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Short Notes

By Paul Beasley-Murray.

In Mirror Images: seeing ourselves in other people (SPCK, London 2007; 130pp; £7.99; ISBN 0 281 05774 5), David Adams, the well-known exponent of Celtic spirituality, reflects on what we can learn of God in our encounters with others: “We are all made in the image of God. We are God’s icon and so should reflect something of his grace, goodness and glory. True, the ‘image of God’ is often hidden, but it is not lost...  If we look carefully, we can find the image of God in those we meet”.

Married for God: making your marriage the best it can be (IVP, Nottingham 2007; 174pp; £7.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 189 2) by Christopher Ash, Director of the Cornhill Training Course, seeks to help couples put God at the centre of their marriage. There is much that is helpful in this book, but to argue that “sex is for the service of God” is unrealistic and, indeed, unbiblical (see the Song of Solomon).

First published in 1986, this new edition of Oracles of God: Perceptions of Ancient Prophecy in Israel after the Exile (Darton, Longman and Todd, London 2nd edition 2007; 324pp; £19.95; ISBN 978 0 232 52708 7) by Oxford professor Stephen Barton, is essentially the same apart from the correction of misprints and a new four page preface. Source material discussed includes much apocryphal and pseudepigraphical writings, documents from Qumran, the works of Philo and Josephus, the New Testament and some rabbinic literature. Based on massive scholarship, it is nonetheless a highly readable textbook.

Yours is the Kingdom: a systematic theology of the Lord’s Prayer (IVP, Nottingham 2007; 206pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 209 7), by British theologian Gerald Bray, is a lively exposition of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. Bray, however, argues that the Lord’s Prayer is not so much a ‘pattern prayer’ as an embryonic form of systematic theology: “the Prayer’s structure and layout follow a clearly discernable pattern, beginning with God the Father who is the Creator Lord of heaven and earth, moving through the kingdom of his Son Jesus Christ, to the blessings of both physical and spiritual nourishment which that brings, and concluding with the substance of the Christian life, which is the chief work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts”.  Whether or not one is convinced by Bray’s argument, every minister contemplating preaching a series of sermons on the Lord’s Prayer would benefit from this book.

A God Divided: Understanding the differences between Islam, Christianity and Judaism (Victor Books, Colorado Springs 2007 - available in the UK through Kingsway of Eastbourne; 224pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 7814 4374 6), by the evangelical writer Christopher Catherwood, is a very basic survey of the three Abrahamic religions. It reads more as a transcription of a series of talks rather than a formal book. Altogether different and a far better buy is Cross and Crescent: Responding to the challenges of Islam (IVP, Nottingham, new edition 2007; 432pp; £12.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 192 2) by Islamic scholar Colin Chapman, which looks at the cultural, political, theological and ideological challenges Islam presents. Written primarily as a textbook for students, it is highly readable. First published in 1995, the new edition contains a good deal of new material. A new chapter on Islamic terrorism has been added, the chapter on ‘Facing the political challenge of Islam’ has been considerably revised, and there are a number of other significant revisions too. This is an important book for anybody wanting to understand the new challenges and the new questions which Islam presents to Christians and to the West in a post 9/11 context.

The Book of Enoch (SPCK, London 2007; 99pp; £8.99; ISBN 0 218 05821 0), translated by R H Charles with an introduction by W O E Oesterley, is a re-issue of a book first published in 1917. The Book of Enoch is probably the most important Jewish apocalyptic work outside the New Testament, and sheds important light on the teaching of Jesus. This ‘classic’ will primarily be of interest to scholars and students.

Total Church:  A radical reshaping around gospel and community (IVP, Nottingham 2007; 203pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 191 5), by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, is a ‘must’ read for pastors concerned to see their churches engaged in effective evangelism and in meaningful social action. The reason for the choice of title is that “church is not a meeting you attend or a place you enter. It is an identity that is ours in Christ. It is an identity that shapes the whole of life so that life and mission become ‘total church’”.  Rooted in experience, this provocative book deserves to sell.

The Rhythm of doctrine: a liturgical sketch of Christian faith and faithfulness (Paternoster, Milton Keynes 2007; 135pp; £12.99; ISBN 978 1 84227 498 9), by John Colwell of Spurgeon’s College, is an unusual book for a Baptist, in that the author argues (and rightly so) that the liturgical year provides the structure for a systematic theology. The book, however, is somewhat laboured and does not read easily, and more importantly it is not rooted in the realities of church life today. The author strangely fails to recognise that the task of the academy is to meet the needs of the churches.

Christian Worship Worldwide: Expanding Horizons, Deepening Practices (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 2007; 301pp; £10.99 ISBN 978 0 80282 853 8. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), edited by Charles E Farhadian, for the most part consists of case studies and accounts of worship practices from all over the world, together with introductory and concluding essays. Of interest perhaps to international worship scholars, but not particularly to local ministers.

Of Widows and Meals: Communal Meals in the Book of Acts (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2007; 336pp; £15.99; ISBN 978 0 8028 3053 1), by New Testament professor Reta Halteman Finger, involves a detailed study of Acts 2.41-47 and Acts 5.42-6.6, in which the communal meals of the early church are set within the wider context of Judaism and indeed of the wider Mediterranean world. Although Finger recognises that we cannot replicate the life of the early church today, she nonetheless argues in her final chapter for new forms of economic sharing today. She concludes: “We too may not recognize Jesus unless we break bread with each other until all are satisfied and none are in need”. An informative and challenging read.

Preaching Christ from Genesis: Foundations for Expository Sermons (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2007; 536pp; £16.99; ISBN 978 0 8028 2586 5. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by Sidney Greidanus, an American professor emeritus of preaching, is a learned by strangely unconvincing book. Instead of allowing Scripture to speak for itself, the message of Genesis is unnaturally manipulated to ensure that it speaks of Christ. This is not true exposition.

