Book reviews in 2016

Russell's account of the Working Together for the Common Good initiative a generation ago offers a mix of hope and disappointment

Abundant Life: The Churches and Sexuality

Essays from academics in Africa seeking to identify and cultivate the positive role that churches must play on issues around sexuality

All Questions Great and Small

The latest book from Adrian Plass and Jeff Lucas is steeped in typical honesty and grace

Arab Evangelicals in Israel

A collection of essays which throw a helpful spotlight on the work and witness of a small and often forgotten group of Christians

Baptists and War: How did Baptists respond to war?

A series of essays pinpointing Baptist attitudes to conflict at different times in different countries

Baptists in America: a history

The history of Baptists in America is a complex and important one - and this accessible account has much to inform and encourage

Blessed are the poor?: Urban poverty and the church

How the perspective of the poor opens us up to new biblical and theological insights - and what it means to be Church today

Body: Biblical spirituality for the whole person

'Delightful and erudite book' from Paula Gooder that handles many of those questions that disturb us today

Choose Life: Rowan Williams' sermons

A valuable record of one theologian’s ability to open up the familiar stories of Christmas and Easter in fresh ways

Christian Self-Understanding in the Context of Hindu Religion

The key to relating to others and living peaceably together is not learning to understand them, but learning to understand ourselves

Complete in Him: a review

A story about offering hospitality, the hospitality of God to others, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves

Creating a Culture of Invitation in your Church

Michael Harvey outlines best practice gleaned from his experiences as founder of Back to Church Sunday

Daniel Hughes: The Sledgehammer Pastor

Well-researched account of an unconventional and - until now - little documented Non-conformist minister

Detox your Ego: my new year's resolution

Steven Sylvester’s profound but simple ‘without ego’ philosophy has much to offer Christian leaders

Discovering Romans: Anthony C Thiselton

Recommended for those who desire a deeper understanding of how their lives might be shaped by the word of God through Paul’s letter

Don’t Beat Yourself Up by Tania Bright

Inspirational book covering areas often kept secret, showing that Christians' sense of guilt shouldn't be that way

Essentials for a deeper spiritual life

Difficult not to be challenged afresh by the author's single minded interpretation of what it means to be crucified with Christ

Fight the Good Fight: Voices of Faith from the First World War

Uplifting and thoughtful glimpse into the lives of ordinary Christians called to extraordinary service

Flora and fauna of the Bible

A beautifully illustrated study of all the most important plants and animals mentioned in the Bible

Found by love by Rahil Patel

Remarkable account of a Hindu priest encountering Jesus Christ

God is watching you by Dominic Johnson

Johnson's argument underlines that the science versus religion debate is not a straightforward division into scientists versus believers

God’s Fingerprints - the Evidence is Everywhere

Encouraging to find a book which seeks to find him in every day life

Growing in Circles - 'It's all about knowing the truth'

Learning the rhythms of discipleship by Paul Harcourt

Hebrews and James: 60 Bite-sized insights

Generally useful little commentary which may also help busy ministers in sermon preparation

Hidden Christmas: The surprising truth behind Christ's birth

Best-selling author and pastor Tim Keller's examination of the nativity story

How to be a mindful Christian

In a clear but loving way, the author helps us cultivate a natural mindfulness, with the attitudes that Jesus would want us to cultivate

I am N: The voice of the martyrs

I Am N is a disturbing read, sharing the stories of Christians living out their faith in the face of Islamic extremism

Inventing the Universe by Alister McGrath

Why we can't stop talking about science, faith and God

Isaiah for Everyone by John Goldingay

'This is writing which comforts the distressed and distresses the comfortable'

Jars of Clay: Learning from the persecuted church

Eternal life with Christ should constantly be on our lips, writes Bob Holman

Journeying on the Revelation road

Nick Page's travelogue to the places of the Bible's final book brings home how Revelation has a very relevant message for today

