Christian Books
recommended by clergy, biblical scholars, church historians, and philosophers of religion
Last updated: September 17, 2024
You can use our reading lists to find the best Christian books ever written on a variety of subjects.
Our recommendations span the best history of Christianity books, the best Jesus books, books on the existence of God, and many more.
Our best Christian book recommendations are from members of the clergy, biblical scholars, church historians, and philosophers of religion. These include distinguished scholars such as Richard Harries, Diarmaid MacCulloch, Edward Feser, and Robert Morgan.
The best books on Saint Teresa of Avila, recommended by Rowan Williams
St Teresa of Avila was one of the towering figures of the Counter-Reformation, both as a theologian and as a reformer of the religious life. Here, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, discusses her insights into spiritual growth and prayer, the impact her Jewish roots had on her life and career, and why Bernini’s statue of her in ecstasy is unhelpful.
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Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling
by Richard Lyman Bushman -
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House Full of Females: Plural Marriage and Women’s Rights in Early Mormonism, 1835-1870
by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich -
3
Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness
by W. Paul Reeve -
4
The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle
by Kathleen Flake -
5
Sister Saints: Mormon Women Since the End of Polygamy
by Colleen McDannell
The best books on Mormonism, recommended by Benjamin E. Park
The best books on Mormonism, recommended by Benjamin E. Park
Mormonism is an entirely home-grown American religion. Nevertheless, as historian Benjamin E. Park explains, it struggled to win social acceptance in the United States in the 19th and early 20th century and that marginalisation profoundly shaped its development and, to some extent, its doctrines.
The Best Augustine Books, recommended by Catherine Conybeare
Christianity has been profoundly influenced by Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE), but the fifth-century North African bishop has impacted almost every area of western thought: philosophy, theology, political theory, linguistics, and rhetoric. His Confessions is one of the most recommended titles on Five Books, but is it really the first autobiography? Professor Catherine Conybeare introduces us to the life, thought, and personality of this controversial yet brilliant figure. She picks the best books to learn more about St. Augustine and explores how he has been unfairly maligned.
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A History of the Bible
by John Barton -
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An Introduction to the New Testament
by Raymond E Brown -
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Jesus the Jew: a Historian’s Reading of the Gospels
by Geza Vermes -
4
The Misunderstood Jew: the Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus
by Amy-Jill Levine -
5
Seeing the Word: Refocusing New Testament Study
by Markus Bockmuehl
The best books on The Bible, recommended by Nicholas King
The best books on The Bible, recommended by Nicholas King
The Bible is not always an easy read—nor is it always obvious how or where to start reading it. Here, Nicholas King, a Jesuit priest and biblical scholar, chooses five books to help you start getting to grips with what is, arguably, the world’s all-time bestselling book.
The best books on Jesus, recommended by Robert Morgan
Jesus was a 1st century Jew from Galilee who had a ministry of teaching and healing. He gathered disciples around him, but was eventually arrested and executed by the Roman governor of Judaea from 26 to 36CE, Pontius Pilate. But what else do we know about Jesus and what is his significance in an increasingly secular age? New Testament scholar Robert Morgan talks us through his favourite books on Jesus.
The best books on Christianity, recommended by Richard Harries
The former bishop of Oxford tells us about books that explore what it means to be a Christian – from St Augustine and medieval mysticism to grappling with Dostoyevsky and more modern dilemmas. He picks the best books on Christianity.
The Best Books on the History of Christianity, recommended by Diarmaid MacCulloch
How can one get to grips with a subject as huge as the history of Christianity, a 2000 year-old religion with adherents in every corner of the globe? The popular and distinguished Oxford historian, Diarmaid MacCulloch, recommends books that will help you make a start.
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Summa Theologiae, Questions on God
by (ed.) Brian Davies and Brian Leftow -
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The Thought of Thomas Aquinas
by Brian Davies -
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Aquinas's Way to God: The Proof in De Ente et Essentia
by Gaven Kerr -
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The Reality of God and the Problem of Evil
by Brian Davies -
5
Atheism and Theism
by J. J. C. Smart & John Haldane
The best books on Arguments for the Existence of God, recommended by Edward Feser
The best books on Arguments for the Existence of God, recommended by Edward Feser
Is the existence of God incompatible with evil? What is the difference between ‘classical theism’ and ‘theistic personalism’? What is the best argument against there being a God? From Aristotle through Aquinas to the present, philosopher Edward Feser gives an in-depth look at arguments for the existence of God.
A N Wilson recommends the best Christian Books
The British writer, A.N. Wilson, recommends books that have helped him understand what Christianity means and to truly believe.
The Best Versions of the Bible, recommended by Timothy Beal
Religion professor Timothy Beal introduces five different versions of the Bible — from the New Oxford Annotated edition to less traditional “green” and feminist takes