Reading is a great spiritual skill. One that opens our hearts to new perspectives on our faith and the world. Here, Pastor Ben highlights a selection of books from the shelves of Emmanuel that have brought him inspiration over the years.

How We Learn To Be Brave by Mariann  Edgar Budde.

Written by the Episcopal Bishop of Washington D.C. How We Learn To Be Brave is a very personal journey about how courage and strength in the convictions of our faith are grown through times of peace so we are ready for times of struggle. A great read for anyone wishing to be brave in the face of the fears and terrors of this life.

Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton.

Toxic Charity is an in-depth examination of the outworking of Christian charitable systems. It considers how many times charities end up doing more for the giver than they do for the receiver. Toxic charity asks the difficult question ‘Is our generosity hurting those we seek to help?’ A good read for anyone interested in the complexity of helping others.

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder.

In this slim, concise book, Professor Timothy Snyder considers 20 lessons to be learned from the tyrannies of the past century. This book confronts the uncomfortable lessons for our times that come from Prof. Snyder’s long studies into authoritarian systems of power. A read only for those who want to be provoked into action.

The Orthodox Church by Timothy Ware.

The Orthodox Church is a comprehensive introduction to the Orthodox church in two parts, the first covers the Church's history and the second its doctrine as told from the perspective of Timothy Ware, leader of the Orthodox Church in England. A good read for those interested in the early church and understanding the Orthodox faith communities of today.

The Four Loves by CS Lewis.

Best known for his children’s fiction, C.S. Lewis also wrote many theological texts about his Christian faith. In The Four Loves, Lewis considers the different uses and meanings of the word love in the English language and how they compare to the four words of biblical Greek that are all translated as love. Filled with many illustrations of how best to live out of faith lovingly, this is a good read for all who want to know what it means to love as a Christian.

Silence and Honey Cakes by Rowan Williams.

In this short book, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, discusses the faith and practice of the desert fathers and mothers, the very first monks. This is an excellent read to introduce monastic spiritual practices to those who have not encountered them before, and it offers some good reflection on how to incorporate them into our own lives.

How Civil Wars Start And How To Stop Them by Barbara Walter.

In this thought-provoking book, sociologist Barbara Walter considers the different stages on the road to civil strife and conflict and how best to stop them before they led a war. This book is clear-eyed and offers insight that can help to understand the contemporary world. A read only for those who want to be provoked into action.

The Eye of the Eagle by David Adam.

In this practical book built around reflection on the Celtic hymn Be Thou My Vision, David Adam draws out the beauty and spiritual power of this text for us today. Complete with reflection and prayers to pray, this is a great devotional book for those looking for peaceful contemplation.

The Cry Of The Deer by David Adam

In this excellent book, David Adam reflects on the hymn of St Patrick known as the Cry of the Deer. Offering prayers, reflections, and meditations, this book leads you into devotion and the knowledge that God is to be found all about you. A good read for all.

The Cost of Discipleship by Detrick Bonhoeffer. 

In this, his most famous work, Pastor of the Confessing Church Detrick Bonhoeffer talks about the importance of resisting ‘cheap grace”, that is, a profession of faith with lips only and a failure to live that faith in our daily lives. As Bonhoeffer makes clear, the cost of discipleship is our whole life turned over to God, and in return we receive the truth that sets us free.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship by the ELCA. 

A product of the long evaluation of Lutheran service books in America, Evangelical Lutheran Worship provides the poetry of Sunday worship for the ELCA, with the many different settings for Sunday worship front and center. This prayer book also continues a variety of additional services and music for congregational worship. A useful devotional and musical text, regardless of your denomination.

The Book of Common Prayer (1979) by the Episcopal Church. 
First published in 1549 the Book of Common Prayer has contained the services of the Episcopal Church since its founding. It has gone through many revisions and updates, leading to many different national versions of the book. The 1979 American addition contains the services of the Episcopal Church along with many additional prayers, scripture readings, and historical documents. A useful devotional and reference text, regardless of your denomination.

The Bible by God

If you haven’t read it yet, maybe you should! The bible is a collection of 66 books that make up the Christian scriptures. These books are from many different genres and eras, and vary in length and style. A good starting place is with the stories of Jesus' life, known as the gospels. There are four gospel books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. If you don’t have a bible at home, let Pastor Ben know on Sunday, and he will give you one! 

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

If your gut reaction to the question “why are white people racist?” Is “but I’m not racist!” You're suffering from white fragility. In this excellent and thought-provoking book, Robin DiAngelo explores how racism is a practice of our culture and not just “bad people”. A strong read that demands self-reflection.

Anam Cara by John O’Donohue

The best know work of Irish mystic, poet, philosopher, and priest John O’Donohue, Anam Cara means soul friend. This book blends poetry, with theology, and reminiscence to bring to life the Irish take on Celtic spirituality. A great read for those who love poetry by the winter fire, or a thought-provoking read by the lake

The False White Gospel by Jim Wallace

In a time when the name Christian is given to practices of hate, Jim Wallace calls out the falsehoods of conflating Christianity with nationalism, particularly if that nationalism is tied to a racist agenda. In a time of mass deportation and growing intrusion of the state into people's faith, this is a timely book which will challenge the reader.