Lived Mission in 21st Century Britain
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The People’s Celebration of the Eucharist
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The Hodder Bible Commentary: Matthew
The Hodder Bible Commentary: Matthew
Author Ben Cooper
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton £22.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781473695030
Another hefty commentary in this recently published series. Ben Cooper has previously written on the Discipleship of Matthew and Key Biblical Texts. Unlike nearly all other commentaries, this one provides a comprehensive and very accessible analysis of the Gospel and within a useful chronological framework; this is supported by clear titles, subtitles and references. I found some helpful new insights and approaches into Matthew’s interpretation but no obvious major omissions or conflicts with other commentaries. The primary use of this book will be for undergraduate or Masters students in theology and/or in preparation of a thesis of the comparative discipleship of the Gospel writers. It would probably find a space in my library as a reference book as and when I wanted to interrogate this Gospel in more detail, or in preparation for a Lent or Advent course. It is a ‘good read’. The elephant in the room is just how many of these Bible commentaries should one buy?
Reviewed by RICHARD APPLETON
New Testament commentary
A Joyful Noise
A Joyful Noise
Author Charles Moseley
Publisher DLT £16.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781915412157
This is a quite light-hearted book, which describes in brief chapters the lives of 24 hymn writers whose works are to be found in The New English Hymnal and Hymns Ancient and Modern. The author’s aim is to provide a little historical context to the words we sing, and, occasionally, the tunes used. The chapters are of varying length and detail, of course, and cover from St Ambrose (339–397) to Sydney Carter (1915–2004). There are some parts which surprised me. For example, the Church of England only authorised hymns in 1821; new works had to claim to be settings of Psalms before then, although of course the Methodists developed a strong musical tradition which is well represented here. It is also remarkable how many of today’s hymns started out as poems (for example, by George Herbert). If you have ever wondered about the back story of some of the names credited as authors in our hymn books, this is a good place to start. There is surely scope for a second volume.
Reviewed by DAVID HEADING
Hymnody
All Shall Be Well
All Shall Be Well
Author Emma Pennington
Publisher BRF £12.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781800392069
Julian of Norwich is well known for her saying ‘All shall be well … and all manner of things shall be well’; but there is far more to her than superficial optimism. In this book, which is a sequel to an earlier volume, the author delves beneath the surface of the tenth to sixteenth revelations or ‘showings’ which Julian experienced during a near fatal illness. The late 14th-century world in which she lived was a time of turbulence both politically and in the church. The author explores the thought processes of the time and draws conclusions which are relevant to our own day, inspiring the reader to reflect prayerfully on Julian’s words. This book is best approached with the text of the showings to hand and will repay slow and careful reading. Pennington writes from personal experience of suffering a painful illness which lends weight to her narrative. Each chapter has suggestions for individual meditation and questions suitable for group use. The text does not offer easy answers but encourages us to delve deeper into the mystery of the incarnation.
Reviewed by LAURA HILLMAN
Spirituality
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