Books of the Year 2024
What book has stood out for you this year? As in 2023, Baptist minister and Regent's Park College lecturer Andy Goodliff presents his own selection - and has invited friends to do the same
I read so many wonderful books this year. Beginning with all the children’s novels of Katherine Rundell — Impossible Creatures; Rooftoppers; The Explorer; The Good Thieves; and The Wolf Rider. Each is brilliantly written and demonstrates that the best children’s books are not just for children.
Watch this conversation between Rundell and the theologian Ben Quash here.
In addition, I also read The Haunted Wood by Sam Leith (Oneworld, 2024), which offers a history of children’s literature, taking you back to the books you read in childhood.
Theologically, I finally got round to reading some Andrew Root and his Ministry in a Secular Age series. Each one offered something to think about, but I found Churches and the Crisis of Decline (Baker Academic, 2022) the most striking as Root tells the story of a fictional church alongside the early pastoral experiences of Karl Barth, through which he argues for a church that stops its faddist tendencies for relevance and instead seeks to be open to God’s encountering presence.
Biblically, there was joy as Beverly Gaventa’s commentary on Romans (WJK, 2024) was finally published. One of the best interpreters of Paul, she provides a deep encounter with this most famous and familiar of letters, opening up new insights and vistas.
If I’m allowed one more, it would be I, Julian by Claire Gilbert (John Murray, 2023). I wasn’t sure I’d like this, but it is well done. An imagined autobiography of Julian of Norwich, which both introduces the reader to this astonishing 14th century woman, and also speaks to the reader spiritually.
Beth Allison-Glenny — chaplain and Tutor in Theology, Regent’s Park College, Oxford
When God was a Bird: Christianity, Animism, and the Re-enchantment of the World by Mark I. Wallace (Fordham, 2018) — It’s almost definitely heresy. But in the way that the early church father Origen is, and it makes you a better theologian for reading it.
Also it’s just a beautiful piece of writing.
Beth is a contributor to Pregnancy and Birth: Critical Theological Conceptions (SCM, 2024)
Helen Paynter — Tutor in Biblical Studies, Bristol Baptist College
For the Life of the World: Theology that makes a Difference by Miroslav Volf and Matthew Croasmun (Brazos, 2019). Wonderful and inspiring exploration of the purpose of theological labour.
Re-enchanting the text: Discovering the Bible as Sacred, Dangerous and Mysterious by Cheryl Bridges Johns (Baker Academic, 2023). A call to rediscover the raw wonder of Scripture.
Just Discipleship by Michael Rhodes (IVP, 2023). Fantastic exploration of the biblical call to social justice - far exceeded my expectations.
Helen is co-editor of The Church, the Far Right and the Claim to Christianity (SCM, 2024)
Anthony Clarke — Tutor in Pastoral Studies, Regent’s Park College, Oxford
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman (Bloomsbury, 2020). This is written by a historian not a theologian although touches on theology occasionally.
It is fascinating read on the nature of human beings which goes to the heart of theological issues and poses important questions. It offers some empirical evidence for a more positive anthropology which resonated with me.
You are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K. A. Smith (Brazos, 2016). I re-read this book as part of my sabbatical and found again its reflections on habit helpful and formative. I think Smith is an important voice and this book is a good way into his writings
A Plea for Embodied Spirituality: The Role of the Body in Religion by Fraser Watts (London: SCM, 2021). The most significant spiritual experience of the year for me was a week’s pilgrimage walking the last part of the Camino to Santiago.
This book helped me reflect on that experience and challenge my more rational approach to spirituality.
Ewan King — minister, Heath Street Baptist Church, London
The Afternoon of Christianity by Tomáš Halík (Notre Dame, 2024). Ordained as an underground priest in communist Prague, Tomáš Halík is an indispensable voice from a recently persecuted church. Halík’s theology strikes a rare balance between boldness and humility.
Challenging in content but easy-going in tone, with the occasional dash of typically Czech dry humour.
Mindful Formation by Shaun Lambert (Instant Apostle, 2024). Of all the books by Baptists I’ve read, so far this is the only one to celebrate one of my own all-time favourite Patristic writers, Diadochus of Photike. This alone would have got Mindful Formation into my top three for 2024.
But Shaun’s book is also well worth checking out on its own terms: a persuasive recommendation of the practice of mindfulness as an aspect of Christian discipleship.
Covenant and Conversation by Jonathan Sacks (Toby Press, 2022). Lastly, and new to me this year, is Jonathan Sacks’ five-volume Torah commentary, Covenant and Conversation. Sacks accompanies the reader through the weekly Torah portions of the synagogue lectionary, offering invaluable fresh perspectives for Christian readers.
This massive box set might seem daunting, but each passage is parcelled out into three of four short pieces, and every piece is clearly presented, tightly focused and well-argued. On the expensive side (my copy set me back £99) but definitely worth putting on next year’s Christmas list (along with some new bookshelves?).
Sally Nelson is a Baptist minister and editor of the Baptist Ministers' Journal
Robot Souls: Programming in Humanity by Eve Poole (CRC Press, 2024). If you want a readable and concise tour through some of the big theological questions around AI, get this book. AI is coming and will get more human-like: so should we ditch pure functionality and program in some junk code to make AI more like us?
Stuck Together: The Hope of Christian Witness in a Polarized World by J. Nelson Kraybill. (Herald Press, 2023). This book was a really good take on navigating differences with others. Kraybill considers churches, national conflicts and politics. If you've ever wondered whether discernment might be escapism, here is a solid argument for its inherent value as a tool in times of strife.
