A Year of Grace: Exploring the Christian seasons by David Hoyle (Canterbury Press, £14.99 (£13.50); 978-1-78622-033-2)

“Most of us think that theology is what you do if you haven't got a life. At best, we think it needs to be practical to be of any use. But theology is in fact all about life and how we live it as God's people. No matter how theology-phobic you feel, David Hoyle is here to help.”

Liberty in the Things of God: The Christian origins of religious freedom by Robert Louis Wilken (Yale, £18.99 (Church Times SPECIAL OFFER PRICE £16.99); 978-0-300-22663-8 )

“From one of the leading historians of Christianity comes this sweeping reassessment of religious freedom, from the church fathers to John Locke In the ancient world Christian apologists wrote in defense of their right to practice their faith in the cities of the Roman Empire.”

Christ and the Common Life: Political theology and the case for democracy by Luke Bretherton (Eerdmans, £38 (£34.20); 978-0-8028-7640-9)

“In Christ and the Common Life Luke Bretherton provides an introduction to historical and contemporary theological reflection on politics and opens up a compelling vision for a Christian commitment to democracy.”

Balm in Gilead: A theological dialogue with Marilynne Robinson, edited by Timothy Larsen and Keith Johnson (IVP, £21.99 (£19.80); 978-0-8308-5318-2)

“This volume, based on the 2018 Wheaton Theology Conference, brings together the thoughts of leading theologians, historians, literary scholars, and church leaders who engaged in theological dialogue with Robinson's published work--and with the author herself.”

Bridgebuilding: Making peace with conflict in the Church by Alistair McKay (Canterbury Press, £14.99 (£13.50); 978-1-78622-141-4)

“Rethinking apologetics in a changing world, where there are new needs and new opportunities, and where out approach has to be person-centred. A resource for evangelism and mission.”

Selected by Frank Nugent, of the Church House Bookshop, which operates the Church Times Bookshop.