Editors' Suggestions

From youth group worship nights to a global movement, Jesus Culture’s heartbeat has always been encounter. What started at Bethel became a call to cities everywhere: come alive to God. Banning Liebscher’s voice in this generation isn’t just about revival energy — it’s about becoming rooted in identity, shaped in hidden places and released with purpose. Revival isn’t a moment. It’s a lifestyle. A long walk, one surrendered step at a time.

Shakespeare doesn’t preach, he probes. In Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear, divine justice isn’t guaranteed, and grace isn’t always granted. His plays don’t answer theological questions so much as ask them: Are we free or fated? Is there mercy for the worst of us? In staging the tension between sin and salvation, Shakespeare reminds us just how near — and how far — God can sometimes feel.

You’ve seen it on mugs and magnets: God grant me the serenity… But Reinhold Niebuhr’s original version was grittier — not just serenity, but grace. Not just change what can be changed, but what should. And it wasn’t “grant me” — it was “grant us.” Theologian, activist, realist — Niebuhr gave us a prayer for courage and community, rooted not in certainty, but in grace.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer refused to let faith be a private sentiment or theological exercise. When Nazi ideology infiltrated the German church, he stood against it, insisting that discipleship meant action — even when it cost him his life. His writings, from “The Cost of Discipleship” to “Letters and Papers from Prison,” continue to challenge believers today: Will we live by conviction, or will we settle for cheap grace?

Flannery O’Connor’s fiction doesn’t flinch. Her stories — stark, unsettling and laced with dark humor — press into the tension between human depravity and divine grace. A master of the short story, O’Connor crafted worlds where redemption rarely arrives gently. Instead, it crashes in, disruptive and undeniable. For readers willing to wrestle with faith and fiction in its rawest form, her work remains as urgent and convicting as ever.

Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” continues to resonate decades after its publication, exploring how purpose can transform suffering into strength. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, observed that hope and meaning were lifelines for those enduring unimaginable hardship. His reflections not only illuminate human resilience but also echo truths central to the Christian faith: that our lives are part of a larger story, and even in suffering, purpose and redemption can be found.

Bono, frontman of U2 and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, embodies an existentially American spirit — captivated by the country’s ideals and contradictions while never shying away from critique. U2’s iconic album “The Joshua Tree” reflects this duality, blending spiritual longing with raw political commentary. Bono’s artistry transcends walls, whether dividing secular and sacred or faith and justice, offering a blueprint for bridging worlds through music.

Why get to know Thomas Aquinas? Because he shows us how to seek truth with humility. Aquinas didn’t settle for easy answers or shy away from ideas outside his tradition. Instead, he wrestled with them, learning from Jewish, Muslim and classical thinkers along the way. His life and work remind us that wisdom grows when we approach both faith and reason with curiosity and an open heart.

Discover how John Stott, a quiet yet towering figure in modern Christianity, shaped faith and culture through profound theological insight and unwavering commitment. Known for blending intellectual rigor with accessible wisdom, Stott’s works emphasize living out faith with integrity, compassion and a call to social action. His legacy, from pioneering the Lausanne Covenant to mentoring future leaders, continues to inspire those seeking a deeply rooted, actionable faith.

Step into T. S. Eliot’s world, where poetry meets the profound struggles of faith in a fractured society. Eliot’s works, from “The Waste Land” to “Four Quartets,” wrestle with spiritual crises and enduring questions of belief, redemption and meaning. For readers seeking wisdom in a disillusioned age, his verses resonate deeply, offering both solace and a challenge to view faith through a new, introspective lens.

Uncover the transformative teachings of James Finley — a former Trappist monk mentored by Thomas Merton — who bridges ancient wisdom with modern life to help you experience God’s presence more intimately. Dive into our exploration of Finley’s life and work to discover how his insights can enrich your own spiritual journey.

Discover the extraordinary journey of Graham Cooke, a man who went from a troubled youth on the run to a globally influential spiritual leader. This primer introduces Cooke’s powerful message of God’s relentless love and offers insight into how his teachings can radically shift your perspective on faith, helping you see yourself through God’s eyes and approach life with a mindset of holy possibility.

Oswald Chambers stands as a rare, clear voice calling Christians back to the basics of wholehearted devotion to God. His writings challenge believers to examine their relationship with Christ, offering wisdom that speaks to both the soul and the mind. For the Christian looking to deepen their walk with God, there are few better companions for the journey.

The writings of Julian of Norwich, a 14th-century mystic often overlooked in mainstream Christian discourse, speak with surprising clarity and reassurance — and resonate across denominational lines to inspire and challenge believers and seekers alike.

Few names resonate as profoundly in the realm of biblical scholarship as Walter Brueggemann. A towering figure in Old Testament studies, Brueggemann has spent decades challenging, inspiring, and reshaping how Christians engage with Scripture. But who is this man, and why should his work matter to people of faith today?

While not explicitly Christian in his writings, Rilke’s poetry and prose delve into the depths of human existence, touching on themes of spirituality, love, and our relationship with God. His work continues to offer readers a unique perspective on the human condition, encouraging them to explore their own faith and understanding of God in new and profound ways.

Housefires, the musical collective founded by Pat Barrett and Matt Reynolds in 2014, redefined worship with their raw, community-centered approach that strips away the "bells and whistles" for intimate encounters with God.

Pascal was among the first to grapple with the implications of modern science on faith, and his scientific sophistication didn’t keep him from being a devout Christian.