Annotated Bibliography
This bibliography represents a growing list of resources that will inform the content I create for my ministry—blogs, videos, podcasts, and more. It originated as part of my final coursework for the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at Redemption Seminary.1 The list is organized by research questions, each of which was developed in light of my ministry’s core values: Intellectual Honesty, Academic Rigor, Biblical Literacy, Respect for the Sacred, Authenticity, and Humility.
Rather than organizing resources strictly by core value, I’ve chosen to group them by research question, as most questions intersect with multiple values.2 For each question, I aim to include both an evangelical3 or confessional resource and a critical or non-confessional resource—even one that may be hostile to Christian faith. I believe it’s wise to engage opposing views thoughtfully, not to adopt them uncritically, but to better understand the landscape of ideas and anticipate pushback with integrity. When a confessional vs critical juxtaposition isn’t relevant, I provide alternative approaches or perspectives.
Many of the resources are highly technical and academic, though not all. They are not primarily intended for the average lay reader—but I always welcome anyone curious enough to explore them. The main purpose of this bibliography is to inform my own creative process, helping me distill complex issues into accessible and faithful content for everyday Christians.
In the interest of time, and because this is part of a class assignment, I’ve limited myself to one research question per core value, with no more than two resources per question (typically one confessional and one critical—though I occasionally break my own rule). In most cases, my annotations rely on the book’s table of contents and publicly available reviews, though I’m already well-acquainted with many of the works included.
This is a living document. After graduation, I plan to revisit and expand the list more fully.
Thank you for visiting—I pray this page is a helpful resource for your own growth and reflection.
Bibliography
Research Question: How can readers move beyond surface level engagement with texts and achieve real understanding and insight?
Core Value: Academic Rigor
Adler, Mortimer J., and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading. Revised edition. New York, NY: Touchstone, 1972.4
Topic: The stages and methods of reading for comprehension, critical analysis, and intellectual growth.
Thesis: Adler and Van Doren argue that true reading is an active process involving systematic levels. They define the levels as elementary, inspectional, analytical, and synoptic reading. These levels have the potential to transform how we absorb information and interact with complex ideas.
Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, and William T. FitzGerald. The Craft of Research, Fifth Edition. Fifth edition. Chicago London: University of Chicago Press, 2024.5
Topic: A comprehensive guide to creating research questions, developing arguments, evaluating evidence, and writing with clarity and purpose in an academic context.
Thesis: The authors argue that genuine understanding and insight come from a structured research process that begins with curiosity, is shaped by meaningful questions and is guided by rigorous reasoning and honest engagement with evidence. Research is presented as a way of joining an ongoing conversation in clear and precise ways.
Research Question: How do traditional evangelical scholars defend the authority of the Bible while acknowledging its historical development, and what assumptions do they bring to the concept of inspiration?
Core Value: Intellectual Honesty
Geisler, Norman, and William Nix. A General Introduction to the Bible. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1986.6
Topic: An Evangelical overview of the origin, transmission, canonization, and translation of the Bible.
Thesis: This work is a compilation of essays from respected theologians such as Grudem, Carson, Longenecker, etc. Overall the argument is that despite the Bible being composed and transmitted through historical processes, it is divinely inspired and reliably preserved. They present a systematic defense of biblical inerrancy and God’s providential control over the canon and texts.
Ehrman, Bart D. Forged: Writing in the Name of God--Why the Bible’s Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are. New York: HarperOne, 2011.7
Topic: Ehrman gives a critical examination of pseudepigraphy in the New Testament.
Thesis: Ehrman argues that many New Testament books were falsely attributed to the apostles or early church leaders and were written by unknown authors using authoritative names to lend credibility. He asserts that this practice raises serious questions about the reliability and authority of the canon.
Research Question: What are the most persistent misunderstandings Christians have about the Bible, and how can they be corrected through historical, literary and other education around the ancient contexts?
Core Value: Biblical Literacy
Walton, John H. The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate. Edition Unstated. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2009.8
Topic: An examination of Genesis 1 through the lens of an ancient Near Eastern cosmology and cognitive environment.
Thesis: Walton argues that Genesis 1 is not about material origins but functional ordering within an ancient worldview. He maintains that ancient readers would have seen the text as describing God assigning functions or roles within a “cosmic temple” as opposed to the traditional view as God creating the material universe.
Walton, John H., and Brent Sandy. The Lost World of Scripture: Ancient Literary Culture and Biblical Authority. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2013.9
Topic: Explores how ancient oral cultures understood and transmitted Scripture, challenging modern assumptions about authorship, textuality and inspiration.
