Church Library Online: Christian Fiction e-Books

Christian Fiction Classics Online

Evelyn E. Smith

M.S. in Library Science, University of North Texas (2012)

Ph. D. in English, Texas Christian University (1995)

Readers will enjoy investigating the following Christian classics that are available free-of-charge Online. Beginning in the 19th-century, authors interested in implementing the social gospel have increasingly turned to Christian and biblical themes.  Accordingly, this collection of public domain and open access works should both entertain and instruct the reader.

For Adults:

Cummins, Marie S. (1854). The Lamplighter. New York: A. L. Burt, Publisher. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/31869

Diament, Anita. (1997). The Red Tent [Audio Book]. New York: Wyatt Books. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftkxeqdaxT4

Douglas, Lloyd C. (1942). The Robe. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks04/0400561h.html

Sheldon, Charles M. (1889). In His Steps: “What Would Jesus Do?” Chicago: Advance Publishing Company. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=TEzQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=In+His+Steps&hl=en&sa=X&ei=FNgIVIM_4avyAfuEgKgO&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=In%20His%20Steps&f=false

Sienkiewicz, Henrik. (1896). Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2853/2853-h/2853-h.htm

Stowe, Harriet Beecher. (1852). Uncle Tom's Cabin. The National Era. Retrieved from http://nationalera.wordpress.com/

Wallace, Lew. (1900). Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=SIYZAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Ben+Hur&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qegIVK_WNIjp8wHzl4CIBQ&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Ben%20Hur&f=false

Wright, Harold Bell. (1909). The Calling of Dan Matthews. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/9314/pg9314.html

------. (1907). The Shepherd of the Hills. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/theshepherdofthe04735gut

------. (1907). The Shepherd of the Hills [Audio Book]. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/shepherd_of_the_hills_1006_librivox

------. (1903). That Printer of Udell's: A Story of the Middle West. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/6384/pg6384.html

For Children:

Girl's books authored by Frances Hodgson Burnett and Lucy Maud Montgomery feature Christian themes as does Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, although both adults and children enjoy reading and listening to this Christmas classic.  George MacDonald, a Christian universalist, who believed that everyone would eventually be saved, was a late 19th-century children's author, whose novels influenced  the writing of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Madeleine L'Engle—all of whose estates still own the copyrights for their works.

Burnett, Frances Hodgson. (1911). The Secret Garden. New York: Frederic A. Stokes Co. Retrieved from https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=7GM4AAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&authuser=0&hl=en&pg=GBS.PA1.w.1.1.0

Dickens, Charles (n. d.). A Christmas Carol. New York: Hodder & Stoughton. Retrieved from http://www.read.gov/books/pageturner/2003bit37729/#page/8/mode/2up

MacDonald, George. (1871). At the Back of the North Wind. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/225/225-h/225-h.htm

------. Lilith: A Romance. (1895). London: Chatto & Windus. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1640/1640-h/1640-h.htm

Montgomery, Lucy Maud. (1908). Anne of Green Gables. Reprint 1915. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. http://books.google.com/books?id=RDg1AAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Anne+of+Green+Gables&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7uAIVIOkCOfz8AGf8oCIDw&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Anne%20of%20Green%20Gables&f=false

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There's a List for That 

Barancik, Steve. (2014). Christian children's books your child will love reading! Grown Up's Guide to the Best Children's Books. Retrived from http://www.best-childrens-books.com/christian-childrens-books.html

Best Christian Religious Books for Children an Teenagers. (2013, January 1). Hub Pages. Retrieved from http://religions7.hubpages.com/hub/best-christian-books-children

Free Kindle Christian Books. (2014). Crosssreads. Retrieved from http://crossreads.com/free-kindle-christian-books

/Miller, Christine. (2003, January). 1000 good books lists contents. Classical Christian Education Support Group. Retrieved from http://classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html

Top 100 Christian Books (by Worldview Institute). (2014). Listopia. Goodreads. Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/19595.Top_100_Christian_Books_By_Worldview_Institute_

Viola, Frank. (2014). The best 100 Christian books ever written. Beyond Evangelical. Retrieved fro http://frankviola.org/top100/

