8 Books About Faith & God Written By Women Throughout History
Photo by Josh Hild
A long line of great minds have come before us in the Christian faith. Countless books about theology, the nature of God, what it means to have faith, and how we can draw closer to our Creator have been written by an endless stream of deep, wise thinkers of faith.
You can’t go wrong in reading C. S. Lewis or N. T. Wright, but the benefit of reading the writings of women of faith who have come before us can’t be overstated. Their perspective, their ponderings, their revelations will prove to be invaluable to cultivating a well-rounded faith.
So below, we’ve gathered a list of a few of our favorite books about faith and God by women throughout history.
01 | Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
Not much is known about the fourteenth-century anchoress, also one of the first female authors, and yet Revelations of Divine Love continues to influence Christian thought today. Julian of Norwich details her visions (“showings”) of Christ that illuminated God’s never-ending love and the comfort that is to be found in Him.
02 | The Mind of the Maker by Dorothy Sayers
The beloved mystery novelist, known for her wit and depth, weaves complex theological concepts with the process of writing fiction, making for a unique read. Sayers explores the perplexing concept of the Trinity, delves into free will, and wrestles with evil in The Mind of the Maker.
03 | The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila
After having a vision of a castle consisting of seven chambers, each one to represent a stage of spiritual life, Saint Teresa of Avila wrote this beautiful work, still incredibly relevant to the modern believer.
04 | The Little Way of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Saint Thérèse’s “little way” acknowledges that we are each small, flawed, and limited — and yet, we are all God’s “little flower,” a part of His garden that can bloom right where we have been placed.
05 | And It Was Good by Madeleine L’Engle
L’Engle, the author of the widely loved A Wrinkle in Time, writes about the creativity, complexity, and beauty of the world as God, the first creative, molded it.
06 | The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena by Saint Catherine of Siena
The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena is a series of intimate conversations between God and the human soul, represented by Saint Catherine of Siena, a remarkable theologian of the Middle Ages.
07 | A Prayer Journal by Flannery O’Connor
This short collection of novelist Flannery O’Connor’s journal entries are honest, touching, and stirring, focusing on her yearning for connection with God and her cries to Him for wisdom.
08 | Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott, always poignant, witty, and thought-provoking, writes on life, love, and faith. Grace (Eventually) is a wonderful series of reflections on how Lamott discovered the essence of her faith.