The Theology of the Gospel of John by Alicia D. Myers (Cambridge University Press, £22.99 (£20.69); 978-1-108-79189-2).
“In this volume, Alicia Myers applies a narrative approach to the theology of the Gospel of John, which presents Jesus's coming as the climactic and transformative revelation of God in the world. Placing her study in the context of past and current approaches to John's theology, she explores theological themes with an eye toward the rhetorical categories and aims of the Gospel.”
Lower than the Angels: A history of sex and Christianity by Diarmaid MacCulloch (Penguin, £18.99 (£17.09); 978-0-141-99095-8). New in paperback
“This book seeks to calm fears and encourage understanding through telling a 3000-year-long tale of Christians encountering sex, gender and the family, with noises off from their sacred texts. The message of Lower than the Angels is simple, necessary and timely: to pay attention to the sheer glorious complexity and contradictions in the history of Christianity. The reader can decide from the story told here whether there is a single Christian theology of sex, or many contending voices in a symphony that is not at all complete. Oxford’s Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church introduces an epic of ordinary and extraordinary Christians trying to make sense of themselves and of humanity’s deepest desires, fears and hopes.”
Dog Leads to God: 52 divine lessons from your canine by Henry Martin (DLT, £14.99 (£13.49); 978-1-915412-83-6).
“Following the same format as his popular The Dog Walker's Guide to God, Henry Martin presents 52 further reflections on life, faith and the mysteries of God, to be read and considered in the company of your canine companion. It provides ideal material to chew over when out walking your dog but is just as suitable for reading at home. The lessons we learn from thinking about our dogs can inspire us to surprising insights about deeper themes. This beautiful hardback book is illustrated throughout by the author.”
Selected by Frank Nugent, of the Church House Bookshop, which operates the Church Times Bookshop.