Titles Offered by Open Minds Books in 2008
The titles listed here were first offered by Open Minds Books in 2008. Although we might no longer stock them, they are still worth reading. Click any title to order that book online. Your orders will be completed through Amazon.com, and a percentage of what you spend goes to St. Andrew’s general fund.
Be sure to also check out the titles we featured for children in 2008.
From December:
Dynamics of Faith (Perennial Classic.)
, by Paul Tillich. This classic is a primer in the philosophy of religion, and yet is very accessible, without requiring deep theological background to understand and appreciate.
More books by (or about) Paul Tillich
Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why (Plus)
, by Bart D. Ehrman. Religious and biblical scholar Bart Ehrman makes the case that many widely held beliefs concerning the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, and the divine origins of the Bible itself are the results of both intentional and accidental alterations by scribes who copied New Testament manuscripts by hand for 1500 years.
More books by or about Bart Ehrman
Letters To A Young Doubter
, by William Sloane Coffin. In a series of short letters and answers,
Coffin offers sage advice about faith, the difficulties of personal life, and the confusing and complex problems of today’s world; he demonstrates that religious faith despite doubt is far stronger than faith without doubts. (Also available for Kindle
.)
More books by or about William Sloane Coffin
Jesus for the Non-Religious
, by John Shelby Spong. Again, Bishop Spong challenges the traditional understanding of the historical Jesus. After stripping him of the myths we’ve grown up with, he offers a more approachable, more believable Jesus as the key to a new life and new humanity. (Also available for Kindle
.)
More books by or about John Shelby Spong
From November:
The Fragrance of Faith: The Enlightened Heart of Islam
, by Jamal Rahman. Through the great lineage of teachers, including his own grandparents, Rahman conveys the beauty and depth of the Islamic tradition. With stories from various writings and the poetry of Rumi he touches the heart and mind. A wonderful introduction to this faith, the book can be used for daily meditation or group discussion.
More books by Jamal Rahman
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
by Pema Chodron. Chodron’s radical and compassionate advice for what to do when things fall apart in our lives goes against the grain of our usual habits and expectations. Chodron teaches that moving toward painful situations with friendliness and curiosity will lead to the discovery of indestructible truth and love. Both wise and practical, this is a book that can serve for a lifetime.
More books by or about Pema Chodron
The Road to Peace: Writings on Peace and Justice
, by Henri Nouwen. Nouwen has always stressed the connection between intimacy with Christ and solidarity with a wounded world. The Road to Peace is a collection of his writings on peace, disarmament, and social justice. It covers such topics as his anti-war sentiments, his support for the civil rights movements, his thoughts on the effect of U.S. warmaking against Nicaragua, and reflections on the AIDS epidemic. This book will inspire and challenge those with a passion for social justice.
More books by or about Henri Nouwen
Meditation: An Eight-Point Program
, by Eknath Easwaran. This book is a complete guide to a program of meditation that fits naturally into your life — even complementing an active religious practice. No extravagant claims, no pretentious jargon. Here you will find a clear, insightful exposition of meditation and an excellent instruction manual to its practice. (Also available as the complete audio guide
and in Spanish
.)
More books by Eknath Easwaran
From October:
When You’re Falling, DIVE: Lessons in the Art of Living
, by Mark Matousek. Matousek asks the question, “Do survivors of life’s greatest trials possess a secret knowledge?” In this book of 43 short essays, he examines the remarkable phenomenon of a mysterious power that gets us back on our feet after we’ve been knocked down. Seeking advice from well-known survivors and philosophical experts like Joan Didion, Eckhart Tolle, and Jon Kabat-Zinn, Matousek sifts through extraordinary testimonials — as well as breakthroughs in neuroscience — to demonstrate that we are, in fact, hard-wired to evolve and adapt when faced with the impossible.
More books by Mark Matousek
The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
, by Joan Chittister. Chittister examines how it feels “to be facing that time of life for which there is no career plan.” This collection of inspirational reflections, “not meant to be read in one sitting, or even in order, but one topic at a time,” abounds in gentle insights such as: “‘Act your age’ can be useful advice when you’re 17; it’s a mistake when you’re 77.” Beginning each short chapter with a quotation (“‘It takes a long time,’ Pablo Picasso wrote, ‘to become young’”), she ponders topics such as fear, mystery, forgiveness and legacy. Old age is rich for those who choose to thrive, not wither: “We can re-create ourselves in order to be creative in the world in a different way than the boundaries of our previous life allowed.”
