The Top Ten: Books (Religion)

Don't be fooled; we're all religious.  We all have beliefs that drive our conduct, whether they're codified and confessed by a community or individually developed. And since everyone is religious, it's important to think on what you believe and why.

I've reviewed over 100 books in this category on this blog; the below selections have been very helpful to me as a Christian.  For those unfamiliar with Christianity, one good summary is All Things New.

1. Prodigal God (Timothy Keller)

Keller looks at the familiar parable of the prodigal son to explain how each of us is one son or the other- and how each needs the father's love and grace.  Poignant and humbling.

2. The Canon of New Testament (Bruce Metzger)

Christians hold the Bible as God's Word; how did it come to be?  The Old Testament was established by Jesus' day, and He accepted it.  What about the new?  Bruce Metzger looks at this in-depth in his excellent book.  F.F. Bruce's book on the Canon of Scripture is also excellent.

3. Saving the Bible from Ourselves (Glenn Paauw)

Paauw argues that Christians over the generations have developed several poor habits in how we approach and read the Bible, and offers suggestions how to improve.

4. Christianity's Dangerous Idea (Alister McGrath)

The Reformation, launched just over 500 years ago in Germany, changed the way Christianity was understood and practiced for millions.  And it keeps changing today. Behind it all was a dangerous idea- that people had the right (and responsibility) to study God's word for themselves.  There was value and danger here, and McGrath does a good job looking at both in this history of Protestantism.  For those looking for a more general history of the Church, check out The Story of Christianity (Justo Gonzalez).

5. Systematic Theology (John Frame)

The Bible isn't organized systematically.  That's fine, but there can be confusion and dissension among differing denominations over the centuries on how to interpret the Bible on a given issue.  Frame writes clearly and well as he looks at common doctrines systematically, i.e. looking at different scriptures on the same topic and forming conclusions accordingly.  Very well done.

6. Faith Speaking Understanding (Kevin Vanhoozer)

Vanhoozer's work looks at the importance of understanding Biblical doctrine so well that we can apply it to all of life; after all, our beliefs are not merely propositional (intellectual), but dispositional (determine our actions).

7. Fallen: A Theology of Sin (Various)

We are fallen people- sinners.  Our culture today increasingly rejects that notion; many believe man is inherently good.  This book looks at sin- what it is and what to do about it.  Highly recommended.

8. No Future Without Forgiveness (Desmond Tutu)

There is evil in this world (and in each of us).  How do we live with it?  In this work, Desmond Tutu looks at dealing with the Apartheid, and how South Africa chose to pursue truth and reconciliation.  We all need forgiveness; there's no future without it.

9. Extravagant Grace (Barbara Duguid)

"God's glory is displayed in our weakness," reads the front cover.  Indeed.

10. The Soul of Science (Nancy Pearcey)

Scientists are just as religious as everyone else, and our worldview determines how we approach everything- even seemingly objective topics.  Pearcey's book is an outstanding analysis of the history of human thought behind science.

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It was hard to choose just ten . . . so many good authors (G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and others) could easily have places here.

You're religious; know your religion!