Wolfner :: Recommended Readings :: Adult Bibliographies :: Religion-Nonfiction

Religion—Nonfiction

April 2015

To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through our catalog. All books listed are linked to the Braille and Audio Reading Download site (BARD) for downloading.

An Atheist's History of Belief: Understanding Our Most Extraordinary Invention by Matthew Kneale
Download An Atheist's History of Belief, DB 79037
Read by John Haag. Reading time: 9 hours, 45 minutes.
Historical overview of various expressions of religious faith, from prehistory to the present, in which anxiety is considered to be the major driving force of religion. 2014.

Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige Hill
Download Beyond Belief, DB 76369
Read by Kristin Allison. Reading time: 12 hours, 31 minutes.
Third-generation Scientologist's memoir of growing up in the church, which was led by her uncle David. Describes her isolated childhood, separation from her parents, and the abusive punishment for disobedience. Highlights her rise in the organization and later disenchantment and desire for a normal life. Some strong language. 2013.

The Book of Genesis: A Biography by Ronald S. Hendel
Download The Book of Genesis, DB 77618
Read by Lou Harpenau. Reading time: 6 hours, 26 minutes.
Religion professor discusses the influence of the first book of the Bible and its role in the history of Western science, politics, and human rights. Examines different interpretations in the work of Protestant reformer Martin Luther, Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza, writer Franz Kafka, mathematician Galileo Galilei, and others. 2013.

The Broken and the Whole: Discovering Joy after Heartbreak: Lessons from a Life of Faith by Charles S. Sherman
Download The Broken and the Whole, DB 78788
Read by Kurt Elftmann. Reading time: 6 hours and 18 minutes.
Rabbi chronicles his son's brain-stem stroke and its impact upon his faith. Sherman explores his family's ability to find comfort and courage in one another and in their Jewish traditions and tells how his son's condition pointed him toward resolutions of life's biggest questions. 2014.

Change Your Words, Change Your Life: Understanding the Power of Every Word You Speak by Joyce Meyer
Download Change Your Words, DB 75577
Read by Jill Ferris. Reading time: 9 hours and 54 minutes.
Author of Power Thoughts (DB 71942) and Living Beyond Your Feelings (DB 73798) uses scripture and everyday examples to discuss the power of words and to illustrate the ways that they can change your life. Provides guidelines to achieve healthy and healing communication. Bestseller. 2012.

The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America by Edward J. Blum and Paul Harvey
Download The Color of Christ, DB 76479
Read by Malcolm Hillgartner. Reading time: 12 hours, 25 minutes.
Historians Blum and Harvey examine the various physical images of Jesus in America from the Puritans to the twenty-first century. They discuss the European white Catholic portrayal versus that of Native and African Americans and explore cultural and political influences on depictions of Christ. Some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2012.

God Loves You: He Always Has—He Always Will by David Jeremiah
Download God Loves You, DB 75744
Read by Scott Reynolds. Reading time: 8 hours, 13 minutes.
Christian pastor and host of the radio and television program Turning Point uses scripture and anecdotes to discuss God's love, which he says is unlimited and unending. Explains that rules such as the Ten Commandments and the threat of punishment for sin are also aspects of that love. Bestseller. 2012.

Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright
Download Going Clear, DB 76200
Read by Erik Sandvold. Reading time: 19 hours, 31 minutes.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author examines the inner workings of the church created by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. Discusses leader David Miscavige and membership levels. Details celebrities who joined, their rise within the organization, and their endorsement of Scientology. Chronicles filmmaker Paul Haggis's investigation of the church. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2013.

Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven by T. D. Jakes
Download Let It Go, DB 74594
Read by Bob Moore. Reading time: 7 hours and 44 minutes.
Bishop Jakes uses scripture to emphasize the importance of forgiveness, which he claims is necessary "to grow into the fullness of who God created us to be." Suggests ways to let go of bitterness and resolve conflicts in one's daily life. Bestseller. 2012.

Making Good Habits, Breaking Bad Habits by Joyce Meyer
Download Making Good Habits, DB 76697
Read by Sandra McCollom. Reading time: 5 hours, 9 minutes.
Author of Never Give Up (DB 68923) and other faith-based books examines negative behavior patterns and discusses fourteen good habits, including responsibility, generosity, and happiness. Encourages putting God first. Commercial audiobook. 2013.

The New Reform Judaism: Challenges and Reflections by Dana Evan Kaplan
Download The New Reform Judaism, DB 78573
Read by David Hartley-Margolin. Reading time: 13 hours, 20 minutes. Rabbi argues that Reform Judaism must find a clear and compelling theology to thrive in America. Traces its history and discusses contemporary issues of worship, practice, values, and ethics. Considers topics such as Humanistic Judaism, Messianic Jews, Jubus (Jews interested in Buddha), and Jews for Jesus. 2013.

The Pope and I: How the Lifelong Friendship between a Polish Jew and John Paul II Advances the Cause of Jewish-Christian Relations by Jerzy Kluger
Download The Pope and I, DB 76028
Read by Mark Ashby. Reading time: 8 hours, 56 minutes.
Autobiography recounts the author's childhood friendship in 1920s Poland with Karol Wojtyla (1920-2005), who became Pope John Paul II in 1978. Kluger, a Jew, describes surviving World War II and reuniting with his friend after almost thirty years. Translated from Polish by Gianfranco Di Simone. 2012.

Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander
Download Proof of Heaven, DB 75791
Read by Jon Huffman. Reading time: 6 hours, 12 minutes.
Account of fifty-four-year-old Harvard-educated neurosurgeon Alexander and his 2008 recovery from a coma induced by bacterial meningitis. Describes his near-death experience—including a feeling of unconditional love and acceptance—that convinced him of the existence of heaven and a personal God. Bestseller. 2012.

Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation by Elaine H. Pagels
Download Revelations, DB 74537
Read by Kerry Dukin. Reading time: 7 hours, 22 minutes.
Author of The Gnostic Gospels (DB 60458) describes the process by which the book of Revelation—regarded as a near-fantastic vision of the world's end—came to be added to the New Testament by fourth-century bishops. Explores the political purpose of its author, John of Patmos. Discusses other early-Christian apocalyptic texts. 2012.

The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra by Adam C. English
Download The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus, DB 76048
Read by Kerry Dukin. Reading time: 8 hours, 10 minutes.
Professor of religion reconstructs the life of Bishop Nicholas of Myra, known for his generosity and charity, who was the basis for the mythical Santa Claus. Examines the legends and historical facts surrounding the fourth-century holy man. 2012.

Second Chances: More Stories of Grace by Max Lucado
Download Second Chances, DB 76751
Read by Wayne Shepherd. Reading time: 3 hours, 54 minutes.
In this companion to Grace (DB 75414) minister and inspirational writer Lucado relates scriptural and anecdotal examples of people who have behaved badly but experienced mercy, forgiveness, and a second chance. Includes retellings of the tales of the prodigal son and of King David and Goliath. Commercial audiobook. 2013.

Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas
Download Seven Men, DB 76907
Read by Tom Parks. Reading time: 7 hours and 43 minutes.
Examines seven men who surrendered to a higher purpose that helped them through struggles and challenges: George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddell, Jackie Robinson, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Paul II, and Chuck Colson. Strong language and some violence. Commercial audiobook. 2013.

Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith: Religion in American War and Diplomacy by Andrew Preston
Download Sword of the Spirit, DB 78792
Read by Andrew Preston. Reading time: 36 hours, 2 minutes.
Cambridge University historian examines the role of religion in the development and deployment of American foreign policy. Traces the influence of religious principles from the early days of the Jamestown settlement in the 1600s to the war on terror in the 2000s. 2012.

Theology Questions Everyone Asks: Christian Faith in Plain Language by Gary M. Burge and David Lauber
Download Theology Questions Everyone Asks, DB 7911
Read by Jon Huffman. Reading time: 8 hours, 58 minutes.
Twelve essays by theology professors on questions typically asked by students. Discusses the nature of Christianity, the Bible, Jesus, salvation, ethical living, and more. Examines doctrine to attempt to answer the questions raised. 2014.

To Heaven and Back: A Doctor’s Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again: A True Story by Mary C. Neal
Download To Heaven and Back, DB 75227
Read by Margaret Strom. Reading time: 5 hours, 20 minutes.
Orthopedic surgeon Mary Neal recounts her 1999 kayaking accident in Peru, where she was trapped underwater after cascading down a waterfall. Describes experiencing peace and joy as her travel companions performed CPR, and regaining consciousness on the riverbank. Discusses her continued spiritual journey on earth. Bestseller. 2012.

Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst
Download Unglued, DB 75485
Read by Mary Kane. Reading time: 5 hours and 39 minutes.
Inspirational author and cofounder of Proverbs 31 Ministries uses her own experiences and biblical scripture to advise people on ways to resolve conflict, find peace, and improve communication by changing their thought patterns to keep emotions in check. Bestseller. 2012.

What We Talk About When We Talk About God by Rob Bell
Download What We Talk About, DB 76586
Read by Bill Wallace. Reading time: 5 hours, 51 minutes.
Pastor and New York Times bestselling author of Love Wins (DB 72822) posits that people are discovering new ways to think about God. Uses scripture and anecdotes to demonstrate the need to become aware of God's presence. 2013.

Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World by Brian D. McLaren
Download Why Did Jesus, DB 77690
Read by Brian D. McLaren. Reading time: 7 hours, 50 minutes.
McLaren, a theologian, proposes a new way of being Christian built on "benevolence and solidarity rather than rivalry and hostility." He argues that this faith alternative is strong but doesn't strong-arm anyone, going beyond tolerance to vigorous hospitality toward, interest in, and collaboration with others. Commercial audiobook. 2012.

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan
Download Zealot, DB 77042
Read by Jake Williams. Reading time: 13 hours, 23 minutes.
Religious scholar, author of No God but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam (DB 61297), uses historical records and New Testament accounts to portray Jesus the man as a charismatic, radical Jewish nationalist. Discusses ways the early Christian church strategically reshaped Jesus's teachings. Bestseller. 2013.