By: Brian G. Chilton, M.Div., Ph.D. | December 31, 2024
Each year, Bellator Christi publishes a yearly review of the top articles of the year and other helpful data to inform team members and visitors alike of the past year. This statistical data is useful to help us know more about how we can be a benefit to you, our readers. 2024 has been a year with its ups and downs.
The Positives of 2024
On the positive side, 2024 broke the all-time record for the most views in a single year since the website was on our newest server. The top 8 articles of the year scored quadruple digits with the number of views they received. And all Top 20 articles of the year scored at least in the triple digits. For the top articles written this year, the top 8 articles hit triple digits with the top new article of the year scoring quadruple-digit views. Additionally, we added many new contributors to the team, including Dr. Stephen Johnson, Dr. Amy Downey, Dr. Thomas McCuddy, and Thomas Quackenbush.
Also, many of our team members published new books in 2024. We saw the publication of Why Creationism Still Matters along with Strong Faith. Dr. Sherene Khouri published her first independent work Triune Relationality with IVP Academic, and Dr. Amy Downey published her latest work Missions in the Minor Key with IHP Academia. We are excited to announce that there are other projects in the works for various team members, some independent and others collaborative.
The Negatives of 2024
On the downside, we lost a cherished friend and colleague in Dr. Michelle Johnson. We will greatly miss her and her valuable insights. She entered her heavenly home on November 17, 2024. To honor Dr. Johnson’s work with Bellator Christi, she was named Executive Vice-President Emerita. Additionally, we lost a few other valued contributors this year due to varying personal reasons. Dr. Scott Reynolds, Curtis Evelo, Dr. Bruce Price, and Dr. Daniel Merritt will be greatly missed and are welcome to return if they feel led to do so. All four remain friends, colleagues, and brothers-in-Christ with the team at Bellator Christi.
Without further ado, it is time to present this year’s annual review for Bellator Christi. The Top 10 newest articles published this year will be ranked in order of the highest views of the year. Then, we will list the Top 20 articles of the year, followed by the Top 10 Nations; and, for the first time in this report, we will list the top referrers of the website. You are encouraged to check out all the articles listed in the report and to check out the referrers’ page, as well.
Top 10 New Articles of the Year
Note: New articles for the year are calculated from November of the previous year to the last of November in the current year. Therefore, articles published in December will be listed in next year’s list for new articles of the year.
1) New Evidence for the Authenticity of the Shroud of Turin (Brian Chilton): 7,409
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/03/31/new-evidence-for-the-authenticity-of-the-shroud-of-turin/
2) Seven Archangels (Brian Chilton): 751
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/09/01/the-seven-archangels/
3) Special Report: Turin Shroud Scientifically Dated to the First-Century (Brian Chilton): 507
4) Evidence for the Book of Esther (Tony Williams): 331
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/04/14/evidence-for-the-book-of-esther/
5) Reasons to Accept the First-Century Date for the Shroud of Turin (Brian Chilton): 290
6) 5 Signs of a False Shepherd Redux (Brian Chilton): 226
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/01/07/5-signs-of-a-false-shepherd-redux/
7) Mesha Stele and the Name “Yahweh” (Scott Reynolds): 137
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/03/24/mesha-stele-and-the-name-yahweh/
8) 33 Defenses for the Resurrection of Jesus (Brian Chilton): 136
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/03/29/33-defenses-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus/
9) Dismantling Doubt (Deanna Huff): 94
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/02/04/dismantling-doubt/
10) (tie) What Happens When Dreams Fail: The Ministry of Little Things (Leo Percer): 91
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/06/30/what-happens-when-dreams-fail-the-ministry-of-little-things/
10) (tie) Discerning Voices of AI (Deanna Huff): 91
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/03/10/discerning-the-voices-of-artificial-intelligence/
10) (tie) Defending the Goodness of God in a World of Evil (Bruce Price): 91
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/03/17/defending-the-goodness-of-god-in-a-world-with-evil/
The Top 20 Articles of the Year
1) New Evidence for the Authenticity of the Shroud of Turin (Brian Chilton): 7,409