Redefining Christian Britain: Post 1945 Perspectives (SCM Press, London 2007; 308pp; £17.99; ISBN 978 0 334 04092 7), edited by Jane Garnett, Matthew Grimley, Alana Harris, William Whyte and Sarah Williams, is a veritable ‘pot-pourri’ of sociological perspectives on the impact of the Christian faith on modern Britain. It consists of eighteen very diverse case-studies ranging from “A papal funeral and a royal wedding” to “Is English education secular?”; from “Dark materials? Philip Pullmann and children’s literature” to “Public intellectuals and the media”. The key to the book is the eighteen page introduction which looks in particular at the three themes of “authenticity” (people have rejected traditional religious practice in order to be true to themselves), “generation” (the chain of religious memory) and “virtue” (the relationship between religion and morality). Using these three tools, the authors argue that faith is not dead, but different.   

First published in 1994, and followed by a further 12 reprints, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (IVP Nottingham, new edition 2007; 1291pp; £32.99 hardback; ISBN 978 0 85110 652 6) by North American scholar Wayne Grudem, is now in a new, albeit unchanged, edition.   In spite of its popularity, I confess that I am saddened by the narrowness of its approach. Describing ‘liberals’ as “people who deny the absolute truthfulness of the Bible”, Grudem sets out to interact only with evangelicals - so Karl Barth, for instance, manages to get only one footnote! Of the fourteen books, only was by a recognised New Testament scholar, and with one exception only two of these books were published after 1980.    

From Exorcism to Ecstasy: Eight Views of Baptism (Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville 2007; 185pp; £13.99; ISBN 978 0 0664 23000 5. Available in the UK from Alban books of Edinburgh), by Russell Haitch, presents eight understandings of baptism culled from the writings of Alexander Schmemann, John Howard Yoder, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, Karl Barth, and Aimee Semple McPherson. It is frankly an odd selection, and even odder when no account is taken of the present day debate on baptism.  

Asperger Syndrome - A Love Story (Jessica Kingsley, London 2007; 144pp; £12.99; ISBN 978 1 84310 540 4) by Sarah Henrickx and Keith Newton tells the unusual story of an unconventional marriage between one affected by Asperger Syndrome and the other not, and in doing so offers both insight as also coping strategies. 

When people are subject to the Mental Health Act 1983, many of their rights are taken away. It is the function of the nearest relative to compensate for that loss. The Nearest Relative Handbook (Jessica Kingsley, London 2007; 191pp; £17.99; ISBN 978 1 84310 522 0) by solicitor David Hewitt, is the first full-length reference book to tackle this subject. Clear and authoritative, this is an invaluable aid for those involved in helping such ‘nearest relatives’.

The Wondrous Cross: Atonement and Penal Substitution in the Bible and History (Paternoster, Milton Keynes 2007; 130pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 1 84227 541 2), by Baptist theologian Stephen R Holmes, is a highly readable account of the various ways in which the death of Jesus has been understood. He argues that penal substitution is one of many complementary descriptions of the salvation we find in Christ. This is a good book to commend to people within our churches.

The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (Oxford University Press, 2nd revised edition 2007; 316pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 19 518307 8), by American scholar Philip Jenkins, is an expanded edition of a book first published in 2002. Its basic thesis is that, far from being an export of the capitalist West, a vestige of Euro-American imperialism, Christianity is now rooted in the Third World, and the religion’s future lies in the global South.  The statistics are enormously impressive: church growth in modern Africa has increased from 10 million in 1900 to 360 million by 2000. In the next 30 years the Christian population in Africa is expected to double. Jenkins points out the far from Islam becoming the world’s largest religion, by 2050 there will still be about three Christians for every two Muslims. He also notes that, although Christianity has experienced massive decline in Europe, the remaining 10% of Christians in a continent as populous as Europe is not negligible. An interesting read - and good value for money!

At the Heart of the Gospel: Suffering in the Earliest Christian Message (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2007; 147pp; £7.99; ISBN 978 0 8028 3993 0. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by L Ann Jervis, is a careful study of Paul’s teaching on suffering in Thessalonians, Philippians, and Romans. The author concludes: “The burden of our vision of the depth of the pain in which creation is caught is to be both borne and used. Where we see suffering and death, we are obliged to bring their opposites.... We suffer not on our own, but with the one whose suffering drew him inexorably into God’s luminous life”.

The New Testament with Imagination: a fresh approach to its writings and themes (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2007; 216pp; £8.99; ISBN 978 0 8028 2746 3. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by Australian scholar William Loader, is an examination of twenty New Testament passages, mostly from the Gospels, which are set in context, not simply on the basis of scholarship, but also of imagination. Preachers will find this a helpful resource.

Treasures of the King: Psalms from the Life of David (IVP, Leicester 2007; 159pp; £8.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 193 9), by the veteran expositor Alec Motyer, helpfully sets thirteen Psalms within the context of the life of David. This devotional book will also be a Godsend to many a preacher!

Luke: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist (Hendrickson, Peabody, Massachussets, 2007; 230pp; £10.99; ISBN 978 1 56563 483 1. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by New Testament professor Mikeal C Parsons, views the third Gospel from three different angles. Drawing upon ancient Greco-Roman rhetorical traditions, this scholarly approach will appeal more to the advanced theological student than to the ordinary minister.

The Jesus Way: A Conversation in Following Jesus (Hodder and Stoughton, London 2007; 289pp; £8.99; ISBN 978 0340 86392 3), by Eugene Peterson, is another contribution to his Spiritual Theology series. Somewhat provocatively, the author writes: “Jesus as the truth gets far more attention than Jesus as the way. Jesus as the way is the most frequently evaded metaphor among the Christians with whom I have worked for fifty years as a North American pastor”. Along with the way of Jesus, Peterson also looks at Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah of Jerusalem, and Isaiah of the Exile, as well as looking at ‘other ways’ such as the way of Herod, Caiaphas, and Josephus. This is a good book to read on retreat.

