The Galveston County Daily News

The Daily News asked three men of faith to recommend five books about faith.

+++

The Rev. Ronald D. Pogue is interim rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence, Kan., and former rector of Galveston’s Trinity Episcopal Church.

• “The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why,” by Phyllis Tickle, Baker, 2008.

The author examines the monumental global cultural shift we are experiencing in comparison with other monumental historic transitions in Western Civilization and from the perspective of three questions: What is this thing? How did it come to be? Where is it going?

• “A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I Am a Missional, Evangelical, Post/Protestant, Liberal/Conservative, Mystical/Poetic, Biblical, Charismatic/Contemplative, Fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, Green, Incarnational, Depressed-yet-Hopeful, Emergent, Unfinished Christian,” by Brian McLaren, Youth Specialties, 2004.

“A Generous Orthodoxy” rediscovers the ways Jesus can be embraced across the entire horizon of Christianity.

Rather than establishing what is and is not “orthodox,” McLaren provides a thoughtful and generous review of the many traditions of faith, resulting in a way of life that draws us closer to Christ and to each other.

• “Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith,” by Diana Butler Bass, Harper, 2006.

“Christianity for the Rest of Us” tells the story of moderate and progressive mainline Protestant congregations and how they found new vitality through spiritual practices and deeper meaning by pursuing God’s hope for transformation in the world.

• “A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix,” by Edwin H. Friedman, Church Publishing, 2007.

Rabbi Friedman’s insights about our regressed, “seat belt society,” which is oriented more toward safety than adventure, reveal the sabotage leaders face today.

He is suspicious of the “quick fixes” that sweep through our culture only to give way to the next fad. He argues for strength and self-differentiation as marks of true leadership.

His formula for success is more maturity, not more data; stamina, not technique; and personal responsibility, not empathy. Though not an overtly religious book, it is certainly one religious leaders ought to read.

• “Quarks, Chaos, and Christianity: Questions to Science and Religion,” by John Polkinghorne Crossroad, 2006.

Anglican priest and physicist John Polkinghorne offers a clear discussion of science and religion and their friendship in the search for truth and understanding.

Drawing on discoveries in quantum physics, he helps refine Christian perceptions through the knowledge the new science brings. He explores belief in God, chaos, evolution, miracles, and prayer, and offers an answer to the question: Can a scientist believe?

Ahmed E. Ahmed is a professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch and a member of Galveston Islamic Center.

Here are five books that are very appropriate for the common reader:

• “Everything for Understanding Islam,” by Christine Huda Dodge, Adams Media, 2003.

This is my favorite book recommendation for non-Muslims looking to understand Islam. It’s comprehensive but easy to read.

• “What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam,” by John L. Esposito, Oxford University Press, 2002.

Formatted as answers to a series of questions about Islam and Muslims, most of which are questions people genuinely ask.

• “Islam for Dummies,” by Malcolm Clark, For Dummies, 2003.

I love Dummies books because they explain topics simply but fully.

• “Understanding Islam and the Muslims,” by T. J. Winter and John A. Williams, Fons Vitae, 2002.

Very basic and simple and easy to read.

• “The Beliefnet Guide to Islam,” by Hesham A. Hassaballa and Kabir Helminski, Three Leaves Press, 2006.

A good overview of the basic beliefs and practices.

Jimmy Kessler is rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Galveston.

Here are five books I have enjoyed about Judaism from all sorts of angles:

• “What is a Jew?,” by Morris N. Kertzer, Touchstone, 1996.

• “As a Driven Leaf,” by Milton Steinberg, Behrman House, 1996.

• “God was in this place and I, I did not know,” by Lawrence Kushner, Jewish Lights Publishing, 1993.

• “Henry Cohen: A Frontier Rabbi,” by Jimmy Kessler, Eakin Press, 1997.

• “The Chosen,” by Chaim Potok, Fawcett, 1987.