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/03/31/new-evidence-for-the-authenticity-of-the-shroud-of-turin/
2) Four Levels of Demonic Influence (Brian Chilton): 4,279
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/05/05/four-levels-of-demonic-influence/
3) Family is Your First Ministry (Brian Chilton): 3,708
https://bellatorchristi.com/2019/03/11/family-is-your-first-ministry/
4) Why Did Paul Persecute the Christians (Michelle Johnson): 2,814
https://bellatorchristi.com/2022/02/27/why-did-paul-persecute-the-christians/
5) 5 Signs of a False Shepherd (Brian Chilton): 2,110
https://bellatorchristi.com/2021/05/31/podcast-5-31-21-5-signs-of-a-false-shepherd/
6) The Christmas Tree & the Biblical Symbol of the Evergreen (Brian Chilton): 1,493
https://bellatorchristi.com/2022/12/23/the-christmas-tree-and-biblical-symbolism-of-the-evergreen/
7) 8 Reasons Why the Shroud of Turin Might Be the Burial Cloth of Jesus (Brian Chilton): 1,236
8) The Christmas Story in the Gospel of John (Brian Chilton): 1,036
https://bellatorchristi.com/2015/12/24/the-christmas-story-in-the-gospel-of-john/
9) The Crimson Worm (Curtis Evelo): 965
https://bellatorchristi.com/2019/04/16/the-crimson-worm/
10) Qualities of God’s Mercy (Brian Chilton): 793
https://bellatorchristi.com/2016/05/05/qualities-of-gods-mercy-numbers-1418-19/
11) The Seven Archangels (Brian Chilton): 753
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/09/01/the-seven-archangels/
12) True Love Must Be Reciprocated (Brian Chilton): 747
https://bellatorchristi.com/2018/04/30/true-love-must-be-reciprocated/
13) Top 5 Recommended Study Bibles (Brian Chilton): 740
https://bellatorchristi.com/2016/03/11/my-top-5-recommended-study-bibles/
14) 5 Steps to Proper Biblical Interpretation (Brian Chilton): 712
https://bellatorchristi.com/2017/02/21/5-steps-to-proper-biblical-interpretation/
15) 10 Divine Attributes of the Messiah (Brian Chilton): 702
https://bellatorchristi.com/2017/12/05/ten-divine-attributes-of-the-messiah/
16) Voltaire’s Prediction (Dan Merritt): 693
17) 7 Questions the Bible Answers about Miracles (Brian Chilton): 659
https://bellatorchristi.com/2016/05/09/7-questions-the-bible-answers-about-miracles/
18) 7 Reasons Why Every Christian Should Study Islam (Sherene Khouri): 623
https://bellatorchristi.com/2023/10/22/seven-reasons-why-every-christian-should-study-islam/
19) Hope During the Holidays (Steven Johnson): 570
https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/12/14/hope-during-the-holidays/
20) The Prodigal Son (Justin Angelos): 528
https://bellatorchristi.com/2022/08/26/the-prodigal-son/
Top 20 Nations of 2024
1) United States (-) 42.5k
2) Philippines (-) 3,442
3) Nigeria (-) 2,698
4) United Kingdom (-) 2,419
5) Canada (-) 2,165
6) Australia (-) 1,850
7) India (-) 1,506
8) Brazil (+6) 1,243
9) Indonesia (+1) 1,026
10) South Africa (-2) 1,023
11) Kenya (-) 722
12) Singapore (+3) 578
13) Ghana (-4) 480
14) Germany (+2) 403
15) Netherlands (-2) 370
16) Malaysia (+2) 355
17) New Zealand (-) 241
18) Sweden (+12) 224
19) Uganda (+1) 219
20) France (+1) 218
Top Referrers of 2024
- Search Engines
- WordPress
- crossexamined.org
Other Notable Referrers
- schlolars.google.com
- reasonsforjesus.com
- freethinkingministries.com
- apologetics315.com
In Memory of Michelle
To commemorate Michelle, I would like to also mention the last article that Michelle wrote and the last one she published. The last article she wrote was one entitled “What Does God Want from Me? (Jeremiah 7:1-11)” https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/09/15/what-does-god-want-from-me-jeremiah-71-11/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHegx5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaTu7hn39-muo85lN2GDCcGfNrGwlOowhBbEKPEZLhZUdoTQjLefxLKb2g_aem_oLCqmC7v0NujBca80iG-Wg. In it, Michelle encourages us to turn our entire heart to God, not just in corporate worship but with all our being. Her words encapsulate her life’s work, as she sought to honor God in all that she did.
Additionally, the last article Michelle published for another author was Dr. T. J. Gentry’s entry entitled “Satan’s Playbook: Attack God’s Goodness” https://bellatorchristi.com/2024/10/06/satans-playbook-attack-gods-goodness/.
On behalf of the entire Bellator Christi team, we want to thank you for being part of this amazing record-breaking year. Our prayer is that 2025 will be an even bigger year. The mission of Bellator Christi has not changed. Through our use of theology and apologetics, our goal is to spread the gospel of Christ, encouraging the lost to believe, and empowering those believers to hold a greater confidence in their faith.
May God bless and keep you this upcoming year!
(c) 2024. Bellator Christi.
