The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced that two InterVarsity Press (IVP) titles—Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest and the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters—are among the finalists for the 2024 Christian Book Award® program.

“It is always a joy to recognize excellence in Christian book publishing through this award program, and this year’s finalists represent that very well,” said Jeff Crosby, ECPA president and CEO. “Books like these have the ability to transform lives, to shed light, to build bridges, and to foster faithfulness. We congratulate each of the finalists, their authors and publishers.”

Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again was selected as a Christian Book Award® finalist in the ministry resources category. Sharing her own story of practicing sabbath for the past twenty years, Ruth Haley Barton offers hard-won wisdom regarding the rhythms of sabbath, exploring both weekly sabbath keeping as well as extended periods of sabbatical time.

Drew Jackson, poet and author of God Speaks Through Wombs, said, “In Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, Ruth Haley Barton invites us into a holy place—what Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel called ‘a sanctuary in time.’ Barton profoundly weaves together disparate strands of the practice of sabbath-keeping into a beautiful quilt that tells us a story about ourselves—we were meant for wholeness, not just individually, but communally. Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest shows us that this gift from God is not just indispensable for the life of faith but also in our discovery of what it means to be human. Barton has given us a treasure—a must-read for anyone longing for freedom from the tyranny of endless work and overproduction.”

The other Christian Book Award® finalist, chosen for Bible Reference Works category, is IVP Academic’s Dictionary of Paul and His Letters: A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship (Second Edition), edited by Scot McKnight, Lynn H. Cohick and Nijay K. Gupta.

David Lincicum, University of Notre Dame, said, “A staple of syllabi and a first stop for research, the original Dictionary of Paul and His Letters became a fixture in the landscape of Pauline studies. Much has changed in the past three decades, and this completely new dictionary, with contributions from no less than 141 scholars, provides an authoritative overview of the present state of Pauline scholarship. From Abraham and Adam to worship and wrath, and from classic theological topics to matters of pressing contemporary concern, the broad coverage of this remarkable project will be welcomed by novice student and seasoned scholar alike.”

The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters takes its place alongside the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (Second Edition) and the other volumes in the IVP Bible Dictionary Series as a unique presentation of the fruit of biblical studies—committed to Scripture, using the best of critical methods, and maintaining dialogue with both contemporary scholarship and the challenges facing the church. 

Classic topics such as Christology, justification, hermeneutics, and book studies of individual epistles receive careful treatment by specialists in the field. Topics new to this edition—including Paul and politics, patronage, and interpretations from various historical and cultural perspectives—expand the volume’s breadth and usefulness. Over 95 percent of the articles have been written specifically for this edition.

The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the highest quality in Christian books since 1978 (originally called the Gold Medallion Award). Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Awards are the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in religious publishing. 

The winners in each category, along with the 2024 Christian Book of the Year®, will be presented at the ECPA Awards & 50th Anniversary Celebration, held the evening of April 30 in Chicago, during the ECPA Leadership Summit.

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles visit ivpress.com.