Best History of Religions Books of 2026

The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War is a thought-provoking and timely exploration of the religious dimensions of American politics. Jeff Sharlet delves into the darker corners of the American psyche, where reaction has morphed into delusion, social division into distrust, and distrust into paranoia. He reflects on the dangerous vision that has been created in the last decade, where lies, greed, and glorification of war are booming. However, Sharlet also celebrates those who sing a different song of community, and of an America long dreamt of and yet to be fully born, dedicated to justice and freedom for all. This book is a necessary reckoning with our precarious present that brings to light a decade of American failures as well as a vision for American possibility.

The Book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish religious work, attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. It played a crucial role in forming the worldview of the authors of the New Testament and was quoted in the Epistle of Jude. While some churches include it as part of the biblical canon, others accept it only as having historical or theological non-canonical interest. The Book of Enoch provides valuable insight into what many ancient Jews and early Christians believed. It is a unique and important work that is frequently used as supplemental material in academic settings to better understand the cultural and historical context of the early Christian Church.

The Nag Hammadi Scriptures, edited by Marvin Meyer, is a comprehensive and up-to-date English-language edition of Gnostic manuscripts discovered in Egypt in 1945. This one-volume book includes the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and the recently found Gospel of Judas, among other Gnostic gospels and sacred texts. The book also features introductory essays, notes, tables, a glossary, and an index to help readers understand the context and significance of these texts. This book is an essential read for those interested in early Christianity and ancient thought.

When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone is a groundbreaking book that explores the ancient worship of the Great Goddess and the eventual suppression of women's rites. The author provides fascinating insights into the societal roles of women in matriarchal cultures and how they differed from patriarchal Judeo-Christian cultures. Stone documents the wholesale rewriting of myths and religious dogmas that led to the Goddess being reimagined as a wanton, depraved figure. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the origin of current gender roles and rediscovering women's power.

Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories by Robert J. Morgan is a devotional-style book that tells the stories behind beloved traditional hymns of faith. The book contains the words and music to 150 hymns, short stories providing context on each hymn, and a hymn index for easy reference. With over 1.3 million copies sold, this book is perfect for daily devotional use, teaching illustration, or for song leaders and music ministers. The book speaks to the soul, strengthens faith, and deepens understanding of God as worshippers sing praises to Him. It is an instant classic and a must-read for anyone interested in Christian hymns and hymnals.

Infiltration: The Plot to Destroy the Church from Within reveals the plan hatched by Modernists and Marxists to subvert the Catholic Church from within. Dr. Taylor Marshall documents the orchestrated demonic plot to change the Church's doctrine, liturgy, and mission, and how they infiltrated the seminaries, priesthood, episcopacy, and eventually the cardinal-electors with the eventual goal of electing one of their own as pope. This book uncovers the root of the endless scandals plaguing the Church and is a captivating and well-documented read for anyone interested in Christian Church history.

The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English: Seventh Edition (Penguin Classics) is a revised and expanded volume by esteemed biblical expert Géza Vermes. The book features previously unpublished texts, new introductory material, and notes that enable readers to understand the Hebrew Bible, early Judaism, and the origin of Christianity from a new perspective. This edition crowns Vermes's lifetime of research and is a must-have for anyone interested in religious studies. The book review by The New York Times Book Review describes it as "Excellent, up-to-date... will enable the general public to read the non-biblical scrolls and to judge for themselves their importance." Overall, this book is a valuable resource for scholars and general readers alike.

The New Complete Works of Josephus is a must-have for those interested in the first century. This newly edited version includes commentary by the renowned historian Dr. Paul L. Maier, over forty photos of ancient sites and artifacts mentioned by Josephus, and revised indexes of subjects and Old Testament texts. The book is a great bargain and promises to become a standard reference work for years to come. The updated language and cross-referencing with the Greek text of Josephus in the Loeb Classical Library make this edition unique and compelling.