The Betrayal of Witness: Reflections on the Downfall of Jean Vanier edited by Stanley Hauerwas & Hans S. Reinders (Cascade, 2024). A set of essays exploring how we manage the intellectual legacy of fallen leaders. Very helpful for considering one's own experiences of betrayal and how to forgive without exonerating the perpetrators.
Simon Woodman — minister, Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, London
The Church, The Far Right, and the Claim to Christianity edited by Helen Paynter and Maria Power (SCM, 2024). This edited volume addresses a subject facing the church globally, including in the UK. The alliance between far-right movements and Christianity is a growing phenomenon, and how Christians are to respond faithfully to this is a crucial question.
The contributors to this volume offer both analysis and hope, drawing on the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who had to face similar questions in his own context of Nazi Germany.
It is difficult not to feel that there is a battle raging here for the soul of the Christian church, and the call for prayerful resistance to Christian doctrines of hatred is prescient.
Craig Gardiner — Tutor in Christian Doctrine, Cardiff Baptist College
Passions of the Soul by Rowan Williams (Bloomsbury, 2024), which draws on the writings of the Eastern Christian tradition to examine what, through Evagrius and then Cassian have become known as the seven (but more properly eight) deadly sins.
With characteristic depth of scholarship, Williams explores how the temptation to become entangled in any or all of these sins might be overcome in Christian formation through a careful practice of the eight beatitudes of Matthew's gospel.
Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times by Elizabeth Oldfield (Hodder and Stoughton, 2024) A more fast-paced blend of personal biography and arresting spiritual wisdom.
However, this book also grapples with the challenges of the seven deadly sins and offers a series of engaging personal trajectories into virtue. These include moving from 'polarisation to peacemaking' in the struggle with ‘wrath', and handling ‘pride’, by moving from 'individualism to community.'
These are two very different books, both good to read in and of themselves, but taken together they both offer a rich array of historical and contemporary resources for Christian discipleship today.
Ruth Gouldbourne — minister, Grove Lane Baptist Church, Cheadle
More Things in Heaven and Earth: Shakespeare, Theology, and the Interplay of Texts by Paul S. Fiddes (University of Virginia, 2022) This offers possibilities of reading texts and theology interwoven, and stimulated so much of my thinking (previous knowledge of Shakespeare's plays useful, but not absolutely necessary).
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016). A novel with heart and soul; not a lot happens, but the whole of life is covered.
Julian of Norwich: Mystic and Theologian by Grace Jantzen (SPCK, 2011). An exploration (updated) of what, if anything, a 14th century Anchorite might have to offer 21st century believers (hint, quite a lot!)
Rich Shorter — minister, Upminster Baptist Church
Rassie: Stories of Life and Rugby by Rassie Erasmus (Pan Macmillan, 2023). Genius, controversial, oozing leadership talent and, to be honest, not the easiest person to like! I chose to read his story; it is simply gripping.
The Crucifixion by Flemming Rutledge (Eerdmans, 2017). A claxon call for the preacher to return to a deep wonder and awe of the cross. 600+ pages and not a word wasted, it will take me some time to get through this.
A Century of Poetry: 100 poems for a searching heart by Rowan Williams (SPCK, 2022). The poems that Williams chooses are not the easiest to ingest; however, his commentary, combined with his poetic wisdom, enables the reader to receive these poems as a gift.
Geoff Colmer, former Baptist Union President and regional minister team leader of Central Baptist Association
I’ve read nearly 50 books this year but many have been re-reads, including J R R Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and several of Michael Mayne who I think is a treasure. Most of them are novels and theology doesn’t feature prominently, although I’m always dipping into my library. Incidentally, I think there is much to be said about re-reading.
David’s Crown: sounding the Psalms by Malcolm Guite (Canterbury, 2021) is a gem. It’s his response to each of the psalms, written during Covid, whereby he starts each poem with the last line of the previous one. Ps. 1 takes up the last line of Ps. 150. The idea comes from John Donne who wrote a crown, a corona, fitting in the light of Covid.
I read a psalm each morning and then read Malcolm Guite’s response and it enriches my soul.
Otherwise, I’ve particularly enjoyed Fully Alive by Elizabeth Oldfield (Hodder & Stoughton, 2024), and This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson (Baker, 2021), and especially With the End in Mind by Kathryn Mannix (William Collins, 2022) which is the best book I’ve read about death and dying, though not from a faith position.
Ian Green — minister, Amersham Free Church
A Serious House: Why If Churches Fall Completely Out of Use, We May Miss Them by Martin Camroux (Wipf & Stock, 2024). An honest assessment of the state of the Church, and an even more honest admission that probably even serious and thoughtful ministry will not stop its demise.
Conclave by Robert Harris (Arrow, 2017). A page turner narrating a fictional Papal Election Conclave, full of intrigue and posturing; hopefully the real thing is less dramatic!
Unforgiveable: Exploring the Limits of Forgiveness by Stephen Cherry (Bloomsbury, 2024). The Dean of King's College, Cambridge dares to ask the question of whether some things are actually unforgiveable, to which he refreshingly puts forward a case for answering, 'yes'.
Top image | Tom Hermans | Unsplash
Andy Goodliff is the minister of Belle Vue Baptist Church, Southend. He is a lecturer in Baptist History at Regent's Park College, Oxford
Do you have a view? Share your thoughts via our letters' page.
Baptist Times, 10/12/2024