Best Religious History Books of 2025

The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide is an essential read for anyone planning a visit to the City of Jerusalem and the surrounding area. This updated edition provides detailed information and clear directions on over 200 significant archaeological and religious sites, including new information on recent developments. With detailed maps, plans, and illustrations, this book offers practical advice for visitors and a brief historical outline of the Holy Land. The Oxford Archaeological Guides are known for their readability and accuracy, making this guide a must-have for anyone with a serious interest in archaeology or history.

The World of Myth, Third Edition, by David Leeming is a comprehensive collection of myths from various cultures worldwide. The book offers a thematic organization that helps readers understand the metaphorical nature of world mythology in humanity's search for meaning. Leeming's anthology ranges from ancient Egypt and Greece to modern science, offering myths of apocalypse, mother goddess, and great floods from various cultures. The World of Myth is an excellent exercise in critical thinking and communication with a diverse world. The book's wide-ranging collection of myths makes it unique, and it is recommended for anyone interested in mythology.

Slave Religion: The "Invisible Institution" in the Antebellum South is a classic book that provides a comprehensive view of the African American history and religion. Albert J. Raboteau's anniversary edition includes a new chapter, where he reflects on the origins of the book, its reactions over the past twenty-five years, and how he would write it differently today. The author uses a range of sources to analyze the transformation of African religions into evangelical Christianity and presents the narratives of slaves, travel accounts, folklore, and black autobiographies, among others. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the full picture of the "invisible institution."

This book, Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters, sheds light on the often-neglected topic of white slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast, and Italy during the 16th to 18th centuries. The author, Robert C. Davis, explores the extent of Barbary Coast slavery, the relationship between master and slave, and the impact of this slavery on Italy. The book is well-researched and provides valuable insight into this overlooked aspect of history. Overall, it is a crucial and informative read, especially in the current climate of increased interest in racial slavery in America.

The Routledge Encyclopedia of Ancient Mediterranean Religions is a comprehensive reference work that covers the ancient religions in the Mediterranean world from pre-historical times to the rise of Islam. The volume offers a diachronic and pan-Mediterranean view, including western Asia, northern Africa, and southern Europe. It features detailed maps, a comprehensive timeline, and an interdisciplinary approach that draws out commonalities and unique aspects of each religion. This encyclopedia would be a valuable reference for students and scholars interested in ancient Mediterranean culture and society, and it provides a needed widening of horizons.

The New Knighthood: A History of the Order of the Temple (Canto Classics) by Malcolm Barber is a well-written account of the rise and fall of the Order of the Temple, the famous medieval corporation founded to protect pilgrims around Jerusalem. The book explores the Templars' fascinating history, separating myth from fact and covering their suppression and historical afterlife. Barber's writing is lucid and engaging, making for a compelling read. Overall, this book is an excellent addition to any reader's collection of Christian Church history books and is a must-read for anyone interested in the Templars or medieval history.

The Cambridge Companion to Religion and War is a comprehensive global history that explores the interplay between religion and war from ancient times to the present. Rather than simplistically attributing war to religion, the book delves into the nuanced connections between the two through historical, literary, and sociological lenses. Featuring essays from an international team of scholars, the book covers topics such as classical just war doctrines, religious nationalism, and interdisciplinary expressions of the intertwining of religion and war. This book is an indispensable resource for students and scholars of religion and war, providing thoughtful discussions of key histories and themes.

The European Reformations Sourcebook is a revised and expanded collection of primary sources from medieval and sixteenth-century texts. It offers a comprehensive coverage of important documents that were previously scattered through numerous volumes of primary materials. The updated edition now includes catechetical writings by Luther and Calvin, as well as coverage of women reformers. The book is an ideal accompaniment to Lindberg's The European Reformations, 2nd edition, or can be used alongside any text on the European reformations for a complete learning guide. Overall, this sourcebook is an invaluable collection of primary sources for scholars and students of Christian church history.

African American Female Mysticism: Nineteenth-Century Religious Activism is a significant addition to the religious history books. This book focuses on the spiritual and religious activism of three African-American women - Jarena Lee, Sojourner Truth, and Rebecca Cox Jackson. The author's portrayal of these women's lives and their contributions to black female spirituality is both informative and inspiring. The book's emphasis on African-American female mysticism and religious activism makes it a unique and valuable resource for scholars and anyone interested in black religion, womanist thought, and social justice.

The Sacred Paths: Understanding the Religions of the World (4th Edition) is an informative book that offers a comprehensive study of major religions worldwide. It provides a comparative approach to religious themes and issues, allowing readers to explore each religion's unique characteristics and discover the nature of religious experience. The book covers religions from India, China, Japan, and the Mediterranean world, introducing the key dimensions of religious experience, such as origin and identity, ultimate reality, human nature, and the good life. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the origins and development of world religions.