Church Library Online: Devotionals, Counseling, & Study Helps

Counseling, Reference Works, Lectionaries, Bible Studies, & Devotionals 

Evelyn E. Smith

M.S. in Library Science, University of North Texas (2012)

 

Finding the hyperlinks for the print journals that the Central Presbyterian Church of Waco, Texas, Library already has on its shelves inspired the production of the first Church Library Online Web page for the McGregor, Texas, McGinley Memorial Library Website. However, for a virtual church library to serve its virtual patrons' needs, it should provide links to many more online sources, including some of the sources that readily come to mind—Bible dictionaries, lectionaries, concordances,  maps of the ancient Middle East and the Roman Empire, special interest encyclopedias, and devotionals for all ages—as well as general reference information, counseling basics, and Hotline numbers. As is the case with most libraries, the online librarian can't necessarily vouch for or necessarily agree with all the information or advice provided.

General Reference &

Writing & Grammar Help

Please note that most teachers and university professors don't accept Wikipedia articles as a valid source of information, although readers can use the individual footnoted sources mentioned in Wikipedia as appropriate reference sources because no single editor validates the information submitted. The references below provide links to encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, and other general reference information in addition to Purdue University's Online Writing Lab:

• Infoplease. (2014). Pearson Education. Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/

• Library Spot. (2014). Start Spot Media Works, Inc. Retrieved from http://libraryspot.com/

• OWL: Online Writing Lab. Purdue University. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/  

• WWW Virtual Library. (2005). General reference. ICY Publishing. Retrieved from http://home.istar.ca/~obyrne/

Virtual Counseling

• Christian-Counseling-Online.com. (n. d.). Word Press. Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com/

• Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, 4^th ed. (DSM-IV). (2011). American Psychiatric Association. Hefner Media Group. Retrieved from http://allpsych.com/disorders/dsm.html

Although DSM-V has superseded DSM-IV, this diagnostic manual was revised up through 2011. Please note that neither DSM-IV nor DSM-V is meant to be a self-diagnostic tool. Those with psychological problems should consult a mental health professional.

• Focus on the Family. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.focusonthefamily.com/

Hotlines

If the user needs immediate help with a problem, the following Websites list telephone numbers that might provide some answers.  Moreover, anyone who suspects child abuse, elder abuse, or bullying but doesn't report it can be held legally accountable.

• Alcohol Abuse Hotline. (2011). Alcoholics Anonymous. Retrieved from http://alcoholabusehotline.org/alcoholics-anonymous/

• American Association of Poison Control Centers. (n. d.). Retrieved from http://www.aapcc.org/

• Common Hotline Phone Numbers. (2014). Psych Central. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/common-hotline-phone-numbers/0001302

Psych Central furnishes telephone hotlines for help with the following conditions and problems: Child Abuse, Alcoholism,  Crisis and Suicide, Domestic Violence, Poison Control, Shoplifting, Eating Disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual Assault, Runaways, and Substance Abuse.

• Elder Abuse. (2014, June). Attorney General of Texas. Retrieved from https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/elder/abuse.shtml

• Grief & Loss Center of North Texas. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.mygriefandloss.org/

• NCEA: National Central on Elder Abuse. Administration on Aging. (n. d.). Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Stop_Abuse/Get_Help/State/index.aspx

Click on each state link to find the local number to report elder abuse.

• Pastoral Careline. (2014). Focus on the Family. Retrieved from http://www.thrivingpastor.com/contact-us/

• Recovery World. (n. d.). National Hotline Phone Numbers. Retrieved from http://www.recovery-world.com/National-Hotline-Phone-Numbers.html

The Recovery World Website lists phone numbers for drug and alcohol treatment, panic disorder, abortion, post abortion, Al-Anon, child abuse, cocaine help, Ecstasy addiction, Gay and Lesbian issues, incest, learning disabilities, Lyme Disease, pet loss, self injury, and suicide. In other words, if the user needs to talk to a counselor about a problem, there's likely someone to help him or her.

• Stopbullying.gov. (n. d..). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/

• Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. (n.d. ). DFPS Hotlines & Infolines. Retrieved from http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/hotlines.asp

Texas Protective Services link includes Texas Abuse//Neglect Hotline and Texas Youth & Runaway Hotline.

