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Book reviews in 2021

10 Churches, 3 Crises, 1 God by Clifford Owen  
Although this is a story of ministry within the Church of England, there is much here with which many Baptists can identify
100 Best Christmas Poems for Children by Roger McGough and Beatriz Castro 
Enjoyable anthology featuring traditional verses and modern classics, encouraging readers to reflect on the Christmas themes of joy, hope and peace for all the world
50 Lessons in Ministry by Paul Beasley-Murray 
Many in ministry will find this thought-provoking compendium of the lessons the author has learned over the years useful
After Evangelicalism: The Path to a New Christianity by David P. Gushee
Offers useful principles for Christian politics, but while the author rejects the fundamentalist view of Scripture, he does not offer a viable alternative
As Many as the Stars by Robert Glover OBE 
Stunning biography documenting the following of God's call to radically transform the Chinese government's policy on care welfare
Black, Gay, British, Christian, Queer by Jarel Robinson-Brown
The book's value lies in helping the reader, whatever their views, to look at the issues through the broad lens of God’s grace
Called To Be Friends by Ian Galloway
A literary analysis of the Gospel, which aims to show how and why John has written as he does
Celebrating Christmas by Amy Boucher Pye and Leo Boucher 
If you want to slow down and spread advent over an entire month, here is a super little package to help you along
Changing the Climate by Debbie, David and Jamie Hawker 
An engaging study guide that, despite some concerns, shows how the Bible is relevant to environmentalism, with many stories and ideas
Christianity and Depression by Tasia Scrutton 
An excellent, well argued book with much to commend it - more useful after an episode of depression, not during one
Christmas: Tradition, Truth and Total Baubles by Nick Page  
Anyone arranging Christmas services would do well to read this volume - it will provide a fun, but informative resource to enjoying the stories behind our festive traditions
Climate Crisis - The Challenge to the Church by David Rhodes 
An attempt to redefine Christianity, which addresses the climate crisis towards the end of the book
Cries for a Lost Homeland by Guli Francis-Dehqani
These reflections from the new Bishop of Chelmsford, written in the context of her brother's murder, contain so much on which we may and indeed should ponder
Dear England by Stephen Cottrell 
The Archbishop of York presents a wonderful vision of the Christian faith
Deep Calls to Deep By Tony Horsfall 
Personal grief leads to a fresh understanding of the Psalms - and 'one of the best devotional books I have read in a long time'
East West Street by Philippe Sands
A fascinating and gripping read, exploring the origins of international law
Episkope: The theory and practice of translocal oversight 
A collection of essays which establish the common foundations that inform our conversations about translocal ministry and map present models and experience of ecclesial oversight
Fearfully and Wonderfully by By Dr Paul Brand and Philip Yancey
An updated combination of two previous classics, recommended exploration of the human body in all its wonderful complexity
Finding God in Brazil by John Dyer  
Frank and engaging account of serving with BMS World Mission in Brazil
God and the Pandemic by Tom Wright 
Written in the middle of 2020, before the second and third waves of the virus hit the UK, this nevertheless offers a valuable Biblical perspective on the pandemic
God Is Not a White Man by Chine McDonald 
Part memoir, part social and theological commentary, this book is both a heartfelt lament about the state of faith and race, and a rousing rallying cry for the Church to do better. It is a call that badly needs to be heeded - and acted upon
God Speaks – 40 Letters from the Father’s Heart 
Beautifully presented and illustrated journal which has its origins in Lent, but could be used at any time of year
God's Calling Cards by Emily Owen 
Emily Owen explores the idea that God has always been leaving personalised calling cards to his followers to remind them of his presence, and the result is a rewarding, meditative read, free of sentimentality
God/Terror by Volker Küster
Küster is urging theologians and biblical scholars to find and identify God in art and culture, as he addresses the quest for God in the context of oppression, violence and terror from an aesthetic perspective
Hanging Out with Jesus Again by Bob Hartman  
Bob Hartman is a master story-teller who brings us right into the world of Jesus with engaging characters that we can identify with - every household and church should have copies of this
Hope in Times of Fear by Timothy Keller
Keller's exploration of what Jesus' cross and resurrection mean for us today
How the Bible Actually Works by Peter Enns 
While this book asks good questions about the Bible, the answers fail to satisfy
How to Eat Bread by Miranda Threlfall-Holmes 
Short, accessible yet thorough guide to 21 diverse and meaningful methods of reading the Bible
In God’s Company by Peter Lupson 
Discover more about God through the stories of Victorian Christian businessmen and how they changed their world
Jesus and Addiction to Origins by Willi Braun
This collection of essays constitutes an extended argument for an anthropocentric, human-focused study of religious practices
Jesus: Dead or Alive? The evidence, by John Dyer 
Former BMS Mission worker has given us a robust defence of belief in the resurrection - but in our post-modern culture, who is the book for?
