A Treasury of Great Christian Stories

by Stephen Fortosis (Editor)

Who doesn't love a good story? Little children clamor for them at bedtime, and older children and adults are drawn to stories to entertain and inform them-whether in the form of books, television, or movies. We all love to have our imaginations captivated and carried off to another world where we can be inspired, encouraged, and instructed about how to live a life of faith.

This thoughtful Treasury of Great Christian Stories brings together stories and excerpts from excellent Christian writers and storytellers from the past to the present day. Some are true stories, some are fiction; some are for children of all ages, some are for adults. But all of the stories will warm the heart and encourage the soul.

From John Bunyan's classic Pilgrim's Progress and C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia to the writings of Walter Wangerin and Ruth Bell Graham, these stories give glimpses into childhood pleasures, adolescent growing pains, grown-up lessons in maturity, and ultimately the Christian's victory over death.

Part I.
Childhood simplicities --
The lion, the witch and the wardrobe / C.S. Lewis --
The lesson of the sweeter day / Cliff Schimmels --
The lesson of the broken crayons / Cliff Schimmels --
The best Christmas pageant ever / Barbara Robinson --
The lost tooth / William Barton --
Concerning rest / William Barton --
A tale of three trees, a folktale / retold by Stephen Fortosis --
Sacraments / Virginia Cary Hudson --

Part II.
Growing pains --
In search of a proper mate / Mark Littleton --
The good bishop / Victor Hugo --
I saw gooley fly / Joseph Bayly --
Pilgrim's progress / John Bunyan, retold by Stephen Fortosis --
My salvation and yours / David M. Griebner --
We understand so little, a Jewish folktale / retold by Stephen Fortosis --

Part III.
Adult maturing --
One changed life / Keith Miller --
A man called Norman / Mike Adkins --
The pineapple story / Otto Koning --
A small happening at Andover / Joseph Bayly --
Tragic son, tragic father / J. Ellsworth Kalas --
Concerning lemons / William Barton --
The millionaire and the scrub lady / William Barton --

Part IV.
Lifelong lessons --
Love in a New York apartment building / Joseph Bayly --
The skylark's bargain / G.H. Charnley --
The king from the tower / Peter Leithart --
The gift of the magi / O. Henry --
Christ's juggler / Anatole France --
Uncle David's birthday / Carter Wright, retold by Stephen Fortosis --
Where love is, God is / Leo Tolstoy --
The good things of life / Arthur Gordon --

Part V.
Death's victory --
Tamar's touch / Diane Komp --
The making of a minister / Walter Wangerin --
Father Zossima's brother / Fyodor Dostoevsky --
The executioner / Ruth Bell Graham --
Our mysterious passenger / Ira Spector --
Tim / Philip Gulley --
The volunteer at Auschwitz / Charles Colson --
Only the beginning / Mark Littleton

Genres: Christian

223 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2001