Best Christian Biographies

We are back with another Sunday Reading with a list of our favorite or best Christian biographies.

If you are new, Sunday Reading is where we feature a Christian or theology book. Featuring them on Sundays allows us to share the Christian books that some of our readers enjoy.

Instead of just sharing one book for this week’s Sunday Reading, we are sharing some of the Best Christian biographies and autobiographies.

Creating a best-of list, especially one like the best Christian biographies, is always a challenge. What one person considers the best is different from what another person finds it to be.

I debated what to call this list, but the best Christian biographies seemed like the best fit because our family considers them the best.

Our family varies in its list of best or favorite Christian biographies. What makes one person’s list might not make another. So, this is the list our family came up with between all of us.

That means that these are not just random biographies. This list of Christian biographies includes all books that we have read and can recommend.

Many of these books are considered Christian classics. A few of them are lesser-known books that our family has enjoyed.

This list is far from complete. There are so many great Christian biographies that we still have to read. When we find more great ones, we will share them with you!

Why Read Christian Biographies

A good Christian biography combines history, theology, and adventure into an inspiring story that is hard to put down.

Biographies transport you to a time and place that you wouldn’t be able to visit otherwise. They take you around the world and throughout the centuries.

They show the hand of God at work, both in good times and challenging times. They encourage us to keep running the race. They help guide us and set the example for what the Christian life should and shouldn’t look like.

They inspire us to live our lives for Christ even when the odds seem overwhelmingly against us. They have the power to make us grateful and to remind us of the power of prayer.

Christian biographies share examples of how Christ can use one life to change many.

Christian biographies had a significant impact on me during my teen years, and they are still one of my favorite things to read. I hope you find one or two to add to your to-be-read list!

You don’t have to agree with everything in a book to enjoy it

Some might consider a couple of books on this list controversial. But you do not have to agree with everything in a book or everything the author does to enjoy a book.

Books teach us things. Reading about the lives of other Christians helps us live our Christian lives better.

Learning helps us know how to live and how not to live. We can learn from others by learning from their mistakes.

Learning what others believe, even if we disagree with them, helps us consider what we really believe and don’t believe.

Where to buy Christian biographies

Most of these books are available at Amazon, Christian Books, or Thrift Books. 10 of Those is also a great place to buy books, especially if you purchase multiple copies of a book.

Christian Biographies

This list contains over twenty-five books. All of them have been read by my husband, daughter, or myself. This isn’t a list of random books. These are books that we truly read and enjoyed.

Some of these older books may be harder to find, but they are well worth reading if you can find them.

I titled this Best Christian Biographies, but a couple of autobiographies are also on the list.

Christian Biographies

Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas

My husband and I have both read and enjoyed Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas.

It is a book about the man who probably did more to end the slave trade than anyone else who ever lived. It shows what and who influenced him to fight the evils of slavery, including many well-known figures.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

I read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom as a teenager and again as an adult. It is one of my favorites.

This book is a book about WWII, but also about so much more. In The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom shares her story of enduring unimaginable stuffing and unbelievable forgiveness. This one is a well-loved classic.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Several people in our family have read and loved Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

The story of Louis Zamperini is a powerful story of survival, strength, and forgiveness. This is one of my all-time favorite books and one I have recommended over and over again.

John G. Patton

This autobiography, John G. Patton, is a classic missionary biography. It was first published in 1891 and was updated in 1965.

My husband read it a few years ago and loved it. The copy he read was borrowed from a friend, so I recently bought a copy so that I can read it too.

George Whitfield

The book George Whitfield by Dallimore is a classic Christian biography. It is on all kinds of Christian biography lists; however, it can also be hard to find.

I read it years ago and enjoyed it. Dallimore’s writing style is thorough yet not dry.

Spurgeon by Arnold A. Dallimore

Dallimore also does an excellent job of capturing the life of Spurgeon in this book, which is under 300 pages.

If you are not familiar with C.H. Spurgeon or if you have never read about his life, Spurgeon by Dallimimore is a great place to start.