• Veterans Crisis Line. (n. d.). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

• Violence Against Women. (2012). Womenshealth.gov. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence-against-women/get-help-for-violence/violence-help-hotlines.html

• Teen Health and Wellness. (2013, December). Retrieved from http://www.teenhealthandwellness.com/static/hotlines
  

Teen Health  and Wellness directs users to telephone hotlines for dealing with the following social and psychological problems: AIDs and HIV, Alcohol and Drug, Bullying and Cyberbullying, Depression, Eating Disorders, Grief and Loss. Homelessness and Runaways, Mental Health, Rape, Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence, School Violence, Sexuality and Sexual Health, Stress and Anxiety, Suicide, Teen Parenting, and Teen Pregnancy.



Lectionaries--Daily Bible Readings

The Church Year: Pair daily Bible readings with the liturgical calendar.

The most commonly used lectionaries are the Roman Catholic Lectionary (USCCB) and the ecumenical Revised Common Lectionary.  However, readers may prefer the cafeteria approach to lectionaries, so the Church Library Online lists a host of lectionaries (pun intended).

• USCCB > Bible > daily readings. (2014). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved from http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090314.cfm

• Revised Common Lectionary. (2014). Episcopal Church. Retrieved from http://www.episcopalchurch.org/lectionary-calendar
  
  

• Lectionary Calendar. (2014). GBOD. United Methodist Church. Retrieved from http://www.gbod.org/worship/lectionary-calendar/

• Lectionary.org. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.lectionary.org/

• Lectionary Page [Anglican/Episcopal]. (2014) Retrieved from http://www.lectionarypage.net/

• Month-by-Month Lectionary Reading List. (2014). Presbyterian mission.org. Retrieved from http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/devotions/month-month-lectionary-reading-list

• Woodward, Jenee. (2012). The Text this Week. Retrieved from http://www.textweek.com/

Concordances & Bible Dictionaries

 

Concordances

Bible concordances help users look up Bible verses by topic:

Bible Hub. (n. d.). Retrieved from http://www.biblesuite.com/

The Bible Hub Web page has links to the following concordances:

• Bible Tab Concordance
• Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
• Englishman's Greek Concordance
• Englishman's Hebrew Concordance
• NASB Exhaustive Concordance

• Concordances. (2014). Bible Study Tools. Salem Web Network. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/

Web page furnishes links to the following concordances: Nave's Topical Bible, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Torrey's New Topical Textbook, and Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Bible Dictionaries

• Dictionaries. (2014). Bible Study Tools. Salem Web Network. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/

Bible Study Tools Web page includes links to the following online Bible dictionaries:

• Quick Reference Dictionary
•  Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
• Easton's Bible Dictionary
• Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
• King James Bible Dictionary
• Smith's Bible Dictionary

• Dictionaries. (n. d.). Bible Gateway. Retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/dictionaries/

  
  

Bible Gateway Web page provides links to the following virtual Bible dictionaries:

• Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
•  All the Men of the Bible
• All the Women of the Bible
• Dictionary of Bible Themes
• Easton's Bible Dictionary
• Smith's Bible Names Dictionary

Special Interest Encyclopedias

• Ancient History Encyclopedia. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.ancient.eu/

• Barrett, David B. (1982). World Christian Encyclopedia: A Comparative Study of Churches and Religions in the Modern World, AD 1900-2000. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books/about/World_Christian_encyclopedia.html?id=GfsPq6PZM0AC

• Encyclopedia [Bible tab encyclopedia]. (n. d.). Retrieved from http://bibleencyclopedia.com/

• Encyclopedias. (2014). Bible Study Tools. Salem Web Network. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/

Bible Study Tools Web page provides links to the following sources:

• Condensed Biblical Encyclopedia

•  International Standard Bible Encyclopedias 

• Scripture Alphabet of Animals 

• New Advent: The Catholic Encyclopedia. (2014). Retrieved from http://newadvent.org/cathen/ 

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2014). Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/

• Theopedia [evangelical encyclopedia]. (n. d.). Retrieved from http://www.theopedia.com/

• Web Bible Encyclopedia. (2014). Christian Answers Net. Films for Christ. Retrieved from http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/home.html