More books by Joan Chittister
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism
(paperback), by Naomi Klein. Also available in hard cover
or as an audio book on CD
.
More books by Naomi Klein
The Active Life: A Spirituality of Work, Creativity, and Caring
, by Parker J. Palmer. With stories from Taoist, Jewish, and Christian traditions, Palmer takes us deep into the motives and grounding for our lives as activists and contemplatives. This insightful book is a graceful exploration of spirituality for the busy, and celebrates both the problems and potentials of the active life.
More books by Parker J. Palmer
Contemplation in Action
, by Richard Rohr and friends. One can pick from chapters addressing many topics that explore how we can act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God. In these short reflections is found a message of hope and deep insights into who we humans are and how we connect to the Holy in our active lives.
More books by Richard Rohr
The Tao of Daily Life: The Mysteries of the Orient Revealed, The Joys of Inner Harmony Found, The Path to Enlightenment Illuminated
, by Derek Lin. Lin The Tao is Chinese for “the path” or “the way.” Sages and masters have learned and taught the Tao using wisdom stories for 2500 years. Derek Lin weaves deep knowledge of this Chinese spiritual thought system through a simple yet elegant volume using stories, quotes from the Tao de Ching, and dharma talks. The Tao is illumined and made relevant for everyday living, unlocking and sharing the wisdom of the ancients for a modern world. (Also available for Kindle
.)
From July:
The Transformation of (Y)our World: Finding Optimism and Serenity During These Difficult Times
, by Delia M. Trujillo, is a guide book for taking care of ourselves and taking care of our planet as we go through these challenging times. Writing with simplicity and compassion, the author draws from the profound wisdom of Eckhart Tolle, Thich Nhat Hanh, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Jesuit monks Thomas Green and Anthony de Mello, and also A Course in Miracles. Trujillo offers this guide as partial, down-to-earth advice for finding greater success, happiness, inner peace, and fulfillment in our own life, which ultimately empowers us to be in a position to make a difference for the earth and for humanity during these pivotal times. (Foreword by Rev. Jim Rigby; introduction by Dr. Oliver Markley, professor emeritus of studies of the future at the University of Houston–Clear Lake and friend of St. Andrew’s.)
Citizens of the Empire: The Struggle to Claim Our Humanity
by Robert Jensen. For anyone who has ever despaired over our unresponsive and seemingly untouchable governmental power structures. Jensen reminds us what it means to be a human being and to continue the search for justice in an unjust society.
Other titles by Robert Jensen:
From June:
Welcome to the Wisdom of the World: And Its Meaning for You
, by Joan Chittister. This book is a helpful guide to life’s most pressing questions and draws from Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The next-to-last part of the book compares many aspects of these five traditions, followed by a section that finds the common threads running through them all. (Soft cover; also available in hard cover
.)
More books by Joan Chittister
Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith
, by Anne Lamott. As is Lamott’s earlier spiritual nonfiction, Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith is a collection of essays. The familiar topics are Mom, her son, illness, death, addictions, and Jesus. It’s Lamott’s zany attitude that is so endearing. She’s the kind of woman you’d love to
chat with over coffee. With gentle wisdom refining her signature humor, Lamott explores helpfulness, decency, love, and especially forgiveness. (Also available for Kindle
.)
More books by Anne Lamott
From May:
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy
, by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher. Jim Wallis said, “This book tells a story of forgiveness informed by deep faith, rooted in a rich history, and practiced in real life. In an American society that often resorts to revenge, it is a powerful example of the better way taught by Jesus.” This book depicts how the unique view of life, death, and forgiveness that is such a strong part of Amish culture and religion transformed the Nickel Mines tragedy.
Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing, and Dying
, by Ram Dass. The man who blazed the spiritual trail for his generation brings his wisdom and humor to the path that takes us to the end of life and beyond. Here he is wiser, more sober, more humble, and funnier than ever. Here and now we’re not as young and it’s not so easy, and he’s still teaching us how to age with courage and compassion.
More books by Ram Dass
The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America
, by Jim Wallis. Inspirational and substantial, this book invites us to become part of a new spiritual and social movement and make a difference. It is a hopeful guide to how we can put things right.
Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives
by Wayne Muller. A wise treatment of stress, this book gives permission to slow down from the busyness of our lives to rest, reflect and appreciate. All of us need to heed this wisdom. If we don’t take care of ourselves in this way, we will not be equipped to give to others.