50 Key Concepts in Theology (Darton, Longman and Todd, London 2007; 170pp; £10.95; ISBN 978 0 232 52622 6), by Hugh Rayment-Pickard, deals with a wide-range of subjects, from ‘Atheism’ to ‘Ecotheology’, ‘Liberal Theology’ to ‘Pluralism’, ‘Secularisation’ to ‘The Trinity’. Although I don’t share the author’s theological position, nonetheless I found his short two-page essays, followed by a short list of ‘thinkers’ and ‘ideas’, stimulating and a good introduction for any first year theological student.

Exploring the Old Testament. Volume 2: the Histories (SPCK, London 2007; 295pp; £16.99; ISBN 978 0281 05430 5), by Philip Satterthwaite and Gordon McGonville, is a lively introduction to the historical books of the Old Testament (Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Ruth, Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1 and 2 Chronicles), and is an ideal resource for theological students. Like other volumes in this series, it seeks to show the relevance of Old Testament study both to theology and to modern life. 

The Uncreated Light: an iconographical study of the Transfiguration in the Eastern Church (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2007; 192pp; £13.99 hardback; ISBN 978 0 8028 1764 8. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by religious artist Solrunn Nes, explores the links of iconographical representation and theology. It includes some beautiful colour plates of the icons discussed. This is a challenging book to read!

Not Ashamed of the Gospel: Sermons from Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 2007; 421pp; £10.99; ISBN 978 0 8028 2737 1. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by the Episcopalian priest Fleming Rutledge, is a collection of 51 sermons - a stimulating resource for any preacher.

To commemorate William Wilberforce’s role in the abolition of the slave trade Danny Smith has edited a series of essays under the title Slavery Now And Then (Kingsway, Eastbourne, 2007; 238pp; £7.99; ISBN 978 18429 1331 4), which looks not just at Britain’s past role in the slave trade, but also at modern slavery today in a wide variety of forms (e.g. not just sex slavery and human trafficking, but also bonded labour in Pakistan and Dalits in India).  The book ends with a short final section giving helpful pointers for action today.

Rooted in Detachment: Living the Transfiguration (Darton, Longman and Todd, London 2007; 175pp; £10.95; ISBN 978 0 232 52692 9), by Kenneth Stevenson, Bishop of Portsmouth, is a deeply learned reflection on the Transfiguration, drawing upon not just biblical scholarship, but also on the Greek Fathers and later theologians of the church. The book is also deeply experiential, for it is written within the context of Stevenson’s suffering with leukaemia. There is much here to ponder upon.  

Planning a Lenten series next year? Thank God It’s Friday: Encountering the Seven Last Words from the Cross (Abingdon, Nashville 2006; 104pp; £6.99; ISBN 978 0 687 46490 6. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by acclaimed Methodist preacher, William H Willimon, is a stimulating resource for any preacher.

Deluded by Dawkins? A Christian response to ‘The God of Delusion’ (Kingsway, Eastbourne 2007; 112pp; £5.99; ISBN 978 1 842913 55 0), by Andrew Wilson, subjects Dawkins’ latest tirade against the Christian faith to some serious scrutiny. Popular in style, this is a book for a church bookstall.

Doxa: A Discipleship Course (Darton, Longman and Todd, London 2007; 159pp; £9.95; ISBN 978 0 232 52660 8), compiled by John B Thomson, Director of Ministry in the Diocese of Sheffield, is an eighteen week course, which can be done in sections, focussing on particular aspects of the Common Worship Eucharist. There are six sections: gathering and greeting; penitence and prayer; the liturgy of the word; baptism; the Eucharist; and sending forth. A very useful manual for Anglicans!

Described as “a rigorous, open and intelligent book that many thinking Christians and those considering Christianity will find helpful”, Christianity: a guide for the perplexed (SPCK, London 2007; 112pp; £7.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05896 9), by Keith Ward, the distinguished former Regius Professor of Divinity, looks at eight issues in particular: the creation; the Hebrew Bible; Jesus in the Gospels; the early development of doctrine; Christianity in the non-Christian world; defining moments in Christian history; the final goal of creation; and prayer. Much as I respect the author’s undoubted scholarship and intellect, I find it difficult to commend this book to people seeking faith, for the simple reason that adopts a more liberal approach to the Christian faith than is mine. For instance, Ward believes that Christianity cannot be viewed to offer “the only exclusive truth about the world” - I beg to differ.  

By contrast I would not hesitate to commend Simply Christian (SPCK, London 2006; 208pp; £8.99; ISBN 0 281 05481 9) by Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham. His book is divided into three parts. Part I, “Echoes of a Voice”, explores four areas of contemporary concern: the longing for justice, the quest for spirituality, the hunger for relationships, and the delight in beauty.  Part II, “Staring at the Sun”, lays out the central Christian belief about God.  Part III, “Reflecting the Image”, looks at what it means in practice to follow Jesus and deals with such issues as worship, prayer, the Bible. Along with lightly-worn learning, Tom Wright also displays a wonderful way with words. He ends: “Made for spirituality, we wallow in introspection. Made for joy, we settle for pleasure. Made for justice, we clamour for vengeance. Made for relationship, we insist on our own way. Made for beauty, we are satisfied with sentiment. But new creation has already begun. The sun has begun to rise.  Christians are called to leave behind, in the tomb of Jesus Christ, all that belongs to the brokenness and incompleteness of the present world. It is time, in the power of the Spirit, to take up our proper role, our fully human role, as agents, heralds and stewards of the new day that is dawning...”.

Although the ‘Gospel of Judas’ was discovered in the 1970s, it is only recently that the text has been published. Sensational claims have been made for the authenticity of this ‘Gospel’. The truth, however, is that the ‘Gospel of Judas’ is a Gnostic text emanating from the third or fourth century. Two excellent guides to this ‘Gospel’ have been published in the last year or two: Judas and the Gospel of Jesus: understanding a newly discovered ancient text and its contemporary significance (SPCK, London 2006; 88pp; £6.99; ISBN 0 281 05868 7) by Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham; and The Lost Gospel of Judas: Separating Fact from Fiction (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2007; 135pp; £8.99; ISBN 978 0 8028 2456 1. Available in the UK from Alban Books of Edinburgh) by Stanley E Porter and Gordon L Heath, both of McMaster Divinity College, Toronto. Both are good value for money!

Community and Ministry: an introduction to community development in a Christian context (SPCK, London 2007; 214pp; £12.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05800 6), by Paul Ballard and Lesley Husselbee, examines such issues as the nature of community, models of community work, ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, working with the local authority and voluntary agencies, working with volunteers, and spirituality in community participation. The book provides an excellent theoretical basis supplemented by a plenty of practical illustrations.

The Jesus Prayer (Bible Reading Fellowship, Oxford, first published 1996, revised edition 2007; 96pp; £4.99; ISBN 978 1 84101 588 0) by Simon Barrington-Ward, a former General Secretary of CMS and later Bishop of Coventry, consists of a series of reflections and meditations upon the words ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me’.

The Encyclopedia of Missions and Missionaries (A Religion and Society Encyclopaedia, Routledge, London 2007; 473pp; £95 hardback; ISBN 0 415 9648 4), edited by Jonathan Bonk, is a real joy to consult. Unlike other reference works on mission, the vision behind this volume was “to focus on central themes in the missionary enterprise and not cover specific missionaries or missionary organizations”. The aim of this volume is “to be interdisciplinary with contributions from missiology, history, and anthropology”. Although written by specialists, it sets out to give non-specialists an overview of the impact made by Christian missions. The scope of this encyclopedia is wide-ranging, with articles on such diverse subjects as money and church planting, and film and short-term missions. All the articles are followed by suggestions for further reading. This is a truly fascinating reference work. My chief regret is the price.  

... So I Send You: A study guide to mission (SPCK, London second edition 2007; 266pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05960 7), by Roger Bowen, first published in 1996, is a wide-ranging textbook for theological students, looking not simply at the biblical foundations of Christian mission, but also at issues relating to mission and culture (including the Church Growth movement), and movements in mission today (e g  signs and wonders, liberation theology, urban mission, inter-faith encounter and church planting). Each chapter ends with a list of questions for personal reflection and discussion. The primary difference between this edition and the previous edition is that the second edition includes a chapter on church planning. 

Foundations in Ritual Studies: A reader for students of Christian worship (SPCK, London 2007; 228pp; £16.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05746 7), edited by Paul Bradshaw and John Melloh, both of the University of Notre Dame, USA, is a collection of nine learned essays by scholars in the field of ritual studies.  I confess that as a Nonconformist, albeit with an interest in liturgy, I found the material impenetrable, and as a result wonder what relevance such scholarship has to the ordinary person in the pew, let alone the world outside the church!

Violence Among Us:  ministry to families in crisis (Judson Books, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 2007; 176pp; $14; ISBN 978 0 8170 1515 2), by Brenda Branson and Paula J Silva, is a practical hands-on resource for identifying and dealing with abusive situations. Domestic violence is widespread: in the USA one in every four Christian women experiences domestic abuse. Although written within a North American context, this book contains much helpful advice for pastors here in the UK.

The Alpha Phenomenon: Theology, Praxis and Challenges for Mission and Church Today (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, London 2007; 446pp; £10.99; ISBN 978 0 85169 331 6), edited by Andrew Brookes, is in two parts. The first part is by the editor and looks at such issues as the history and nature of the Alpha course; while the second part consists of a series of responses and reflections by a variety of church leaders. For those who know little about Alpha, this is a helpful introduction, but for those who have become familiar with Alpha as a result of running Alpha courses, there is little new.

A Personal Guide to Living with Progressive Memory Loss (Jessica Kingsley, London 2007; 158pp; £12.99; ISBN 978 1 84310 863 4), by Sandy Burgener and Prudence Twigg, both gerontological nurses, is written primarily for people diagnosed with diseases that cause progressive memory loss and difficulty with thinking. This is a book to recommend to people in the early stages of such diseases. It is not a ‘Christian’ book, but it is a down-to-earth guide, which seeks to uplift rather than depress.

As one who has gone through a major redevelopment project, I warmly commend Building for the Gospel: a handbook for the visionary and the terrified (10Publishing, Belfast BT3 9DY 2007; 69pp; £3; ISBN 978 1 906173 03 06) by Julia Cameron, who draws upon the experience of a number of churches, but in particular St Nicholas, Sevenoaks. If readers are considering entering into a building project, then this is a book to buy for all the members of one’s PCC or equivalent (when bought in multiples of 10, the book reduces to £2.50!).

The Forgotten Christ: exploring the majesty and mystery of God Incarnate (Apollos/IVP, Nottingham 2007; 256pp; £14.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 210 3), edited by Stephen Clark, consists of six papers given at the 2007 Affinity Theological Study Conference. ‘Affinity’ describes itself as a “church-centred  partnership for Bible-centred Christianity” and consists of some 1,300 churches in the UK. On the conservative wing of the evangelical movement, it has unfortunately taken an extremely negative stance toward the majority ‘evangelicalism’, which Jonathan Stephen, the Director of Affinity and Principal of the Wales Evangelical School of Theology, describes as “no longer defined by what the Bible says and... seems to know little, and care even less, about the nature and role of Christ’s church”. As an evangelical who does not belong to Affinity, I confess that I deeply resent that description - I care passionately about the nature and role of Christ’s church, just as I care passionately about understanding and applying the Bible to today’s world. It is a sad state of affairs when we cannot respect one another, simply because we may disagree with one another. Thus the fact that I may not agree with all the arguments employed here in this book does not mean that I do not respect the way in which the authors seek to wrestle with the mystery of the incarnate Christ. In addition to an introduction by the editor, there are six carefully argued chapters: ‘Affirming Chalcedon’, by A T B McGowan; ‘The inner or psychological life of Christ’, by Philip Eveson;  ‘The cry of dereliction: the beloved Son cursed and condemned’, by Paul Wells;  ‘The ascension and heavenly ministry of Christ’, by Matthew Sleeman; ‘The last Adam, the life-giving Spirit’ by Richard B Gaffin Jr; and ‘Worthy is the Lamb: the divine identity of Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation’ by G K Beale.

