Douglas Dales on Prayer

Douglas Dales, Monotheism and Prayer: A Study in Trinitarian Prayer, Elements in Christian Doctrine (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2026).

The above short (78-page) book is available as a free pdf download until 21 August 2026.

Here is the summary:

‘This is a study of how Christian Trinitarian understanding of monotheism has been expressed in Christian prayer and worship. It studies the emergence and development of a distinctive language of prayer within the New Testament and among some early Church Fathers, which laid the basis for later belief in and worship of the Trinity. This contemplative belief is studied in the light of Eastern and Western understandings of the Trinity, by examining certain key figures Christian history. It concludes with a discussion of the continuing mystical and contemplative traditions within Eastern and Western Christianity. This Element does not consider the development of Christian liturgy, however, which has already been considered in an earlier Element in this series. Nor does it address the varied impact of the Reformation upon the Western churches, which will be addressed by further Elements to be published in this series.

The book can be downloaded as a pdf from here.

Gregorio Guitián et al. on a Theology of Work

Gregorio Guitián (ed.), Theology of Work: New Perspectives, Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies (London: Routledge, 2004).

The above book carries some interesting-looking essays on various perspectives on a theology of work.

Here’s the publisher’s description:

‘Theology of Work: New Perspectives emerges from the necessity to continue theological reflection on work in light of the challenges posed by our contemporary world. The contributions offer a global perspective of the meaning of work, drawing from Trinitarian theology, theology of creation, eschatology, theological anthropology, and Christology. They shed light from the perspective of faith on the integration of different work dimensions, and consider how the theology of work is called to challenge social structures in light of revelation. The volume mostly develops the theology of work from a Catholic perspective, but Protestant and Orthodox approaches are also explicitly explored. The chapters cover different theological areas, such as biblical, dogmatic, patristic, and moral theology, to provide enriching and complementary perspectives. Offering fresh and valuable theological insights on work, this book will be of particular interest to scholars of theology and religious studies.’

Although the provision might not last, the book is currently available at no charge on Kindle and on Apple’s Books app.

Stephen R. Holmes on Prayer

Stephen R. Holmes, Prayer: Answered in the End, Elements in Christian Doctrine (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2026).

The above short (70-page) book is available as a free pdf download until 23 June 2026.

Here is the summary:

‘Western academic analyses of the notion of answered prayer fail repeatedly to be attentive to claims that, within a specifically Christian theology, should be normative. The author proposes a theological construction, centred on the thesis that human beings are created to pray. Given this, the prayers of Jesus are paradigmatic for understanding human prayer. The author examines the ministry of Jesus under the rubric of the munus triplex, the threefold office, and on this basis, an exegetical account of the relationship of prayer and sacrifice is proposed, in which the transforming redemptive power of the sacrifice of Jesus makes possible the answering of prayer, even misdirected prayer. On this basis, a new account of how we should understand prayer being answered is offered, and this is developed into some modest reflections on the proper practice of prayer within Christian communities, paying specific attention to early English Baptist debates.’

The book can be downloaded as a pdf from here.

Matt Rusten on Pastoring for Monday

Matt Rusten, Pastoring for Monday: Help Your Congregation Integrate Faith and Work, Made to Flourish Resources (Downers Grove: IVP, 2026).

I read the above book in a couple of sittings. I enjoyed it so much, I took the (unusual for me) step of writing a brief shout-out on goodreads:

‘Excellent! Not just for those in church leadership or who preach regularly, but for those who’d like to go beyond ‘Bible and Work 101’ in reflecting further on integrating faith and work. Lots of fresh insights on old topics and well-worn biblical passages in this area (the final chapter’s reflections on Ecclesiastes through the lenses of unenchantment, enchantment, disenchantment, reenchantment being a case in point). Highly recommended.’

Sophie de Witt on Contentment

Every so often, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. At the moment (April 2026) it’s Compared to Her: How to Experience True Contentment by Sophie de Witt – exploring our struggles with ‘Compulsive Comparison Syndrome’ and applying gospel truths to help us find true contentment.

The book is available in exchange for an email address here.

