Christian Focus

The Da Vinci Code

From Dan Brown’s Fiction to Mary Magdalene’s Faith

Garry Williams

"Given all the current hype and hoo-hah about Dan Brown's spectacularly successful novel, The Da Vinci Code, it's a pleasure to be able to recommend this little book ... In just over sixty pages, Garry guides the reader through the major historical and theological implications of Brown's work, and offers a thoughtful response from a historic Christian perspective. Dealing with everything from the Nicene Creed to the conventions of Renaissance art, Dr Williams guides the reader through the many problems in Brown's book; but, more that that, he points the reader to the Gospels and to the real Christ. Concise, well-written and chock full of insight, this is an ideal book for reading and for giving away."

Redeem the Time

Sin in the writings of John Owen

Steve Griffiths

"Like John Owen, Steve Griffiths is a minister of the gospel with a deep love for Christ and for his word, and who is passionately concerned to make the teaching of the Bible relevant to his inner-city congregation in the twenty-first century. In a therapeutic and self-obsessed age such as ours, the church needs to hear again the Pauline teaching on sin and grace which Owen expounded so brilliantly."

Wielding the Sword

Preachers and Teachers of God's Word

Linda Finlayson

Defenders of the Faith Series
Linda Finlayson's books have proved consistently popular with children in my congregation and I anticipate this one will be no exception. With a light touch, Linda recreates the lives of some of the great preachers of the past and brings children face to face with the men and women who guarded the gospel in ages past and offer us models of spiritual stewardship for the present.

Unity and Diversity

The Founders of the Free Church

Sandy Finlayson

"Sandy Finlayson's study of the nineteenth century leaders of the Free Church of Scotland is neither hagiography nor iconoclasm; rather, it is the thoughtful reflection of a committed presbyterian on the men who helped shape the Scottish church through their commitment to orthodoxy, evangelism, and social action. The attractive churchmanship which these church leaders represented is all too rare today; and I hope this work will do something to restore it to its rightful place in the wider Christian landscape."

The Erosion of Calvinist Orthodoxy

Drifting from the Truth in confessional Scottish Churches

Ian Hamilton

In an era where the drive in some quarters to watering down confessional commitment precisely as a means of strengthening orthodoxy seems almost irresistible, Ian Hamilton's study of nineteenth century Scottish Presbyterianism is a timely reminder: revisions of confessions and terms of subscription have often proved to be anything but friendly towards a robust Christianity, a point made here with scholarly grace and theological acumen. It is good to see this book back in print and made available to a wider audience.

A Method for Prayer

Freedom in the Face of God

Matthew Henry

Whether the reader is looking for a guide to public prayer or an encouragement to private prayer, Henry's work is a key text, drawing the mind again and again to Scripture as it seeks to shape our prayer life by the forms and priorities of God's own revelation of Himself.

Fearless And Faithful

Linda Finlayson

"In these books, Linda Finlayson does it again: great tales, well told. Many parents will owe her a debt of gratitude."

Through Western Eyes

Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Perspective

Robert Letham

"Just finishing Bob Letham's brilliant and accessible Through Western Eyes: Eastern Orthodoxy -- a Reformed Perspective. Typical of Bob's style -- awesome learning, accessible writing, and a fine critical exposition of the history and theology of Orthodoxy, which is careful and honorable throughout. It gave me much food for thought, especially on the matter of icons (I'd never thought of the photographs of the great Hugh Miller and R S Candlish in my office as icons before....).The book is a great read, and Bob's way of using Orthodoxy as a means of sharpening the reader's own understanding of the Reformed tradition is a piece of classic pedagogy".

Churches, Revolutions And Empires

1789–1914

Ian J. Shaw

"The period from 1789 to 1914 was the crucible in which the modern world was born. A time of revolution, upheaval, empire and war, it shaped Europe and thus the rest of the world. As a result, any understanding of the world today must be built on a clear grasp of what happened during this time. Ian Shaw is a first-rate historian and this is a first-rate book which should take its place as a standard account of the period."

It Can't be as Simple as That

Douglas MacMillan

Douglas MacMillan had a powerful ministry in Scotland. Indeed, my own wife is one of many who can point to him as the preacher under whose proclamation of the gospel she was herself converted. Professor MacMillan's own story is itself a dramatic account of the power of Christ to save. It is a delight to commend this little booklet, recounting his own experience of God's grace, to a new generation.

Puritan Portraits

J. I. Packer on Selected Classic Pastors and Pastoral Classics

J. I. Packer

"Like many, I first met the Puritans through the writings of Dr Packer and thus owe him a debt of gratitude. In this volume he has once again excelled: here are thoughtful introductions to some key Puritan thinkers and their works, along with a Puritan manifesto for today's pastors. This is vintage Packer. In an age of trendy fluff, here is solid food for the church and for the soul."

The Cross in the Experience of Our Lord

R. A. Finlayson

"Here is faithful preaching which seeks to go beyond the normal parameters of preaching on Christ and yet to remain faithful - indeed, more faithful by virtue of that fact - to the Christ not only of Paul but of the gospel narratives too."

The Lord’s Supper as a Means of Grace

More Than a Memory

Richard C. Barcellos

Richard Barcellos reclaims the Lord's Supper as a means of grace.

Systematic Theology (Volume 2)

The Beauty of Christ – a Trinitarian Vision

Douglas F. Kelly

A joy to witness... a model to which others should aspire.