JI Packer: his life and thought by Alister McGrath 
Learn more about the life and faith of one of the most influential evangelical theological and spiritual writers of the twentieth century - as well as British Christianity in the 1960s and 70s
Linescapes by Hugh Warwick
'A prophetic noticing and warning of the threat of fragmentation of habitat, as well as the possibilities of reconnection'
Lockdown views of the Psalms  
Two people, producing two very different types of art, exploring the Psalms: reviews of Malcolm Guite's David’s Crown and Roger Wagner's The Book of Praises
Love is the Way by Bishop Michael Curry (with Sara Grace) 
Explores how there really is no other way to go than the way of God’s love - and is filled with challenges on how life needs to be lived out within that love
Messiology by George Verwer
'The author shows a generous spirit and deserves our respect as a visionary leader, but his book fails to impress'
Messy Discipleship by Lucy Moore 
The book asks the question ‘does messy church create an environment that is likely to sustain lifelong, intentional Jesus-centred living for all ages?’
Multicultural Kingdom by Harvey Kwiyani 
Balanced and readable exploration of the implications of ethnic diversity on the British Christian landscape
Outgrowing Dawkins: God for grown-ups by Rupert Shortt 
A good introduction if you are overawed by the arguments of the new atheists, pointing out flaws while recognising the constructive criticism
Pioneer Practice by Jonny Baker 
Inspiring, affirming, nourishing and practical - a book for pioneers and those wanting to support and release them
Redeeming Capitalism by Kenneth J Barnes 
The challenge before us is not to change capitalism's structure but to address the moral vacuum at the core of its current practice, the author argues
Religion and Sight, Louise Child and Aaron Rosen 
A dozen distinguished scholars from a wide range of disciplines and religions explore how sight shapes, and is shaped by, religion
Rewilding the Church by Steve Aisthorpe  
Lots to offer for ministers and churches wanting to explore what it is to be the church in a new season - a timely book
Sarah’s Laughter by Vinoth Ramachandra
Timely book addressing the issues of violence, sickness, decay and death and their resultant grief in the face of the Christian faith
Silverwing by Kenneth Steven
A short and beautifully illustrated novel for children that explores grief with gentleness and emotional sincerity
Slow Down, Show Up and Pray by Ruth Rice  
Ruth has a gift for explaining her principles for creating a wave of wellbeing in a simple and profound way
Soul Fuel for Young Explorers by Bear Grylls 
An excellent book to start children off on their age-appropriate daily walk with God using language, illustrations and Bible verses that will actually mean something to them
Strange Rites by Tara Isabella Burton 
A journey through the new, spiritually aware anti-religions that deny the existence of God
The Art of Peace – life lessons from Christian mystics by David Cole  
Breadth and depth, simply expressed - the author hopes through his writing the reader will transition from being someone interested in contemplation (the art of peace) to becoming a contemplative
The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life by Andrew Ollerton 
Engaging, intellectually rigorous book which communicates the whole arc of the biblical narrative and shows how its core themes engage with the human condition
The Divine Spark by Steve Morris 
The author's passion is to introduce aspects of Celtic spirituality into the routines of contemporary worship
The Greatest Gift by Anika Lillicrap
An excellent age-appropriate book about Christmas - except for the evangelistic adult preach in the middle
The Light of His Presence by Anne Graham Lotz 
A refreshing introduction to the life of prayer; an asset for anyone seeking meaning in life, for both new and mature Christians
The Place of the Parish by Martin Robinson 
A reminder for all of us to understand the nature of the neighbourhood and the essential requirements of the local church to meet it adequately
The Sanity of Belief – why faith makes sense 
A good presentation of the intellectual arguments in favour of the truth of the Christian faith - but will postmodern thinkers be persuaded?
The Wingfeather Saga Book 1 by Andrew Peterson 
Fantasy novel which doesn’t preach yet has a hint of depth behind the tale - storytelling at its best
The XYZ of Discipleship by Nick and Marjorie Allan 
Packed with rich content on every page; much insight and inspiration in raising up young adult leaders
This is that by Martin J. Young 
From Genesis to Revelation and back, we are shown signs of the Kingdom of God in the Scriptures with new and imaginative Biblical insights along the way. Can we see more such signs in our own communities?
Through the New Testament with Michael Green 
Green's New Testament commentary is a big picture Bible study with both brevity and depth
Translocal Lives and Religion by Philippe Bornet
This volume profiles ten ‘remarkable individuals' who interacted with religious discourses, doctrines or practices in the 19th and early 20th centuries
Up from the ashes, by 'Dr A' and Samara Levy
An intriguing, deeply moving and occasionally puzzling read, which raises more questions than answers
Virus as a Summons to Faith by Walter Brueggemann  
Just what do you say that is neither trite philosophy, superficial piety nor just plain common sense? Brueggemann offers seven fascinating studies, has a biblical Word for where we are today and brings the Bible alive as a bonus
What a Beautiful Name 
Based on Hillsong Worship's Grammy-winning song, this is an inventive Christian children’s book that children can identify with
Women Without Walls by Mary Cotes 
'A remarkable book that graphically elucidates the gospel’s call to women to be present in the world'
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Book reviews in 2024
Book reviews published by The Baptist Times in 2024
Book reviews in 2023
Book reviews published by The Baptist Times in 2023
Book reviews in 2022
Book reviews published by The Baptist Times in 2022
Book reviews in 2021
Book reviews published by The Baptist Times in 2021
Book reviews in 2020
Book reviews published by The Baptist Times in 2020
Book reviews in 2019
Book reviews published by The Baptist Times in 2019
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