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