The Marrow of Modern Divinity

Edward Fisher

Thomas Boston's annotated edition of The Marrow of Modern Divinity is one of the most important texts in the history of Reformed discussions of justification, assurance and ethics. It has a controversial history - as the notes provided by Boston indicate - but that is because the matters on which it touches are so central to understanding both the gospel and the Christian life. This is a book which repays the time spent studying it.

Held in Honor

Wisdom for Your Marriage from Voices of the Past

Robert L. Plummer and Matthew D. Haste

... Theologically informative and instructive and yet devotional in approach, it makes a fine contribution to contemporary Christian reflection on a most important institution.

Danger And Dedication

Linda Finlayson

In this day and age, we are often told that it is difficult to make children take an interest in history. That is not necessarily so; rather, it depends upon choosing the right stories, and telling them the right way. In these books, Linda Finlayson does it again: great tales, well told. Many parents will owe her a debt of gratitude.

Psalms by the Day

A New Devotional Translation

Alec Motyer

This book is the dream combination: the Psalms presented as a daily devotional by the great Christian scholar ... Everyone who picks up this book will find that they not only learn to read and understand the Psalms as Christian scripture, they may also find their prayer life changed in a profound and dramatic way.

2,000 Years of Christ’s Power Vol. 1

The Age of the Early Church Fathers

Nick Needham

For many years now I have said: if you want a thorough, learned but accessible and well-written history of the church, read Nick Needham's 2,000 Years of Christ's Power. Now, with the fourth volume finally available, Christians have an excellent resource for improving their knowledge of the history of their faith. Highly recommended.

2,000 Years of Christ’s Power Vol. 2

The Middle Ages

Nick Needham

For many years now I have said: if you want a thorough, learned but accessible and well-written history of the church, read Nick Needham's 2,000 Years of Christ's Power. Now, with the fourth volume finally available, Christians have an excellent resource for improving their knowledge of the history of their faith. Highly recommended.

2,000 Years of Christ’s Power Vol. 3

Renaissance and Reformation

Nick Needham

For many years now I have said: if you want a thorough, learned but accessible and well-written history of the church, read Nick Needham's 2,000 Years of Christ's Power. Now, with the fourth volume finally available, Christians have an excellent resource for improving their knowledge of the history of their faith. Highly recommended.

2,000 Years of Christ’s Power Vol. 4

The Age of Religious Conflict

Nick Needham

For many years now I have said: if you want a thorough, learned but accessible and well-written history of the church, read Nick Needham's 2,000 Years of Christ's Power. Now, with the fourth volume finally available, Christians have an excellent resource for improving their knowledge of the history of their faith. Highly recommended.

Let the Children Worship

Jason Helopoulos

In a series of short chapters, Jason Helopoulos explains the nature and importance of worship and then offers practical guidance on how to communicate this to our young people. This is a very useful and practical book which deserves to be widely read in our churches.

God’s Timeline

The Big Book of Church History

Linda Finlayson

This is a helpful and entertaining introduction to the grand sweep of church history. Not only does the text offer a fine narrative of major events and characters but the timeline is especially helpful in allowing children to visualize the interconnection of the events described. A lovely book that will be of help to Sunday school teachers and parents alike.

Gender Ideology

What Do Christians Need to Know?

Sharon James

This is a remarkable book, both for the range of material covered and its sharp insights into the dominant pathologies of our time.  … a book from which all parents, pastors, and the Christian public in general will greatly benefit.

Compel Them to Come In

Calvinism and the Free Offer of the Gospel

Donald Macleod

I always enjoy reading Donald MacLeod, as much for the clarity and precision of his arguments as for the elegance of his theology.  Here he addresses an important topic – the free offer of the gospel – with his usual pungency and passion.  It will clarify the issue for those who believe in the free offer but are confused by its connection to God’s sovereignty; and it will hopefully persuade those who are tempted to truncate God’s grace in a misguided attempt to exalt his election.

Lies We are Told, the Truth We Must Hold

Worldviews and Their Consequences

Sharon James

… a remarkable feat: she addresses the lies that our culture currently exalts as truth and does so in a way that crosses the generational divide and will be helpful both to young people and those who wish to understand them and help them think through the deepest challenges of our day.

God’s Bible Timeline

The Big Book of Biblical History

Linda Finlayson

Clearly written, with helpful commentary on key people, events, context, and theological significance, and beautifully illustrated, this book will be a great resource for parents and Sunday school teachers as they seek to engage children with the biblical story.

A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Humanity

Created and Re–created

David McKay

a fine, clear summary of the salient points of biblical anthropology, integrating the doctrine into the broader context of creation, of the covenants and of Christology and salvation. This will help the reader think precisely about the subject.

Reclaiming the “Dark Ages”

How the Gospel Light Shone from 500 to 1500

Iain Wright and Yannick Imbert

… an accessible, appreciative, though not uncritical introduction to … a period that, contra popular Protestant impressions, produced some great and influential Christian thinkers.

Motyer By the Day

A Psalms and Isaiah Devotional Collection

Alec Motyer

This book is the dream combination: the Psalms presented as a daily devotional by the great Christian scholar … Everyone who picks up this book will find that they not only learn to read and understand the Psalms as Christian scripture, they may also find their prayer life changed in a profound and dramatic way.