Bible Maps

• Bible atlas. (n. d.). Retrieved from http://bibleatlas.org/

   Bible Atlas Webpage includes links to the following atlases:

• Shepherd Historical Atlas

• ISV Bible Atlas

• Free high resolution Bible study maps. (n. d.). Bible.ca/maps/.  Retrieved from http://www.bible.ca/maps/

• Geography of the Bible. (n. d..). Retrieved from http://www.bible-history.com/maps/

• Henderson, Charles. (n. d.). Online Bible atlas. God Web. Retrieved from http://www.godweb.org/atlasindex.htm

• NET Bible maps. (2013). Bible.org. Retrieved from https://bible.org/article/net-bible-maps

Online Devotions & Bible Study

Addendum (2015, March 15)

Blue Letter Bible (2015). Sowing Circle. Retrieved from http://www.blueletterbible.org/

The Blue Letter Bible provides extensive study helps when the user types in a keyword or a Bible verse, thus greatly enhancing traditional Bible Study methods. For example, should the user enter John 3:16, he or she can immediately access the Greek roots of the English words, correlating verses, commentaries, dictionaries, encyclopedias, related maps, and music based upon the verse.



• Bible.org. (2013). Retrieved from https://bible.org/

• Bible study tools. (2014). Association of Biblical Counselors. Salem Web Network. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/association-of-biblical-counselors/using-a-personal-journal-for-spiritual-growth.html

• Devotionals. (2014). Christianity.com. Retrieved from http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/

• Devotion TV. (2009). Free Bible Study. Retrieved from http://www.free-bible-study.org/devotional.html

• Downloadable Bible studies. (2014). Back to the Bible. The Good News Broadcasting Association. Retrieved from http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Downloadable-Bible-Studies.html

• Free printable Bible Study lessons. (2011). Einquisitive. Retrieved from http://einquisitive.com/resources/free-printable-bible-study-lessons/

• Hebraic roots Bible. Congregation of YHWH, Jerusalem. (2014, May). Retrieved from http://www.coyhwh.com/en/bible.php

• LifeJournal.me. (2014). New Hope Oahu. Retrieved from http://lifejournal.me/

• Life Journal Reading Plan. (n. d.). Bible.com. Retrieved from https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/3-life-journal-reading-plan

• Pratte, David E. (2014). Bible study lessons. Bible Study Lessons. Retrieved from http://biblestudylessons.com/

• Topical Bible study lessons. (n. d.). Topical Bible Study Lessons. Retrieved from http://www.topicalbiblestudylessons.com/

• TV Bible Study [videos]. (n. d.). Sunset International Bible Institute. Retrieved from http://tvbiblestudy.com/

Devotions, Bible Stories, &

Activities for Children

• Carroll, Roxie. (n. d.). Bible memory verses. A Kid's Heart. Retrieved from http://akidsheart.com/bible/biblev.htm

• Children's Bible stories [English and Spanish videos]. (2014). Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. Retrieved from http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Category.aspx?CategoryID=3483

• Children's  Bible lesson study and story. (n. d.). Children's Ministry Place. Retrieved from http://www.childrensministryplace.com/childrensbiblestudylessons.asp

• Childrensbiblestudy.com. (2006). Childrensbiblestudy.com, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.childrensbiblestudy.com/Activities/index.htm

• Children's Bible studies. (n. d.). Bible Study Planet. Retrieved from http://biblestudyplanet.com/bible-teaching-for-adults/bible-teaching-for-kids/childrens-bible-studies/

• Children's online Bible study. (2014). WBSALogos.com. Calvary Baptist Church. Retrieved from http://www.calvarywilliamsport.com/childrens-online-bible-study.htm

• Dallgas-Frey, Paul. (n. d.). Bible Story Guy. Retrieved from http://www.essex1.com/people/paul/bible.html

• Bible-based lessons [English, French, & Spanish]. David & Jonathan.com. Retrieved from http://ubdavid.org

• Free children's bible lessons. (2014). Creative Bible study lessons and ideas. Creative Bible Study. Retrieved from http://www.creativebiblestudy.com/childrensbiblelessons.html

• Games. (n. d.). Kids Sunday School Place, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.kidssundayschool.com/11/gradeschool/games.php

