dazzling variety of styles and write with uncommon wisdom and generosity. These artists share their vision of Jesus in order to bring us together as brothers and sisters. This inspiring book demonstrates what the recent census recorded: that Christian faith is more evident and alive in indigenous communities than in the dominant settler society. It is time for quiet appreciation and deep listening. Beautiful, confident and irresistible.

Award criteria

The Australian Christian Book of the Year Award is given annually to an original book written by an Australian citizen. The award recognises and encourages excellence in Australian Christian writing. The ACBOY Award carries a prize of $3,000 for the author, and a framed certificate for the author and publisher. Entries are judged with an eye to the:
Original nature of the work.
Literary style, including suitability for the target audience.
Design, layout, cover, text and illustrations.
Contribution that the book makes in meeting a need for Christian writing in the Australian situation and in the Australian market.
Entries are read and judged by a panel selected by the SparkLit Council.

Entry form and conditions

Download entry here

Awards results

2017 Australian Christian Book of the Year
Winner. Our Mob, God’s Story edited by Louise Sherman and Christobel Mattingley (Bible Society Australia)
Open 2017 awards results and judge’s comments.

2016 Australian Christian Book of the Year
Winner. Child Arise! The Courage to Stand by Jane Dowling (David Lovell Publishing)
Open 2016 awards results and judge’s comments.

2015 Australian Christian Book of the Year
Winner. Captains of the Soul by Michael Gladwin (Big Sky Publishing)
Open 2015 awards results and judge’s comments.

2014 Australian Christian Book of the Year
Winner. The Great Bible Swindle by Greg Clarke (Bible Society Australia)
2nd Prize. In God They Trust? by Roy Williams (Bible Society Australia)
3rd Prize. C. S. Lewis and the Body in the Basement by Kel Richards (Strand)
Open 2014 awards results and judge’s comments.

2013 Australian Christian Book of the Year

Winner. Forged with Flames by Ann Fogarty (Wild dingo Press)
2nd Prize. Driven by Purpose by Stephen Judd, Anne Robinson & Felicity Errington (Hammond Press)
3rd Prize. A Faith to Live By by Roland Ashby (Mosaic Press)
Open 2013 awards results and judge’s comments.

2012 Australian Christian Book of the Year
Winner. Gumbuli of Ngukurr: Aboriginal elder in Arnhem Land by Murray Seiffert (Acorn Press)
2nd Prize. A Short History of Christianity by Geoffrey Blainey (Viking-Penguin)
3rd Prize. Love, Tears and Autism: An Australian Mother’s Journey from Heartbreak to Hope by Cecily Paterson (Ark House)
Open 2012 awards results and judge’s comments.

2011 Australian Christian Book of the Year
Winner. Economics for Life by Ian Harper (Acorn Press)
2nd Prize. Christianity Alongside Islam by John Wilson (Acorn Press)
3rd Prize. Judgment Day: The struggle for life on earth by Paul Collins (UNSW Press)
Open 2011 awards results and judge’s comments.

2010 Australian Christian Book of the Year
Winner. Losing My Religion by Tom Frame (UNSW Press)
2nd Prize. The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne (Matthias Media)
3rd Prize. Desolate Beauty by Trudy Adams (Ark House Press)
Open 2010 awards results and judge’s comments.

2009 Australian Christian Book of the Year
Winner. No Ordinary View by Naomi Reed (Ark House Press)
Joint 2nd Prize. Catherine’s Gift: Inside the World of Dr Catherine Hamlin by John Little (Pan Macmillan)
Joint 2nd Prize. Leadership on the Front Foot by Zachary Veron (Youthworks)
Joint 2nd Prize. Preach or Perish: Reaching the Hearts and Minds of the World Today by Donald Howard (Donald and Nan Howard)
Open 2009 awards results and judge’s comments.

Australian Christian Book of the Year Award Judges

Akos Balogh is CEO of The Gospel Coalition Australia. Akos holds degrees in arts, engineering and theology. After five years in the RAAF he served with AFES at Southern Cross University. Akos and his wife Sarah live in Lismore, NSW, with their three children. He is an elder at Southern Cross Presbyterian Church and relishes time with family, blogging and cycling.
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Judith Nichols is married to Tony. They have four children and fourteen grandchildren. She has a doctorate in classics and ancient history and qualifications in theology, missiology, education and linguistics. Judith and Tony have ministered together in Indonesia, with Indigenous Australians at Nungalinya College and trained missionary candidates. She coordinates women’s ministry at Dalkeith Anglican Church, Perth.

Bill Brown has been on the staff of Syndal Baptist Church for over forty years, initially as youth pastor and since 1987 as senior pastor. He has been president of the Baptist Union of Victoria and is currently chair of Australian Baptist Ministries and serves on the board of the Christian Coaching Institute. Bill is married to Julia and has four adult children and eight grandchildren. He enjoys cricket, football, gardening and time with family and friends.

Australian Christian Book of the Year

Young Australian Christian Writer Award

Australian Christian Teen Writer Award