SPCK Publishing

Luke is excited. As the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament, he can hardly believe that God became a human, not just for Jewish boys like Peter and Paul, but for Gentiles just like him. His excitement about the Gospel is contagious, as he tells us, wide-eyed: All of this happened for you too.

Want to explore Luke, but feel like you don't have the time? Straight to the Heart of Luke is a concise and bite-size approach to Bible study, giving you nuggets of information that you can think about throughout the day.

Bible study for busy people.

Luke was so unlike the other New Testament writers that many of his contemporaries believed he wasn't qualified to write Scripture at all. But to understand the message of his gospel, we need to grasp who he was.

Luke was the only New Testament writer who was not a Jew. The apostle Paul defends him by stating explicitly that his gospel was as much Holy Scripture as the Old Testament.

Luke was an outsider to the Jewish faith that God inspired to compile an account of the life of Jesus in order to show people all around the world that what Jesus said and did him said and did for us all.

The astonishing message of Luke's gospel is that what happened to Jesus happened for you. Phil Moore helps us to understand and see God's wisdom in choosing Luke as a writer. He shows that Luke assures us that this isn't someone else's story: he came for you. We can say yes to Jesus, discovering that he can use you.

And that all this is possible because he made a way for you.

At every level of church life from the local congregation to worldwide denominations, Christians can find themselves in turmoil and divided over a range of important issues. Many conclude that harmony is not achievable, and never will be. Can we, as Archbishop Justin Welby has asked, transform 'bad disagreement' into 'good disagreement'? What would that look like in practice? This book is designed to help readers unpack the idea of 'good disagreement' and apply it to their own church situations. It doesn't enter into specific contentious debates, but instead considers issues such as reconciliation, division, discipline, peacemaking, mediation and mission. It asks what needs to happen for those from differing viewpoints to both listen and be heard, and does not shy away from hard questions about unity in the gospel and the church's public witness. The book draws lessons from the New Testament, church history, and contemporary experience, with chapters from a dozen theologians and practitioners. They are editors Andrew Atherstone and Andrew Goddard, Tory Baucum, Martin Davie, Lis Goddard, Clare Hendry, Toby Howarth, Ashley Null, Ian Paul, Stephen Ruttle, Michael B. Thompson, and Tom Wright.

'In another world it is otherwise, but here below to live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.'
From An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine (1903)

Canonized by Pope Francis in October 2019, Saint John Henry Newman (1801-90) was one of the most controversial and influential thinkers of his day. He is now recognized as one of the finest prose stylists of modern times, as well as a popular poet and hymn-writer. His spiritual autobiography, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, is a modern classic, and his many theological writings continue to be widely read and highly regarded by Christians of all traditions.

As Eamon Duffy brilliantly demonstrates in this fresh assessment of Newman's life and achievement, other theologians of his time are now largely of historical interest whereas Newman is still very much our contemporary.

'This splendid book... expertly illuminates every aspect of Newman's life [and] work.'
Wall Street Journal

Mark Oakley reveals George Herbert as a fine companion with whom to examine the journey of the soul.

His poems are 'heart-work and heaven-work', embracing love and closeness, anger and despair, reconciliation and hope.

There is too an appealing and audacious playfulness about Herbert: he seems to take God on, knowing God will win, confident God will not abandon him.

This sense of relationship with God as primarily friendship is one of many intriguing and healing aspects we are invited to consider.

George Herbert is one of the great 17th century poet-priests. His poems embrace every shade of the spiritual life, from love and closeness, to anger and despair, to reconciliation and hope. And his work is always rich with audacious playfulness: he seems to take God on, knowing God will win, as if he's having an argument with a faithful friend he knows is not going to leave. In much of theology and spirituality, God is a critical spectator to human lives, but for Herbert, his sense of relationship with God is primarily of a friendship that can never be broken. These are some of the themes Mark Oakley explores in this outstanding book

'My Sour-Sweet Days contains forty well-chosen poems by George Herbert (widely considered the greatest devotional poet in the English language), each of which is followed by a short but profound reflection by Mark Oakley. The combination is excellent: richly expressive poems and accessible personal meditations. This book powerfully demonstrates how poetry can bring comfort, refreshment and renewed energy to our spiritual lives.'

Professor Helen Wilcox, editor of the critically acclaimed edition of The English Poems of George Herbert (Cambridge University Press, 2007)

'It's extremely unusual to meet anyone who isn't a specialist who has such a subtle feeling for language as Mark Oakley does.'

