World Religions Texts

  • Experiencing the World’s Religions. Michael Malloy
    Excellent textbook. It provides a great overview of different religions including history, key figures, practices, sects, etc. Can be read in its entirely or used as a sourcebook to look up specific religions or sects or topics (like Hindu gods).
  • World Faiths. S.A. Nigosian
    A scholarly yet readable text by Canadian scholar. The book makes good use of visual timelines, maps and glossary, and is a nice overview of the history, basic issues, scriptures, and current issues of the major world faiths.
  • World Religions. Willard G. Oxtoby, ed.
    An in-depth scholarly approach in two comprehensive volumes (East and West). Does not include Balance Traditions (Native, Dao, etc.).
  • The World’s Religions. Ninian Smart
    Considers world religions in two parts: first the founding and development of religions in their early years and second the influence of modernity since the Renaissance.
  • The World’s Religions. Houston Smith
    A series of personal essays by an insightful and sympathetic guide. Focuses on the ‘good’ in each tradition. Not so much an outline of facts as a perceptive look at what Smith sees as the heart of each tradition. Insightful more than factual. A good read.
  • Teach Yourself. Series - Various Authors
    A very thorough, easy to read and inexpensive resource. Each book is specific to a given traditions (e.g. Teach Yourself Islam, Teach Yourself Buddhism, etc.).
  • A Very Short Introduction. Series - Various Authors
    Similar to the Teach Yourself series, each Short Introduction covers one tradition exclusively. These small paperback books are a great source of a lot information in an easy-to-read format.

 