Disciples and Citizens: a vision for distinctive living (IVP, Nottingham 2007; 190pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 157 1), by Graham Cray, Bishop of Maidstone, first saw the light of day as a contribution to the London Lectures in Contemporary Christianity. Cray points out how much Christian involvement in society is negative: “too often we are best known for what we are against, rather than what we are for... The metaphor of salt also implies that there is good in society that is worth preserving”! He goes on: “The weekly business of local churches is to generate people who put God first, others second and themselves third. If this can be linked to a vision of public discipleship, it can make the most profound effect”. This is an excellent book.

Dictionary of Mission Theology: Evangelical Foundations (IVP, Nottingham 2007; 461pp; £24.99 hardback; ISBN 978 1 84474 213 4), edited by John Corrie, is yet another distinguished contribution to the IVP Reference Collection. This dictionary is different from others in that it aims to highlight and explore the missiological implications of a wide range of Christian doctrines and theologies, and at the same time, it shows that nothing can be ruled out of missiological consideration, be it the arts, ecology, HIV/AIDS, human rights, and gender issues. It is also different in that a majority (60%) of the 160 articles are by non-Western authors. This is a great resource and should be on every pastor’s shelves.

Autism and Loss (Jessica Kingsley, London 2007; 207pp; £29.99; ISBN 978 1 84310 433 9), by Rachel Forrester-Jones and Sarah Broadhurst, is a very practical resource for professional and informal carers working with people with autism, who are coping with any kind of loss, including bereavement. There is a need for all of us to acknowledge loss and to grieve, but for people with autism this is not easy, for they have difficulty in understanding and expressing their emotions. Although not a ‘Christian’ book, it does have real relevance to ministers who have people in their congregations suffering from autism.

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Advent and Christmas meditations on Charles Wesley’s hymns (SPCK, London 2007; 112pp; £8.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05966 9), by Paul Wesley Chilcote, President of the Charles Wesley Society, consists of forty readings including a biblical text, a Wesley hymn selection, a brief meditation, and a prayer for the day. Methodists apart, a book surely of limited appeal.

Soaring in the Spirit: Rediscovering mystery in the Christian life (Paternoster, Milton Keynes 2007; 208pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 1 84227 508 5), by Charles J Conniry, Jr, Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry at George Fox Evangelical Seminary, Portland, USA, is an unusually well-written book for informed (but not necessary theologically educated) lay people “about experiencing the presence of Jesus Christ in the moment-by-moment ‘nows’ of daily life”. It is a book to lend to members of the congregation experiencing spiritual ‘dryness’. Indeed, it is probably a book to commend to all one’s church’s leaders.

Reasons to Believe: how to understand, explain and defend the Catholic faith (Darton, Longman and Todd, London 2007; 227pp; £8.95; ISBN 978 0 232 52713 1), by American Catholic evangelist Scott Hahn, is lively apologetic tool for Catholic believers. It has, however, little relevance to non-Catholics.

Israelite Religions: an archaeological and Biblical survey (Apollos/IVP 2007; Nottingham 2007; 432pp; £17.99 hardback; ISBN 978 1 84474 190 8), by Richard S Hess, professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary, is a clear conservative treatment of religion in ancient Israel. The author shows how the religion of ancient Israel emerged as a distinctive set of practices and beliefs at a time when Israel was home to a wide variety of religious beliefs and practices. This is a work of accessible scholarship. IVP are to be congratulated on the way in which they are able to produce this kind of scholarship at such a reasonable price.

The Folly of Preaching: Models and Methods (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2007; 286pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 8028 2465 3. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), edited by Michael P Knowles, is a selection of lectures and sermons all given at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, in honour of John N Gladstone, an English Baptist minister who for many years occupied the pulpit of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto.   Contributors include such ‘names’ as David Buttrick, Thomas Long, Martin Marty, John Stott and Haddon Robinson. This is a book to dip into and enjoy.

Being Jack Dominian: Reflections on Marriage, Sex and Love (SPCK, London 2007; 185pp; £12.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05945 4), by Jack Dominian, the Roman Catholic layman who, in 1971, founded One Plus One, an organization dedication to understanding relationship breakdown, traces in an autobiographical manner the key developments in his writings of nearly fifty years. These writings consist of some 150 papers and 32 books! The author has a memorable turn of phrase: for instance, he writes, “I came to see marriage expressed as a community of love whose inner life is the daily liturgical living prayer of the overwhelming majority of Christians which together with the Eucharist proves their sanctification in this world, preparing them for the union with the love of the Trinity in the next”. As befits the subject, this is a provocative and passionate book.

Spiritual Direction for Every Christian (SPCK, London 2nd edition 2007; 128pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05951 5), by Gordon Jeff, originally appeared in 1987, and in this lightly revised second edition is a very welcome tool for all those pastors wanting to help their people grow spiritually. Spiritual direction for the author is not an esoteric science, rather it involves sitting down with someone two, three or four times a year to consider where they are in their journey with and to God. A very down-to-earth guide, this book deserves to sell and sell.

