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The Hodder Bible Commentary: Matthew

Aug 29, 2025 | 2025 – Autumn – Free, Book Reviews

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

Aug 29, 2025 | 2025 – Autumn – Free, Book Reviews

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

Aug 29, 2025 | 2025 – Autumn – Free, Book Reviews

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

 

A Sparkle from the Coal

Aug 29, 2025 | 2025 – Autumn – Free, Book Reviews

A Sparkle from the Coal

Author Barbara Howard
Publisher SCM Press £35
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334066293

This impressive book is a tribute to the theological writings of Rowan Williams and especially the way his exceptional imagination has provided new understandings of God’s constant love, in contrast to the ambiguities of our frail lives. Howard’s title is a quote from the Cloud of Unknowing, and is a metaphor used by Williams to denote the ‘sparking’ of our yearning for God from within our hard hearts. Howard uses many illustrations from Williams’ books, but is particularly adept at interpreting his vivid poetry and relating his verse to both scriptural interpretation and theological discourse. This is no mean feat, for Williams is a formidable polymath, with a seemingly inexhaustible knowledge of languages, literature, philosophy, history and art as well as scripture. He is also a foremost expert in the west on the Eastern Orthodox Church. The great value of this book is twofold: it explores and elucidates the thinking of one of our great modern theologians; and it demonstrates how human imagination can renew faith and draw all of us closer to God. Expensive but highly recommended.

Reviewed by MALCOLM DAWSON

Theology and imagination

 

A Prayer Book of Days

Aug 29, 2025 | 2025 – Autumn – Free, Book Reviews

A Prayer Book of Days

Author Gregory Cameron
Publisher Canterbury £12.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786225955

Looking for something to stimulate your devotional life? Interested in the development and diversity of Christian prayer? Why not try A Prayer Book of Days? Thirty-one short chapters, beautifully illustrated with icon-like portraits, explore significant figures in the history of Christianity, each focussing on one signature prayer. Beginning with David, Jesus and early Christian saints, we are led through continents and ages to the present, meeting many who feature as ‘Lesser Festivals’ in Common Worship. Some, like Augustine of Hippo, St Patrick, or Ignatius Loyola, are well known, others, like John Climacus or Edith Stein perhaps less so. The stories of these ‘saints’ are interesting, accessible and sometimes moving, reminding us that prayer can take many forms, from prose to song, from words to silence. The material could prove invaluable for incorporation into sermons, reflections or group discussions.

Yet, primarily, this is a book to use day by day as a springboard into our own prayer times, for experimenting with new insights and patterns and making some of the famous prayers our own. It is a book to treasure
and re-visit.

Reviewed by Prayer

Advent, Nativity

 

Perfectly Ordinary

Aug 29, 2025 | 2025 – Autumn – Free, Book Reviews

Perfectly Ordinary

Author Marcus Throup
Publisher Canterbury £14.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786225856

This relatively short accessible book is about Christian leadership, for those in, or preparing for, leadership as well as those training or mentoring them. The focus is ordained ministry rather than lay, and the context is primarily Anglican. Throup specifically addresses the issue of unhealthy models of leadership and how they can lead to spiritual abuse. He characterises types of spiritually abusive leaders as overprotective, egocentric or narcissistic. These and their manifestations he defines and pictures vividly and starkly. I wondered if there are not perhaps more nuanced, less obvious but equally harmful, variations to be considered. Characterising all manifestations as the work of ‘showmen’ enamoured by the spectacular, he urges leadership that is unspectacular, authentic, humble, pastoral, prayerful, faithful and Christ-centred. A longer book might have considered abusive lay leadership, or how a managerial emphasis on quantification, centralisation and hierarchy in the institutional church may unwittingly devalue the ‘perfectly ordinary’ leadership of the title. Nonetheless the book is insightful and incisive A concluding section on self-care for leaders is typically thoughtful, sealing a recommendation.

Reviewed by PETER WRIGHT

Christian leadership

 

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