Thematic Texts

  • Surpassing Wonder: The Invention of the Bible and the Talmud. Donald Akenson
    A jam-packed thick book that takes one through the whole history of the creation and development of the Bible (Hebrew and Christian) and the Talmud (a series of texts that Akenson calls a “Surpassing Wonder”). Akenson writes exceptionally well and in non-jargon terms which makes for a great read. The book bubbles over with insights and the footnotes are worth more than most books. It is meant for the layperson but someone who wants a serious read.
  • Fundamentalism: The Battle for God in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Karen Armstrong
    Like Armstrong’s other books, she summarizes scholarship while making it easy to read. An excellent history of how fundamentalism has emerged over the past century or so in the Abrahamic traditions. You will learn lots that will make places like Iran and Israel more understandable while also coming to understand fundamentalism as a new, modern development.
  • The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions. Karen Armstrong
    Traces complex ancient beginnings of the world’s religions in a simplified, readable way. For a shorter version of this rather large book, see also Armstrong’s A Short History of Myth.
  • History of God. Karen Armstrong
    A history of the concept of God in the three Abrahamic faiths. The scope of the book is enormous (covering earliest Jewish religion right through to the modern day). Armstrong summarizes really well how concepts of monotheism developed, how they changed over time and how laypeople, philosophers and mystics thought differently about God, evil, and the goal of life.
  • Religion Explained: The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Thought. Pascal Boyer
    This book examines the human attraction to religion using the latest findings on the human brain and on evolution. It’s an attempt to explain ‘why are people religious’ and how this may have developed from a biological/evolutionary standpoint. Not for everyone but if these questions interest you, Boyer’s book is considered one of the best.
  • Inter-religious Dialogue: Voices From A New Frontier. M. Darrol Bryant and Frank Flinn, eds.
    An excellent resource exploring the concept of inter-religious dialogue from the perspective of a broad spectrum of faiths. The essays are a collection of presentations at the 1985 Assembly of World Religions in McAfee, New Jersey. Contributors who are involved in interreligious dialogue outline what they share in common, what they hope to achieve and what they can learn from one another through a dialogue of religions. Bryant is a professor of religion at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Flinn is adjust professor of religion and law at Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
  • The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Joseph Campbell
    Probably the most famous and most often quoted writings of Joseph Campbell that maps the hero’s journey found in virtually all religions and mythologies. Campbell uses the hero story as a metaphor for archetypal ways of transforming ordinary life.
  • The Mythic Image. Joseph Campbell
    An extensive work that traces major archetypal themes through world religions and mythology. Many excellent and helpful illustrations.
  • The Power of Myth. Joseph Campbell
    A book written in interview format as Bill Moyers interviewed Joseph Campbell in a popular five-part PBS television series.
  • Cosmos, Chaos and the World to Come: The Ancient Roots of Apocalyptic Faith. Norman Cohn
    Perhaps the best book on the development of apocalypticism and the changing notions of time and of God which occurs via Zoroaster and his impact on Judaism and then Christianity. A tad slow at the beginning as he sets the background but the second half is exceptional. Recommended for those very curious about these kinds of developments and this time period.
  • The Golden Bough. James G. Frazer
    The foundational work that introduced the concept of comparative mythology to the world. Scholarly – but an easy and fascinating read.
  • Living Buddha, Living Christ. Thich Nhat Hanh
    This is a book about peaceful living. Hanh is a scholar, a Buddhist monk and a kind of living saint in the manner of a Gandhi or Mother Teresa. In the 1960s he wrote and later met Martin Luther King Jr., urging him to oppose the war in Vietnam (Hanh’s homeland). King was persuaded, denounced the Vietnam war and later nominated Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize. Hanh’s book is a thoughtful take on the resources for peaceful living available in two great traditions as observed by a man who has lived a humble, reflective yet socially activist life. The book is highly popular.
  • God Has Many Names. John Hick
    Examines traditional doctrines of Christianity in light of the challenges of pluralism brought about by an encounter with world religions. Hick outlines a theory of Christian attitudes toward world religions that allows interrelatedness without arrogance. This is a very small book (just over a 100 pages) that is easy reading. Some find Hick’s ideas freeing; others find them controversial.
  • Mansions of the Spirit: The Gospel in a Multi-Faith World. Michael Ingham
    This book address Christian mission within the context of religious diversity. What are the goals? What are the dangers? What are the meaning and implications of the terms “exclusivism,” “inclusivism,” and “pluralism”? Ingham is Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster of the Anglican Church of Canada in Vancouver.
  • The Phenomenon of Religion: A Thematic Approach. Moojan Momen
    A comprehensive treatment of major world religions’ role in such themes as faith, suffering, gender and modern society. The book is an extremely helpful tool in understanding the diversity, nature and significance of the religious experience. Highly recommended.
  • God is Not One. Stephen Prothero
    This New York Times bestselling author makes a fresh and provocative argument that, contrary to popular understanding, all religions are not simply different paths to the same end and why this matters. Readers will find much to ponder.
  • Stories in My Neighbour’s Faith: Narratives from World Religions in Canada. Susan L. Scott, ed.
    An poignant collection of 24 personal reflections from people of diverse religions about how being a practitioner of a given faith shapes their worldviews, personal identity and interpersonal relationships. Includes stories from Mennonite, Wiccan, First Nations, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Unitarian, Taoist, Humanist, Baha’i, and other traditions.
  • Death or Dialogue?: From the Age of Monologue to the Age of Dialogue. Leonard Swidler, John B. Cobb, Jr., Paul F. Knitter, Monica K. Hellwig, eds.
    A conversation of essays and responses among four important voices in interreligious dialogue. The premise is that dialogue among religions is not an option but a necessity in a modern pluralistic society. Each author sets forth and idea of the goals and means of interreligious dialogue that is then responded to by the other three scholars.

 

Individual Religions

    Baha'i

    The Elements of the Baha'i Faith. Joseph Sheppherd
    A concise yet comprehensive summary of the biography of the religion’s founder, its basic teachings and how the tradition is expressed in the everyday life of practitioners.

