Top 10 Books of 2014

 

The following favorites were selected by The Dubious Disciple among those reviewed as the best religion books of 2014. Books are presented in order by review date.

 

 

The Adam Quest by Tim Stafford, reviewed March 31, 2014
A fascinating glimpse into the lives of eleven scientists who feel faith and science should be allies.
Disciples: How Jewish Christianity Shaped Jesus and Shattered the Church by Keith Akers, reviewed May 17, 2014
Speculative but convincingly argued, it strikes a perfect balance between reason and wonder, as it traces the evolution and demise of Jewish Christianity.
Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most by Marcus Borg, reviewed May 27, 2014
Loving God means loving what God loves. That’s what a Christian life is all about: becoming passionate about God and participating in God’s passion for a different kind of world.
Becoming the Son by C. D. Baker, reviewed June 17, 2014
It’s a gutsy challenge to write fiction about Jesus, yet I believe this is the most enjoyable and moving Bible-times story I’ve ever read. Jesus’ message comes alive in glorious humanity.
The Bible Tells Me So by Peter Enns, reviewed September 9, 2014
If you’ve ever wondered how to read the Bible like Jesus–the Jewish way–here’s your answer in a fun, easy-to-read publication.
The Two Faces of Christianity by Richard Markham Oxtoby, reviewed October 8, 2014
If you think you’ve seen Christianity from every angle, try this one. I encourage you to look at it anew from the perspective of a psychologist.
You Don’t Understand the Bible Because You Are Christian by Richard Gist, reviewed October 25, 2014
Gist brings the Bible alive as ancient Hebrew storytelling, and though there’s sometimes a bit of speculation involved, the flavor of his interpretation is so fascinating that it must be spot on.
Reframing a Relevant Faith by C. Drew Smith, reviewed December 11, 2014
Is Christianity a religion that legitimizes intolerance, subjugation, and violence, or is it a faith of tolerance, equality, and peace?
Glimpsing Heaven by Judy Bachrach, reviewed December 16, 2014
This is the most comforting book about death I’ve ever read. It’s about near-death experiences, but oddly it has nothing to do with Christian beliefs.
Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine, reviewed December 31, 2014
Levine tackles the more controversial parables Jesus spoke, making an effort to put these stories back in their first-century Jewish setting.