I’m challenging myself to read a variety of religious texts recently, and working my way through the Bible and the Quran. I’m looking for suggestion for holy books from various religions and belief systems, especially ones that moved you personally and spiritually, beyond the main big ones.
Preferably hard copies (no online sources), in English. Thanks!
by NiaList
5 Comments
You can buy The Nag Hammadi Scriptures in English. I find Gnostism really interesting.
The Shepherd of Hermas was once the rival for most popular Christian text, but didn’t make the final cut for the New Testament.
I know this isn’t probably exactly what you are looking for; but if you like fiction, I would recommend reading The Shack by William Paul Young. To me, it both challenges some of the preconceived notions about Christianity and reinforces what it means to follow Christ and forgive.
My wife is not a big reader at all, but she stayed up one night and read the entire book in one sitting. Personally, I had just a tad bit of trouble with the first three chapters, but from the moment the main character reaches the shack and has his first encounter with ‘God’, I was completely sucked in.
Tibetan book of the Dead, or Bardo Thodol
The Works of Josephus (not a holy book, but it’s a great reference/source for Biblical accounts)
The Talmud
The Bhagavad Gita
Tao Te Ching
Popol Vuh
The upanishads is my favourite religious text.
The pilgrims progress by John Bunyan