More books by Wayne Muller
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
by Elizabeth Gilbert. In this engaging book, Gilbert chronicles the story of a year spent looking for transformation following the ending of her marriage and a serious depression. She spent 4 months each in Italy (eat), at an ashram in India (pray), and in Bali (love). Her profound life changes are told in this unrestrained and intelligent meditation on finding love in its many forms.
More books by Elizabeth Gilbert
From April:
How to Believe: Teachers and Seekers Show the Way to a Modern, Life-Changing Faith
by Jon Spayde. This book has chapters featuring our own Rev. Jim Rigby and Gerald Gafford, as well as chapters on John Shelby
Spong, and Joyce Rupp, among many others. After seeing Christianity become increasingly defined in the media as a narrow and punitive political movement, Spayde, a former editor of the Utne Reader, began to wonder: Are religions now just combatants in the culture wars? Should he leave the organized church? How are ordinary people using faith positively to search for the truth and improve their lives?
Spayde takes a journey across America that introduces him to an array of believers, eminent and obscure, who relate their personal stories of active and living faith — how they balance Jesus’ love and judgment, the church’s
dictates, and their own free willnbsp;— to live and love completely while on Earth. His odyssey brought him to a new understanding of why action is more important than the intellect in faith, how true solace is found in forging a personal
relationship with God.
This is a crucial book that reveals the different paths that can lead to the same inspiring place, a book that teaches “how to believe” in ways that honor individuality, allow for personal journeys, and spiritually enrich not just our own lives but also the lives of those around us.
More books by Jon Spayde
From March:
The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem
by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. These two scholars
discuss what they believe the “passion” of Jesus was really about. Using the Gospel of Mark as the basis for this study, they repeatedly attempt to answer the question, “What does then have to do with this now, our now?” The book looks at each day of the final week of the life of Jesus both historically and theologically. (Soft cover; also available in hard cover
.)
More books by Marcus Borg
More books by John Dominic Crossan
“They can walk with their heads up
”: by Cynthia Peters and Justin Podur. An interview with Joao Pedro Stedile, National Board member, Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra. (digital download of a 2433-word article from Dollars & Sense)
From February:
How Then, Shall We Live?: Four Simple Questions That Reveal the Beauty and Meaning of Our Lives
, by Wayne Muller. We all long to experience a sense of inner wholeness and guidance, but today’s notions of healing and recovery too often keep us focused on our brokenness, on our deficiencies rather than our strengths. Wayne Muller’s luminous new book gently guides us to the place where we are already perfect, already blessed with the wisdom we need to live a life of meaning, purpose, and grace.
More books by Wayne Muller
A Wind Swept over the Waters: Reflections on 60 Favorite Bible Passages
, by John Nichols. As our lives change, even the most familiar words of the Bible can strike us in new and unexpected ways. Many of us were brought up to believe that a scriptural passage can have only one meaning. This idea limits our appreciation. Reading the Bible is like looking into a spiritual mirror. When we really absorb its language and images and give ourselves time to let them work their way into our souls, the ancient words can touch our live experience in unexpected ways.
Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings
, edited by Marcus Borg. This remarkable collection of parallel sayings reveals how Jesus and Buddha were guiding us along the same path, highlighting a
remarkable synchronicity in early teachings from East and West. This book also delves into the mystery surrounding their strikingly similar teachings, and presents over 100 examples on facing pages.
More books by Marcus Borg
Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino
by Joyce Rupp. In this inspirational book, this well-known author presents her adventures on a 47-day pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in Spain, which she took at the age of 60 with a retired pastor and close friend. As an imaginative practitioner of spiritual literacy, Rupp has gathered together the many meanings of her experience so that fellow pilgrims can share in the bounty. One of the main points of a pilgrimage is not knowing what will happen on the journey. Another part of it is living in the Now.
More books by Joyce Rupp
Taking Our Places: The Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up
by Norman Fischer. Most of us take maturity for granted, as if it comes naturally with age and experience. In fact, however, few of us are truly mature individuals, occupying our unique places in life. In this profound and engaging work, Fischer explores the true mark of maturity and the attributes which can enrich and broaden our lives. This hands-on guide provides a surprising new perspective that can turn old ideas on their heads and reinvigorate our understanding of what it means to be mature.
More books by Norman Fischer
Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer
, by Richard Rohr. Rohr offers that God is found in all things, even the most painful or sinful things. And it is through contemplative prayer that we are able to “see” and to hold the paradox of the good and bad within each of us and throughout human history. Prayer is “a way of living in the Presence and living in awareness of the Presence” allowing for transformation. Everything Belongs is profound message that is to be read and reread.
More books by Richard Rohr
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(2007)
(2005)
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