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SHORT NOTES

Reviewed by Paul Beasley-Murray.

Runaway, Red Beret, and Reverend (Authentic, Milton Keynes 2012; 121pp; £7.99; ISBN 978 1 78078 017 7), by John Alexander, is a heart-warming popular account of the remarkable  life of Mike McDade, an unusual Baptist minister who this year had to take early retirement for health reasons.  

Baptism in the Spirit: Luke-Acts and the Dunn Debate (Lutterworth Press, Cambridge 2012; 154pp; £15; ISBN 978 0 7188 9268 5), by Pentecostal pastor William P Atkinson, is an expansion of a MA thesis and is written primarily for Pentecostals with a view to encouraging them to hold onto their Pentecostal principles! He concludes: “We do not need to be ashamed of our beliefs or imagine that they are vulnerable if studied in detail. To you I say, hold your heads up high!” It is a fascinating monograph.

Exploring the Religion of Ancient Israel (SPCK, London 2012; 159pp; £14.99; ISBN 978 0 281 06481 6), by Australian Aaron Chalmers, is a first-class introduction to the Old Testament. Clearly presented, this is a ‘must’ for any first-year theological student.

Robin Gill of the University of Kent is a theologian at home in the world of sociology. Theology in a Social Context: Sociological Theology, Volume 1 (Ashgate, Farnham 2012; 240pp; £19.99; ISBN 978 1 4094 2594 6), and Theology Shaped by Society: Sociological Theology, Volume 2 (Ashgate, Farnham 2012; 219pp; 19.99; ISBN 978 1 4094 2597 7) are part of a new trilogy on Sociological Theology. This is heavy-weight scholarship, and yet there is much of interest for the non-scholar. For example, Volume 2 contains a fascinating chapter on the churches of York; and an equally fascinating chapter on “Determinants in the Churches’ Response to Abortion”. Both books will repay careful reading.

True Feelings: Perspectives on emotions in Christian life and ministry (Apollos, Nottingham 2012; 284pp; £14.99; ISBN 978 1 8447 4593 7), edited by Michael P Jenson of Moore College, Sydney, is a fascinating and wide-ranging collection of essays on emotions. Part 1 is made up of a sermon on ‘the affections of Christ’ (Philippians 1.8). Part 2 sets the scene and contains two essays, one on ‘a cultural overview of the emotions’, and the other on the Puritans and emotions. Part 3 has four essays on ‘emotions divine and human’ and deals with such topics as ‘Does God have feelings?’ and ‘Whose tears? The emotional life of Jesus’. Part 4 is headed ‘emotions in the Christian life’ and among other things looks at emotions in preaching and worship. This volume contains much good food for thought!

Primary School Assemblies for Religious Festivals (SPCK, London 2012; 148pp; £12.99; ISBN 978 0 281 06697 1), edited by Ronni Lamont, contains a collection of 37 ‘fun and thoughtful’ assemblies that celebrate the multi-faith make-up of British schools today.

Windows on a Hidden World: Exploring the Advent landscape (SPCK, London 2012; 116pp; £7.99; ISBN 978 0 281 06509 7), by Jane Maycock, consists of 25 reflections for the first 25 days of December, together with a concluding postscript for Boxing Day. A useful devotional resource, not least for ministers who need a fresh way-in to Advent.

The Person and Work of Christ: Understanding Jesus (Authentic, Milton Keynes 2012; 183pp; £15.99; ISBN 978 1 84227 749 2), by A T B McGowan, Professor of Theology in the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland, examines the development of the church’s understanding of Jesus down through the centuries. The final chapter contains a passionate plea to Christians today not to compromise their faith in the uniqueness of Christ, and to challenge all those who in today’s multi-faith context deny his uniqueness.

First published as Conversions: The Christian Experience, nearly 30 years ago, then reprinted as Famous Conversions, and at that stage edited by Hugh T Kerr and John M Mulder, Finding God: A Treasury of Conversion Stories (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2012; 396pp; £14.99; ISBN 978 0 8028 6575 5. Available in the UK through Alban Books of Edinburgh) has been revised by John M Mulder. It is a fascinating digest of conversion stories, ranging from Paul to Richard Baxter, Martin Luther to Billy Graham,  and Malcolm Muggeridge to Charles Colson. I particularly appreciated the potted biographies.