     

    Buddhism

    An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Peter Harvey
    Also a good introductory text. Compared to Ross Reat’s text, this one spends less time on history (though still about half the text) and more on Buddhist thought and practice.
    Teachings of the Buddha. Jack Kornfield
    The basic philosophy of Buddhism as expressed in the essential Buddhist writings of India, Tibet, China and Japan. Kornfield sometimes provides a short introduction or explanation of some passages, but the work mostly depends on the excerpts themselves.
    Buddhism: A History. Noble Ross Reat
    A good introductory textbook on Buddhism that covers the Buddha himself quite quickly (one chapter for his life, one chapter for his teachings) and spends most of the book talking about the tradition’s development mostly organized by country/region including recent developments in the West.
    Responses to 101 Questions on Buddhism. John Renard
    Basic questions and brief responses regarding Buddhist philosophy and practice on such topics of history, doctrines, practices, ethics, spirituality, women’s issues, etc.
    Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience. Sharon Salzberg
    A personal memoir of personal suffering and faith by another Western convert to Buddhism. Thoughtful and very candid.
    The Elements of Buddhist. John Snelling
    A very comprehensive resource covering history, teachings, practices, expansion, and perspectives of Eastern and Western Buddhism.
    The Way of Zen. Alan Watts
    Watts is a famous Western convert to Buddhism. This book explores Buddhist thought and philosophy from the perspective of a practitioner raised in Western ways of thinking. A very good read for those interested in Buddhist thought for their own life.

     

    Christianity

    Spirit and Flesh. James M. Ault Jr.
    An easy narrative of the three years sociologist and documentary filmmaker, James Ault, spent immersed in an American fundamentalist Baptist community. The book reads almost like fiction, as Ault weaves back and forth between his experiences and his analysis. Sensitive, compassionate, enlightening.
    Christianity: An Introduction. Denise Lardner Carmody and John Tully Carmody
    A comprehensive and objective overview of Christianity outlining its history, doctrine, reforms and modern movements. Each of the 16 chapters concludes with an set of excellent study questions for consideration.
    Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography. John Dominic Crossan
    A controversial retelling of the Jesus story based on what is known about everyday life in first-century Roman-occupied Palestine.
    The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. Bart Erhman
    Light, easy read that is excellent nonetheless. Erhman very clearly summarizes the findings of New Testament scholarship. It is intended as a very introductory text and requires no background. A great starting place.
    From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of the New Testament Images of Jesus. Paula Fredriksen
    Traces the historical development regarding who Jesus was/is as the bourgeoning Christian movements grew apart from its Jewish roots and became more Hellenized.
    Martin Luther. Martin Marty
    Probably the shortest, most concise look at the founder of Protestantism by one of America’s top religious scholars.
    Jesus and Judaism. E.P. Sanders
    Sanders’ readable book is considered amongst the very best works on the historical person whose life gave birth to the world’s largest religion. John Dominic Crossan is another key writer on this topic.
    Paul: A Very Short Introduction. E.P. Sanders
    A short, insightful take on Paul’s missions, his teachings and letters and the impact of this co-founder of Christianity.

     

    Christian Science

    The Life of Mary Baker Eddy & the History of Christian Science. Willa Cather & Georgine Milmine
    An comprehensive account of the personal and public triumphs and tragedies of one of the few women responsible for founding a religion.
    Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Mary Baker Eddy
    Written by the founder herself, the book expound the deeper meaning of the Bible as related to the basic teachings and philosophy of Christian Science. Together with the Bible this book is the linchpin of personal study and corporate worship.

     

    Confucianism

    Confucianism: A Short Introduction. John H. and Evelyn Nagai Berthrong
    An informative guide to China’s ancient philosophical tradition offering insight into Confucianism’s intellectual aspects as well as its expression in present-day culture and society.
    An Introduction to Confucianism. Xinzhong Yao
    This is a scholarly text dealing extensively with the historical development of Confucianism and its various philosophical schools. The book is very helpful in understanding the “Way” of Confucianism, and its rituals and practices.