Thesis: Walton and Sandy contend that much of Scripture was composed, preserved and transmitted within oral cultures. They argue that modern expectations of precise authorship and static textuality misrepresent how ancient people engaged with sacred texts. They call for a shift in how we view biblical authority as rooted in ancient literary practices instead of enlightenment influenced thinking.
Satlow, Michael L. How the Bible Became Holy. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2014.10
Topic: A historical investigation into how certain ancient texts gained sacred status and were eventually recognized as Scripture in Jewish and Christian traditions.
Thesis: Satlow argues that the Bible did not begin as a holy or authoritative text, but gradually became holy through a long, complex historical process involving social, political, and religious developments. He demonstrates that early Christian communities often disagreed about which texts were authoritative and that canon formation was not the result of divine inspiration but evolving consensus within the believing communities.
Research Question: What does it mean to "hear God's voice" in Scripture if the text is also clearly human and historically conditioned?
Core Value: Respect for the Sacred
Enns, Peter. Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015.11
Topic: A theological exploration of how the Bible can be both the Word of God and a thoroughly human, ancient text.
Thesis: Enns argues that Christians must embrace the fully human side of Scripture as the very medium through which God speaks, not as a problem to be explained away. Using the doctrine of the incarnation as an analogy, he suggests that Scripture’s divine authority is not compromised by its cultural, historical and literary context but rather is expressed through them. The book highlights three key points that we must hold in tension: the Bible’s similarity to other ancient texts, theological diversity within Scripture, and the use of midrashic interpretation in the New Testament.
University, Hector Avalos Iowa State. The End of Biblical Studies. Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 2007.12
Topic: This book can probably be considered a radical critique of the academic discipline of biblical studies, arguing for its termination due to its perceived irrelevance and detrimental impact on modern society.
Thesis: The author contends that modern biblical scholarship has demonstrated the Bible’s origins in ancient cultures with values and beliefs that are largely incompatible with contemporary society. Despite this, he argues, the field of biblical studies persists in maintaining the Bible’s relevance, often for self-serving reasons. He suggests that scholars focus on educating the public about the Bible’s historical content and its limited applicability in today's world.
Peterson, Eugene H. Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009.13
Topic: A reflective and pastoral guide on how to read the Bible in a way that encourages spiritual formation while being honest about its complexity.
Thesis: Peterson argues that hearing God’s voice in Scripture requires a particular kind of reading: not analytical or detached, but prayerful, submissive, and engaged. He draws on the image from Ezekiel and Revelation where the prophet eats the scroll. He points out that Scripture must be internalized and lived, not only studied. He does this while acknowledging the Bible’s literary and historical complexity. He insists that through it all, God’s voice is alive in the text and has the power to shape the reader through practicing lectio divina and incarnational reading.14
Research Question: What does it mean to be intellectually honest and spiritually authentic when your theological discoveries unsettle the tradition you grew up with?
Core Value: Authenticity
Enns, Peter. The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires Our Trust More Than Our “Correct” Beliefs. Reprint edition. Honolulu: HarperOne, 2017.15
Topic: Exploration of the relationship between faith, doubt, and the pursuit of certainty in Christian belief.
Thesis: Enns argues that equating faith with unwavering certainty can be detrimental to spiritual growth. He suggests that true faith involves trust in God, even amidst uncertainty and doubt. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical narratives, Enns encourages readers to embrace questions and uncertainties as integral to a mature and authentic faith journey.
Zierman, Addie. When We Were on Fire: A Memoir of Consuming Faith, Tangled Love, and Starting Over. New York, New York: Convergent Books, 2013.16
Topic: A personal memoir exploring the complexities of growing up in evangelical culture, experiencing disillusionment, and seeking a more authentic faith.
Thesis: Zierman recounts her journey from being an enthusiastic participant in evangelical youth culture to facing challenges such as doubt, depression, and the search for a more genuine faith. She examines how the pressures of religious expectations can lead to burnout and how embracing vulnerability and questioning can pave the way to a deeper, more authentic spirituality.
Research Question: How should readers of Scripture hold space for mystery, disagreement, and change over time in their theological development?
Core Value: Humility
Wright, N. T. Scripture and the Authority of God: How to Read the Bible Today. New York: HarperOne, 2011.17
Topic: A theological exploration of the nature of biblical authority, paying special attention to the idea of the story containing the authority.
Thesis: Wright contends that the authority of Scripture is best understood not as a static set of rules but as the dynamic means through which God exercises his authority. He proposes that Scripture tells a cohesive story, made up of creation, fall, Israel, Jesus and the Church. This story is ongoing, and believers are invited into it. This requires readers to engage contextually, historically and communally allowing for growth, reinterpretation and embracing the mystery of the faith journey.