Susie by Ray Rhodes

There have been many books written on the life and works of C.H. Spurgeon, but very little has been written about his wife, Susannah Spurgeon. Few people are familiar with her besides what is written in books about her famous husband.

I have read several books about Susannah Spurgeon, but Susie by Ray Rhodes is my favorite.

Jungle Pilot by Russell T. Hitt

This is a story of abandoning your life for the work of Christ. It is an inspirational story that you won’t forget.

If you have read about Jim and Elisabeth Elliot but do not know much about Nate Saint, I highly recommend Jungle Pilot: The Story of Nate Saint by Russell T. Hitt.

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose

Evidence Not Seen is one of our family’s favorite Christian biographies. I read it years ago and made it required reading while homeschooling my girls.

It is the true story of a young American missionary woman in the jungles of New Guinea during WW2. It shares her story of courage, survival, and faith during her four years in a notorious Japanese prison camp.

To the Golden Shore by Courtney Anderson

My husband and I both read To the Golden Shore years ago and loved it.

It is the story of Ann and Adoniram Judson, who were the first missionaries to leave America to minister in a foreign country. Their years in India and Burma were filled with hardships, but they continued to live a life dedicated to Christ.

Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot

I read Through the Gates of Splendor as a teenager, and it had a significant impact on me. It is the story of five missionaries who were killed by the Auca Indians in Ecuador while trying to spread the gospel to those who had never heard it.

It is a story of risk-taking and sacrifice while living for Christ. The story of these five missionaries encouraged others to do the same.

A Chance To Die by Elisabeth Elliot

A Chance To Die is the story of Amy Carmichael. Amy Carmichael had some odd, very old-fashioned beliefs, but there is no question that she lived a life in service to Christ. She sacrificed her life to save women and children in India. She lived a life for Christ, sacrificing her comfort for the good of others.

I read this book years ago and reread it a few years ago. Both times, I was reminded of how much people like Amy give up in living their lives for Christ.

Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxes

My husband and I read and loved Bonhoeffer years ago and loved it. Since then, there has been a lot of controversy about both Bonhoeffer and Eric Metaxas. I have read and watched online book reviews trash this book.

I’m afraid I have to disagree with their take on this book because I am fine reading a book I disagree with. I don’t agree with everything Bonhoeffer or Eric Metaxas believed, but I can learn a lot from how Bonhoeffer lived and sacrificed during WWII. This book covers part of the war that not many books cover.

He was part of a plot to kill Hitler, spent time in prison, and ultimately died because of his stand against Hitler. I might not agree with everything Bonhoeffer believed, but I can admire and learn from his courage to stand for what was right and wrong during WWII.

Is this a book that everyone will agree with? Probably not. But there is much to learn from Bonhoeffer’s courage and strength to stand for good in the midst of evil, and that is why it continues to be one of my favorite Christian biographies.

Missing Believed Killed by Margaret Hayes

I read Missing Believed Killed years ago and it was one of the books that I made my girls read in high school. It is an amazing story of living for Christ during incredibly difficult circumstances.

I think this was a well-known story years ago when it happened, but I think it is a story that many Christians today know nothing about. If you enjoy Christian biographies this is a great one. It is a tough read, but a great book for glorifying Christ.

Elizabeth Prentiss by Sharon James

Elizabeth Prentiss is the author of Stepping Heavenward, the hymn More Love to Thee, and many other books, poems, and hymns. 

This biography was a recent read for me, and I really enjoyed it. I read Stepping Heavenward years ago, and it might be time for a reread.

Elizabeth Prentiss did not have an easy life. She was a pastor’s wife who lived in the 1800s. Both she and her husband had health issues, and she lost several children at very young ages. Learning about her life helped me understand and appreciate her writing and hymns even more.

Sarah Edwards by Sharon James

Much has been written about Jonathan Edwards, but not as much has been written about his wife Sarah.

