Jesus Calling

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Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence (2004) is a daily devotional book written by Christian author Sarah Young and published by Byron Williamson at Integrity Publishers, based in Brentwood, TN. Two years later, in September 2006, Integrity, along with its catalog of books, including Jesus Calling, were bought by Thomas Nelson.[1] The book offers readers a 365-day personal spiritual journey intended to help the reader experience a deeper relationship with Jesus.[2] The book was inspired, in part, by Sarah Young's reading of a related book, God Calling, authored by A. J. Russell.[3] According to Publishers Weekly, Jesus Calling had sold 45 million copies as of 2023.[4]

Sarah's writings also include Jesus Listens, Jesus Always, Jesus Today, Jesus Lives, Dear Jesus, Jesus Calling for Little Ones, Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids, Peace in His Presence and more, each encouraging readers in their journeys toward intimacy with Christ.

Jesus Calling is more than a devotional book. It is also a Christian brand whose offerings include a quarterly magazine, TV show, podcast with over 7 million downloads, and daily inspiration over email and social media.

Author[edit]

Sarah Young had a degree in philosophy from Wellesley College; and earned a master's degree in biblical studies and counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis.[5]

Young was a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), where her husband Stephen is an ordained minister and third-generation Christian missionary to Japan. The couple served as Mission to the World missionaries in Japan and Australia. As of 2018 they resided in the United States, where Young has two married children and two grandchildren.[6]

Young has been described as a humble person who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Both The New York Times and Christianity Today had interviews with Young by email. The Daily Beast referred to Jesus Calling as "The Evangelical Bestseller You've Never Heard Of".[7]

Young died on September 1, 2023, aged 77, following complications from Lyme disease.[8]

Impact[edit]

A Jesus Calling podcast features stories from readers of Jesus Calling and focuses on how the devotional has made a difference in their lives. Phil Keaggy, a Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award-winning performer, provided the background music and offered his services because Jesus Calling has positively impacted his family.[9]

On April 25, 2015, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker read from Jesus Calling to more than 1,000 people at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition. A HarperCollins publicist said, "We had no idea Scott Walker had the book and would use it. It's always nice to hear about how Jesus Calling touched someone's life."[10]

On June 27, 2017, Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards delivered copies of Jesus Calling to women prisoners of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women.[11] The books were donated by The Next Door, a non-profit organization that serves women in crisis and provides Jesus Calling devotionals free of charge to jails and prisons.[12]

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders read her leather-bound Jesus Calling daily devotional before press conferences.[13]

Other works[edit]

Other books written by Sarah Young include:

  • Jesus Today – ECPA's 2013 Christian Book of the Year.[14]
  • Jesus Always – ECPA's 2018 Christian Book of the Year.[15]
  • Jesus Listens – ECPA Christian Best Sellers.[16]

Criticism[edit]

Jesus Calling has prompted objections from within the evangelical community. The book is written in the voice of Jesus Christ speaking directly to the reader and thereby claiming new revelation from God.[17] The practice of automatic writing while receiving messages is central to the controversy.[18] David Crump, professor of religion at Calvin College, told Christianity Today that Young "puts her thoughts into the first person and then presents that 'person' as the resurrected Lord" and said he is tempted to call this "blasphemy".[19]

Publisher Thomas Nelson removed references to automatic writing from the book's introduction and claims the book contains Young's own thoughts and inspirations.[20]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ results, search (2004-10-10). Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence (Special and Rev ed.). Thomas Nelson. ISBN 9781591451884.
  2. ^ "Daily devotional, Jesus Calling | Enjoying Peace in His Presence". Jesus Calling. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  3. ^ Steffan, Melissa (1 October 2013). "Sarah Young Still Hears Jesus Calling". Christianity Today. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  4. ^ "THE JESUS CALLING BRAND CELEBRATES 45 MILLION UNITS SOLD". HarperCollins Publishing. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  5. ^ "Sarah Young | Author of Jesus Calling, Bestselling Devotional". Jesus Calling. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  6. ^ "Sarah Young: Amid Suffering, Devotion". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  7. ^ Graham, Ruth (2014-02-23). "The Strange Saga of 'Jesus Calling,' the Evangelical Bestseller You've Never Heard Of". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  8. ^ Silliman, Daniel (2023-09-01). "Died: 'Jesus Calling' Devotional Author Sarah Young". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  9. ^ "Thomas Nelson Highlights the Impact of Jesus Calling in New Podcast". FrontGate Media. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  10. ^ "Scott Walker Plugs 'Jesus Calling' Devotional Book, Sales Promptly Skyrocket". Huffington Post. Religion News Service. 2015-04-30. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  11. ^ Stole, Bryn. "Louisiana's first lady delivers Christian devotionals, and hope, to incarcerated women". The Advocate. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  12. ^ "Jesus Calling - The Next Door". The Next Door. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  13. ^ "How Sarah Huckabee Sanders sees the world". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  14. ^ "Christian Book Expo 2013: Christian Book Award®". christianbookexpo.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  15. ^ "Christian Book Award | ECPA". christianbookawards.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  16. ^ "Christian Best Sellers 2013". goodreads.com. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  17. ^ Graham, Ruth (2014-02-23). "The Strange Saga of 'Jesus Calling,' the Evangelical Bestseller You've Never Heard Of". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  18. ^ "The Jesus Calling Controversy in a Nutshell | Women of Grace". www.womenofgrace.com. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  19. ^ "Thomas Nelson Faced With Complaints Over Popular "Jesus Calling" Devotional | BCNN1 - Black Christian News Network". blackchristiannews.com. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  20. ^ "The Jesus Calling Controversy in a Nutshell | Women of Grace". www.womenofgrace.com. Retrieved 2018-08-25.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Young, Sarah (2004). Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson. ISBN 9781591451884.
  • Young, Sarah (2012). Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in Your Life. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson.
  • Young, Sarah (2016), Jesus Always: Embracing Joy in His Presence. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson.
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