Christian Prayer through the Centuries (SPCK, London, this edition 2007; 144pp; £12.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05759 7), by church historian Joseph Jungmann, was originally published in German in 1969, then translated and published in the USA in 1978, and now in this edition includes the original foot notes from the German edition, is a scholarly overview of the development of liturgical prayer.  

Changing Evangelisation: themes and stories from Catholics in local mission (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, London 2007; 115pp; £8.99; ISBN 978 0 85169 348 4), by Philip Knights, is in two main parts: ‘Part One - Overview’ looks at evangelisation in Ireland, England and Wales, and Scotland, as well as phenomena such as charismatic Catholics and ‘evangelical’ Catholics; ‘Part Two - Stories from the Initiatives’ looks at such groups as Catholic Faith Exploration, St Patrick’s Evangelisation School, and the Sion Community. As the author rightly notes, in recent times “the Catholic Church has made a double journey from ghetto to mainstream and then on into a new periphery which all the churches and ecclesial communities now inhabit”. It is an interesting survey.

Supporting New Ministers in the LocalChurch (SPCK, London 2007; 177pp; £14.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05879 2), by Anglican Keith Lamdin and Methodist David Tilley, is designed to help those who supervise newly ordained ministers. It explores, in a religious context, what supervision means, and the models and understandings that will underpin good practice. This is a great resource for mentors, training vicars, and senior ministers.

Praying with the Bible (SPCK, London 2007; 142pp; £9.99 hardback; ISBN 978 0 281 05917 1), by Philip Law, is not a book to read, but a book to use. Divided into six sections (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, petition, intercession and contemplation), this book will enrich the prayer life of many.

Anger: discovering your spiritual ally (SPCK, London 2007; 126pp; £8.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05954 6), by Andrew Lester, Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counselling at the Texas Christian University, is the third of three books on anger written by the author. Practical in intention, it is written with Christians in mind who are either angry, or concerned that someone is angry about them. Based on case studies and upon Scripture, the author argues that anger can be our friend in that it drives us back on God.

Pearls of Life for the personal spiritual journey (Wild Goose Publications, Glasgow, 2007; 96pp; £10.99 including a ring of 18 ‘pearls’; ISBN 978 1 905010 39 4), by Martin Lonnebo, Caroline Welin and Carolina Johansson, is the British edition of a devotional tool published first in Sweden in 2005. This unusual approach to prayer is reminiscent of the rosary, and yet is very different, and involves meditating on the ‘God’ pearl, the pearls of silence, the ‘I’ pearl, the ‘baptism’ pearl, the ‘love’ pearls, the ‘mystery’ pearls, the ‘night’ pearl, and the ‘resurrection’ pearl. No deep theology is involved, nor are there any specific links to Scripture. For a one-off retreat this could be a creative way-in of centring down and focussing God, but to use the pearls every day, when the Bible is to hand, seems to miss out on the key to communing with God.

New Testament Theology: Exploring Diversity and Unity (Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville 2007; 484pp; £27.99; ISBN 978 0 664 23044 9. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by the Roman Catholic New Testament scholar Frank J Matera, is a masterly book-by-book exploration of the diverse theology of the New Testament. “No one way”, he writes, “can fully capture the mystery that is God in Christ. To insist upon only one way is to deny the mystery. To insist upon only one way is to foolishly imagine that human beings can comprehend the mystery that is God”. Primarily a tool for young theological students, there is material here for the preacher too.

A Year Lost and Found (Darton, Longman and Todd, London, first published 1987, this edition 2007; 86pp; £7.95; ISBN 978 0 232 52715 5), by the late Michael Mayne, former Dean of Westminster, tells how in 1985 Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), then scarcely understood, struck the author down. It is a very personal story of a faith sorely tried, and will be of particular interest to present ME sufferers.

Christianity’s Dangerous Idea. The Protestant Revolution: a history from the sixteenth century to the twenty-first (London, SPCK 2007; 552pp; £14.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05968 3), by Alister McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology Oxford University, sets out to explore the inner identity of this movement. Stimulating, learned and wide-ranging though it may be, to this reviewer it was disappointing in that the author fails to understand the heart of Anabaptism and the contribution of Baptists (the largest mainline Protestant denomination) to Protestantism in general. For instance, McGrath makes the classic Anglican mistake of constantly talking about ‘adult’ baptism - Anabaptists and Baptists practice believers’ baptism! Nor does Thomas Helwys, the early Baptist who was the first to make a plea for freedom of religion, get a mention. Similarly McGrath fails to note the way in which the congregational model of church government became the seedbed for democratic institutions in Britain and elsewhere. Of course Baptists are not the only pebbles on the ecclesiastical seashore, but for Nonconformists this book fails to do justice to their contribution to the history of Protestantism. 

The Contagion of Jesus: doing theology as if it mattered (Darton, Longman and Todd, London 2007; 208pp; £14.95; ISBN 978 0 232 52717 9), by Sebastian Moore, monk of Downside Abbey, is a collection of thoughtful reflections and excerpts edited by Stephen McCarthy, around such themes as ‘Our God of Love’, ‘The Trinity and Human Relationship’, ‘Jesus our Scapegoat’, ‘Resurrection and Eucharist’, ‘On Mary and the Feminine’, ‘Friendship and Discipleship’, ‘Love, Sexuality and the Church’.

Gathered and Scattered: readings and meditations from the Iona Community (Wild Goose Publications, Glasgow 2007; 400pp; £11.99; ISBN 978 1 905010 34 9), edited by Neil Paynter, consists of four months’ worth of daily readings from a wide range of contributors within the Iona Community, including John Bell, Ruth Burgess, Ian Fraser, Kathy Galloway, Tom Gordon, Peter Millar, Philip Newell and Jan Sutch Pickard. My one regret is that for the most part no attempt has been made to relate the wide-ranging readings and meditations with Scripture - this collection in this sense is only a supplement.