Sir Andrew Motion, former Poet Laureate

The Book of Daniel begins with the trials of the Judahites in the aftermath of Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians in 587 BC, when many were forced to live as immigrants in a strange land. It continues with visions relating to the trials of Judahites back in Jerusalem in a time of persecution four centuries later, visions that promise them God’s deliverance. The twelve shorter prophets are situated between the eighth and fifth centuries and speak both warnings and instructions to God’s people. For instance, Amos’s visions warn of Israel’s downfall, Jonah speaks to a wayward generation in Nineveh, and Haggai encourages the people to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem. Although these prophets appear at different times and preach to different audiences, they all have at their core an understanding of God’s overwhelming desire to connect with and reconcile himself to his people. Using personal anecdote, a witty and lively style, and drawing on his considerable theological knowledge, John Goldingay takes us deep into the unfolding story of the Old Testament.

'A rousing postscript to Lawhead's bardic Pendragon Cycle . . . Playing off snappy contemporary derring-do against the powerful shining glimpses of the historical Arthur he created, Lawhead pulls off a genuinely moving parable of good and evil.' Publishers Weekly

It has been foretold:

In the hour of Britain's greatest need, King Arthur will return to rescue his people.

In Portugal, the reprobate King Edward the Ninth has died by his own hand.

In England, the British monarchy teeters on the edge of total destruction.

And in the Scottish Highlands, a mystical emissary named Mr. Embries-better known as "Merlin"-informs a young captain that he is next in line to the throne. For James Arthur Stuart is not the commoner he has always believed himself to be-he is Arthur, the legendary King of Summer, reborn. But the road to England's salvation is dangerous, with powerful enemies waiting in ambush. For Arthur is not the only one who has returned from the mists of legend. And Merlin's magic is not the only sorcery that has survived the centuries.

Hazel had been scared of horses for all her life, and an earlier attempt to overcome her fear had ended in failure. She was still overcoming fear in other areas, travelling around the world with her job, reporting on areas recovering from war, famine, disease and catastrophe. And eventually she took up riding again - only to face bigger fears, when illness struck her. Even worse, her father's dementia grew so bad that her mother had a heart attack and Hazel had to put her father into a home. As illness threatened to derail her career, and family tragedy looked likely to break her heart, she was loaned a big old horse called Duke. He stood far taller than her at every point, and she was afraid. Yet somehow, as she rode him through the Hampshire countryside, she found solace and healing. Gradually her fears began to subside.

The story of the World War 2 de-coders of Bletchley Park continues to fascinate.

How did Mair Thomas, a musician brought up in the Welsh valleys, find herself in the rarefied atmosphere of Hut Six, surrounded by hundreds of others, all desperately trying to break the German Enigma Code?

Sworn to secrecy and working in cramped and uncomfortable conditions, Mair discovered her degree in German and Music was just what was needed. Drawn from the public schools and Oxbridge her background was very different to that of most of her colleagues and she didn't immediately fit in. This captivating memoir unpacks her daily life and explores the relationships she built.

My Secret Life in Hut Six provides a fascinating insight into one woman's battle against Nazi Germany vividly capturing an era of danger, strain and day to day difficulties that were brightened occasionally by visits from the top brass, such as Winston Churchill.

Whether you are completely new to John's Gospel or have read it many times before, Meeting God in John will help you see the Fourth Gospel with fresh eyes and gain a deeper understanding of its essential meaning and purpose.

David Ford, one of the world's most widely respected theologians and author of Theology: A Very Short Introduction and The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary, offers an accessible and absorbing introduction to the main message of John's Gospel, packed with compelling observations into the personality and impact of Jesus, both in the first century and today.

Meeting God in John explores what the Gospel reveals about God through the person of Jesus Christ. Essential reading for anyone seeking a richer grasp of the gospel message, it will leave you with a renewed appreciation of and enthusiasm for John's writing, and the desire to return to it over and over again. Ford's straightforward and illuminating approach also makes it eminently helpful for new Christians just starting out on their faith journey.

Each chapter includes questions for reflection or discussion, making Meeting God in John ideal for Bible study, whether individually or in small groups. With its focus on the Passion narrative, it also serves beautifully as a Lent devotional.

Simple yet profound, this is an invitation to all who long to deepen their understanding of John's Gospel - and, through it, to meet the God revealed in Jesus Christ.

Discover how to serve with genuine love in a time of self-interest and overwhelming need through this guide from New York Times bestselling author John Mark Comer and the team at Practicing the Way.