This was a quick read. It is not the most in-depth biography, but I enjoyed it. If you are looking for a shorter biography or want to learn more about Sarah Edwards’s life, this is a good one to pick up.

Seeking Allah Finding Jesus by Nabel Qureshi

Seeking Allah Finding Jesus is a book almost everyone in my family has read but me. It has been on my to-read list for a long time and I need to move it to the top of my list.

My oldest daughter read this a few years ago, loved it, and has recommended it to quite a few people. This book is considered by many people to be a modern must read.

William Grimshaw of Haworth

I read William Grimshaw of Haworth years ago and enjoyed it. I love Faith Cook’s writing style. Her Christian biographies are some of my favorites. Some of her books, especially her older ones, can be hard to find, but if you can find a used copy they are well worth it.

William Grimshaw is a little known person today, but John Wesley considered him a man that could make a nation tremble.

The Nine Day Queen of England by Faith Cook

I have seen quite a few modern books about Lady Jane Grey. If you want a more accurate account of her, The Nine Day Queen of England by Faith Cook is a great read.

Faith Cook does an excellent job of not only sharing the story of Lady Jane but also sharing the time period she lived in. Skip the modern fictitious versions and read this nonfiction one.

Selina Countess of Huntingdon by Faith Cook

Faith Cook’s Selina Countess of Huntingdon is another book I read years ago and loved. This is another historic person about whom quite a few modern authors have written, but very few have given an accurate Christian view.

Selina used her position and influence for good. She realized that the place and circumstances God put her in allowed her to sever Him in a way few could.

Eric Liddell Pure Gold by David McCasland

Eric Liddell Pure Gold by David McCasland is one of Gracelyn’s favorites. It is an encouraging book about Eric Liddell’s story of faith and running.

It is well written and covers everything from his running to his missionary work.

Anne Bradstreet by Faith Cook

Anne Bradstreet by Faith Cook is a book about the well-known Christian poet Anne Bradstreet. And yes, it’s another book by Faith Cook. I really do wish more people would discover her writing.

This book covers the life of the poet Anne Bradstreet. It can be really hard to find a used copy, but it is worth reading if you do. I think it was recently rereleased as well.

Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot

Shadow of the Almighty is Jim Elliot’s story, one that generations have learned about. He was a missionary to Ecuador and gave his life for Christ when he was killed by natives. His widow, Elisabeth, wrote this book.

Jim Elliot lived his life for Christ. This is a book many Christians my age have probably read, but I am not sure the younger generation knows much about Jim and Elisabeth’s life and work.

Even if you do not agree with everything they believed or did, their story is an inspiring story of living and sacrificing for Christ.

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn

I read this book shortly after it came out and enjoyed it.

As you can tell by the number of books by Elisabeth Elliot on this list, I enjoy her writing. But Becoming Elisabeth Elliot is the only book about Elisabeth that I have read that was written by someone else. You can tell that the author did much research for this book. She shares part of Elisabeth’s story that I don’t think Elisabeth could share.

Many Christians hold Elisabeth Elliot up as a hero; in many ways, she was, but she was also human. Ellen Vaughn does a great job sharing how Elisabeth Elliot lived for Christ, but she also shares her struggles and pain. I think this book will help introduce Elisabeth Elliot to a new generation of Christians.

Being Elisabeth Elliot by Ellan Vaughn

This is Ellen Vaughn’s second book about Elisabeth Elliot. It is about her life after she came back to the U.S., her life as a mom and writer, and many details about her second and third marriages.

Becoming and Being Elisabeth Elliot are authorized biographies. I have read Elisabeth Elliot by Lucy S. R. Austen, but if I had to pick which one to read, I would recommend the two volumes by Ellen Vaughn.

Ellen Vaugn had access to Elisabeth Elliot’s journals, which are not available to others. Even Lucy S. R. Austen admits that the lack of access to these journals limited what she could write.

What Christian biographies and autobiographies are your favorites? Do you have a favorite that is not on our list?