Candler Pre‐Seminary Reading List As you prepare to begin your seminary journey, we have compiled this list of helpful guides, introductions, and foundational texts in various areas of theological study. Most of the books are meant for newcomers to world of theological education, but some are for more advanced readers who have some previous experience with the academic study of religion.
Have a great summer!
Guides to Seminary and Ministry David Petersen
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Franklin Nutting Parker Professor of Old Testament recommends:
Virginia Samuel Cetuk, “What to Expect in Seminary: Theological Education as Spiritual Formation” Deborah Core, “The Seminary Student Writes” Donald K. McKim, “Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms” Howard W. Stone and James O. Duke, “How to Think Theologically”
Russ Richey
William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Church History recommends:
Margaret Craven, “I Heard the Owl Call My Name” Richard Lischer, “Open Secrets: A Memoir of Faith and Discovery” Charles J. Scalise, “Bridging the Gap: Connecting What You Learned in Seminary With What You Find in the Congregation”
Beth Corrie
Director of the Youth Theological Initiative and Assistant Professor in the Practice of Youth Education and Peacebuilding recommends:
David White, “Practicing Discernment With Youth: A Transformative Youth Ministry Approach”
Student and Staff Recommendations
Richard Foster, “Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth” Thomas Merton, “New Seeds of Contemplation” Henri Nouwen, “Reaching Out: Three Movements of the Spiritual Life” Parker Palmer, “Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation”
Theology/Christian Thought Joy McDougal
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
Karl Barth ʺDogmatics in Outlineʺ (Advanced)Daniel Migliore ʺFaith Seeking Understandingʺ
Beth Corrie
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Director of the Youth Theological Initiative and Assistant Professor in the Practice of Youth Education and Peacebuilding
Shusaku Endo, “Silence”
David Pacini
Associate Professor of Historical Theology
Martin Buber, ʺI and Thouʺ Abraham Heschel, ʺBetween God and Manʺ H. Richard Niebuhr, ʺRadical Monotheism and Western Cultureʺ
Student and Staff Recommendations
Shane Claiborne “The Irresistible Revolution” John Hick, “Philosophy of Religion” Serene Jones, “Feminist Theory and Christian Theology”William Placher, “Essentials of Christian Theology” Friedrich Schleiermacher, “On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers”(Advanced)
Church History and Historical Theology Russ Richey
William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Church History
George M. Marsden “A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards”
Jonathan Strom
Associate Professor of Church History
St. Augustine of Hippo, “Confessions” Penelope Fitzgerald, “The Blue Flower” James R. Gaines, “Evening in the Palace of Reason: Bach meets Frederick the Great in the Age of Enlightenment”
Student and Staff Recommendations Justo Gonzalez, ʺChurch History: An Essential Guideʺ William Placher, “A History of Christian Theology: An Introduction
Biblical Studies
Wesley de Souza
Arthur J. Moore Associate Professor in the Practice of Evangelism
Michael Joseph Brown, “What They Don’t Tell You: A Survivorʹs Guide to Biblical Studies”
David Petersen
Franklin Nutting Parker Professor of Old Testament
Bruce Birch, et al ʺTheological Introduction to the Old Testamentʺ
Michael Joseph Brown
Associate Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins and Director of the Graduate Division of Religion
Günther Bornkamm, “Jesus of Nazareth” Bart D. Ehrman, “A Brief Introduction to the New Testament” Helmut Koester, “Introduction to the New Testament, Vol. 1: History, Culture, and Religion of the Hellenistic Age” (Advanced)
Student and Staff Recommendations John Collins, “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible” Luke Timothy Johnson, “The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation”
Preaching and Worship
Ed Phillips
Associate Professor of Worship and Liturgical Theology
Gordon Lathrop, “Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology” James White, “Introduction to Christian Worship”
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Jonathan Stromrom
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Associate Professor of Church History
Barbara Brown Taylor, “The Preaching Life”
Student and Staff Recommendations
Gordon Lathrop, “The Pastor: A Spirituality” Thomas Long, “The Witness of Preaching” Gail Ramshaw, “Reviving Sacred Speech: The Meaning of Liturgical Language : Second Thoughts on Christ in Sacred Speech”
Christianity and Culture David Pacini
Associate Professor of Historical Theology
H. Richard Niebuhr, ʺRadical Monotheism and Western Cultureʺ
Jonathan Strom
Associate Professor of Church History
Max Weber, “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” (Advanced)
Noel Erskine
Professor Theology and Ethics
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The Cost of Discipleship”
Student and Staff Recommendations Marilynne Robinson, “The Death of Adam: Essays on Modern Thought” Howard Thurman, “Jesus and the Disinherited” John Howard Yoder, “The Politics of Jesus”
Denominational Studies
Dr. Rex Matthews
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Associate Professor in the Practice of Historical Theology
Frederick Norwood, “The Story of American Methodism” Richard P. Heitzenrater, “Wesley and the People Called Methodists”
David Key
Director of Baptist Studies
W. Glenn, Jr. Jonas, “The Baptist River: Essays on Many Tributaries of a Diverse Tradition” Bill Leonard, ʺBaptist Ways: A Historyʺ
Student and Staff Recommendations
Christopher L. Webber and Frank T., III Griswold, “Welcome to the Episcopal Church: An Introduction to Its History, Faith, and Worship” John A. Buehrens, “A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism”
Academic Writing
Resources and Recommendations
Candler Writing Program Emory University Writing Center Purdue University Online Writing Lab William Strunk and E.B. White, “The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition” (Online version available here)
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