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John Bunyan, born in England in 1628, was a well-known Puritan preacher and author. He is most famous for his allegorical work “The Pilgrim's Progress”, a story of the Christian pilgrimage toward salvation and widely considered one of the most important works of religious English literature. “The Pilgrim’s Progress” was published in 1678, but was written several years earlier during Bunyan’s time in prison from 1660 to 1672, when he was sentenced to twelve years for holding unlicensed church services outside of the established Church of England. During his imprisonment, Bunyan also completed “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners”, an autobiography recounting the story of his own conversion from a life of sin and impiety to one of virtue and spiritual regeneration. “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners” was published in 1666 and illustrates the tenets of Puritanism through what Bunyan saw as God’s saving grace in his own life. He reflects on his sinful youth and how faith led him away from an impious adulthood. Those who read this work are comforted by Bunyan’s honest admission to feelings of despair and doubt; even today, many people can identify with his struggles, and find inspiration in his faith and religious conviction. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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Written in 1525 in response to the writings of Erasmus, “The Bondage of the Will” conveys Luther’s beliefs on the issue of free will during the Protestant Reformation. Because of the fall of man, he debates with Erasmus on whether or not human beings are free to decide on good or evil. He asserts in this well written and uniquely styled work that we are incapacitated by sin, and human beings must rely on the complete sovereignty of God to redeem us and bring about our salvation. Because man is dictated by Satan, he must be saved entirely by God, and this liberation should lead to the service of God. Considered a masterpiece of Reformation literature, Luther’s writing is a combination of deep theological thought with a gentle humor and a refreshing directness. Because of its primary position in Reformation doctrine, “The Bondage of the Will” is a vital link in understanding the ideas of Luther and his place in the Christian tradition. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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Written in Middle English sometime in the latter half of the 14th century, “The Cloud of Unknowing” is an anonymous work of Christian Mysticism. Surviving to us in only seventeen known manuscripts, “The Cloud of Unknowing” is meant as a spiritual guide of contemplation upon God. The work advises not to seek a better understanding of God through knowledge and intellect, but rather to surrender oneself to the darkness of the realm of the “unknowing”. It is here, where by the abandonment of consideration of the particular attributes of God, which it is argued cannot truly be known to man, is replaced with intense contemplation that may lead to an understanding of the true nature of God. Presented here is the translation into modern English by Evelyn Underhill first published in 1922. Evelyn Underhill, as one of the leading authorities on Christian mysticism of the early 20th century, is perfectly in her element here introducing this work to modern readers. A fascinating work of Christian literature, “The Cloud of Unknowing” in its abstract and at times paradoxical argument will give great insight into the mind of the Medieval Christian mystic.

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Actually published in 1908, Dowling asserted that he had transcribed this work from Akashic records, which gave a detailed account of the life of Jesus. The title was derived from an age determined by constellations, adding an astrological meaning with an appellation that indicated the Age of Aquarius. “The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ” has been deemed an apocryphal work, despite the fact that it was written and published recently, noticeably later than most other works of the same nature. It does have in common with such writings an account of the entire life of Jesus in 182 chapters, beginning with the early life of his mother Mary and going through his death and resurrection, concluding with Pentecost and the foundation of the Christian Church. Though controversial and considered to contain inaccuracies, Dowling’s work does make claims of a comforting nature, such as the assertion that ‘No soul is ever abandoned by God’. With that and other reassuring claims, “The Aquarian Gospel” has tentatively taken its place amid other works of religious literature.

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Published posthumously in 1588, “The Interior Castle” was written over several weeks in 1577 by Saint Teresa of Avila, a prominent 16th century Spanish mystic, Carmelite nun, theologian, and writer of the Counter Reformation. Saint Teresa of Avila was born in 1515 in Avila, Spain to a wealthy and prominent family. After the death of her mother when she was 11, she went to live with the Augustinian nuns and devoted the rest of her life to the church until her death in 1582. “The Interior Castle” was written shortly after Saint Teresa finished her autobiography, “The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself”, which has become a classic work of Christian mysticism. Saint Teresa wrote “The Interior Castle” to guide the faithful in their spiritual development and relationship with God through service and prayer. Inspired by a vision she received of the soul as a diamond in the shape of a castle containing seven mansions, Saint Teresa interpreted this vision as the journey of faith in seven stages, culminating in the perfect union with God. This classic masterpiece of faith and devotion remains an inspiring and helpful guide to those seeking a deeper spiritual practice.