When you walk: 365 readings for ordinary followers of Jesus who sometimes find the going a bit tough (Bible Reading Fellowship, Oxford, 1997, now revised and expanded 2007; 528pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 1 84101 531 6), by Adrian Plass, is a collection of Bible reading notes which first saw the light of day in New Daylight, the Bible study booklet produced by BRF. Although easy reading, the notes often pack a punch. A book to recommend to people who have become jaded by more traditional Bible reading notes.

From Physicist to Priest, an Autobiography (SPCK, London 2007; 182pp; £16.99 hardback; ISBN 978 0 281 05915 7), by John Polkinghorne, the distinguished scientist who in turn became a distinguished theologian, will no doubt appeal to his many ‘fans’. However, interesting as his life has been, this does not really add to what he has already published.  

The Life and Work of a Priest (SPCK, London 2007; 164pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05748 1) by John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, is written particularly with Anglican ministry in mind. To a seasoned minister, much is familiar, and yet there is much that is thought-provoking. I was challenged by the author’s definition of the goal of ministry, “that men and women in every place may have life in all its fullness and abundance”.

Seeking Faith, Finding God: getting to grips with questions of faith (Bible Reading Fellowship, Oxford 2007; 159pp; £6.99; ISBN 978 1 84101 543 9), by Baptist minister John Rackley, first saw light of day in a series of reflective articles in the Baptist Times. The intention of these short articles was to encourage the reader to ‘look at the Bible with fresh eyes’. John has done just that. Each piece is followed by ideas for reflection, prayer, and discussion, and could therefore is a helpful resource for home groups.

Spirituality, Ethics and Care (Jessica Kingsley, London 2007; 208pp; £16.99; ISBN 978 1 84310 498 8), by Simon Robinson, Professor of Applied and Professional Ethics at Leeds Metropolitan University, provides guidance on how to integrate spirituality and ethics in professional and voluntary care. Using case studies and examples from everyday situations, such as end-of-life decisions, conjoined twins, heart conditions, as well as events emerging from mental health and emergency care practice, the author provides a practical framework for incorporating spirituality into ethical decision-making and care.

The Sacred Anointing: preaching and the Spirit’s anointing in the life and thought of Martyn Lloyd Jones (Paternoster, Milton Keynes 2007; 271pp; ISBN 978 1 84227 478 1), by Tony Sargent, Principal of International Christian College, Glasgow. First published in 1994 by Hodder and Stoughton, this book explores the man, the methods and motives behind the preaching of Martyn Lloyd Jones, the Welsh medical consultant who turned preacher and became minister of Westminster Chapel. In the words of Lloyd Jones: “These are the things that make the preacher. If he has the love of God in his heart, and if he has a love for God; if he has a love for the souls of men, and a concern about them; if he knows the truth of the Scriptures; and has the Spirit of God within him, that man will preach”. Fans of Martyn Lloyd Jones will love this book!

Exploring the Old Testament, Volume 2: The Histories (IVP, London 2007; 295pp; £16.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05430 5), by Philip Satterthwaite and Gordon McConville. is part of an established series of text-books designed to help theological students at the beginning of their course understand the Bible. Imaginatively presented, the main scholarly views are presented as well as evaluated. Ideal for the intended audience!

Jewish Believers in Jesus (Hendrickson, Peabody, Massachusetts 2007; 930pp; £27.99 hardback; ISBN 978 1 56563 763 4. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), edited by Oskar Skarsaune and Reidar Hvalvik, is in every sense of the word heavy-weight scholarship. The bibliography alone runs to over 100 pages! The focus of the book is on ethnicity rather than theology. After discussing the identity of the Jewish believers and how they might have related to other Jews and to other Christians, the contributors examine the topic based on source material from the first to the fifth centuries AD. This is not a book for the ordinary preacher, but clearly this superbly produced re-evaluation of the place of Jewish believers in the early church is a work of great significance for scholars.

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (Abingdon, Nashville 2007; 144pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 687 64540 4. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase, is notable for the very terms used to describe the ideal five practices: radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, extravagant generosity. The author maintains that “the words are contagious, and the congregations that use them behave differently”. The adjectives in particular are challenging, and somehow take the five practices to new heights. Here is something to reflect upon.

Journey Into Growth: The Seven Core Values of a Mission Church (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, London 2007; 57pp; £7.99; ISBN 978 0 85169 346 0), edited by Baptist minister Terry Tennens, deals with the following seven ‘values’: focusing vision; building local partnerships; sharing faith and values; nourishing daily living; developing shared leadership; becoming communities of learning; contributing to and participating in wider networks. Each of the seven sections has a story drawn from the life of a Christian community, contains a passage of Scripture, and a series of questions. Although pretty basic, many church home groups would benefit from this course, but the price of the booklet is ridiculously high and sadly will ensure that the booklet never really takes off.

For a eye-catching title, full marks must be given to Reading the Bible with the Dead: what you can learn from the history of exegesis that you can’t learn from exegesis alone (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2007; 336pp; £10.99; ISBN 978 0 8028 0753 3. Available in the UK from Alban Books of Edinburgh), by John L Thompson, professor of historical theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. The author presents nine cases studies in the history of exegesis, including the stories of Hagar and Jephthah’s daughter, the imprecatory psalms, and tests that address domestic relations, particularly divorce. His aim is to demonstrate that valuable insights can be gained, not just from the standard New Testament commentaries, but also from fifteen centuries to the meaning of Scripture in the life of the church. Sadly all too often Christians leap from the New Testament to the present day, without appreciating that the Holy Spirit has been at work in the intervening centuries.