Letting in the Light: Kenneth Steven

Intimate new collection from one of Scotland's leading poets

Liberating the Gospel by David Smith

Readable, inspiring and challenging book on Christian mission

Magna Carta Unravelled

The Case for Christian Freedoms Today

Making Peace with the Earth

Fascinating and disparate collection of essays from faith-based organisations around the world to encourage advocacy for climate justice

Meeting God in Paul by Rowan Williams

'How I wish I'd had this when I had to produce two sermons a week. They would have been a lot better'

Messy Grace By Caleb Kaltenbach

How a pastor with gay parents learned to love others without sacrificing convictions

Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality

Tim Stead's new book is must-read about making space for God

Pioneer Ministry in New Housing Areas

With the Government pledging to build a million new homes, this is a genuinely helpful and theologically literate resource from Baptist pioneers

Preaching By Timothy Keller

A book whose reading will reward any preacher, as it comes from a proven expositor who regularly proclaims Christ in a sceptical Manhattan

Redeeming Gender by Adrian Thatcher

Accessible and deceptively challenging account of gender theory, offering something fresh to the human sexuality conversation

Short Answers to Big Questions about God, the Bible and Christianity

Well-written book that would be suitable for use subsequent to an Alpha or similar course, and for busy ministers

Simplify: Ten practices to unclutter your soul

Recommended Bill Hybels book that highlights areas of life that can get out of focus – and offers practical insights for making changes

Soulfulness: Deepening the mindful life

Brian Draper's new Christian take on mindfulness is like coming home, but realizing home is even more spacious than you had imagined

Suffering: why doesn't God stop it?

'An invaluable piece of concise apologetic which can be given to any thoughtful person who wants to dig deeper into the dark mystery of suffering'

Systematic Theology: Anthony Thiselton

A concise one-volume systematic theology that is both contemporary and broad

The Bible from Scratch by Simon Jenkins

The third edition of Simon Jenkins' lightning sketch of the Bible would make a great Christmas present for a young person or a new Christian

The Challenge of Jesus: N T Wright

Still the best introduction to Wright’s understanding of Jesus, his ministry, death and resurrection

The Church in Exile: Living in hope after Christendom

Worthwhile, thought-provoking and practical work about the Church returning to its roots of exile

The Church in hard places

How the local church brings life to the poor and needy

The Earth Will Teach You

Baptist minister's excellent commentary on various biblical passages which help to discern the voices of the natural world

The Heaven Promise by Scott McKnight

Accessible new book about heaven - but lacking a serious discussion of biblical material

The Holy Spirit: 'Helpful introduction to The Holy Spirit'

Short but readable introduction to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit from Stanley Hauerwas and William H Willimon

The Invention of God by Thomas Römer

A reconstruction of the history of Israel, of the origins of the Old Testament and particularly what the Israelites thought about God

The Passion and the Cross

'A pleasure to read Rolhesier's reflections on Gethsemane, the Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God'

The Penultimate Curiosity

Well written and beautifully produced, exposing the falsity of the ‘conflict myth’ about the relationship between science and religion

The Promise of Blessing

Kate Patterson's chatty reflection on what the 'shining blessing' in Numbers 6 means for us today

The Search for God by Peter May

Testimony is too me-centred - a robust case for the role of persuasive evangelism

The Song of Songs: Exploring the divine romance

Charlie Cleverly's section by section commentary on the entire Song of Songs

The Thomas the Tank Engine Man

Biography of the committed clergyman behind the famous tank engine

The Trial of Jesus: 'Victim of bigotry and cowardice'

An analysis of the trial of Jesus, written by an Italian lawyer and professor of criminal law

The Undivided Heart by Florence Joseph

An invitation to engage deeply with our own heart issues, and so be better able to communicate with God

The Vicar’s Secret Wallpaper

Might alter a little the perceptions of those not in ministry, and remind those of us who are that we too are no different from anyone else

Truth That Never Dies: The Beasley-Murray Memorial Lectures

An excellent example of Baptist theology in honour of a revered theologian, which should be at the centre of current conversations

Wounded by God’s People

Beautifully-written by Anne Graham Lotz for the many who have been hurt intentionally, and unintentionally, by fellow Christians

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