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St. Paul’s “Epistle to the Galatians” is one of the most important of all Christian writings. The work was treasured by Martin Luther, the 15th century German priest, scholar, and father of the Protestant Reformation. For this reason, Luther delivered lectures on the “Epistle to the Galatians” in 1531 and published those lectures in 1535. The resulting “Commentary on Galatians” by Luther is widely regarded as one of the most important commentaries ever written on Christian faith and love. Deeply personal and at least in part autobiographical, Luther explains why St. Paul’s “Epistle to the Galatians” is so important and meaningful to both him and to the Christian faith. Paul’s “Epistle” and Luther’s “Commentary” have assured countless Christians of the superiority of the Bible over human reason, the perfection of Christ’s sacrifice and atonement through his death, and the essential doctrine of justification through faith alone as the foundation for all Christians. Moving and passionate, Luther expresses the strength and comfort that he has found in this faith. This masterpiece continues to remain as inspiring and important to Christians today in understanding their faith as it has been for the last five hundred years. Presented here is the condensed translation by Theodore Graebner. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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Collected together in this volume are the three of Martin Luther’s most important works: “The Ninety-Five Theses”, “On Christian Liberty”, and “Address to the Christian Nobility”. Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant movement and one of the most important figures in all of religious history puts forth his objections to the Catholic Church in these classic religious texts. “The Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” is Martin Luther’s list of concerns on corruption in the Roman Catholic Church. This 1517 document has since been widely acknowledged as the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. “On Christian Liberty” is Luther’s third major treatise in which he details his doctrines on justification by faith and the priesthood of all believers, and eventually expands on the concept of freedom through grace and its meaning for mankind. Finally in this collection we find the “Address to the Christian Nobility” which predates “On Christian Liberty” and further discusses the religious beliefs of Martin Luther. This collection of foundational works of the Protestant movement is essential reading for religious scholars and lay people alike. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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The French Sociologist Émile Durkheim is commonly cited as the father of sociology. Principle to the work of Durkheim was his concern with regard to how modernity was effecting traditional social and religious institutions, more specifically with how societies could maintain their integrity and coherence in an era in which new social institutions were coming into being. One of his principles works, “The Elementary Forms of Religious Life” is a comparative theory of the religious lives of ancient and modern societies and the sociological influence of their respective religious institutions. Durkheim argues that the essence of religion is the concept of the sacred and it is this single phenomenon that is common to all religions. The work extensively discusses the concept of the sacred by examining the worship of totems in ancient religions and by arguing that modern societies have displaced this totemism by ascribing a new form of sacredness to the individual and individual rights. “The Elementary Forms of Religious Life” is a compelling exposition on the impact of religious institutions in ancient and modern life and a worthy read for anyone interested in religious or sociological studies.

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“The Greatest Thing in the World” is the enduring sermon on love and kindness by Henry Drummond, a respected and popular nineteenth-century Scottish evangelist, scientist, speaker, and writer. Drummond was well-known during his lifetime for his efforts to bridge the gap between the scientific world and the religious world, most notably in his 1883 work “Natural Law in the Spiritual World”. He was also a popular and inspiring public speaker and his 1890 sermon “The Greatest Thing in the World” remains widely read and quoted the world over. The sermon is a powerful sermon exploring the Biblical verse 1 Corinthians 13 and Paul’s writings on love which remains as relevant and meaningful as when it was first given. It is considered by many to be one of the most extraordinary and moving descriptions of the importance and power that love has in everyone’s daily life and spiritual practice. Drummond also provides practical and useful guidance for every Christian to live a gentler, kinder, and more compassionate life.“The Greatest Thing in the World” will touch the heart of everyone who reads its timeless message and is an important addition to the libraries of the devout and nonreligious alike.

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The “Ecclesiastical History of the English People” is considered one of the most important documents of Anglo-Saxon history and was written by Saint Bede, or Bede the Venerable, an English Benedictine monk and well-known scholar who was born around 672 AD. The work, which begins as a general history of England from the time of Julius Caesar’s invasion in 55 BC, details the rise of Christianity in England and becomes a detailed study of the different Christian churches and leaders of England. The history focuses chiefly on the conflict between Roman and Celtic Christianity from the introduction of Christianity to the Anglo-Saxon’s by Augustine of Canterbury in 597 AD until the time of the book’s completion in approximately 731 AD. In drawing upon numerous primary and secondary resources, Saint Bede creates not only an important and often accurate historical document, but also advances his own views on politics and religion, which was more supportive of the Roman church leaders than the Anglo-Saxons. One of the most important works of both English and Christian history, the “Ecclesiastical History of the English People” is a must read for scholars or students of either historical discipline. This edition follows the translation of J. A. Giles.

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