Gutierrez, Gustavo. Theology of Liberation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1973.18
Topic: The evolution of theology through lived experience, with emphasis on how socio-political realities reshape biblical interpretation and faith over time.
Thesis: Gutierrez argues that theology is not a static or purely academic discipline but an evolving, contextually driven reflection born from the lived experience of the oppressed.19 By grounding theological inquiry in historical and political reality, particularly through solidarity with the poor, believers learn to read Scripture dynamically. Thai means welcoming ambiguity, transformation and communal discernment.
Set to graduate in August of 2025.
These are only a small sampling of a much larger list of research questions.
I grew up in the evangelical tradition, and though I do not claim to be rooted solidly in any particular tradition, I would say that my worldview is mostly aligned with evangelicalism broadly.
Elizabeth. “Review: How to Read a Book (Mortimer Adler, Charles Van Doren),” January 27, 2020. https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/puv9RQaTZZNa5dzbu/review-how-to-read-a-book-mortimer-adler-charles-van-doren.
Pearson, Scott J. “The Craft of Research, 4th Edition.” Scott J. Pearson’s Book Review (blog), April 22, 2024. https://scottjpearson.com/the-craft-of-research-4th-edition/.
Wartick, J. w. “Book Review: ‘From God to Us’ by Norman Geisler and William Nix.” Christian Apologetics Alliance (blog), April 3, 2013. https://christianapologeticsalliance.com/2013/04/03/reveiw-fgu-geisler-ni/.
McGrath, James F., and Religion Prof: The Blog of James F. McGrath. “Review Of The Book Forged By Bart Ehrman.” Religion Prof: The Blog of James F. McGrath (blog), February 26, 2011. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/religionprof/2011/02/review-of-the-book-forged-by-bart-ehrman.html.
Spencer, Brittany. “John H. Walton: ‘The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate’ and ‘The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2–3 and the Human Origins Debate.’” The ISCAST Journal (blog), October 26, 2023. https://journal.iscast.org/book-reviews/john-h-walton-the-lost-world-of-genesis-one-ancient-cosmology-and-the-origins-debate-and-the-lost-world-of-adam-and-eve-genesis-2-3-and-the-human-origins-debate.
Reviews, Book. “Review of The Lost World of Scripture.” The Two Cities (blog), February 14, 2015. https://www.thetwocities.com/book-reviews/10113/.
The Gospel Coalition. “How the Bible Became Holy.” Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/how-the-bible-became-holy-michael-satlow/.
“Inspiration and Incarnation | Denver Journal.” Accessed May 29, 2025. https://denverjournal.denverseminary.edu/the-denver-journal-article/inspiration-and-incarnation/.
Staff, Biblical Archaeology Society. “The End of Biblical Studies.” Biblical Archaeology Society (blog), November 9, 2011. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/reviews/the-end-of-biblical-studies/.
Reformed Journal. “Eat This Book,” November 16, 2007. https://reformedjournal.com/2007/11/15/eat-this-book/.
Lectio Divina or Divine Reading, is an ancient Christian practice of reading Scripture not for information but for transformation. It originated in the monastic traditions and involves slow and prayerful reading and meditation on the text. Incarnational Reading is an approach to reading the Bible that draws upon the doctrine of the Incarnation. The idea is that just as Jesus is fully divine and fully human, so Scripture is also fully divine (in its inspiration) and fully human (in its development). This approach takes historical context seriously and yet affirms divine communication while rejecting flat literalism. The Upper Room. “Lectio Divina: Praying the Scriptures.” Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.upperroom.org/resources/lectio-divina-praying-the-scriptures.
Watts, Peter. “Book Review of ‘The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires Our Trust More than Our Correct Beliefs.’” Faith Rethink | Following Jesus Today (blog). Accessed May 29, 2025. https://faithrethink.com/book-review-of-the-sin-of-certainty-why-god-desires-our-trust-more-than-our-correct-beliefs/.
Tanya. “When We Were On Fire: A Review | Tanya Marlow - Thorns and Gold,” October 11, 2013. https://tanyamarlow.com/when-we-were-on-fire-a-review/.
U.S. Catholic. “USC Book Club: Scripture and the Authority of God.” Accessed May 29, 2025. https://uscatholic.org/usc-book-club-scripture-and-the-authority-of-god/.
“A Theology of Liberation, by Gustavo Gutiérrez - Stranger than SF.” Accessed May 30, 2025. https://strangerthansf.com/reviews/gutierrez-theologyofliberation.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
Not a fan of this Marxist language. And I know that ideas like this have led to well meaning Christians taking an incredibly destructive political stance. However, again, like the Ehrman book, I am looking for alternative views. To hold these up for consideration, take what is good and discard (with logical explanation) what is not.