In a world where self-interest too often takes precedence, service is a defining characteristic of those who apprentice under Jesus. The Service Practice features a practical, accessible approach to integrating service to others into your daily life. Designed to be used with four engaging video sessions freely available online, this guide offers spiritual exercises, reflection questions, guided readings, and additional resources to help you and your community.

This course guide will equip you to experience the power of a neglected discipline as you learn to:

Embrace a lifestyle of love and acting on behalf of others, following the example of Jesus
Imitate the radical availability of Jesus and reframe interruptions as invitations
Value community engagement and notice the needs of others around you
Practice intentional acts of service where you are, starting today, in your everyday life

Discover how a life of service can lead to a transformed heart, meaningful connections with others, and a deepened sense of purpose.

Discover how to step away from the noise of life and into a place of encounter with this guide from New York Times bestselling author John Mark Comer and the team at Practicing the Way.

In our hyper-connected, constantly buzzing world, the practice of solitude is both countercultural and essential. The Solitude Practice provides a practical, accessible approach to incorporating this vital spiritual discipline into your life. Designed to be used with four engaging video sessions freely available online, this guide offers spiritual exercises, reflection questions, guided readings, and additional resources to help you and your community.

This course guide will equip you to experience the power of solitude as you learn to:

Create a daily rhythm of quiet time with God
Encounter your true self and address avoided emotions
Combat spiritual enemies through Scripture-based reflection
Deepen your intimacy with God through listening and loving presence

Discover how stepping away from distractions can lead to a transformed life, deeper self-awareness, and a renewed connection with God and others.

Part of a series of nine core practices that together build a Rule of Life for following Jesus in the modern world, each guide can be read individually or together in any order:

The Sabbath Practice
The Prayer Practice
The Fasting Practice
The Solitude Practice
The Generosity Practice
The Scripture Practice
The Community Practice
The Service Practice
The Witness Practice

HARRY CLARK first caught the public's eye as the quick-thinking, cool-headed winner of The Traitors - outsmarting the competition while staying true to himself. Since then, his journey has taken him from tense reality TV moments to the reflective landscapes of Pilgrimage, revealing his resilience, humour, and the values that shape his life.

In Staying Faithful, Harry shares stories of his upbringing and family, Army challenges, sudden fame, and the Roman Catholic faith that keeps him grounded. Speaking to the growing number of young people embracing Christian belief - and to anyone seeking purpose or meaning - Harry offers encouragement, authenticity, and hope.

'As the train sped on to Scotland, it seemed that everything I'd ever learnt - in my childhood, through my family, in church, in school, in the Army, and even at my lowest moment, lying on that bed in hospital – had been preparing me for this moment. It felt like destiny. Maybe it wasn’t nerves that were making me shake. Maybe it was excitement.'
FROM THE CHAPTER 'THE TRAITORS: PART I'

Winner of The Traitors, Harry Clark is an unexpected TV hero - grounded, values-driven, and unafraid to speak about what matters. With honesty and warmth, he shares the moments that shaped him, the lessons learned, and the faith that keeps him steady. For those seeking more than hollow fame, Harry offers authenticity, courage, and the freedom to walk a truer path.

About The Author: HARRY joined the Army Foundation College at 16 before training as a helicopter engineer with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers. At 21, he became the quick-thinking winner of BBC1's The Traitors (Season 2), watched by 6.9 million viewers, catapulting him from Berkshire lad to national TV personality. Since then, he's appeared on The One Show, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, and Pilgrimage: The Road Through The Alps, co-presented VE-DAY at 80 at the Royal Albert Hall, and partnered with brands including LEGO, McDonald's, and Walker's. His podcast, The Harry and Paul Show, debuted at #1 in the comedy charts.

In Surprised by Hope Tom Wright argued that the authentic Christian hope is not 'going to heaven' to enjoy a blissful disembodied immortality, but 'life after life after death' in the bodily resurrection which, scripture promises, will be set within the whole new creation.

In God's Homecoming Wright takes this a big step further, exploring passages in Paul's letters and in the Hebrew prophets where 'hope' refers to the reconciliation and renewal of all creation, and where hope is focused on the belief that Israel’s God, the creator, has promised to fill the whole creation with his glorious and healing presence.

Putting things this way round reminds us that the gospel is essentially about grace. As long as we are asking 'how can I get to heaven' or 'how can I become fit to be in God's presence' there is always the danger that, however much we stress that God must take the initiative, we end up seeing it as precisely 'How can I... ' But if the main movement of the story is God's desire and intention to come to dwell with us and in us and through us then grace suffuses all that follows.