     

    Daoism

    101 Lessons of Tao: Inner Harmony, Self-awareness, Wellness. Luke Chan
    A collection of one-page ancient stories from the Daoist tradition – some serious, some humorous – that teach and reflect upon the yins and yangs of life.
    The Essential Tao. Thomas Cleary, ed.
    In addition to the Tao Te Ching, this book cites many stories from the “Inner Teachings” of the Chuang Tzu. A helpful “Notes” section at the back explains vital concepts and provides insightful background information.
    Chuang Tsu: Inner Chapters. Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English
    Authored by its namesake, is the second major scripture of Daoism. This book is a translation of these writings rather than a history about or commentary on.
    Daoism: A Short Introduction. James Miller
    A very thorough examination of the history, identity, philosophy and texts of Daoism. Includes a timeline and glossary.
    Tao Te Ching. Translation by Stephen Mitchell
    The central scriptural text for Taoism/Daoism. The text is very short and poetic. You could read it in 45 minutes but it is best read a page at a time perhaps as a daily practice. The short passages are meant to be reflected upon rather than run through.

     

    Hinduism

    Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation. Stephen Mitchell
    Sometimes called the Hindu New Testament, the Bhagavad Gita (Song of the Lord) is a brief but central scripture of Hinduism. This version includes helpful notes by Mitchell and an Appendix on “The Message of the Gita” by Mahatma Gandhi.
    Responses to 101 Questions on Hinduism. John Renard
    A lot of information packed into a organized in the same pattern of other Q and A resources listed here.
    Hinduism: The Eternal Law. Margaret Stutley
    An excellent resource for understanding development of ancient scriptures, Gods and Goddesses, yogic practices, priesthood, temples, symbols and more.

     

    Iconography

    The Meaning of Icons. Leonid Ouspensky and Vladimir Lossky
    A richly illustrated book (many colour plates) explaining the history of Eastern Orthodox icons generally as well as artistic conventions and traditions surrounding specific colours, postures, scenes, stories, techniques, etc.

     

    Islam

    Women and Gender in Islam. Leila Ahmed
    A scholarly book free of jargon that takes a fascinating tour of the question of gender and Islam. She is critical, yet sensitive of the impact both of early Islam and of recent Western imperialism on women who live in Islamic cultures. She has no axe to grind and gives an account that shows the complexity of how history has unfolded.
    Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet. Karen Armstrong
    Nice introduction/biography of the life of Muhammad. Armstrong is scholarly yet very easy to read. Her account is a sympathetic one but also objective. A great way to get a sense of the man and of the founding of Islam.
    The Koran: A Very Short Introduction. Michael Cook
    An excellent and brief account of one of the most influential texts in human history. The book examines how the book was formed (including scholar’s criticisms), how it has been interpreted and the role it plays in Muslim practice, culture and daily life.
    How to Understand Islam. Jacques Jomier
    Address oft-asked questions concerning belief, law, ethics, dietary regulations, jihad, women’s issues, etc.
    The Muslim Jesus: Sayings and Stories in Islamic Literature. Edited and Translated by Tarif Khalidi
    An extensive anthology of sayings and stories attributed to Jesus passed down through Islamic literature. The introduction describes the development of the Islamic image of Jesus and provides a framework and lens through which to read the sometimes obscure stories.
    Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources. Martin Lings
    Lings uses primary sources from the eighth and ninth century to recount the life of the prophet Muhammad. Lings is both an academic and a convert to Islam and is able to narrate this story with depth, simplicity and insight.

     

    Jainism

    Life Force: The World of Jainism. Michael Tobias
    A simple introduction to one of India’s oldest religions as experience by a Westerner. Stressed are the concepts of radical non-violence and the Jain concept of ecological harmony with nature.
    Jainism: An Introduction. Jeffery D. Long
    An overview of the history of Jainism’s origin, founder and beliefs with a particular focus on one of Jainism’s most fascinating concepts: the doctrine of relativity. Includes a glossary of Jain terms.
    Jain Path: Ancient Wisdom for the West. Aidan Rankin
    In addition to the usual content regarding history and philosophy, this book concludes with a chapter titled “Ancient Wisdom for an Age of Anxiety.” Includes a glossary of Jain terms.

     

    Jehovah's Witnesses

    The Bible – God’s Word or Man’s? Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Jehovah's Witnesses
    A consideration of the Bible from the perspective of Jehovah’s Witnesses as historical literal and inerrant.