• Little Blots of Faith. (n. d.). Little Blots. Retrieved from http://www.littleblots.com

• Keys for kids [daily devotional]. (2014). Keys for Kids Ministries. Retrieved from http://www.keysforkids.org/ForKids/KeysforKids/ReadListen.asp

• Printable Bible verse memorization cards. (2014).  Kidprintables.com.  Mom's Network. Retrieved from http://www.kidprintables.com/bibleverses/

• Strehler, Dave. (2014). Devotions from the Bible. Truth for Kids. Retrieved from http://www.truthforkids.com/kids-devotions-online/#.VAckGPldWjY

• Superbook (New Living Translation). (2014). Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Retrieved from http://us-en.superbook.cbn.com/sb_bible

Devotions & Bible Studies

for Young Adults

• Bible resource. (n. d.). Teen Bible. TV Bible Study. Retrieved from http://tvbiblestudy.com/

• Bible study activities discussion guides. Teenagers. Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved from http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/family/teenagers/bible-study-activities/

• Christian teen corner. (2014). Have-Faith.org. Retrieved from http://www.have-faith.org/teen.html

• Free Bible study for teens. (n. d.). Faith Explorer. Retrieved from http://www.faithexplorer.com/free-bible-study-for-teens.html

• Edelman, Daryn. (2014). Fun Bible learning games for teens. Ehow. Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/way_5157908_fun-bible-learning-games-teens.html

• Kaberline, Carolyn. (2014). Bible study games for teens. Ehow. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8354215_bible-study-games-teens.html

• London, John. (2014). Bible study resources for teens. Ehow. Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8203825_bible-study-resources-teens.html

• Mahoney, Keilli. (2014) Bible games for teens and youth groups. About Religion. About.com. Retrieved from http://christianteens.about.com/od/youthworkercenter/tp/Bible-Games-For-Teens-And-Youth-Groups.htm

• Online teen Bible study. (2014). Find Your True Beauty in Christ. FindYourTrueBeauty.com. Retrieved from http://www.teen-beauty-tips.com/online-teen-bible-study.html

• Teenagers. (2012). Bible study guides for all ages. Bible Study Guide. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudyguide.com/teens.php

• Teen Bible study discussion guides. (2014). United Church of God. Retrieved from http://www.ucg.org/teen-bible-study-guides/

• Teen Bible study ideas. (2014). Bible Fun Factory. Retrieved from http://biblefunfactory.com/40/teen-bible-study-ideas/

• Teen Bible study ideas. (2014). Catholic Answers. Retrieved from http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=574734

• Teen Bible study online. (2009). Bible Stories Library. Retrieved from http://www.bible-stories-library.com/bible-study-online.shtml

• Teen-Bible-Bible study tools for teens. (2014). BibleStudyTools.com. Salem Web Network. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/resources/teen-bible.html

• Teen Bible lessons! (2008). Bible-Student-Online.org. Retrieved from http://www.bible-student-online.org/teen-bible-lessons.html

• Teens' Bible studies. (n. d.). Bible Study Planet. Retrieved from http://biblestudyplanet.com/bible-teaching-for-teens/

• Teen Bible study online. (2009). Bible Stories Library. Retrieved from http://www.bible-stories-library.com/bible-study-online.shtml

• Teen bible study worksheets. (2011). eInquisitive. Word Press. Retrieved from http://einquisitive.com/featured/teen-bible-study-worksheets/

• Unit 1: Facing your feelings. (2011). Youth Online Bible Study.  Baptist Way Press. Texas Baptists. Retrieved from http://baptistwaypress.texasbaptists.org/files/2011/11/YouthUnit1.pdf

• Unit 14: Sprinting through the Old Testament. (2011). Youth Online Bible Study. Baptist Way Press. Texas Baptists. Retrieved from http://baptistwaypress.texasbaptists.org/files/2011/11/YouthUnit14.pdf

• Youth Bible study. (2014). Youth Worker. Retrieved from http://www.youthworker.com/youth-lessons-bible-study/youth-bible-study/

• Youth world. (2014). David & Jonathan.com. Retrieved from http://ubdavid.org/youthworld/youth-world.html