Textbook List

Scholar’s Series Book List by Course:

New Testament Survey & Old Testament Survey (combined)

  • The Bible: An Introduction, 2nd or 3rd Ed by Jerry L. Sumney
    Please note that there is also an optional Study Companion, for this book, that some find helpful, but it’s not required.
  • The Bible—Recommended Versions:
    • HarperCollins New Revised Standard Version Study Bible
    • A literal translation; like Young’s, or David Bentley Hart’s New Testament. Note: the Concordant is not recommended
    • An easy-to-read translation; the Good News Bible is probably the best from a CU perspective. Other good options are the New International Readers Version, or the J. B. Phillips Translation of the New Testament
    • https://netbible.org is also helpful for its study notes

Intro to Christian Universalism

Choose two books:
  • Christian Universalism: God’s Good News for All People by Eric Stetson
  • Destined for Salvation: God’s Promise to Save Everyone by Kalen Fristad
  • Believable: Discover the God That Saves All by J.D. Atkinson
  • Grace Saves All: The Necessity of Christian Universalism by David Artman
  • Raising Hell by Julie Ferwerda
  • Hope Beyond Hell by Gerard Beauchemin
  • The Gospel of Inclusion by Carlton Pearson
  • Spiritual Terrorism by Boyd Purcell
  • Naturally Miraculous by Peter Stilla

Church History (emphasis on Universalism)

  • Christianity Through the Centuries, 3rd Ed. by Earle E. Cairns
  • A Larger Hope?, Volume 1: Universal Salvation from Christian Beginnings to Julian of Norwich by Ilaria L. E. Ramelli
  • A Larger Hope?, Volume 2: Universal Salvation from the Reformation to the Nineteenth Century by Robin A. Parry & Ilaria L. E. Ramelli

Living The Gospel

Choose two books:
  • If God Is Love by Philip Gulley & James Mulholland
  • Evolving in Monkeytown by Rachel Held Evans
  • Reaching Out by Henri Nouwen
  • The Return Of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
  • The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  • Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
  • To Kiss the Joy by Robert Raines
  • An Altar In the World by Barbara Brown Taylor
  • Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault
  • At the Heart of the Gospel by J. Ann Jervis
  • Proverbs of Ashes by Rebecca Parker and Rita Nakashima Brock
  • Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd
  • The Imitation of Christ by Thomas ‘a Kempis
  • The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Intro to Theology

  • Theology: A Very Short Introduction, 2nd Ed., by David Ford
  • What Is Biblical Theology?: A Guide to the Bible’s Story, Symbolism, and Patterns by James M. Hamilton Jr.

Eschatology (comparative)

  • The Book of Revelation For Dummies by Larry R. Helyer & Richard Wagner

Ministry Series Book List by Course:

Hermeneutics

  • Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation 2nd Ed. by Henry A. Virkler and Karelynne Ayayo

Ethics, Leadership, and Polity

  • Ethics for Dummies by Christopher Panza and Adam Potthast
  • Gentle Shepherding: Pastoral Ethics and Leadership by Joseph E. Bush Jr.
  • Pastor: Revised Edition: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry by William H. Willimon

Universalist Apologetics

Choose at least 2, of the 5 books

  • The Inescapable Love of God 2nd Ed. by Thomas Talbott
  • The Evangelical Universalist 2nd Ed. by Gregory MacDonald
  • That All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation by David Bentley Hart
  • Patristic Universalism 2nd Ed. by David Burnfield
  • Her Gates Will Never Be Shut by Bradley Jersak

Synthesis of Scripture

  • Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament 2nd Ed. by Christopher J. H. Wright
  • From Eternity to Here: Rediscovering the Ageless Purpose of God by Frank Viola

Theology

  • Story Theology by Terrance W. Tilley
  • Introducing Radical Orthodoxy: Mapping a Post-secular Theology by James K.A. Smith

Homiletics

  • Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones
  • The Homiletical Plot, The Sermon as Narrative Art Form, Expanded Ed. by Eugene L. Lowry
  • Words of Grace: A Quick Reference Handbook for Christian Leaders in Conducting Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms, Worship Services and Much More by Michael Morawski

Pastoral & Spiritual Care:

  • Professional Spiritual & Pastoral Care: A Practical Clergy and Chaplain’s Handbook by Rabbi Stephen B. Roberts et al
  • When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner