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Book Reviews

By Various.

The Prophecy of Isaiah

J Alec Motyer

IVP, Leicester, England, 1993 (H/B), 1999 (P/B); 544pp; £14.99; ISBN 0 85111 652 3

Alec Motyer, formerly Principal of Trinity College, Bristol, has spent a lifetime studying the prophecy of Isaiah and completed this magisterial work for publication in 1993. Now at last it is available in paperback at just £14.99 - superb value for money - making it accessible to a whole new audience.

The Introduction tackles the vexed issue of authorship head on, coming to the conclusion that there is no hard evidence to support the idea of three separate authors. Indeed, he is often scathing in denouncing theories of multiple authorship. Instead, Motyer argues that there are five 'unificatory lines' which bind the whole book together: the Messianic hope, the motif of the city, the Holy One of Israel, history and faith, and literary and structural features.

But this is primarily not a commentary written for scholars, although it is certainly scholarly. It is a preacher's commentary, written by a gifted pastor and preacher, so that whatever the reader's view on the authorship of Isaiah, there is much in this commentary which would be of value to the pastor and preacher. Motyer's language is vivid and exciting, but practical and caring. In commenting on Isaiah 43.16-17, he says, with great pastoral insight, "The past can teach, but it must not bind. The gaze must be ever forward to what God will yet do."

I shall certainly find myself not only using this commentary, but quoting from it extensively. Indeed, I suspect that, within a few years, I shall have to buy a hardback copy, my paperback edition having disintegrated with over-use.

Alun Brookfield

Epworth Commentaries - The Book of Jeremiah

Henry McKeating

Epworth, Peterborough, 1999; 232 pp; £9.95; ISBN 0 7163 0526 2

I expected this commentary to be engaging and it was. Like the author's other works it deserves to be read. It is written particularly with preachers in mind and he sets out his seven guidelines. He is concerned to make connections - with other prophets, with other parts of scripture, as well as life today. There is the whole issue of how far Jeremiah's writing was shaped or even fabricated by later editors. The ethical dimension of Jeremiah's message, like all the prophets, is about social justice and the religious dimension is that God demands faithfulness. But perhaps more than any other prophet apart from Hosea, Jeremiah feels the pain of his task and the abuse of his contemporaries.

McKeating tackles the issues of the text verse by verse, but always with an ear to the issues being raised both by Jeremiah's contemporaries and for us. He writes vividly - how stored, standing water is inferior to flowing water, 'living water' (2.13). Jeremiah's struggle with God is illustrated and amplified (12.1) and the parallels with Job and our Lord brought out. The links with other prophets are explored (31.29-30).

The merit of this commentary is that the author engages in a conversation both with the prophet and the reader. Jeremiah, his life, his prophecies, the dilemmas he faced and the textural difficulties of the book are tackled in ways that are always stimulating. For under £10 this commentary is marvellous value.

Julian Reindorp

Epistemology - Becoming Intellectually Virtuous

W Jay Woods

Apollos, Leicester, 1998; 216pp; £9.99; ISBN 0 85111 195 5

Do not imagine that a book with the word epistemology as its main title is going to be either boring or irrelevant or both. Jay Woods, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Wheaton College, Illinois, has in fact written a very readable book on a topic that is crucial to the communication of the gospel in our post-modern culture. How do we know what is true? What is the basis of our assertion that Christianity has a greater claim to truth than any of its rivals in our pluralistic culture?

Jay Woods' thesis is that intellectual virtue is inseparable from moral virtue and emotional wholeness, and he makes a fairly persuasive case for this. He draws comprehensively on historical sources and provides a readable survey of the various theories put forward by epistemologists and concludes that matters to do with character are as important in determining the truth as anything to do with reason.

Nevertheless, some doubts remain. Obviously social factors operate in the determination of one's beliefs and Woods acknowledges this. A person born and bred in the Far East is prima facie more likely to be a Buddhist or a Hindu than a Christian. However, the inference that might be drawn from Woods' thesis is that those who do not believe as we do are simply being perverse (St Paul virtually says as much in the first chapter of the Letter to the Romans). But will this do? If Woods is right about the importance of integrating moral virtue with intellectual virtue then we might wish to make a different judgement about a Buddhist saint as compared with, say, a modern pagan. Clearly for Christians the belief that a revelation of God has been given to us is foundational to our faith. We might be able to show that such a revelation accords with reason and that it coheres with other known facts about the world, but in the end are we able to say anything more than 'we walk by faith, not by sight'? Do we simply have to lapse into fideism?

This book would provide a useful introduction to the subject in theological colleges and seminaries. But I would also recommend it to ministers and to all thinking Christians. There are issues here with which we need to grapple.

Philip Clements-Jewery

The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition and Reform

Roger E Olsen

ApolIos, Leicester, 1999; 652pp; £16.99; ISBN 0 85111 773 2

By and large, Roger Olsen, Professor of Theology at Bethel College, St. Paul, Minnesota, has done a splendid job of making doctrine readable. He has set out to provide an account of the development of Christian theology for the intelligent lay person. Of course, this is a project fraught with danger, but for the most part Olsen steers a safe course between the Scylla of over-simplification and the Charybdis of being too technical.

However, potential readers need to be aware that this is not a value-free version of the history of' doctrine - if, in any case, such a thing were possible. Olsen writes as a North American conservative evangelical for North American conservative evangelicals. It is clear where his sympathies lie, although he always tries to be fair to his subjects and certainly goes out of his way to correct some common misunderstandings. One half of the book covers the first six or seven centuries or so of Christian history and his account of Puritan theology in the eighteenth century focuses almost exclusively on North American theologians, as does his account of' modern evangelical thought. The surveys of' particular schools of' Christian thought become shorter and shorter as we approach the twentieth century. I also have some quibbles about his treatment of the Fathers of the Early Church. For instance, is it really possible to discuss the work of the Cappadocian Fathers on the Trinity without mentioning the concept of perichoresis? I also think that he is somewhat over-negative about the Orthodox doctrine of deification (theosis) which I believe has rather more Scriptural support (e.g. 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2) than Olsen appears to allow. Again, I am slightly uneasy about his description of the Western Church in the Middle Ages as Roman Catholic. Not only post-Tridentine Catholics, but Protestants as well, are the inheritors of the work of the Schoolmen. Their story is part of our story, too.

Despite such minor criticisms, Apollos are to be congratulated at making such a massive book available at a very reasonable price, given the book's size. They have even found room for separate name and subject indices, as well as the author's extensive notes. However, there must be some doubt whether the book's target readership would be willing to pay even such a comparatively low amount. I also suspect that some lazier theological students will make use of the book when they should be reading weightier accounts, or even the original documents. That would be a pity. Nevertheless, an enthusiastic welcome for a considerable achievement.

Philip Clements-Jewery

The Cambridge Companion to Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Ed. John W de Gruchy

CUP, Cambridge, 1999; 281pp; £37.50 (hbk,), £13.95 (pbk.); ISBN 0 521 58781 6 (pbk)

A welcome addition to the admirable series Cambridge Companions to Religion, this series of papers on the life and work of Bonhoeffer serves as a clear introduction to the theologian whose influence continues to shape issues of theology, ethics and spirituality half a century after his death in Buchenwald, a Nazi concentration camp, in 1945.

In the first half, five chapters explore Bonhoeffer's life and legacy, including the political and historical context, a succinct biography, and Martin Rumscheidt's admirable paper on the formatiuon of his theology. The second part is more substantial, with a broadly based group of scholars focussing upon major themes in Bonhoeffer's theology, from Clifford Green on Christian community, to Geoffrey Kelly on his spirituality. Central to the theological concerns are the papers by Andreas Pangritz, "Who is Jesus Christ for us today?" and Peter Selby on "Christianity in a world come of age", but the paper which I was most immediately inspired by was that of Haddon Willmer on the book which I would include in the handful to be rescued from the flames should they ever engulf my library, The Cost of Discipleship, arising out of the illegal seminary that he ran at, first Zingst, then Finkenwalde, from 1935 until shut down by the Gestapo in 1937. It reminded me that in the face of concerted opposition to the faith, be that the state church of 1930's Germany or the subtler opposition of post-modern culture, the proper response is costly discipleship which takes the teachings of Jesus seriously. Perhaps it is just that combination of prophetic theological reflection and personal adherence to the call to discipleship that ensures Bonhoeffer rightly remains a powerful voice today.

Paul Goodliff

How Can I Hear God?

Gillian Peall

Scripture Union, Bletchley, England, 1999; 125 pp; ISBN 1 85999 293 5

Gillean Peall has written a useful little book on prayer aimed at relative newcomers to the Christian faith. She starts from the assumption that "we should continually expect to hear him and be adventurous in the ways that we listen." Not everyone will agree with that assumption, but for those who do, this is an excellent guide to the prayer that listens rather than speaks.

Peall writes in a friendly, embracing way, peppered with personal anecdotes, which enables the reader to follow what she is trying to say and relate it to ordinary life. She is pragmatic and honest, admitting that much of what we claim to have heard from God is nothing of the sort and affirming that Scripture is the primary source of hearing from God. But she also encourages us to use our imaginations, to take dreams and visions seriously and to listen for God speaking to us through others and through the situations in which we find ourselves.

The weakest chapter in the book is that on hearing God through pain. It would be wonderful to have a testimony such as that of Roy and Fiona Castle, but for many of us, the 'dark night of the soul' comes without warning and often without apparent reason. As someone has wisely pointed out, 'the absence of God is the normative human experience'. This utter darkness is something which Peall seems unwilling to consider.

The bibliography, presumably offered as extra reading, is sparse. It would have benefitted from the inclusion of some of Henri Nouwen's work, Richard Foster's wonderful book, Prayer, and, of course, The Dark Night of the Soul.

Alun Brookfield.

Exploring Methodism - Methodist Spirituality

Gordon S. Wakefield

Epworth, Peterborough, 1999; xix+107pp; £9.95; ISBN 0 7162 0525 4

This is the fourth of a series, 'Exploring Methodism' and deserves to be popular. There are three parts - Wesley's legacy, nineteenth century developments and the twentieth century - and 21 chapters in all. It is in double columns with clear headings and key passages boxed. There is an interesting glossary, a guide to further reading and a good index. Each chapter ends with questions for discussion to encourage group use.

The key role of hymn singing - 'sing faith till you have it' - is complimented by meditation, mysticism and the 'Lord's Supper' as a 'covenanting' as well as 'confirming' ordinance.

With 18 years' experience of working in Methodist circuits I enjoyed this book immensely. It fed my mind and warmed my heart. Despite a chapter on the Social Gospel I had expected more on the social impact of Methodism. But I noticed that Donald Soper as President of the Conference in 1953 held afternoon Eucharists instead of preaching 'rallies', followed by open air meetings with an opportunity for hecklers as at Tower Hill or in Hyde Park.

'Holiness is for all', is one sub heading and this was clearly the longing of the Wesleys. The chapter heading, 'Cheerfulness Breaking In' describes an important aspect of Methodism, but Gordon Wakefield ends with another emphasis: "no one can become holy without being plunged into the mystery of suffering" (Donald Nicholl). I particularly appreciated the section on the spirituality of Neville Ward. When we met on circuit business I asked him how he found time to write his books on prayer. "We always find time for what we really want to", was his reply. Read and enjoy this book.

Julian Reindorp

Soul Friendship

Ray Simpson

Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1999; 294pp; £7.99; ISBN 0 340 73548 1

Drawing upon Celtic sources, Ray Simpson has written a guide to those who seek a spiritual guide or soul friend. This is a book for beginners, with a wealth of information and insight from the Celtic traditions and including practical exercises and questions which give it a little of the flavour of a work book.

For those who have yet to find such a guide, this is a book to commend, and for those wanting to explore how to become a soul friend to others, then this book is a vital resource.

Paul Goodliff

At the Fountain of Elijah: the Carmelite Tradition

Wilfrid McGreal O Carm

Darton, Longman and Todd, 1999; 135pp; £8.95; ISBN 0 232 52265 0

This volume forms part of DLT's Traditions of Christian Spirituality series. Its author is Prior of the Friars at Aylesford in Kent and I am grateful for this introduction to a form of spirituality I knew virtually nothing about, apart from the fact that the Carmelite Order is divided into two, known colloquially as the shod and the slipshod! Nevertheless, a tradition that has produced such spiritual giants as Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence and Therese of Liseaux must have something to offer that is of value to a wider constituency. Christians of all kinds these days are learning from the spiritual treasures of other traditions, although those who come from an Evangelical background are perhaps drawn most to the Jesuit/lgnatian tradition of spirituality which superficially appears to correspond to the more individualistic emphasis of evangelicals, as well as to their Bible-centred approach to the Christian faith. But it is good to learn of yet other ways of expressing and living the Christian faith.

McGreal tells the story of the Carmelites from its beginnings in the time of the Crusades to the present day, mostly by focusing on significant personalities. I read the book during the course of a quiet day spent at a retreat house and found that it fed my heart and soul as well as my mind. It was good to be reminded that Christianity is to be lived, a Way to be followed, as much as it is a faith to be believed. Naturally, there is quite a lot of devotion to Mary in the Carmelite tradition, but McCreal deals with this aspect briefly and in a gentle, nonconfrontational way that relates it to modern questions such as feminism and women's rights.

I recommend the book to those who are looking to expand their horizons and learn about unfamiliar traditions of Christian spirituality. They will find much that is of value in it.

Philip Clements-Jewery

Poverty and Joy - the Franciscan Tradition

William J Short OFM

Darton, Longman and Todd, 1999; 743pp; £8.95; ISBN 0 232 52269 0

This is another volume in DLT's Traditions of Christian Spirituality series. The method chosen in this book, unlike the one reviewed above, is to take things thematically rather than historically. Thus, successive chapters are devoted to the Franciscan concept of discipleship, the incarnation, its particular emphasis on the place of poverty and of the poor, prayer and devotion, the passion and creation theology. Of course, the historical stories of Francis and Clare are covered as well, with accounts given of other Franciscans, above all Bonaventure and Duns Scotus. However, few people are dealt with outside the medieval period. One who is - Gerard Manley Hopkins, whose poems resonate the Franciscan emphasis on creation spirituality - was, of course, a Jesuit and not a Franciscan!

It is a fact that Franciscan creation spirituality has a particular appeal for many today, with the modern recovery of a sense of responsibility for the Earth and its creatures. Nevertheless, this reviewer did not find this book as attractive and interesting as the previous volume on Carmelite spirituality. Potential readers should judge for themselves, perhaps.

Philip Clements-Jewery

Faith, Hope and Chastity - Honest Reflections From the Catholic Priesthood

Ed. Carolyn Butler

HarperCollins/Fount, 1999; xviii + 171pp; Price: £8. 99; ISBN 0 00 628136 2

This book, with a foreword by the late Cardinal Basil Hume, is a somewhat journalistic collection of personal stories in which a wide spectrum of Catholic priests speak about their sense of vocation and the struggles they have had to maintain it. There is a slight tendency towards clergy with a high public profile, and I could have wished for more from ordinary parish priests. Moreover, the book contains very little reflection by the editor on the implications, either theological or ecclesiastical, of the contributions in this collection. Overall, this is a lightweight book and, although personal stories are always interesting, I guess that this book will have few sales outside its own Catholic constituency. I would not have wanted to read it had I not been given it to review.

Philip Clements-Jewery

How to Read Bible Stories

Daniel Marguerat and Yvan Bourquin

SCM Press, London 1999; 190pp; £12.95; ISBN 0 334 02778 0

With story-telling enjoying a renewed boom as a means of communicating the good news of Jesus Christ, I was delighted to see the title of this book and looked forward to reading it. However, if I thought I was going to find useful, practical guidelines to help me equip myself and others for the public reading of Scripture, I was quickly disabused. Far from being a practical guide, it is what its subtitle suggests: An Introduction to Narrative Criticism.

It suffers from the turgidity from which translations often suffer, the original having been written in French. It is overloaded with technical language (why talk about 'diegesis' when 'story' will do?), theoretical analyses of what happens when one attempts to record an event as narrative, and complex sentences which are hard for the newcomer to narrative criticism to follow. Any book about story-telling which needs several pages of glossary to explain the technical language has lost the plot somewhere!

The best part of this book for me was the excellent little cartoons which illuminate (and I really mean that!) the text.

I'm sure that if you are looking for an introduction to narrative criticism, this book is excellent. But those of us who are simply wanting to help our congregations make sense of Scripture would do better to look elsewhere. I suspect the authors wrote a book for would-be technicians, but the publisher wanted a bigger audience. In my view, the publisher was wrong.

Alun Brookfield

The Desecularization of the World, Resurgent Religion and World Politics

Edited by Peter L. Berger

Eerdmans, Michigan, 1999; viii+135pp; £10.99; ISBN 0 8028 4691 2

Theorists of 'secularization' have for 200 years been saying that religion must inevitably decline in the modern world. This book challenges this belief, showing instead that modernisation more often strengthens religion.

Seven leading cultural observers examine different regions and religions and explain the resurgence of religion in world politics. Peter Berger, perhaps the leading expert in this field, gives a global overview: 'By and large, religious communities have survived and even flourished to the degree that they have not tried to adapt themselves to the alleged requirements of a secularised world.' He argues for a case by case approach which these essays outline.

Four points were particularly fascinating. George Weigel, in his 'Roman Catholicism in the Age of John Paul II' describes this pontificate as of greater intellectual significance than any since the Reformation. In 1919 the Holy See had ambassadors in 26 states, today in 166. The Catholic Church has a distinct set of proposals with which to engage in world dialogue, more carefully worked out than any other religious body. David Martin in his 'The Evangelical Upsurge and Its Political Implications' comments that evangelicals have considerable suspicion of the world while 'fundamentalist' Muslims seek control of their countries. Jonathan Sacks in his 'Judaism and Politics in the Modern World' notes that the influence of 12 million Jews should be minimal, but the reverse is true. He goes on to say that it is time that Jews stopped defining themselves as people hated by Gentiles. Grace Davie in her 'Europe: The Exception that Proves the Rule?' argues that Europeans are not less religious than others but differently religious - numerical tables from other European countries illustrate her thesis.

Overall I found this a stimulating collection of essays including one on religion in China and one on the political implications of Islam. These essays are clear, tightly packed, and if you are looking for an overview of the subject, I strongly recommend this book.

Julian Reindorp

Imagining A Church In The Spirit: A Task For Mainline Churches

Ben Campbell Johnson and Glenn McDonald

Eerdmans, Michigan, 1999; 160pp; £9.99; ISBN 0 8028 4663 7

One of the most liberating factors in my Christian Life has been to learn how to Walk in the

Spirit: it has revolutionised my mind, captivated my heart with a passion for Jesus, and given me a flow from which to feed and nurture a hungry people. `Imagining A Church In The Spirit` could prove to be as liberating if not more so, for if we are truly to impact our nation once again in this new Millennium then we not only need to rediscover what it means to be the One New Man in Ephesians but to be it with all the authority and spiritual power that comes with our incorporation into Christ.

This book is all about Jesus and not about schemes, principles or well intended Church growth counsel. Its thoroughly biblical thesis is that the Person of Jesus Christ defines our norm for every part of being Church: our Vision must be of Him, our Community must reflect Him, our prayer life should be as His, our Mission is to re-present Him to the World, our preaching must point to Him alone, our leaders need to be like Him more than any other qualification, our teaching should comprehensively help us to embody Him to the lost - need I say more? At the same time the book is thoroughly practical with contrasts drawn out in every chapter of the difference between a Cultural Church and a Church in the Spirit, lots of helpful examples delivered with refreshing honesty, and a concluding series of questions at the end of each chapter for reflection and discussion ideally suited to be used with a Church leadership group.

The combination of a theologian and a pastor is a helpful one and for me made this a bold and welcome 'grit' in the oyster to help us become the real pearl of Church that Jesus continues to build.

David Bedford

Chameleon or Tribe

Richard Keyes

NP, Leicester, 1999; 149pp; £7.99; ISBN 0 85111 595 0

Richard Keyes views two alternatives facing the Christian church as equally damaging: to compromise with the prevailing culture like the chameleon, or to retreat into a ghetto of Christian tribalism envisioned as the musk ox, an arctic animal which forms a close circle around any sick or young to keep out predators. These responses are not new, of course, but they are prevalent in our post-modern world. Instead Keyes calls the church to become afresh the salt and light of Jesus' parable, alternating between coming together for worship, prayer and care and going out into society to serve and to witness. Nothing new in that either.

I fear that in his concern to make his point, Keyes sometimes 'over-eggs the pudding'. His dismissal of the therapeutic task of the Christian as 'a profound betrayal of the faith' (p.38) does not do adequate justice to the proper role of healing the wounded soul in the pastoral task, and while pastors are not merely 'some combination of CEO and psychotherapist' (p.44). I wish some of my colleagues in the pastorate had a little more managerial expertise and pastoral sensitivity than they all too often exhibit.

Having said that, this book is a strong plea for a more radical and authentic Christianity, engaging properly with society, through a recovery of apologetics, a new confidence in the scandal of particularity and the church becoming more truly a community in which both men and women play their equal parts. It will not take you long to read this book, but I guess it will take a great deal more effort to implement its cures for the ills of the contemporary church.

Paul Goodfiff

Good News In Exile: Three Pastors Offer A Hopeful Vision For The Church

Martin B Copenhaver, Anthony B Robinson, William H Willimon

Eerdmanns, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1999; 116pp; ISBN 0 8028 4604 1

The American 'liberal' main-line churches are in crisis. With declining numbers, they no longer enjoy the status they once did. In the words of Walter Brueggemann, who contributes a foreword, they are "now without privilege, advantage, or clout, and so find themselves in something of an 'exile', that is, in a context of doing faith in an environment that is variously hostile or indifferent to that faith". Or to put it a little differently, the USA has become a mission field for the Gospel.

The three authors are all working ministers - Martin Copenhaver and Anthony Robinson are ministers of Congregational churches; William Willimon is a the Methodist dean of Chapel at Duke University. All three have been reared in a 'liberal' tradition, and all three now realise the inadequacies of this tradition. The result is a fascinating read. Although written very much within a North American context, it has a lot to say to those who in this country still argue for a 'state' church. The fact is that the church to be the church must always be 'counter-culture'.

The book abounds with quotable quotes. For example, in arguing for the use of the lectionary, the authors write: "The sermon is not primarily a chance for the preacher to expound what he or she believes. Rather, the sermon is an opportunity for the preacher to give expression to what the gospel proclaims". Or in the context of the minister's teaching ministry: "the Church has educated children and nurtured adults, when we should be doing just the opposite".

I found this a highly challenging book.

Paul Beasley-Murray

Can God Help Me? Breaking Through The Darkness of ME And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Elizabeth Babbs

Eagle, Guildford, 1999; 191pp; £7.95; ISBN 0 86347 262 1

When I first met young people with this illness I was struck by the number that came from Christian families. This seems to pose a threat to belief in God. Was it really a psychological disturbance as many in the medical profession claimed (we now know that it is not)? Surely believing prayer could overcome it effectively? Elizabeth Babbs tackles this dilemma, and after a brief history and survey of some prominent people who have had the illness, she goes on to describe what it feels like to be ill. She remembers thinking it was "God's ultimate punishment" and "Why me?" She pinpoints the confusion in the minds of some doctors who want to know all the details before committing themselves to treatment.

Despite some minor reservations, I believe this is an excellent book for Christians to read if they have an ME sufferer in the family. Elizabeth Babbs does the ME sufferer a favour in recognising that the mind is ill as well as the body and that the ill person's thinking becomes distorted in addition to the physical misery experienced. Change of lifestyle, emotional adjustments, and some recognition of the effect it is having on those who care for them, is necessary. She considers a number of recognised self-help techniques that helped her, but may not help all sufferers.

In the second half of the book the author addresses the question, "Can God Help ME?" Her simple answer is 'Yes', perhaps reflecting her belief that God can help (but will not necessarily cure) people suffering from illness. Elizabeth Babbs teaches us to look at God and try to understand his attitude to us through reading the Bible. She gives examples of people who have (like her) found help through trust, meditation and prayer. Finally she describes Christian counselling and becoming a Christian believer. She has helped to run retreats herself for people with the illness who feel miserable, valueless, useless and unlovable, helping them to overcome the depression of the illness and start off on a new way of life again.

On the whole, it is a good small book for thoughtful people with ME, but it is a guide, not an instant cure!

Alan Franklin

Songs for the New Millennium

Various

Methodist Publishing, Peterborough, 1999; £17.50; ISBN 0 7151 4930 X

This is a collection of songs and liturgy items that hopes to offer Christians a valuable resource for creative worship, aiming to meet the needs of the whole community. It is a collection of songs with words and music written by Christians of all ages and experience and this is reflected in the wide diversity of the nature, style and subject of the songs. There are many songs that are new, but there are also some of the best 'more established' songs already found in a number of other songbooks.

Many of the songs are focussed on the needs of both the world and the individual - creation and our use of the environment, justice and peace, healing and reconciliation, social and gender issues. But there are also liturgical, scriptural, prayer and psalms settings, along with new seasonal songs for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, etc.

The songs cover a wide variety of music styles - hymns traditional and modern, music from around the world, reflective and worshipful songs, Taizé type chants, folk, Celtic, a variety of tempi, some suitable for four-part harmony as well as solo songs, calls and responses.

I personally enjoyed the liturgy items, and prayers, items of varying lengths collected from around the world, some involving congregation response, but most not. All were meaningful, challenging and thought provoking - an aspect of worship often undervalued and under used.

From the practical point of view the book is well indexed for themes, styles and first lines of the songs, but there is no index in the music edition of the liturgical items. The music edition is spiral backed making it more user-friendly for music stands than most other songbooks. However many songs involve an awkward page turn. A disk of the words is provided.

The book therefore, in just 196 songs, covers a very wide range of subject and style, so for this reason there must be something in it to suit all tastes and needs. If you are looking for something different to help keep your times of worship valuable, creative and ever evolving experiences, this book must be worth looking into.

Anne Waller

Praying With Benedict … Prayer in the Rule of St Benedict

Korneel Vermeiren OCSO

Darton, Longman and Todd, 1999; 132pp; £7.95; ISBN 0 232 52328 2

Do not imagine that a book written in Dutch for Dutch monks in 1980 and only now translated into English (very readably, by Timothy Yeo, Abbot of Downside) has little relevance for working pastors or indeed for lay people. For what is plain after a reading of' this book is that what Benedict was on to was the integration of prayer and life. It is, however, arguable that some evangelical traditions have actually brought about the separation rather than the integration of the two. Such a judgement may be no less true for those (like myself) for whom the 'quiet time' has evolved into the use of the Daily Office.

Vermeiren gives an able exposition of the thought of Benedict and his predecessors (especially Cassian and the Desert Fathers), and shows that the purpose of the rule, especially the observance of the canonical hours, was not an end in itself, but a means to an end. The structure of the Daily Office is a framework, a kind of skeleton, on which the integrated life can be built. This book, then, can be read with profit by all who seek to enrich and deepen their spiritual life.

Philip Clements-Jewery

Let There Be… Praying the New Millennium

Prayers compiled by Churches Together in England

McCrimmon, 1999; 96pp; £4.95; ISBN 0 85597 608 X

The original purpose of the Millennium Resolution was that it should be a gift from the Churches to the people of England as something that could be used by people of all faiths and none at the start of the new Millennium. However, it has been criticised by some because it is not a prayer, by others for not being Christian enough. This latter comment is disproved by a leaflet put out by the CTE Millennium Office which decisively underlines the biblical basis of all its clauses. The first accusation is answered by the reply that it was never meant to be a prayer, anyway, but it could easily be made into one by prefacing it with an address to God and by adding at the end one of the standard formulae used to close prayers. Both criticisms are also effectively countered by this attractive collection of prayers and meditations.

The contributors respond to the various phrases of the Resolution by offering a variety of' forms of prayer. Some are free mediations, suited for private use; others are more liturgical in structure and would more naturally find their place in congregational worship. Inevitably, a collection such as this is varied. Some contributions appeal to this reviewer; some do not. Other readers would make a different selection of favourites. But surely at the top of anyone's list would be meditations like "In toxic haste" or responsive prayers like "Weave your web, loving God".

With blank pages at the back to enable the Millennium to be marked through the insertion of personal memories and prayers, this slim volume would make an ideal present. There is also much material here that leaders of worship could use or adapt as a means of refreshing the public prayer of their congregations. Posters and prayer cards, with the same artwork by the Benedictine Nuns of Turvey Abbey as on the book's cover, are also available. Recommended.

Philip Clements-Jewery

An Introduction to Christian Spirituality

Edited by Ralph Waller & Benedicta Ward

SPCK, London, 1999; ix+140pp; £10.99; ISBN 0 281 05226 3

This series of essays sets out to clarify what spirituality really means, providing an introduction to the great figures of the contemplative tradition.

Starting with spirituality - 'life in the spirit', Rowan Williams in a powerful first essay invites us 'To Stand Where Christ Stands'. Kallistos Ware explores 'Prayer in Evagrius of Pontus and the Macarian Homilies' - the communion of the intellect and the heart. David Moss explores the theme of 'Friendship' as a way toward understanding God and spirituality and develops this from Augustine to Aquinas. Benedicta Ward summarises the work of each of 'The English Mystics' with their message of hope and love despite life being full of difficulties. Colin Thompson tackles 'The Spanish Mystics' with a detailed exploration of St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross. Ron Glithero writes about William Law and the Wesleys, and Ralph Waller brings together 'Spirituality and Unity'. Geoffrey Rowell's 'Spirituality and the Anglican Tradition' is a gem of an essay. Starting with spirituality as about growing as a person he notes four Anglican characteristics: it is Benedictine; Holy Communion centred; the mysteries of the faith are celebrated and expressed in the Christian year; and baptism, marriage and burial draw into the Christian mystery three important stages of life.

This is not a beginner's book. Some of the essays began as lectures at the Oxford University Theology Faculty, but its contributors are expert at exploring their themes and seek to use 'the main lines of the past as a gift and guide to the future'. There is a guide to further reading. This is a book to return to.

Julian Reindorp

Short Notes

Sorting It Out: Discerning God's Call To Ministry (Judson Press, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1999; 117pp; ISBN 0 8170 1302 4) by Alice R Cullinanan, although geared to the North American scene, contains some wise advice: e.g. "If you feel called into vocational ministry, you need to understand your personal limitations and learn to accept what can change and what probably will never change". British readers would do well to take note of the chapter on 'Exploring Bi-Vocational Ministry'.

John D Harvey's Listening To the Text - Oral Patterning in Paul's Letters (Baker, Grand Rapids Michigan & Apollos/IVP, Leicester, 1998; 357pp; £16.99; ISBN 0 85111 464 4) reflects the increasing realisation in recent years that the Greco-Roman world, as also the world of Judaism, were largely oral in nature. This is not the easiest of books to read, but the pastor who perseveres will gain a better understanding of the setting of Paul's letters.

David Adam has followed up Clouds and Glory with Traces Of Glory: Prayers For The Church Year (Year B) (SPCK, London, 1999; 151pp; £6.99; ISBN 0 281 05199 2), a collection of beautifully written liturgical material (collects, intercessions, blessings and introductions to the Peace) for every Sunday of the Church year. Adam writes: "Before any words we should spend as much time as possible resting in and rejoicing in the presence. It is then far easier to see the people we pray for as surrounded by the love and the power of God... We need to discover traces of glory in our everyday lives, and this is very possible if we are willing to spend time with our God".

Surviving Your First Year As Pastor: What Seminary Couldn't Teach You (Judson Press, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1999; 93pp; ISBN 0 8170 1300 8) by Angie Best-Boss is a great little book with lots of pithy advice: e.g. "Frequently, the most important theological term most of your members will need to hear is that Jesus loves them"; "Understand that your presence alone is going to mean some pretty big changes for your members". The author also recommends setting up a support group and preparing a monthly written report for them - "Too many church members have no idea how their pastor spends his or her time". Sadly this book is too much geared to the North American scene to be of much use in Britain - a British version is needed!

Jesus 2000 (HarperCollins, London 1999; 55pp; £2.99; ISBN 0 551 03220 0) by George Carey and subtitled 'The Archbishop of Canterbury's Millennium Message' is an attractive, straight-forward and orthodox presentation of the Christian faith. It ends: "The future has no terrors if we know the person who holds the key to the future". A good book to give away were it not for the relatively high price. Surely the publishers could still have made a profit by pricing the book £1 less?!

A Royal 'Waste' Of Time: The Splendor Of Worshipping God And Being Church For The World (Eerdmanns, Grand Rapids, 1999; 377pp; $18; ISBN 0 8 28 4586 X - available in the UK from Eerdmanns, PO Box 163, Cambridge CB3 9PU) by Marva J Dawn, although written with the North American scene in mind, has much to say to the British scene, not least for those advocating seeker-services. "Worship", she maintains, "ought not to be construed in a utilitarian way. Its purpose is not to gain numbers nor for our churches to be seen as successful. Rather, the entire reason for our worship is that God deserves it". As she herself admits, the book is not a sustained theological argument, but rather contains a series of essays on a theme. A stimulating read!

Anything by Gordon Fee is always good value for money, including his recent commentary on Philippians (IVP, Leicester 1999; 204pp; hardback £9.99; ISBN 0 85111 684 1). Although not as detailed as his commentary on 1 Corinthians, preachers will nonetheless find this a most helpful contribution.

In Marching To A Different Tune - Diary About an ADHD Boy (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London 1999; 128pp; £9.95; ISBN 1 85302 810 X), Jacky Fletcher gives an account of the embarrassments and problems which ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) brought to her son and family. A somewhat simplistic clinical explanation for ADHD appears at the end of the book. The appendix lists useful addresses where further information and support networks can be found.

Free To Love (Eagle, Guildford 1999; 319pp; £8.99; ISBN 0 86347 310 5) by Margaret (Moy) Gill, a medical doctor working in psychosexual medicine and a member of the Acorn Christian Healing Trust, was first published in 1994 as part of the HarperCollins series on Pastoral Care. Apart from minor updating, the key change is to be found in the chapter on 'Homosexuality and Same-Sex Friendships', which has been almost completely re-written to reflect her own pilgrimage. This particular chapter contains a helpful survey of the present debate. Although the author comes from an evangelical position, she displays considerable sensitivity to and understanding of the gay community. In the light of 1 Cor. 12.21 she writes: "Whatever our present understanding of homosexuality we need each other to go forward and to make sense of God's truth, including his biblical truth". This is a good overview, useful not just for pastors, but for all Christians involved in a ministry of counselling and listening.

The Mystery Of The Incarnation (Darton, Longman & Todd, London 1999; Hardback £8.95; 158pp; ISBN 0 232 52354 1) is a collection of addresses by the late Cardinal Basil Hume. If the truth be told, Basil Hume was not a great thinker - his 'greatness' lay in the way in which he lived out his faith. Nonetheless, this book contains nuggets on which to ponder. For example, reflecting on fireworks, Basil Hume makes the sombre comment: "So when the new millennium comes, will.... there be nothing but charred sticks? Or is our society going to seize the opportunity, the moment to become different...? I have a terrible fear that the homeless will still be homeless, the unemployed still unemployed, church congregations still diminishing... Business as usual when the parties are over".

Andrew D Mayes, in Celebrating The Christian Centuries (SPCK, London 1999; 98pp; £6.99; ISBN 0 281 05214 X), chooses 20 writers, one from each century, and provides for each one an excerpt from their writings, together with a short introduction to the writer and their century. Each chapter concludes with questions and prayer exercises. A highly innovative approach! As a Baptist my one gripe is that in his introduction to John Bunyan, the 18th century representative, he repeats the fallacy that Baptists promote 'adult' baptism - the truth is that they promote 'believers' baptism!

Thomas Merton fans will be pleased to know that the seventh and final volume of his journals has now appeared, entitled The Other Side Of The Mountain (Harper, San Francisco, 1999; 348pp; $15; ISBN 0 06 065487) and edited by Patrick Hart. It includes in particular his reflections on his trip to the Far East.

Steve Motyer's Discovering Ephesians (Crossway Books, Leicester, 1999; 214pp; £4.99; ISBN 1 85684 189 8) is a light-weight exposition intended for use by small groups.

The New Sermon Slot (Year B) (SPCK, London, 1999; 120pp; £10.99; ISBN 0 281 05186 0) by Sharon Swain, a former educationalist and now an Anglican minister, contains all-age ideas for the Common Worship Lectionary and as such is a highly valuable resource.

The Biographical Dictionary Of Christian Missions (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 1999 - available in the UK from Alban Books 79 Park Street, Bristol BS1 5PF; 845pp; $50/£32.99; ISBN 0 8028 4680 7) edited by Gerald Anderson, originally published in hardback by Macmillan in 1998, is now available in paperback. With more than 2,400 entries, this is a remarkably comprehensive dictionary and spans not only all the centuries but also all continents and all denominations. Women too are well represented. Clearly in such a comprehensive dictionary entries have to be limited. However, each entry is followed by a brief bibliography for further reading. This is an essential reference work for anybody interested in Christian missions.

Sheryl J Anderson's The Twelve Plays of Christmas (Judson Press, Volley Forge, Philadelphia 1999; ISBN 0 8170 1312 1) is a collection of somewhat humorous short plays appropriate for performance in a church setting. The plays, however, appear somewhat tame compared, for instance, to material available from the British 'Riding Lights'.

Steve Ayers and Jason Lane have produced a fascinating collection of pieces under the title of What Would Jesus Say To... (IVP, Leicester 1999; 160pp; £4.99; ISBN 0 85111 251 X) in which they speculate on what Jesus might say to Oasis, Prince Charles, Bridget Jones, George Mitchell, Geri Halliwell, Richard Branson, Steven Spielberg, Glenn Hoddle, Mulder and Scully, Ben Elton, Billy Graham and 'You'. Primarily an evangelistic tool, it could also prove to be a most helpful resource to anyone wanting to devise a series of 'seeker services' based on this theme.

Yet another 'winner' from the Alban Institute (7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1250 West, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-3211), the American big-brother of RBIM is Never Call Them Jerks: Healthy Responses To Difficult Behaviour (1999; 147pp; ISBN 1 56699218 4) by Arthur Paul Boers, a Mennonite pastor. It is a mine of helpful insights into how to deal with conflict situations in the church. The book begins with a quotation from a Roman historian which is as apposite today as it was in the fourth century: "No wild beasts are so cruel as the Christians in their dealings with each other"! One of the author's theses is that while we cannot control how others treat us, we can decide how to respond. He argues that pastors must not focus on "difficult people", but on "difficult relationships" and "difficult behaviour" - a subtle but crucial distinction. Attention is drawn to the importance of "family systems", which often drive difficult behaviour. Helpful advice is given on the perennial problem of 'rumour-mongers' ('the grape-vine'). I particularly appreciated the incorporation of the 1995 guidelines of the General Conference Mennonite Church on 'Agreeing and Disagreeing in Love'. Unlike some North American books on pastoral care, this book has immediate relevance to the British church scene. Every pastor would benefit from reading this fine book.

Cara Breed, a senior Australian academic, in Cultures of Secrecy And Abuse: A Paradox for Churches (privately published in 1998 by the author c/o PO Box 2190, Hawthorn LPO, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122; 104pp; A$16; ISBN 0 646 35905 3), offers a sobering examination of the way in which churches and denominations tend to engage in a cover-up when ministers abuse others. The basis of the book is a paper given to 'The Second Australian and New Zealand Conference on Professional Misconduct, Exploitation and Offending by Trusted Practitioners including Clergy'. This book should be essential reading for all bishops and other denominational executives with pastoral responsibility.

One of the latest additions to the Crossway Classic Commentaries is Calvin's commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Nottingham 1999; 110pp; £9.99; ISBN 1 85684 193 6), first published in 1551. Jim Packer in his introduction writes: "These expositions impact one's spiritual system like a course of vitamin tablets; they leave you stronger and more energetic". Maybe for some, but I could think of other commentaries on these two letters which are better value for money!

Following The Way: Jesus Our Spiritual Director (Fount/HarperCollins, London 1999; 180pp; £6.99; ISBN 0 00 628150 8) by the Australian Jesuit Gerald O'Collins is the Archbishop of Canterbury's recommended Lent Book for 2000. It consists of a series of 17 refreshing meditations based on the parables of Jesus.

I am delighted to have a copy of John Drescher's excellent Invocations And Benedictions For The Common Lectionary (Abingdon Press, 1998 - available through SPCK; 176pp; £9.99; ISBN 0 687 04629 7), although I do not follow the lectionary in my preaching. The prayers are well-crafted and have a real freshness about them. This book is good value for ministers wanting to enrich their worship services.

The subtitle of Cooking Up Worship - A practical resource for creating simple but profound worship (Kevin Mayhew, Stowmarket 1999; 94pp; £9.99; ISBN 1 84003 375 4) is an understatement. David Flavell, the author, has produced a most stimulating guide which will be of use not only to its target audience of new lay worship leaders, but also to experienced ministers. Witty and entertaining, in spite of the price this is a 'must' for ministers to buy and then to pass around.

My one regret about Michael Forster and Simon Smith's A New Start In All-Age Worship: Service Outlines For The Millennium And Beyond (Kevin Mayhew, Stowmarket, 1999; 172pp; £19.99; ISBN 1 84003 435 1) is that I didn't get hold of this collection earlier. There are detailed suggestions for twelve monthly services (e.g. July - A new start about power; August - A new start in relationships; September - A new start at school or work; October - A new start in Sharing; November - A new start for peace; December - A new start in hope) as well as suggestions for the three festivals of Easter, Pentecost and Christmas. I shall certainly be lending this book to my Family Service Team!

Children CAN Worship: leading children into God's presence - a practical guide (Kevin Mayhew, Stowmarket, 1999; 70pp; £8.99; ISBN 1 84003 434 3) by Nick Harding, the Schools Officer at Southwell Minister, is another winner from Kevin Mayhew. Each of the nine main chapters contains a look at some of the theory underpinning a specific area of worship, followed by a host of practical suggestions. This is another book I shall lend to my Family Service Team. It is also a book which I shall use to stimulate debate with members of the church about the worship needs of children.

Church And State In The New Millennium: Issues Of Belief And Morality For The 21st Century (HarperCollins, London 2000; 257pp; £16.99 hardback; ISBN 0 00 274059 1) by David Holloway, the vicar of Jesmond Parish Church, Newcastle, makes for interesting reading. The issues it addresses range from Europe to abortion, multi-faith religion to divorce, fundamentalism to the virgin birth. Essentially a collection of papers, the book would have gained more force if the material had been re-worked so that there had been development in the argument. Sadly, for me as a Nonconformist, the book was made suspect by the author's strong advocacy of the establishment of the Church of England! It was also spoiled by his apparent leaning toward the Conservative party!

First published in 1995, Bob Horn, the General Secretary of the UCCF, has produced a revised edition of Ultimate Realities: Finding The Heart Of Evangelical Belief (IVP, Leicester 1999; 96pp; £3.99; ISBN 0 85111 252 8) which is a thoughtful exposition of the Doctrinal Basis of the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship. "God's truth", writes Horn, "is not merely cerebral, passing information to the brain; it is dynamic, giving life. It does not merely instruct; it restores".

Church leaders looking for stimulation in their devotional life would do well to get hold of Spiritual Classics: Reading With The Heart (HarperCollins, London 1999; 431pp; £17.99 hardback; ISBN 0 00 628128 1) edited by Richard Foster and Emilie Griffin. The volume provides a year's worth of weekly readings keyed to twelve spiritual disciplines for the Christian life based on Foster's earlier book, Celebration of Discipline. Each of the twelve disciplines has four readings from major figures over the history of Christian spirituality (e.g. the section on 'Simplicity' has readings from A W Tozer, Martin Luther, George Fox and Clare of Assisi). After an introduction to the author and an excerpt of his or her work, each reading includes a Bible reading, some questions followed by some exercises, a short reflection by Richard Foster, and then finally pointers to further reading. The book could be used by a small growth group or by individuals in an extended 'quiet time'.

Just Grace (SPCK, London 2000; 163pp; £9.99; ISBN 0 281 05276 X) by R T Kendall, the minister of Westminster Chapel, first saw the light as a series of Sunday evening sermons on the Ten Commandments. Among other things the book lays to rest the charge of 'antinominianism' levelled at Kendall in 1984. In so far as R T Kendall appeals primarily to the 'Reformed' wing of the church, it is interesting that SPCK is his present publisher!

Leading Worship That Connects (Lynx/Anglican Renewal Ministries, London & Derby 1999; 72pp; £4.99; ISBN 1 901443 17 5) by John Leach is a simple but well-structured training course for lay people involved in leading worship.

George Lings, the Director of the Church Army's Sheffield Centre 'developing church planting and evangelism' has written three booklets in what is intended to be a quarterly series entitled 'Encounters on the Edge'(available from The Sheffield Centre, 50 Cavendish Road, Sheffield SR3 7RZ - £10 secures four issues): Living Proof - A New Way of Being Church describes the work of a small Christian community working for community development in a deprived area of north east Cardiff; Unit 8: Out of Sight, Out of Nothing describes the development of a community based church plant on a housing estate in Shipley; and Has Church Reached its Cell By Date? describes the development of a cell church on a housing estate in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Thoughtfully, albeit simply written, all three booklets should be compulsory reading for any involved in estate ministry.

The Accessible Games Book Jessica Kingsley, London, 2nd edition 1999; 112pp; £14.95; ISBN 1 85302 830 4) by Katie Marl contains games specifically chosen or adapted for mixed groups, including people with auditory or visual impairments, those in wheelchairs, and those with multiple disabilities. Games are classified as suitable for small groups (under 10), medium groups (10-40) and large groups (40+). The lay-out of the book is very clear and the author seems to have done a very good job. It would be great to think that a good number of readers of Ministry Today would want to buy this book - sadly, my impression is that disabled people are not on the priority list of most churches.

Leading, Managing, Ministering: Challenging Questions For Church And Society (Canterbury Press, Norwich 1999; 326pp; £12.99; ISBN 1 85311 238 0) is the second handbook produced by Modem - Managerial and Organisational Disciplines for the Enhancement of Ministry - and contains a diverse range of fourteen chapters by different authors together with an A-Z bibliography, all under the general editorship of John Nelson. The chapters deal with such issues as transformational leadership, Christian leadership in a post-modern society, leading in urban priority area parishes, and organisational culture in congregations. The leadership and management guru, John Adair, has contributed a brief foreword in which he elaborates on the fact that "all ministers need to be managers for, shall we say, 20-30% of the time". As I worked my way through the book, however, I questioned the extent to which it will be useful to the ordinary practitioner. In spite of its claims to be a handbook, it is sadly not the most practical and down-to-earth guide to leadership and management in the church.

There is much food for thought in The J I Packer Collection (IVP, Leicester 1999; 287pp; £9.99; ISBN 0 85111 651 5) selected and introduced by Alister E McGrath. This collection contains sixteen representative articles published over a period of almost 35 years and which deal with such themes as 'Revelation and Inspiration', 'What is revival?', 'The logic of penal substitution' and 'The problem of eternal punishment'. I confess that I have never been greatly attracted to Packer's writings, but to my surprise I discovered in the preface that the readers of Christianity Today named Packer as one of the greatest influences on their lives, placing him second only to C S Lewis. Clearly this book is going to sell!

In 1988, Rebecca Manley Pippert's guide to 'authentic' evangelism first saw the light of day. Subsequently reprinted thirteen times, it sold over half-a-million copies! Out Of The Saltshaker And Into The Word (IVP Leicester 1999; 291pp; £5.99; ISBN 0 85111 646 9) has now been republished in a second edition, not only updated, but also substantially expanded - so much so, that in effect we have a new book. In the first edition the emphasis was very much on life-style evangelism; although this emphasis is maintained, there is also a good deal of help offered on communicating the Gospel as also on offering an apology for the Gospel to the post-modern person. Further new material includes a chapter on how to witness to those involved in New Age and other alternative forms of spirituality. The material on the relationship between evangelism and the local church has also been greatly expanded. In summary, this is an ideal book to give to any church member concerned to share their faith with others. Accompanying the book is an attractively produced Journal (118pp; £5.99; ISBN 0 85111 647 7) offering an opportunity for the reader to further reflect on each one of the chapters.

Beyond The Fringe: Reaching People Outside The Church (IVP, Leicester 1999; 157pp; £5.99; ISBN 0 85111 648 5) edited by Nick Pollard is principally in three parts: "Praying for the world" by Paul Harris; "Talking with the world" by Tony Watkins; and "Working with the world" by Phil Wall. Popularly written, this is the kind of book ministers could usefully lend to their lay-leaders.

Kidsource: Super Songs For Church And School (Kevin Mayhew, Stowmarket 1999; £17.99 hardback full music edition; ISBN 1 84003 310 X) compiled by Alan Price of the Church Army will prove to be an indispensable tool for ministers and worship. This well-produced collection contains 400 of the best of children's songs and hymns. In addition to the normal indices there is a good Scripture index and also a 'Keyword' index.

Neil Richardson, Tutor in New Testament Studies at Wesley College, Bristol, in his book God In The New Testament (Epworth, Peterborough 1999; 117pp; £9.95; ISBN 0 7162 0527 0) maps out the broad contours of what the New Testament says about God. For me, at least, it is his 'asides', as it were, which sparked off most thought. For instance, in his introduction he observes: "Tragically the church itself often provides anything but convincing evidence for the existence of God". In his conclusion he speaks of the need for Christian communities to "re-appropriate" (not "domesticate") the Bible for themselves: "... the scriptures must be read with faith, imagination, prayer and love, read privately and in groups, and preferably in groups whose leaders en-able, rather than dis-able the group".

SPCK have re-issued the revised 1985 edition of Michael Ramsey's The Christian Priest Today (London, 1999; 112pp; £7.99; ISBN 0 281 04190 3). To read Ramsey's ordination addresses will be a tonic to the soul of any Christian minister. I found myself challenged again by Ramsey's description of the priest as "the teacher and preacher, and as such the man of theology... His study will not be vast in extent, but it will be deep in its integrity, not in order that he may be erudite, but in order that he may be simple".

Elfed Ap Nefydd Roberts, now back in pastoral ministry after a period of 17 years as Principal of the United Theological College in Aberystwyth has written a series of studies for the Millennium: Jesus Christ, Yesterday, Today and Forever (The Presbyterian Church of Wales, Cardiff, 1999; 104pp; £10 hardback; ISBN 1 874786 92 5). Although there are questions for group discussion, it would seem that the book has been produced for ministers leading a mid-week meeting on church premises. The studies are so wide-ranging that one really questions how easy it will be for churches to get to meaningful grips with the issues raised.

Margaret Self likens her book Daysprings: Daily Readings For A Life With God (Darton, Longman & Todd, London 1999; 276pp; £12.95 hardback; ISBN 0 232 52350 9) to "a little picnic basket... In this basket you will find a fragment of the living Word for every today, together with a short reflection". I found it a very stimulating collection. For example, on Mark 3.33-35 the author comments: "In our kinship with each other, our loneliness ends, but our responsibility begins". Although intended for personal use, I could well imagine couples using Daysprings - perhaps around the dinner table.

IVP is to be congratulated on its splendid production of the Handbook Of Life In Bible Times (Leicester, 1999; 384pp; £16.99 hardback; ISBN 0 85110 633 1) edited by J A Thompson, a former director of the Australian Institute of Archaeology. Lavishly illustrated and clearly laid out, this non-technical handbook achieves i