My Easter Reading List
8 books that will help you make your Faith your own.
Easter centers us on the person and work of Jesus—the most important figure in history.
The storms of life will eventually test every belief we have. And when those moments come, vague answers and borrowed beliefs won’t hold up. If we haven’t wrestled with who Jesus is, how we know what’s true, or what the Gospels are really saying—we’ll find ourselves shaken.
That’s why I read. Not just for information, but to deeply root my faith.
Don’t be afraid. The Gospel can handle our curiosity.
Christ can handle our questions—about the Bible, about history, even about the writings that didn’t make it into the canon. A shallow faith built on false certainty is often the most fragile. But a faith tested by doubt and rebuilt through study and truth—that’s a faith that endures.
So here are 8 books that have helped me make sense of Jesus: His life, His mission, and His significance in history and today. Some are scholarly, some more narrative, some just fun—but all have shaped my understanding of Christ in meaningful ways.
Four Portraits, One Jesus
Summary: A thorough introduction to the four biblical Gospels and their subject—the life and person of Jesus. Mark Strauss explores the unique style and contribution of each Gospel writer and explains their theological, cultural, and historical context.
My notes: This was really helpful in understanding Gospel authorship and timelines. It’s thorough but accessible and a great place to start if you want to take the Gospel accounts more seriously.
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Jesus and the Powers
Summary: Wright and Bird call Christians to discern how Jesus’ kingdom confronts the empires of today—political, ideological, and spiritual. It’s part theology, part political reflection, and part call to resist autocracy and nationalism in all forms.
My notes: This was a good reminder of the political aspects of Jesus’ message—how He challenged the powers then and continues to challenge them now. It forced me to wrestle with what kingdom allegiance should look like in a modern context. Of note, it is a little politically liberal at times — feeling like a Donald Trump rebuke but only on occasion. Overall, worth a read.
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The Question of Canon
Summary: Michael Kruger challenges the view that the New Testament canon was a late invention of the church. Instead, he argues the canon emerged early, naturally, and organically out of the life of the early Christian community.
My notes: A great read to understand how the Bible was put together, including Gospel authorship and the process by which the early church recognized Scripture. It’s a solid defense of the reliability of the New Testament.
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How God Became King
Summary: N.T. Wright contends that we’ve misread the Gospels by focusing almost exclusively on personal salvation or the afterlife. Instead, they tell the story of God becoming King on earth through Jesus.
My notes: This is a great take that helps shift our focus from eternity alone to the real-world implications of Christ’s kingship. It reminded me that Jesus didn’t come just to save souls—He came to establish a kingdom.
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Synopsis of the Four Gospels (RSV)
Summary: A side-by-side comparison of the four Gospels in the Revised Standard Version, laid out in parallel columns so readers can easily see how Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John recount the same events with different emphases, structure, and language. It’s a foundational tool for deeper Gospel study.
My notes: This was so helpful for seeing the stories side by side—what each Gospel includes, how they tell it, and which events are repeated across all four. Highly recommend doing this at least once or finding a similar parallel text. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the structure and intent of each Gospel.
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The Day the Revolution Began
Summary: Wright reframes the crucifixion not just as a transaction for sin, but as the launch of a new vocation for believers—a royal priesthood called to reconcile and renew the world under God’s reign.
My notes: This one dives into the real here-and-now impact Christ’s life, death, and resurrection should have on how we live. It’s a call to action, not just a theology of atonement. I enjoyed it.
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Simply Jesus
Summary: Wright condenses biblical scholarship into a readable and compelling portrait of Jesus—who He was, what He came to do, and why His story still matters.
My notes: This is a good starter for anyone wanting to grasp the time period in which Jesus was born, who He was, and what He did. It’s simple without being simplistic.
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Killing Jesus
Summary: A narrative-driven retelling of Jesus’ life and crucifixion by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. More history and story than theology, it’s intended to make the story vivid and immediate.
My notes: This is not an academic text, but it is a gripping and humanizing one. They exaggerate some details, but the way it comes to life helped me connect with the story in a new way. It's worth reading if you’re looking to experience the tension and drama of the Gospel story.
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Easter is a time of Hope and Joy—but it is also a time for resolve.
Knowing Jesus isn’t just about memory or tradition. It’s about understanding who He is in Scripture, history, and tradition—then deciding, for ourselves, whether we will follow.
Again, have confidence in the Gospel. In Christ. He can handle your questions. He isn’t threatened by curiosity; He invites it. Our doubts, when given to God, become the starting point for knowledge, conviction, and deep relationship.
A shallow faith that’s never wrestled with its claims is the most vulnerable to collapse. This Easter, don’t borrow someone else’s certainty. Discover Christ for yourself.
-Josh
**Note: The links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, all proceeds will be donated to organizations serving their neighbors and building God’s Kingdom around the world. Thank you for supporting good work in good places.