The Times Online has just produced a list of “books for the religious” – I assume they’re a round up of newly released books rather than a catch all list of spiritual recommendations. Predictably they don’t include anything from an orthodox Christian standpoint.
Instead they recommend the following:
1. In Circles of Thorns: Hieronymous Bosch and Being Human, Justin Lewis-Anthony – a vaguely Christian book about the classic painting pictured above, with the summary from the Times saying: “that Jesus Christ is the calm centre in a circling, threatening world. It is that sense of peace that pulses through the book”
2. Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Israel Shahak
3. The Atheist’s Bible: an illustrious collection of irreverent thoughts, edited by Joan Konner
4. Making War in the Name of God , Christopher Catherwood
5. The Healing Word, Bishop Basil of Amphipolis
6. Creating a Future Islamic Civilization, Rashid Shaz
I’m pretty sure none of these would make my list. Although “Making War in the Name of God” sounds vaguely interesting.
I’m notoriously bad at collecting non-fiction books and then never reading them. I have a bookshelf full of half-read, or less, tomes of spiritual significance. Which ones should I read? What are your religious recommendations for others?
Obviously the seminal texts for each major religion are important to consider – and I think probably outside the scope of this Times article.