Learning from Henri Nouwen and Vincent Van Gogh: A portrait of the compassionate life by Carol Berry (IVP, £16.99 (£15.30); 978-0-8308-4651-1)

“Carol Berry and her husband met and befriended Henri Nouwen when she sat in his course on compassion at Yale Divinity School in the 1970s. At the request of Henri Nouwen's literary estate, she has written this book, which includes unpublished material recorded from Nouwen's lectures.”

The Cowley Fathers: A history of the English Congregation of the Society of St John the Evangelist by Serenhedd James (Canterbury Press, £45 (£40.50); 978-1-78622-183-4)

“The Society of St John the Evangelist, otherwise known as the Cowley Fathers, was the first men's religious order to be founded in the Church of England since the Reformation, as a result of the spread and influence of the Oxford Movement and its Anglo-Catholic spirituality in the 19th century.”

Reading Romans Backwards: A gospel in search of peace in the midst of the Empire by Scot McKnight (SCM Press, £19.99 (£18); 978-0-334-05834-2)

“In Reading Romans Backwards, renowned New Testament scholar Scot McKnight demonstrates that fresh light can be thrown on Chapters 1-11 by first taking a deep look at Chapters 12-16. Reading the letter in this new way, McKnight explores how Romans offers a message of deep reconciliation and living in fellowship as siblings - a message of vital relevance to today's church.”

To the Island of Tides: A journey to Lindisfarne by Alistair Moffatt (Canongate, £20 (£18); 978-1-78689-632-2) 

“In To the Island of Tides, Alistair Moffat travels to - and through the history of - the fated island of Lindisfarne. Walking from his home in the Borders, through the historical landscape of Scotland and northern England, he takes us on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of saints and scholars, before arriving for a secular retreat on the Holy Isle.”

Philosophy in the Garden by Damon Young (Scribe, £9.99 (£9); 978-1-912854-33-2)

“Why did Marcel Proust have bonsai beside his bed? What was Jane Austen doing, coveting an apricot? How was Friedrich Nietzsche inspired by his `thought tree'? In Philosophy in the Garden, Damon Young explores one of literature's most intimate relationships: authors and their gardens.”

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