EXPLORING FAITH IN THE WRITTEN WORD
10 books from authors with Houston ties delve into all aspects of religion
Looking for a few new reads to start out the new year? There are a number of books by Houston authors that delve into faith and spirituality. By diving into these pages, bookworms may discover new insights and ideologies. Here are a few suggestions:
“40 Days of Doubt: Devotions for the Skeptic” by Eric Huffman
Eric Huffman put this book together for individuals struggling with their beliefs and doubting their faith. His “40 Days of Doubt: Devotions for the Skeptic” is intended to make anyone who questions religion feel less alone. Huffman, founder and lead pastor of The Story Houston, a church at 3471 Westheimer, also serves as host of the “Maybe God with Eric Huffman” podcast. He believes that everyone has a story — and in this book, provides candid tales to help travelers on a spiritual journey.
“America’s Unholy Ghosts: The Racist Roots of our Faith and Politics” by Joel Edward Goza
Joel Edward Goza, a resident of Houston’s Fifth Ward, serves as a visiting scholar on race, religion and politics at the Center for Faith and Culture at St. Thomas University. His book “America’s Unholy Ghosts” examines the ideological building blocks that have shaped the U.S. The author explains that some values are as wholesome as apple pie — while others tend to justify and perpetuate racism and inequality. Goza also looks at the faith and politics of Martin Luther King Jr. “If our nation’s racist instincts still haunt our land, so, too, do our hopes and desires for a faith and politics marked by mercy, justice and equity — and there is no better guide to that land than the Prophetic Black Church and the one who saw such a land from the mountaintop,” Goza writes.
“Muslims in America: Examining the Facts” by Craig Considine
Craig Considine, a lecturer of sociology at Rice University, explores stereotypes and misunderstandings in “Muslims in America: Examining the Facts.” The author delves into the history of Muslims in the U.S. — as well as the social, cultural, political and economic characteristics of Muslim communities. In the book, Considine looks at topics ranging from Muslims’ military service and national identity in the U.S. to efforts to counter Islamophobia. Considine also dispels myths regarding Muslims, including rumors of jihad training camps in the U.S. The author is currently preparing his next book “Islam in America: Exploring the Issues,” which is expected to be released in July.
“An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide” by Sulekh C. Jain
In Houston, Sulekh Jain is known as president of his own engineering consulting company MMT, as well as founder of the city’s Jain Society. In addition, he was instrumental in founding a number of Jain institutions, including the Jain Society of Greater Boston, Jain Digest Magazine, Young Jains of America and JVB Preksha Meditation Center of Houston. His book “An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide” focuses on the Sanskrit word “ahimsa,” which means nonviolence or “not to injure.” Ahimsa is central to three of the oldest religions of the world — Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. The doctrine points to the sacredness of all living beings. Jain’s book expands on the practice of ahimsa and how this ethical practice can become part of work, social life, relationships, hobbies and business. The author also examines misinterpretations of the Jain principles — and ways ahimsa is slipping away from the religion.
“Scripture and the Wesleyan Way: A Bible Study on Real Christianity” by Scott J. Jones and Arthur D. Jones
Scott J. Jones, resident Bishop of the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, teamed up with his son, Arthur Jones, senior associate pastor at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, to write “Scripture and the Wesleyan Way: A Bible Study on Real Christianity.” Their mission is to create a path for churches to strengthen small Bible study groups. The book uses John Wesley’s sermons as its guide. Chapters explore scripture, and the two authors offer ways to make the messages relevant today.
“God of Me: Imagining God Throughout Your Lifetime” by Rabbi David Lyon
Rabbi David Lyon’s “God of Me: Imagining God Throughout Your Lifetime” is a prescriptive book about how to pursue a personal relationship with God. The senior rabbi of Meyerland’s Congregation Beth Israel explains that experiences of God are personal, shaped by religious text like the Torah and teachings of leaders like the rabbis of antiquity. In this book, Lyon describes how individuals may chart a personal path to find God’s presence in their lives, using the central prayer in Jewish worship, the Amidah, as a starting point. He also clears away preconceived images of God that could stand in the way of a meaningful and personal connection with spirituality. Lyon combines teachings from Jewish sources with personal experiences to craft insights about relationships with God.
“Uncovered: How I Left Hasidic Life and Finally Came Home” by Leah Lax
In “Uncovered,” Leah Lax details her experiences leaving her liberal, secular childhood home in Dallas to become a Hasidic Jew, a member of a strict orthodox sect. She describes her arranged marriage, fundamentalist faith and motherhood — and her creative, sexual and spiritual longings that simmered beneath the surface. Told in the voice of a once-covered woman, and the first memoir of a gay person in the Hasidic fold, the story follows the author’s journey toward a home where she belongs. Lax earned her MFA in creative writing from the University of Houston and was a winner of the Texas Writers’ League Discover Award. Lax has written productions for Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Symphony. Her next book, “Not From Here,” draws from the tales of immigrants and refugees in Houston. “Uncovered” is being turned into a modern opera by composer Lori Laitman.
“Brick Walls: Tales of Hope and Courage From Pakistan” by Saadia Faruqi
Spring resident Saadia Faruqi crafted a number of thoughtful, fictional short stories in “Brick Walls: Tales of Hope and Courage From Pakistan.” The book features everyday Pakistanis who struggle with poverty, violence and abuse only to become stronger and more assured. It’s the characters who drive the action in this book — from Asma, the lackluster seamstress, and Farzana, the cantankerous grandmother, to Nida, a 10-year-old girl with a cricket obsession, and Faisal, the would-be terrorist. Faruqi weaves together a rich fabric, showcasing Pakistan’s culture and people. For younger audiences, the author created the “Yasmin” series of children’s books. Faruqi is a Pakistani-American author, essayist and interfaith activist. She was featured in Oprah Magazine in 2017 as a woman making a difference in her community. She is editor-in-chief of Blue Minaret, a magazine showcasing Muslim art, poetry and prose.
“Win from Within” by John Gray
John W. Gray III now serves as senior pastor of Relentless Church in Greenville, S.C., but he regularly comes to Houston in his role as associate pastor of Lakewood Church. In his book “Win From Within,” Gray discusses his own shortcomings and personal trials. By sharing his experiences, he guides readers through the challenges everyone must face in life. Gray’s candid teachings and interpretation of Scripture become tools for combating bad habits and other limitations. This book is a self-help guide that Gray hopes will help readers become who God created them to be.
“When I Spoke in Tongues: A Story of Faith and Its Loss” by Jessica Wilbanks
This debut memoir, “When I Spoke in Tongues: A Story of Faith and Its Loss” by Montrose-based Jessica Wilbanks, looks at how former believers make sense of a world no longer centered on God. The author examines her own relationship with her devout Pentecostal family and how that changed when she renounced religion. The story traces her roots, growing up poor in rural Maryland, moving from farmhouse to farmhouse, being homeschooled with her three brothers and helping build a church with her family. After years of grappling with doubt, however, she found that the church “started to feel less like a temple and more like a cage.” In her loss of faith, she found a freedom to explore her identity. The resulting book tells of the power of fundamentalism, its lasting impact and life beyond its walls. Wilbanks is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize and a finalist for the PEN Center USA Literary Award in Journalism. Wilbanks received her MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of Houston, where she served as nonfiction editor for Gulf Coast magazine.