Ivan Mesa et al. on Deconstructing Doubt

The Gospel Coalition is currently offering the following book free of charge (well, in exchange for an email address):

Ivan Mesa (ed.), Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church (Austin: The Gospel Coalition, 2021).

Details here.

Courtney Reissig on the Psalms (and Emotions)

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (January 2026) it’s Teach Me to Feel: Worshiping Though the Psalms in Every Season of Life by Courtney Reissig – meditations on 24 selected psalms, looking at emotions ranging from shame, anxiety, and anger through to gratitude, hope, and joy. The book is available in exchange for an email address here.

Andrew Wilson on Christmas

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (December 2025) it’s It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas: Joys That Make the Season Special by Andrew Wilson – taking us to the first Christmas to show that what can make our Christmases truly special is Jesus, the light of the world – which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Melissa B. Kruger on Praying for your Children

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (November 2025) it’s 5 Things to Pray for Your Kids: Prayers That Change Things for the Next Generation – helping you pray for your children ‘in line with God’s Word, aligning your heart with his purposes for them’ – which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Gary Millar on Living and Leading Like Jesus

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (July 2025) it’s Both/And Ministry: Living and Leading Like Jesus, by Gary Millar, which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Trillia Newbell et al. on Being Beautifully Distinct

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (June 2025) it’s Beautifully Distinct: Conversations with Friends on Faith, Life, and Culture, edited by Trillia Newbell, which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Rebecca McLaughlin on Easter

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (March 2025) it’s Is Easter Unbelievable? Four Questions Everyone Should Ask about the Resurrection Story by Rebecca McLaughlin, a short but excellent exploration of the reality and significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Stephen McAlpine on Being the Bad Guys

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (February 2025) it’s Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World That Says You Shouldn’t, by Stephen McAlpine, which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Michael Bird et al. on Paul Within Judaism

Michael F. Bird, Ruben A. Bühner, Jörg Frey, and Brian Rosner (eds). Paul within Judaism: Perspectives on Paul and Jewish Identity (WUNT 507; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2023).

Thanks to a generous grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation, this book (typically very expensive) is freely available here.

The collection of essays is based on an online scholarly conference sponsored by the Australian College of Theology and hosted by Ridley College back in 2021.

According to the blurb:

‘This conference volume features cutting edge research from an international cohort of scholars on the still-controversial debates regarding Paul’s relationship with Judaism. Taken together, the contributions represent a sympathetic but critical assessment of the Paul within Judaism approach to Pauline interpretation. They take up many of the key questions germane to the debate, including different perspectives on Jewish identity, ethnicity, Torah-observance, halakha, the relationship between Jewish and non-Jewish followers of Christ, and the contested character of Jewish identity in antiquity. By combining a broad swath of both German- and English-language scholarship, the volume attempts to bring different perspectives into conversation with each other.’

Tim Chester on Life with Jesus

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (January 2025) it’s Life with Jesus: A Discipleship Course for Every Christian, by Tim Chester, which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Last year, our church bought each adult (100 or so) a copy of this book and we worked through its Bible passages in a Sunday morning preaching series, using the questions in the book in small groups during the week. It worked really well for us. It served as a great primer for newer Christians and a good ‘reset’ button for others who have already been round the block a few times.

Christopher Ash on Luke 1–2

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (December 2024) it’s Repeat the Sounding Joy: A Daily Advent Devotional on Luke 1–2, by Christopher Ash, which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Melissa Zaldivar on Loss

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (November 2024) it’s What Cannot Be Lost: How Jesus Holds Us Together When Life Is Falling Apart, by Melissa Zaldivar, which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Dan Strange on Making Faith Magnetic

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (October 2024) it’s Making Faith Magnetic: Five Hidden Themes Our Culture Can't Stop Talking About… And How to Connect Them to Christ, by Dan Strange, which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Tony Merida on Church

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (August 2024) it’s Gather: Loving Your Church as You Celebrate Christ Together by Tony Merida, which is available in exchange for an email address here.

Christopher Ash on Zeal Without Burnout

Every month, The Good Book Company make available digital versions of one of their books at no charge. This month (July 2024) it’s Zeal Without Burnout: Seven Keys to a Lifelong Ministry of Sustainable Sacrifice by Christopher Ash, which is available in exchange for an email address here.