Martyn Percy, of Ripon College Cuddesdon, and King’s College, London, is both an insightful and a  delightful observer of the contemporary  English church scene. His recent trilogy published by Ashgate of Farnham, Surrey, would make stimulating reading for any minister seeking inspiration for a sabbatical: Engaging with Contemporary Culture: Christianity, Theology and the Concrete Church (Ashgate, 2005; 258pp; £60 hardback; ISBN 978 0 7546 3259 8); Shaping The Church: The promise of implicit theology (Ashgate, 2010; 193pp; £19.99; ISBN 978 0 7546 6605 9); and The Ecclesial Canopy: Faith Hope, Charity (Ashgate 2012; 224pp; £19.99; ISBN 978 1 4094 4120 5). If the truth be told, the titles themselves do not convey much. However, to take his latest book, the chapter headings are far more revealing: ‘Fission: Faith in the Market Place’; ‘Shopping for God: Consumer Religion’; ‘Falling Far Short: Taking Sin Seriously’; ‘Living with Pluralism: Public Faith and Human Rights’. Readers may not agree with the author, but they will certainly be stimulated and informed.  

Sydney Anglicans and the Threat to World Anglicanism: The Sydney Experiment (Ashgate, Farnham, Surrey 2011; 173pp; £19.99; ISBN 978 1 5094 2027 9), by Muriel Porter, contains a rigorous critique of Australia’s largest and probably most vibrant diocese. Evangelicals will read this with particular interest.  

First published in 1989, An Introduction to the New Testament (Lutterworth Press, Cambridge, 2nd edition 2012; 374pp; £25; ISBN 978 0 7188 9265 4), by Charles B Puskas and C Michael Robbins, is a major revision of the first edition. The authors retain the original tripartite arrangement: 1. The world of the New Testament; 2. Interpreting the New Testament; and 3. Jesus and Early Christianity. This is an excellent introduction for first-year theological students.

A Reader in Ecclesiology (Ashgate, Farnham 2012; 271pp; £19.99; ISBN 978 1 4094 2856 5), by Bryan P Stone, is a wide-ranging collection of helpfully annotated texts. Divided into four parts, Part I contains 21 texts from the early church, Part 2 contains 27 texts from the Middle Ages and the Reformation,  Part 3 contains 10 texts on the so-called ‘Modern Period’ ending in the 19th century, while Part 4 contains 36 texts from the 20th century. I was particularly struck by the inclusion of texts from people like John Smyth, Lesslie Newbigin, John Howard Yoder and Amos Yong – all too often so-called ecumenical texts neglect the Nonconformists!

Journeying with Luke: Lectionary C (SPCK, London 2012; 102pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 281 05902 7), by James Woodward, Paula Gooder and Mark Pryce, seeks to give fresh insights into Luke’s Gospel - particularly for those leading home groups. A highly practical book, sections are given over to helping the reader imagine the lives, times, and culture of first-century Israel.

Published in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, A Mouth Full of Fire: The Word of God in the words of Jeremiah (Apollos, Nottingham 2012; 321pp; £14.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 596 8), by Andrew G Shead of Moore College, Sydney, is a careful examination of Jeremiah’s ‘word’ language. The concluding chapter then moves from the world of Old Testament study to the doctrine of the word of God in modern systematic theology, and in particular engages with the writings of Karl Barth.   

Tom Wright continues to be his prolific self. His latest books include New Testament Prayer For Everyone (SPCK, London 2012; 102pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 0 281 06906 4), which covers all the prayers of the New Testament and brings together the author’s insights into prayer. The final For Everyone Bible Study Guide covers the Book of Revelation (SPCK, London 2012; 128pp; £4.99; ISBN 978 0 281 06865 4), which has been put together with the help of Kristie Berglund. Both are useful resources for church life.

Gospel Truth: Answering New Atheist attacks on the Gospels (IVP, Nottingham 2012; 220pp; £9.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 594 4), by Paul Barnett, the retired Anglican Bishop of North Sydney. It is a great resource for preachers, and indeed for anybody engaged in apologetics.

A welcome recent addition to The Bible Speaks Today series is The Message of Women: Creation, Grace and Gender (IVP, Nottingham 2012; 300pp; £11.99; ISBN 978 1 84474 595 1), by Derek and Diane Tidball, which falls into four parts. Part I ‘Foundations’ looks at three foundational passages: women as the image of God (Genesis 1.26-30; 2.18-25); women and the fall of humanity (Genesis 3.1-24); and women and the new creation (Galatians 3.26-28). Part 2 looks at six chunks of Scripture dealing with women under the old covenant – family women, victimized women, leading women, prophetic women, passionate women, and capable women. Part 3 looks at women in the kingdom (women in the life of Jesus, women in the encounters of Jesus; women in the teaching of Jesus, and women as disciples of Jesus. The final section deals with women in the new community – women in action, in prayer, in worship, marriage, leadership, and widowhood. This is a great book of applied scholarship, and should prove a helpful resource for several series of sermons!