Books published by SPCK Publishing

Reverend Charles Wesley (1707 - 1788): Anglican priest, Oxford University graduate, leader of the English Methodist movement, and arguably the greatest hymn-writer of all time, with at least 6,000 hymns to his credit, many of which retain their popularity and status as "classics".Charles Wesley was a gifted poet, with an almost unparalleled ability to capture deep truths of Scripture and condense them into meaningful verse, thereby conveying theology in terms that a wide spectrum of people could understand.For all his genius as a wordsmith, Charles Wesley was an intensely humble Christian, sometimes living in the shadow of his brother, John, but, nevertheless, complementing the ministry of his sibling with a softer touch and a less rigid approach to life and faith.Through the Year with Charles Wesley offers a glimpse into the works of a great man whose legacy has survived the centuries, and which still influences modern hymnology.

A biblical basis for environmental care, explaining current problems and outlining constructive, positive responses.

This is an accessible two-part introduction to the most prominent figures of Christian history. Jesus and His World Who was this preacher from Nazareth? Can we be sure he existed? And if he did, what was the world like in which he lived? Placing Jesus firmly in the Jewish world of 1st-century Palestine, Peter Walker explores the religious and social background to his life, the Jewish expectations of a messiah, Jesus' ministry and teaching, and helps readers interpret Jesus' radical mission and the way he related to the world around him. Paul and His WorldWe know little about Paul. For some, his influence has been largely negative. For others, he is simply the greatest mind in Christian history. Stephen Tomkins argues that Paul would have been quite at home with such a mixed reception. Despite enjoying a degree of hero worship in his lifetime, he was also more reviled than any other Christian, and his Christian life was a constant arduous missionary journey of shipwrecks, prison, mob violence, and the depressing politics of church life. This is a lively and lucid portrayal of the man behind the controversy and the drama.

How did Christianity come to have such an extraordinary influence upon Europe? Gillian R. Evans' 'The History of Christian Europe' offers a fascinating portrayal of the development and spread of Christianity in the context of over 2,000 years of European history.

In the first decades after Christ a small movement from the Middle East rapidly grew to become an empire-wide phenomenon. Soon there were established Christian communities spreading from Jerusalem to Rome, all grappling with the same issue: how to live their new-found faith?A Social History of the Early Church seeks to answer this question by exploring what life was actually like for the first Christians. Through detailed analyses of archaeological evidence and contemporary accounts, Simon Jones addresses topics such as: the role of pagan religion people's sources of entertainment the nature of family life how societies were structured the changing role of women Written in a highly accessible style and using boxed features to provide additional information on key topics, places and people, A Social History of the Early Church is a fascinating survey that brings this period vividly to life for scholars at all levels of study.

In this highly accessible guide a team of expert contributors provide an authoritative and comprehensive survey of Christian belief. After an initial historical overview, six major chapters on Faith, God, Jesus, Salvation, the Church and Christian Hope assess in detail the breadth of Christian teaching and doctrine. Each chapter is interspersed with user-friendly boxed features that focus on key subjects such as Jesus and women and Christian ethics. Culminating with an anthology of extracts from major Christian thinkers, this book provides an ideal overview for scholars at all levels of study seeking to become acquainted with the sweep of Christian teaching.

Stunning colour-illustrated guide to the key sites visited by St Paul from experienced tour leader and biblical scholar .

Shortly before her eighteenth birthday, Rhiannon Morgan runs away from the remote Welsh village of Llandymna. Camping out in Dyrys Woods, she starts to make a new life for herself and she finds space for her active imagination to run wild. Weaving together the stories she loves and memories of her past, including the mother she lost thirteen years ago. Back in the village, Rhiannon's disappearance triggers a series of events that uncovers the cracks in Llandymna's quiet surface. Quick-tempered Callum finds himself reluctantly drawn into search parties, while a young police officer is forced to investigate his neighbours, and the village's elderly story-teller hints at a secret that the older generation have kept for decades...

A society with no grasp of its history is like a person without a memory. This is particularly true of the history of ideas. This book is an ideal introduction to the thinkers who have shaped Christian history and the culture of much of the world. Writing in a lively, accessible style, Jonathan Hill takes us on an enlightening journey from the first to the twenty first centuries. He shows us the key Christian thinkers through the ages - ranging from Irenaeus, Origen, Augustine and Aquinas through to Luther, Wesley, Kierkegaard and Barth - placing them in their historical context and assessing their contribution to the development of Christianity.

What does it mean to be 'British'?

The concept of the ideal sexy body still dominates fashion, advertising - and our thinking. Success, status and sex appeal are all interwoven. Sheila argues that this is dangerous to our well-being and contrary to the central Christian idea of our acceptance in Christ. She shows how we can break bad habits of body and mind, make the most of our corporeal selves and enjoy being the way God made us. As we learn to love our bodies we learn to love ourselves. Makeovers, she writes, are just not enough. 'I don't think you can just fix up the outside of a person. If you don't ever take a look on the inside and unpack all the self-loathing, and replace it with a deep down self-acceptance and a sense of being unconditionally loved, then no amount of surface rearrangement will ever be enough.'

A devotional specifically for youth workers addressing the needs of this very hard-pressed group

Duty and mind are not everything. Emotions tell the truth: listen to them, and cultivate emotional health.

A moving personal account of an eight-year struggle with self-harm, with insights into motivation and paths towards recovery.

Jo interviews 11 couples, varying in age and outlook, about how and why they reached the altar.

1 in 4 people will suffer from mental illness at some point. How can psychiatry and the Christian faith work together?

What is the 'promised land'? What is our reward for faithful, chaste commitment? Is it all worth it?

This book puts dementia into a Christian context, insisting that loss of memory or reason does not mean a person is worthless. Dementia is in the headlines on a daily basis. Much information is available but it is all factual with no spiritual content. Yet for Christians, dementia can raise questions unlike any other condition. Why does a godly old man begin to use language that has always been anathema to him? Why does a loving mother become stubborn, and suspicious? Where is God in all of this? This book offers information and reassurance gleaned from the extensive experience of Pilgrim Homes, a network of nine Christian care homes and a foundation going back to 1807.

How to find meaning and fulfilment in your working life

Argues for regulation of genetic research and technologies to avoid severe division and disease rather than cohesion and health.

A personal and moving memoir that resurrects the ancient term acedia, or soulweariness, and brilliantly explores its relevance to society today.

Quick to rehearse, quick to perform - ideal as discussion starters, sermon illustrations or just to entertain. New lower price - save GBP8.00!

Assesses the reasons for increasing numbers of black men converting to Islam.

This inspiring new approach is based on extensive research by an expert on relationships and supported by a wealth of statistics and case studies. Relationships are at the heart of all that we do and achieve, indeed our very identity. When relationships are neglected in a business context, the authors argue, they lead to poor health, ineffective management and low output at work. The authors focus on 5 key components of successful relationships and how these can be achieved: Encounter (personal rather than impersonal contact is best); Storyline (strength of the relationship over time); Knowledge (how deeply is information shared?); Fairness (equal treatment and mutual respect); Alignment (sharing values, objectives and purpose).

The story of the slave trade and the campaign to bring it to an end in the British Empire