Recommended Reading

The staff of The Beatitudes Society considers the following list of books worthy of your consideration, though listing should not be construed as an endorsement of the entirety of any particular book. Taken together, they should introduce the reader to many strands of thinking. Some would be great gifts to friends, neighbors, ministers and advocates who need another lens through which to see the world. We encourage others to suggest books for consideration that are appropriate for a broad audience. We have grouped the books into broad categories, recognizing that several would fall under more than one category, and some defy categorization. Enjoy browsing.

Reading Bible

Adams, James. From Literal to Literary: The Essential Reference Book for biblical Metaphors. 2005.

Blount, Brian. Can I Get a Witness?: Reading Revelation Through African American Culture. 2005.

Borg, Marcus. Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary. 2006.

Borg, Marcus. Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously But Not Literally. 2001.

Crosby, Michael. Spirituality of the Beatitudes:Matthew's Vision for the Church in a Unjust World. 2005.

Gomes, Peter. The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart. 1996.

Kinsler, Ross and Kinsler, Gloria. The Biblical Jubilee and the Struggle for Life. 2003.

Myers, Ched. Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark's Story of Jesus. 1989.

Pagels, Elaine. Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas. 2003.

Rossing, Barbara. The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation. 2005.

Stassen, Glen H.  Living the Sermon on the Mount: A Practical Hope for Grace and Deliverance (Enduring Questions in Christian Life).  2006. 

Theologies

Bane, Mary Jo. (ed., along with Brent Coffin and Richard Higgins) Taking Faith Seriously. 2005.

Brown, Delwin.  What Does a Progressive Christian Believe?: A Guide for the Searching, the Open, and the Curious.  2008. 

Borg, Marcus. The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith. 2003.

Borg, Marcus J. and Tim Scorer. Living the Heart of Christianity: A Guide to Putting Your Faith into Action. 2006.

Butler-Bass, Diana. Christianity for the Rest of Us. 2006.

Clifford, Anne. Introducing Feminist Theology. 2001.

Chittester, Joan. Called to Question: A Spiritual Memoir. 2004.

Elnes, Eric. The Phoenix Affirmations: A New Vision for the Future of Christianity. 2006.

Greenleaf, Robert K. Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. 2002.

Heyward, Carter. Saving Jesus from Those Who are Right. 1999.

Johnson, Elizabeth. Dangerous Memories: A Mosaic of Mary in Scripture. 2003. 2004.

McFague, Sallie. Life Abundant: Re-Thinking Theology and Economy for a Planet in Peril. 2000.

Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Sexism and God Talk. 1993.

Rutba House. School(s) for Conversion: 12 marks of a New Monasticism. 2005.

Tanner, Kathryn. The Politics of God: Christian. Theologies and Social Justice. 1992.

Brock, Rita and Parker, Rebecca. Proverbs of Ashes. 2001.

Religion and Politics

Batstone, David. Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It. 2007.

Butler, Jennifer S. Born Again: The Christian Right Globalized. 2006.

Carter, Stephen L. God's Name in Vain: The Wrongs and Rights of Religion in Politics. 2001.

Cobbs, John. (ed.) Progressive Christians Speak: A Different Voice on Faith and Politics. 2003.

Coffin, William S. Credo. 2004.

Dionne, E.J., Jr.  Souled Out: Reclaiming Faith and Politics after the Religious Right. 2008. 

Edgar, Bob. Middle Church: Reclaiming the Moral Values of the Faithful Majority from the Religious Right. 2006.

Green, John (ed.) The Christian Right in America: Marching to the Millennium. 2003.

Hedges, Chris. Losing Moses on the Freeway: The Ten Commandments in America. 2005.

Kaplan, Esther. With God on Their Side: George Bush and the Christian Right. 2005.

Marsh, Charles. The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice, from the Civil Rights Movement to Today. 2004.

Nelson-Pallmeyer, Jack. Saving Christianity From Empire. 2005.

Sedgwick, Timothy, and David J. Schlafer. Preaching What We Practice: Proclamation and Moral Discernment. 2007

Sider, Ron. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity. 1997.

Taussig, Hal. A New Spiritual Home: Progressive Christianity at the Grass Roots. 2006.

Taylor, Mark Religion, Politics and the Christian Right. 2005.

Tutu, Desmond. God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for our Time. 2005.

Wallis, James. God's Politics. 2005.

West, Cornel. Prophesy Deliverance: An Afro-American Revolutionary Christianity. 2002.

Wink, Walter. (ed.) Peace is the Way. 2000.

Spiritual Practice

Chittester, Joan. Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today. 1991.

Edwards, Tilden. Living Simply Through the Day: Spiritual Survival in a Complex Age. 1998.

Jones, Alan, and John O'Neil. Seasons of Grace: The Life-Giving Practice of Gratitude. 2003.

May, Gerald. The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need. 1993.

Muller, Wayne. Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives. 2000.

Palmer, Parker. A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life. 2004.

Rohr, Richard. Contemplation in Action. 2006.

Rohr, Richard. Jesus' Plan for a New World: The Sermon on the Mount. 1996.

Books We Like a Lot That Defy Categorization

Campolo, Tony. Letters to a Young Evangelical (Art of Mentoring). 2006.

Coffin, William S. Letters to a Young Doubter. 2004.

Lamott, Anne. Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith. 2000.

Gallagher, Nora. Things Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith. 1999.

Gallagher, Nora. Changing Light. 2007.

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