Love’s Endeavour, Love’s Expense: the response of being to the love of God (Darton, Longman and Todd, London, first published 1977, this edition 2007; 120pp; £9.95; ISBN 978 0 232 52711 7), by Anglican priest W H Vanstone, explores the nature and the cost of authentic love. It is one of the spiritual classics of the 20th century.

Jesus and Psychology (Darton, Longman and Todd, London 2007; 190pp; £16.95; ISBN 978 0 232 52709 4), edited by Fraser Watts, Director of the Psychology and Religion Research Group at the University of Cambridge, is a collection of eight essays which seeks to show how helpful psychology can be in understanding the Gospels. Subjects dealt with include ‘Approaching the Gospels Psychologically’, ‘Psychology and the Historical Jesus’, ‘Fully Human, Fully Divine? The Cinematic Portrayal of Christ’, and ‘Healing Encounters’. Insightful certainly, but revolutionary? No.

John Henry Newman: Prayers, Poems and Mediations (SPCK, London 2007; 198pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05973 7), selected and edited by A N Wilson, consists of a ten page introduction by the editor, and then six months’ worth of daily readings, which follow the themes of ‘the call of faith’; ‘the art of prayer’; ‘the contemplation of Christ’; ‘the risk of discipleship’; ‘the meaning of holiness’; and ‘the hope of heaven’. Interesting as they are in their own right, the daily selections would have been strengthened if they could have been linked with a passage of Scripture.

Journey to Jerusalem: Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday (Bible Reading Fellowship, Oxford  2007; 199pp; £7.99; ISBN 978 1 84101 485 2), by David Winter, one of the UK’s most popular Christian broadcasters, follows the journey of Jesus and his disciples to Jerusalem.  Here is a devotional aid to recommend to the congregation.

The Practice of Preaching (Abingdon, Louisville, 1st edition 1995; 2nd revised edition 2007; 299pp; £13.99; ISBN 978 0 687 64527 5. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh), by Paul Scott Wilson, Professor of Homiletics at EmmanuelCollege in the University of Toronto, is a basic guide to preaching for the beginner. Strangely the author presents his material in such a way as if the preparation for preaching occupies every day of the week. For most of us this is not true to reality.

Recent booklets from Grove of Cambridge, all 28pp in length and priced at £2.95, include:

The Use and Misuse of Alcohol (Ethics 145, 2007; ISBN 978 185174 652 1) by Chris Cook, a thoughtful booklet with a welter of sobering (!) statistics.

The Stations of the Cross (Spirituality 101, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 655 2) by sculptor Toddy Hoare, who offers a new set of ‘stations’ depicting incidents from the viewpoint of Jesus.

Evaluating the Use of the Bible in Preaching (Worship 191, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 654 5) by Keith Beech-Gruneberg and Phillip Tovey, who take three actual sermons and then analyse them using such methods a SWOT analysis.

Church Planting in the Inner City: the Urban Expression story (Evangelism 78, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 656 9) by Juliet Kilpin and Stuart Murray, who look at the pioneering way in which groups of Christians have experimented with ‘fresh expressions’ in East London.

Making Sense of the Sermon on the Mount (Biblical 43, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 649 1) by John Y H Yieh, a Taiwanese Presbyterian scholar now living in the USA, who views the sermon as a ‘new covenant’ in which the grace of the gospel and the practice of the law go hand in hand.

Effective Ministry to Tweenagers (Youth 7, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 659 0) by Ruth Hassall and Ian Macdonald, who rightly argue that want tweenagers most want to find in the church is ‘fun’.

Whose Delusion? Responding to the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (Evangelism 79, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 664 4), by Mike Starkey, who aims to encourage Christians to see Richard Dawkins’ God Delusion as a God-given opportunity for conversations about faith. Starkey makes the point that the opposite of faith is not atheism, but indifference, and notes how ironic it is that Dawkins’ passionate concern about the question of God, has actually put God firmly back on the agenda for many people.

John’s Jesus: the Message and Meaning of John’s Gospel (Biblical 44, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 657 6), by John Proctor, who not only gives a guide to the Gospel, but at the end gives a helpful suggestion for a Bible study group: “The characters in John often have to overcome something in themselves - misunderstanding, prejudice, fear, failure - when they deal with Jesus. Take half a dozen people who had to do this, and look at their encounters with Jesus. Ask what held them back, what (might have) helped them, how they ended up, and how much of this person we see in ourselves”.

How to Write a Good Sermon: A Working Model (Renewal 29, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 660 6), by Mark Tanner, who makes the useful good point that, when it comes to writing a sermon, we have three basic resources to call on:  “the Scriptures; the Holy Spirit; and the person God has created you to be”. I confess that I find some of his suggestions a little unrealistic, for example, “prior to preaching, meditate on the passage for two weeks beforehand - indeed, Tanner makes this part of his daily quiet time.

Foundations for Medical Ethics (Ethics 146, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 661 3), by Sean Doherty, who sets out some of the relevant biblical and theological material, and makes suggestions as to their implications for the practice of medicine today. A booklet to commend to the medics in the congregation.

True Beauty: Finding Grace in Disabilities (Spirituality 102, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 663 7), by Mark Bredin, who argues that Christians must create and awaken to the possibilities of relating to people with profound learning disabilities, since such personal relationships open them to the beauty of divine grace. He ends: “When we are in the presence of people with profound learning disabilities, we do not say, ‘There but for the grace of God go I’, but ‘Here, by the grace of God, is my saviour’. This does not mean that the other is ‘my Saviour’, but God’s agent of grace. This contrasts with looking at the despised and poor while thanking God’s grace for not being like them. Rather, God’s grace through them opens our eyes to our own disabilities and failures, so that God is able to heal our brokenness”. 

How to Worship with Data Projection: PowerPoint and Other Tools (Worship 192, 2007; ISBN 978 1 85174 662 0), by Ian Tarrant, offers a basic guide to the use of computers and data projectors in worship. For many churches, this guide is almost ten years too late!