     

    Judaism

    Auschwitz: Beginning of a New Era?. Eva Fleischner, ed.
    A collection of more than twenty essays by Jewish and Christian scholars exploring how the holocaust forever changed theological reflections regards religion and the concept of a Divine.
    The Jewish Primer: Questions and Answers on Jewish Faith and Culture. Rabbi Dr. Shmuel Himelstein
    Another Q and A format that is easy to read and offer succinct responses to many questions.
    Back to the Sources: Reading the Classic Jewish Texts. Edited my Barry W. Holtz
    An excellent source for those who want to better understand the purpose and function of Jewish hermeneutical traditions (midrash, Talmud, Zohar etc). For the serious reader.
    The Jewish Book of Why and The Second Book of Jewish Why. Alfred J. Kolatch
    A fun book of questions regarding Jewish believe, history and practice followed by short, easy to understand answers. The kind of resource you can pick up and read a page or two at a time from anywhere in the book.
    A Short History of Judaism: Three Meals, Three Epochs. Jacob Neusner
    Neusner writes many, many books on Judaism that are scholarly but clear and well-written. The three epochs he covers are Judaism during the Second Temple, Judaism after the Second Temple (the diaspora) and Judaism in modern times. Our Judaism class during the week owes a fair bit to Neusner’s approach. For a briefer, easier read, try Neusner’s Judaism: The Basics.
    Night. Elie Wiesel
    A devastating first person account of the holocaust by a survivor. The book is very short and neither glosses over nor embellishes what one person experienced during these years. It’s a kind of bare account that is difficult to put down. Written to rave reviews in 1960, there has been a recent revival of interest in the text as Oprah’s approval has launched it to the top of best-seller lists. If you want a sense of the holocaust that you can read in one or two nights, this is it.

     

    Mennonite

    An Introduction to Mennonite History (3rd ed.). Cornelius J. Dyck
    Dyck's introduction is far more than an introduction. First published 1967, it has become a foundational text in the study of Mennonite history. It is both scholarly and simply written as it covers Anabaptist-Mennonite history and theology and the globally diverse nature of Mennonites today.
    Anabaptist-Mennonite Confessions of Faith: The Development of a Tradition. Karl Koop
    Koop's text began as a theology dissertation and explores the early developmental stages of the Anabaptist movement in 17th century. Christianity's fractured reality at this time led many to a conversation that required groups to distinguish themselves from all others through confessional writing. Koop argues that the confessional age of Anabaptism reveals a distinct Anabaptist and Mennonite tradition unique from mainstream Christianity.
    Through Fire & Water: An Overview of Mennonite History. Harry Loewen, Steven Nolt, Carol Duerksen and Elwood Yoder
    This book is sometimes used as a text for young Mennonites and new Anabaptists seeking knowledge and insight into the difficult path of Reformation Anabaptism. It recounts history through biographies of significant individuals and their philosophies, which both united and divided the many groups that today are a part of the Mennonite mosaic. Probably the best resource to begin your study of Mennonites.

     

    Mormonism

    No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith. Fawn M. Brodie
    One of the most controversial, fascinating, detailed and well-researched biographies of the Mormon founder’s life from boyhood to prophethood to violent end.
    Inventing Mormonism: Tradition and the Historical Record. H. Michael Marquardt and Wesley P. Walters
    A meticulous examination of the personal, familial and social relationships that gave rise to the early development of the Latter-day Saint movement, particularly in upper New York State.
    Early Mormonism and the Magic World View. D. Michael Quinn
    Details the influence of 19th-century New England folk magic and supernaturalism in Joseph Smith's early visions, religious experiences and development of the Book of Mormon.
    Religious Seekers and the Advent of Mormonism. Dan Vogel
    A look at the how the growing religious expectations of the 1800s provided fertile soil for the rise of numerous primitive Christian movements, including the Joseph Smith’s restored latter-day church.

