REVIEWS

PHOEBE

A Story Written by: Paula Gooder Published by: Hodder & Stoughton Price: £14.99

As regular readers of these pages will know, iction is rarely the subject of a review.

However, an exception has been made for this work, which examines the life of Phoebe, one of the women of the New Testament. Phoebe is described by Paul as a deacon, who is entrusted with a letter to the Romans.

Gooder, a lecturer and writer in biblical studies and director of mission learning within the diocese of Birmingham in the Church of England, has used her knowledge of the time and place of women to weave a fascinating tale of what might have happened during Phoebe’s life – including her first encounter with Paul – and leshed out how she might have responded and worked during her ministry.

Gooder has helpfully devoted a large section at the back of the book to the biblical references to Phoebe to explain and illustrate the facts and background to what has been established about the life of Phoebe, ofering thoughtful insights which have helped to frame and shape the wider story.

The story itself is an imaginative retelling of Phoebe’s life, beginning just before her first experience of Paul, and how her encounters with Paul both challenged and unexpectedly transformed her life. Gooder has painted a vivid picture of a woman poorly treated by the society of her time whose purpose in life is utterly changed by her encounter with Paul.

Readers will be utterly engaged and entranced as the author endeavours to give a lavour of how Phoebe’s first century life might have been, based on her knowledge and understanding of the bible.

The reference section at the back of the book is designed to help rather than distract the reader. This is not an academic work with references peppering every page, but rather a work designed to engage and capture the imagination of a popular audience.

Endorsement for the work has come from the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams who has described it as ‘a really vivid and sympathetic picture of the world of the first Christians, opened up through the personality of Paul’s colleague and friend, Phoebe.’

A GOSPEL OF HOPE

Written by: Walter Brueggemann Published by: Hodder & Stoughton Price: £12.99

This book, by one of the world’s most respected Old Testament scholars, is a clarion call to people of faith to abandon all that makes them feel safe and instead to audaciously and to bravely take a step outside the box to embrace and live faith.

Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Georgia, USA, seeks to ofer a new perspective on the world by thoughtful relections on areas aimed at sustaining and nurturing hope, such as abundance and generosity, justice, public witness and responsibility and faithful practices.

At the heart of it all, is a cry for the Christian church to be light givers and to continue to give hope in an increasingly uncomfortable world, obsessed with consumerism.

FOR CHILDREN MOSES AND THE EXODUS EXPRESS

Written by: Paul Kerensa Published by: SPCK Price: £5.99

Aimed at the under ives, this beautifully illustrated and brightly colourful book retells the well known story of Moses in contemporary language and verse. Instead of leading a mass exodus on foot, Moses is the driver of a bright and colourful train that carries the people to the promised land. The premise of the book is clear, however, even for the youngest of children – and that is to place trust in God and all will be well in future.

This would be a helpful and engaging addition to the shelves of anyone involved in working with young children through crèches or Sunday schools within our churches.

AUDIO THE SOUND OF IONA

Poetry and music inspired by the landscape Words by: Kenneth Steven Music by: Wendy Stewart Published by: Wild Goose Publications Runtime: 26 minutes Price: £6.63 (CD), £4.99 (audio download)

This intriguing recording appropriately crossed Life and Work desk just as summer was beginning to make its presence felt. It is a gloriously unique concept combining the hugely spiritual poetry of Kenneth Steven (no stranger to Life and Work readers) and the beautiful music of harpist Wendy Stewart to create a an evocative soundscape bringing to mfind the ‘thin place’ that is the island of Iona.

Steven describes the work as ‘for those who know Iona as much as for those who have always wanted to find a way of reaching Columba’s holy isle’.

It can be bought as a CD or downloaded from the Wild Goose Publications (the publishing arm of the Iona Community) at www.ionabooks.com, and is a summer delight for the senses. Lynne McNeil

This article appears in the August 2018 Issue of Life and Work

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