Christianity Today (CT) magazine has named its 2015 Book Awards, recognizing Teach Us to Want: Longing, Ambition & the Life of Faith by Jen Pollock Michel (IVP Crescendo/InterVarsity Press) as the 2015 Book of the Year and the top Christian Living title. In addition, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. received three CT Book Awards, more than any other publisher.

Winners of Christianity Today’s 2015 Book Awards are titles that judges of each category have deemed “the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought and culture.”

“I’m thrilled—and of course surprised,” Michel said. “The process of writing Teach Us to Want formed me spiritually, and I’m hopeful it will do the same for readers. I’ve begun believing the gospel is big enough for the complexity of human desire—and that God is good enough for the contradictions of the human heart. For me, that’s been terrific news.”

Courtney Ressig, Her.meneutics writer and a judge for the Christian Living category, commended Michel’s book.

“Most of us have wanted something at some point in life,” Ressig said. “Some of us live with a deep void in our souls that never seems to be filled. How do we live with such desires? How do we respond to the emotions brought on by longing and wanting? With raw honesty and a scriptural foundation, Michel shows that our desires have a place in the journey of faith.”

“I am delighted with this significant recognition of these outstanding IVP books with a special shout-out to Jen Pollock Michel for receiving the Book of the Year award!” said Bob Fryling, IVP publisher. “One of my great joys as a publisher is to be able to read and personally benefit from so many of the books we publish—and these award-winning books are no exception. In an age of superficiality, these books are written by authors with deep convictions and experiences of living the Christian life with biblical and spiritual integrity. They write with insight, humility and an ability to stir up faith and good works. I celebrate their achievements in these awards, and I am grateful for their partnership with IVP.”

Eerdmans authors were honored with three CT Book Awards for The Gospel of the Lord: How the Early Church Wrote the Story of Jesus by Michael F. Bird; How (Not) to Be Secular: Reading Charles Taylor by James K.A. Smith; and What’s in a Phrase? Pausing Where Scripture Gives You Pause by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre.

“We felt we had some strong candidates this past year for the CT book awards, but we were truly delighted to have three winners!” said Anita Eerdmans, president and publisher of the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company. “The CT awards are a big help in boosting a book’s visibility in the marketplace, so we are honored and gratified with the result.”

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