     

    Native Spirituality

    Voices of the Wind: Native American Legends. Margot Edmonds and Ella E. Clark
    A collection of some 130 Native legends, many told to the author by elder storytellers.
    The Pollen Path: A Collection of Navajo Myths. Margaret Schevill Link
    In a dozen stories the book presents the mythological essence of the Navajo way in seeking balance and harmony between seen and unseen worlds.
    Black Elk Speaks. John Neihardt
    The moving story of the renown Oglala Sioux Medicine Man, Black Elk as told by John Neihardt from personal interviews with this holy man.
    No Word for Time: The Way of the Algonquin People. Evan T. Pritchard
    The author, a descendant of Algonquin nation, provides poignant and insightful exploration into Native Spirituality. Includes a pronunciation key, glossary and maps.

     

    Rastafari

    Rastafari: Roots and Ideology. Barry Chevannes
    Through interviews with thirty Rasta converts the author traces the cultural roots and origins of the Rastafari movement in Jamaica from black nationalism and social unrest to an organized system of beliefs.
    Dread History: Leonard P Howell and Millenarian Vision in the Early Rastafarian Religion. Robert A. Hill
    A very short book that outlines the vision and contributions to Rastafari by Leonard P. Howell, a preacher, visionary and social reformer in Jamaica often called “The First Rasta.”
    From Babylon to Rastafari: Origin and History of the Rastafarian Movement. Douglas R. A. Mack
    An captivating explanation of the concept of the divinity of Emperor Haile Selassie as the omnipotent, omniscient, Creator and King of Kings.

     

    Scientology

    Theology & Practice of a Contemporary Religion: Scientology. Church of Scientology International
    An introduction to the organization, doctrine and practices of Scientology supported by primary sources from the writings of founder L. Ron Hubbard. An appendix includes opinions and responses by seven well-know interfaith authors and scholars.

     

    Shinto

    Shinto: The Kami Way. Sokyo Ono
    A small book of some one hundred pages that describes Shinto spiritual practices and festivals and explains the all-important function and symbolism of Shinto shrines.
    The Essence of Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Heart. Motohisa Yamakage
    The author presents the mystical, mythological Shinto relationship between the natural world and the spirit world – both cosmic and personal – as experienced through the rites and rituals, architecture and geography of Japan’s indigenous religion.

     

    Sikhism

    The Sikhs: History, Religion, and Society. W. H. McLeod
    A good introduction to the people, places, practices and philosophies of the Sikh tradition.
    The Name of My Beloved: Verses of the Sikh Gurus. Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh
    Selected passages from Sikhism’s major scriptural text (Guru Granth) with additional citations from the Dasam Granth (writings of the last Guru, Gobind Singh). Each section begins with a brief explanation of what follows.
    Guru Nanak: His Life and Teachings. Roopinder Singh
    A collection of interesting stories about the birth, childhood, guruship and death of the founder of Sikhism. Illustrated with many brilliant full-colour pictures.

     

    Unitarian Universalism

    100 Questions that Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism. John Sias
    In a simple Q and A format, the small booklet poses 100 questions about UU beliefs, history, organization, practice, etc. and answers these queries briefly and succinctly.

     

    Wicca

    The Wiccan Mysteries: Ancient Origins and Teachings. Raven Grimassi
    A more in-depth look at history, ritual, philosophy and symbolism.
    The Shabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways. Edain McCoy
    A resource for celebrating the festivals and myths of the wheel of the years. Includes songs (with music), readings, sample rituals and recipes for respective foods.
    Pocket Guide to Wicca. Paul Tuitéan and Estelle Daniels
    A small but thorough text covering topics of history, belief, practices, festivals and current issues.

     

    Zoroastrianism

    In Search of Zarathustra: The First Prophet and the Ideas that Changed the World. Paul Kriwaczek
    The author re-creates the enduring impact of Zarathustra’s innovative vision on western religion and philosophy by taking the reader on a creative journey backward through time from present-day thought to the ancient revelation of the world’s first monotheistic prophet.
    The Zoroastrian Faith: Tradition and Modern Research. S. A. Nigosian
    A historical and analytical survey of the significant role Zoroastrianism has played in the development of the major religions of the Middle East.