Film critics devote their lives to developing a keen eye and accurate assessment ability; those talking about the best Christian albums ever made are by necessity primarily niche hobbyists on the internet. Because of this reality, this list is not like the Great or Good Films lists in terms of the quantity or quality of constituent lists researched. Still, the concept is identical, and the albums that rose to the top from the simple process have been musically diverse, edifying, and highly enjoyable to explore (if a little surprising at times in content maturity—parent discretion sometimes advised). Perhaps unsurprisingly, hip hop albums were consistently relegated to their own category and can be found at the bottom. I don’t love every album on here, but I have discovered several new favorites. May you be blessed to do the same.
1. The Beautiful Letdown by Switchfoot; Alternative Rock (2003)
2. Only Visiting This Planet by Larry Norman; Rock (1972)*
3. Jesus Freak by dc Talk; Hip Hop, Alternative Rock (1995)
4. For Him Who Has Ears To Hear by Keith Green; CCM (1977)
5. A Liturgy, a Legacy & a Ragamuffin Band by Rich Mullins; CCM (1993)
6. Sixpence None The Richer by Sixpence None The Richer; Alternative Rock, Pop Rock (1997)
7. Lead Me On by Amy Grant; CCM (1988)
8. Jars of Clay by Jars of Clay; Alternative Rock, Folk Rock (1995)
9. Joshua Tree by U2; Rock (1987)
10. Satellite by P.O.D.; Nu Metal, Rap Rock (2001)*
11. The 77’s by The 77’s; Rock (1987)
12. Welcome To Paradise by Randy Stonehill; Rock (1976)
13. Free at Last by dc Talk; Hip Hop, Rock (1992)
14. To Hell with the Devil by Stryper; Glam Metal (1986)
15. Meltdown by Steve Taylor; New Wave, Rock (1984)
16. ¡Alarma! by Daniel Amos; New Wave, Power Pop (1981)
17. Slow Train Coming by Bob Dylan; Gospel, Blues Rock (1979)
18. The Turning by Leslie Phillips; CCM, Rock, Alternative Folk (1987)
19. Circle Slide by The Choir; Alternative Rock (1990)
20. Love Song by Love Song; Jesus Music (1972)
21. Dancing In The Dragon’s Jaws by Bruce Cockburn; Folk Rock (1979)
22. Mutemath by Mutemath; Alternative Rock, Post-Rock (2006)
23. The Big Picture by Michael W. Smith; CCM (1986)
24. Chase The Kangaroo by The Choir; Alternative Rock (1988)
25. Love Broke Thru by Phil Keaggy; Rock (1976)
26. Victims of the Age by Mark Heard; Folk, Rock (1982)
27. In Another Land by Larry Norman; Rock (1976)*
28. Winds Of Heaven, Stuff Of Earth by Rich Mullins; CCM (1988)
29. Humans by Bruce Cockburn; Folk, Pop (1980)*
30. Age to Age by Amy Grant; CCM (1982)
31. Romeo Unchained by Tonio K; CCM (1986)
32. Faith Hope Love by King’s X; Hard Rock, Progressive Metal (1990)
33. Second Hand by Mark Heard; Folk, Rock (1991)
34. Flyleaf by Flyleaf; Alternative Metal, Rock (2005)
35. Gut Level Music by Altar Boys; Hard Rock (1986)
36. Lie Down In The Grass by Charlie Peacock; Soft Pop (1984)
37. Reconciled by The Call; CCM (1986)
38. The Secret of Time by Charlie Peacock; CCM (1990)
39. Awaiting Your Reply by Resurrection Band; Rock (1978)
40. Ten Songs by Adam Again by Adam Again; Rock (1988)
41. Love Life by Charlie Peacock; CCM (1991)
42. This Is Another Day by Andraé Crouch & The Disciples; Gospel, CCM (1976)
43. Going Public by Newsboys; Pop, Rock (1993)
44. Rick Elias & The Confessions by Rick Elias; Rock (1990)
45 . Doppelgänger by Daniel Amos; New Wave, Alternative Rock (1983)
46. Straight On by DeGarmo & Key; Rock (1979)
47. Matters Of The Heart by Bob Bennett; CCM (1982)
48. Immigrants Daughter by Margaret Becker; Rock, CCM (1989)
49. Horrendous Disc by Daniel Amos; Rock (1981)
50. Human Clay by Creed; Post-Grunge, Alternative Metal (1999)
51. I Predict 1990 by Steve Taylor; Rock (1987)
52. Crimson and Blue by Phil Keaggy; Rock (1993)
53. Big Town by Ashley Cleveland; Rock (1991)
54. Shawl by The Prayer Chain; Alternative Rock, Punk Rock (1993)
55. Orphans of God by Various Artists (Tribute to Mark Heard); CCM, Folk (1996)
56. Kansas by Jennifer Knapp; Folk Rock, Pop (1996)
57. Audible Sigh by Vigilantes of Love; Indie-Rock, Americana (2000)
58. The Book Of Kells by Iona; Progressive Rock, Celtic Rock (1992)
59. Shaded Pain by Lifesavers Underground; Rock, Post-Punk (1987)
60. October by U2; Post-Punk (1981)
61. How The West Was One by 2nd Chapter of Acts, Phil Keaggy, a band called David; CCM (1977)
62. Ocean Eyes by Owl City; Indietronica, Synth-Pop (2009)
63. They’re Only Chasing Safety by Underoath; Screamo, Melodic Hardcore (2004)
64. Strength by The Violet Burning; Alternative Rock (1992)
65. Warrior by Jerusalem; Swedish rock (1982)
66. Third Day by Third Day; Southern Rock (1996)
67. Vinyl Confessions by Kansas; Pop Rock, Arena Rock (1982)
68. More Power to Ya by Petra; Rock (1982)
69. Take 6 by Take 6; Gospel (1988)
70. Illinois by Sufjan Stevens; Indie Folk, Chamber Folk (2005)*
71. The Way Home by Russ Taff; Roots, Country (1989)
72. Medals by Russ Taff; Pop (1985)
73. Diesel and Dust by Midnight Oil; Alternative Rock (1987)
74. Return to Paradise by Randy Stonehill; CCM, Folk Rock (1989)
75. Comatose by Skillet; Metal, Rock (2006)
76. White Horse by Michael Omartian; Funk, Gospel, Progressive Rock (1974)
77. With Footnotes by 2nd Chapter Of Acts; Jesus Music (1974)
78. Little Red Riding Hood by Lost Dogs; Roots (1993)
79. Fire and Ice by Steve Camp; Rock (1983)
80. One More Song For You by The Imperials; Pop (1979)
Hip Hop Albums
1. Christology: In Layman’s Terms by Ambassador; Hip Hop (1999)
2. Gang Affiliated by Gospel Gangstaz; Gangsta Rap, West Coast Hip Hop (1994)*
3. Heaven’s Mentality by Cross Movement; Hip Hop (1997)
4. Earthworm by LPG; Alternative Hip Hop (1995)*
5. Phase III by SFC; Hip Hop (1992)*
6. Caught in a Land of Time by Freedom of Soul; Hip Hop (1991)
7. The Art of Translation by Grits; Southern Hip Hop (2002)
8. Rebel by Lecrae; Dirty South Hip Hop (2008)
9. No Plan B by 4th Avenue Jones; Hip Hop (2000)
10. House of Representatives by Cross Movement; Hip Hop (1999)
11. Chronicles of an X-Hustler by Thi’sl; Hip Hop (2009)*
*Parental discretion advised
Videre Recte 
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