How best to expand one’s horizons and increase or challenge one’s beliefs during the pandemic than to read books? Indeed, this is the best time to study – and challenge one’s religious beliefs, as well as gain new insights into one’s religious and spiritual beliefs> one could start by reading the following titles:
From Science to Spirituality by Neil C. Griffen
In From Science to Spirituality: Finding Spirituality in Science, Neil C. Griffen sets to prove the science and religion are not at odds. The author, who is a medium and spiritual healer, attests to the compatibility between science and spirituality, saying science and spirituality can exist alongside to answer humanity’s questions. Griffin exhorts readers to use these two major sources of knowledge to live their fullest lives. From Science to Spirituality: Finding Spirituality in Science received positive reviews from independent book review publications.
Revelations: Told From a Buddhist and a Christian Perspective by Edmund Anthony Talmont
Ex-Marine Edmund Anthony Talmont aims to fill in the knowledge gap about Buddhism, a religion that predates Christianity. The author, who also practices Christianity, attempts to present the Buddhist religion objectively and compares both Buddhism and Christianity side by side. He also exhorts his readers to examine their religion of choice and decide for themselves which religion to follow.
From Salvation to Sanctification; Then Eternal Life by Zadia Brown Tyson
The author, who is a born-again Christian, was inspired to write this book after cleaning and preparing her backyard for a family gathering. While pulling up the weeds and watering her garden, she could not help but notice that the grass and the weeds grew together and that there were more weeds than grass. The book is her response to God’s calling in her life and introduces readers to the basic teachings on God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, sin and salvation, sanctification, and eternal life.
Beyond Mere Belief by Greg Van Arsdale
This book is written for those who have never questioned the answers the Church gives regarding spiritual matters such as God, the soul, spirit, salvation, sin, Heaven, and Hell. This book is designed to help believers step in their understanding of the Bible as they struggle with doctrines, particularly pertaining to Jesus, that are being promulgated in the Church. For the author, it is never enough to “just believe” or accept that there are things we are not supposed to understand. We should strive to understand what the Bible really says and discover who we are, where we came from, and where we are going.
Jesus of Nazareth: A Man of His Time by Dean R. Eyerly
Many books have been written about the ‘divine’ Jesus but rarely about the ‘historical,’ ‘earthly’ Jesus. This book digs deeper into the earthly background of Jesus and unveils the Jesus that most Christians have never known about, that is, the ‘historical” Jesus, who is also the son of human parents and not just of God. The author believes that Christians ought to know the earthly aspects of Jesus’ life, not just the ‘divine’ aspects, so he discusses various topics about him and sources information from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Pseudepigrapha, New Testament Apocrypha, and other historical sources and contemporary works on Christian biblical history.
The Bible was not Written in English by David Murdoch
The author helps believers avoid spiritual blindness and stay true to the Bible with his intriguing and compelling book. He exhorts believers to study the Bible themselves and not rely on church traditions put forth by pastors who are never fluent in ancient Hebrew and Greek. This book will help the believer uncover the original message of the Bible, so they could fully understand God’s overall plan.
Spiritually Circumcise Your Heart & Mind by Timothy L. Walker
This spiritually sound book introduces the concept of spiritual circumcision, that is, the Christian circumcision of the heart and mind. Unlike the Jewish circumcision of the flesh that is only available to males, spiritual circumcision is available to all men and women who desire communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Musings on Doctrine: Christian Beliefs Revisited by John C’ de Baca
As its title suggests, this book tackles Christianity’s essential doctrines, almost everything from the Antichrist to salvation, as well as beliefs specific to certain denominations, such as the Catholics’ veneration of Mary (“Mariolatry”) and Reformer John Calvin’s doctrine of predestination. The book also explores contemporary religious and social issues, such as marriage and divorce, crime and punishment, feminism, and ecumenism.
As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on and vaccinations are underway, it is essential that believers increase in their faith, take heart, and cultivate perseverance in uncertain times. Continue to pray, believe, and read.
The Happy Hammock 