Kyle R. Hughes (PhD, Radboud University, Nijmegen) is the author of three books, including How the Spirit Became God: The Mosaic of Early Christian Pneumatology and Teaching for Spiritual Formation: A Patristic Approach to Christian Education in a Convulsed Age, as well as several peer-reviewed journal articles on patristic theology and on Christian education. His current book project, Scripting the Son, explores the intersection of Old Testament interpretation and the development of Christology in the second and third centuries.
Kyle, his wife Karisa, and their three children live in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he works as lower school principal at The Stonehaven School in Marietta. He is an ordained deacon in the Reformed Episcopal Church (Anglican Church in North America) and is the director of catechesis at Christ the King Anglican Church in Marietta.
He serves on the board of directors of the Robert E. Webber Center for an Ancient Evangelical Future at Trinity School for Ministry, is fellow of pedagogy and church history at the Beza Institute for Reformed Classical Education, is a pastoral fellow at the Catechesis Institute, and is a member of the Society of Anglican Theologians.
You can read more on his blog or follow him on X @KyleRHughes10. And now for the good stuff: Kyle’s top fifteen books.
1. For the Life of the World, by Alexander Schmemann
A game changer for understanding the traditional, sacramental worldview of the church, this work is needed more than ever in our secular, disenchanted age.
2. The New Testament and the People of God, by N. T. Wright
This work provided me with a theoretical foundation for exploring biblical studies through the threefold lens of theology, literature, and history.
3. Surprised by Hope, by N. T. Wright
The book that first challenged my theologically impoverished imagination; it turns out no one had ever taught me about the bodily resurrection in my childhood in the church!
4. Going to Church in Medieval England, by Nicholas Orme
A fascinating look at the nuts-and-bolts of religious practice in England before and immediately after the Reformation.
5. The Book of Common Prayer (1662)
The Anglican classic book of prayer and worship, its liturgies are increasingly finding appeal outside of the Anglican world by those looking for more historical rootedness.
6. The Book of Common Prayer: A Biography, by Alan Jacobs
This work provides important historical background for understanding the creation and development of the Book of Common Prayer.
7. The Book of Pastoral Rule, by St. Gregory the Great
This is an essential guide for spiritual direction, just as relevant now as 1,500 years ago.
8. Three Philosophies of Life, by Peter Kreeft
A wonderful short guide to the Bible’s books of wisdom literature: Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Songs.
9. Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul & His Letters, by Michael J. Gorman
My go-to resource for basic overview of Paul and his letters.
10. Pierced by Love: Divine Reading with the Christian Tradition, by Hans Boersma
A beautiful book that challenges us to read Scripture according to the ancient practice of lectio divina.
11. Salvation by Allegiance Alone: Rethinking Faith, Works, and the Gospel of Jesus the King, by Matthew W. Bates
A challenging and provocative word to much of the evangelical church.
12. Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict, by Esther de Waal
A thoughtful and applicable commentary on Benedictine theology for Christians today.
13. Christianity’s Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution, by Alister McGrath
Hands-down my favorite book on the Protestant Reformation and its unforeseen consequences.
14. Sanctified Vision: An Introduction to Early Christian Interpretation of the Bible, by John J. O’Keefe and R. R. Reno
The book that helped me first fall in love with and actually understand the Church Fathers’ reading of Scripture.
15. On Christian Teaching: Practicing Faith in the Classroom, by David I. Smith
A wonderful, practical guide to Christian education that was influential in my own Teaching for Spiritual Formation.
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