A Most Peculiar Book: The Inherent Strangeness of the Bible (Oxford University 2021)
“… stimulating and challenging,… questions all simplistic ‘Bible-believing’ theories about the authority of Scripture by showing how complex and contradictory it often is. Swenson tackles the problems head on while still making good her claim to love the Bible.”—John Barton, author of A History of the Bible: The Story of the World’s Most Influential Book
“Do you think you know the Bible? Wait till you read Kristin Swenson’s new book. What if you don’t know the Bible at all? Even better. … deeply informed, completely accessible, and endlessly fascinating explanation of what scholars know about the Bible and lay people, as a rule, do not. Read this book and prepare to learn!”—Bart D. Ehrman, author of Misquoting Jesus: The Story behind Who Changed the Bible and Why
“One can only truly love and respect the Bible if one is willing to embrace its complexities, problems, messiness, and just plain weirdness. Whether you are looking to deepen your relationship with sacred scripture or are coming to the Bible for the first time, Kristin Swenson will help you appreciate—even love—the Bible as it is.”—Peter Enns, author of The Bible Tells Me So and How the Bible Actually Works
God of Earth: Discovering a Radically Ecological Christianity (Westminster John Knox 2016)
“… a gentle, perceptive meditation on the place where we all live… a ‘theology of creation’ informed by a rich appeal to religious mystery, voiced in poetic imagery and cadence. Readers are offered thick attentiveness to the world in front of us.” – Walter Brueggemann, author of Truth & Hope: Essays for a Perilous Age
“… a daring experiment to find new vocabulary for Christian life and thought. …fresh, poetic language draws us in. The rich wisdom of scientists, theologians, and poets flows together with [Swenson’s] passion of care for earth and others to provide inspiration and direction.” – Cliff Edwards, author of Van Gogh’s Second Gift: A Spiritual Path to Deeper Creativity
“… seeker and visionary biblical scholar, Kristin Swenson blows past ‘petrified’ Christian traditions to shine light on a profoundly radical new way to experience God.” – Stephanie Pearson, contributing editor Outside magazine
“Wonderfully penned meditations on the most basic questions that Christianity – and humanity – now face. The writing stirs, the reflections inspire.” – Larry Rasmussen, author of Earth-Honoring Faith:Religious Ethics in a New Key
“From the intersection of vast scholarly knowledge, deeply personal life experience, and Christian tradition, Swenson coaxes fresh truths and wisdom for all of us seeking a faith that honors the world. Wonderfully engaging,.. motivates and empowers readers to stretch ideas of God as they care, in love and awe, for the earth.” – Rev. Pat Watkins, Missionary for the Care of God’s Creation, the United Methodist Church
Bible Babel: Making Sense of the Most Talked About Book of All Time (Harper 2010, Harper Perennial 2011)
“… a breath of fresh air in the musty library of introductions to the Bible… fresh and lively. [Swenson] has an informed sense of everything relevant to the Bible, from source criticism to the archaeological record, as well as an apt perception of what goes on in the biblical texts themselves. Keenly aware of how the Bible gets into popular culture and is also often distorted by it, she is an engaging corrector of misconceptions and a helpful guide to the common reader.” – Robert Alter, author of The World of Biblical Literature
“A confident, well-paced, well-informed, and accessible guide to Bible basics and biblical literacy. The reader may expect some surprises, some confirmation of hunches, and some challenges – exactly what ought to arise from serious, sustained treatment.” – Walter Brueggemann, author of The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary
“Finally a book on the Bible for the rest of us! … This broadside against our collective biblical illiteracy hits the sweetspot between blind belief and angry atheism. Who said a book on the Bible couldn’t be brave, smart, and fun?” – Stephen Prothero, author of Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know – and Doesn’t
Living through Pain: Psalms and the Search for Wholeness (Baylor University 2005)
“The interface between the psalms and the reality of human suffering is a long established conversation. … Swenson brings new life and freshness to that interface. She does so by exacting engagement with contemporary literature on the reality of pain and medical research. The outcome is a rich dialogue whereby “pain theory” illuminates the psalms and the psalms, in turn, offer a suggestive dimension to pain theory. The book is “down and dirty” in its engagement with real life. … an important study for men and women of faith who live with pain and for those in the helping professions who live with the pain of others. Swenson shows how the psalms, when read and heard, are indeed instruments for the existential, concrete processing of pain in healing ways.” – Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary, author of The Threat of Life: Sermons on Pain, Power, and Weakness
“… an up-to-date and multi-faceted exploration of pain as a ‘whole self event’ demanding response—personally, contextually, medically, theologically and spiritually. … must reading for those who want to understand how shrieks and groans and desperate sighs both fracture and bring unexpected healing to the human spirit. … not for the faint-hearted or for those who seek easy answers. And that is good news! – Joan E. Hemenway, Board-Certified Chaplain Clinical Pastoral Educator
“Swenson shows how the psalms can help people to renew meaning in their lives, without ever imposing that meaning.” – Arthur W. Frank, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Calgary, author of The Wounded Storyteller and The Renewal of Generosity: Illness, Medicine, and How to Live
What Is Religious Studies?: A Journey of Inquiry (with Esther R. Nelson, Kendall/ Hunt 2006)
“… very readable and approachable… I am in awe of how [the authors] cover so many different aspects and approaches within the single ‘journey'” – Dr. Barbara DeConcini, Executive Directory of the American Academy of Religion
“… engrossing, imaginative, and compelling” – Dr. Jack Spiro, Harry Lyons Distinguished Chair of Judaic Culture at Virginia Commonwealth University
“I commend this book to those who are new to the study of religion and to teachers who are involved with teaching an introduction to religious studies course.” – Rev. Dr. Paul O. Myhre, Associate Director Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion
“…. “‘works’ as an introduction to religious studies. It allows those reading it to work through different stages of consciousness and understanding,…” – Dr. Rosemary Radford Ruether, Carpenter Professor of Theology, emeritus, Graduate Theological Union.
