Berger, Peter The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion New York: Doubleday/Anchor, 1967
It is difficult to know which single volume of Berger’s to highlight, for highlighting his work goes without question. He is undoubtedly among the most influential and seminal thinkers in the social sciences of our day. This particular work is accessible, and certainly gets to the heart of his penetrating analysis into such processes as secularization and pluralization. Not an easy read, but well worth the effort.

Guinness, Os The Gravedigger File: Papers on the Subversion of the Modern Church Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1983
This book is out-of-print, but worth every effort to find it in used bookstores. Written in a C.S.Lewis/Screwtape format (which often gets in the way rather than serves), Guinness brilliantly synthesizes the work of Peter Berger and others in regard to the processes of secularization, privatization and pluralization.

Netland, Harold Dissonant Voices: Religious Pluralism and the Question of Truth Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991
This is not an easy, much less accessible, read. Yet it remains the single-best volume to date on the dynamics of religious pluralism.

Oden, Thomas C After Modernity...What? Agenda for Theology Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990
Though the title suggests that it explores what follows modernity, in truth it is a book that explores what must follow the challenge of modernity. What adds to this volume’s many insights into modernity itself is Oden’s own pilgrimage away from modernity toward classical Christian orthodoxy.

Rookmaaker, H.R Modern Art and the Death of a Culture Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1970/1994
Quickly heralded for it’s unique but important approach to dissecting cultural thought and direction, Rookmaaker’s take on the sixties through modern art speaks volumes to the wider context of the modern world. Not only does Rookmaaker take us into the window that art plays in understanding culture, but how a Christian artist can influence her world.

Schaeffer, Francis A Escape from Reason Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1968
Many would argue that this 94-page work is Schaeffer’s greatest. Undoubtedly, Schaeffer reveals the heart of modernity’s break with the Christian worldview. Though you can quibble with his over-simplification of persons and ideas, his essential argument is one of the more important to grasp. Homeschooling parents should strongly consider this book for their high school students.