Paula Gooder

There are several fallacies that attend book-buying and reading. Among them are the suggestions that the best books to read are written by the most well-known authors (often, Christian scholars and pastors) and that the most helpful books are not short in length (that is, they're pretty lengthy, which makes them exhaustive and, too often, exhausting). This short book by Alan E. Craddock (nope, I don't know him either - no offence, Alan) explodes those myths.

Not only that, this is a book on a show more vital, overlooked aspect of pastoral ministry, in its fullest sense. It deserves to have a wide readership. It will help many more people than simply those who read it.

So what's it about and how does it set-out to deal with its topic? Craddock's aim is "to provide a psychologically and theologically grounded basis for thinking deeply about perfectionism and for practical recommendations to be founded on this." (p.14) He identifies what could be "loosely called unhealthy and healthy perfectionism" and brings to bear on the subject his familiarity and fluency in both psychology and theology. He also has his feet firmly tied to the ground. You'll find much in here that can be applied into a variety of pastoral situations, not least raising children.

This book is such a helpful blend of psychological insight, theological wisdom and practical common-sense. It will help a wide range of people, not only those engaged in ministry (its target readership). It would help those who aren't dealing with perfectionism in their own life, both in terms of helping others but also for insights it will still yield about themselves. Unlike some books, this one does not trade in dramatic claims; it doesn't overplay its significance, nor is it a vehicle from promoting its author. It simply wants to be helpful to others - and it is.

Are there any flies in its ointment? Of course there are gaps - I might have appreciated more on the importance of positional sanctification, for example; no book is perfect after all. But I'm still giving it a five-star rating.

(My copy of the book was kindly provided for review purposes by Alban Books, who did not ask for a positive review in return) show less

You have to ask yourself when you are reading a beginners guide to the bible.....Where is the author coming from? After all, the bible is held out by many different religions as being the inspired word of god. So it's not just your ordinary piece of pulp fiction. And Paula Gooder doesn't come through as a totally impartial observer or commentator. She is the Canon theologian at Salisbury Cathedralin the UK. However, that being said, I think she has done a pretty good job of being reasonably show more objective. And if there is bias it is probably in what is omitted rather than what is included. She doesn't give much attention to the various books that were in wide circulation prior to AD 400 when the current canon were more or less settled. I think she also gives a bit too much weight to the idea that the "best books" were selected by a kind of Darwinian evolution (or god driven guidance) to end up as the current canon. (See Lost Christianities by Bart Ehrman). And, It is quite possible, that another sort of Christianity might have emerged as the dominant form if some of the books had not been forcibly suppressed...and if Augustine of Hippo had not been able to marshal the full force of the Roman forces behind his interpretation of Christianity. We might have had a version where Christ was not god but a good man. And we might have had a version where there was a good god and a bad god.
One thing that Gooder has done rather well is develop an historical summary of where the various books of the bible fit into contemporary history and the various genres of books such as Law, history, worship (Psalms) prophecy, wisdom teaching, apocalyptic, gospels letters, sermons. She also does rather well in drawing attention to the various forms of the Hebrew Bible, and the various versions of the bible that include or exclude the Apocrypha, and other books. Also, in drawing attention to the problems of translation with Mary being translated as either a "young woman" or a "virgin"....with massive consequences for how Mary might be treated by the various religions.
I must say, that I often wondered why the King James version of the bible simply sounded better (to my ear) that many of the modern translations. Was it because, I had grown up with it and learned passages by heart...or was it something intrinsic. Gooder points out that the it was designed to be read out aloud and so the translators sat about reading to each other and picking the version that sounded the best. They even used archaic words at the time if it sounded good. (So such words are truly archaic today).
I was surprised that she does not speculate very much (if at all) about who actually penned most of the old testament. I have read suggestions that is was women (maybe several women ) who put together the texts after the exile in Babylon or during it. This might not be so unusual as, in Japan, the Tales of the Genji" were written by women...who were educated and had time on their hands.
Anyway, bottom line is that Gooder has done a fairly good job (in keeping with her name) of presenting a reasonably introduction for beginners to the bible. I might try and get my son to read it (the bible) as it is such an important book in our culture and history...but it's a bit hard to slug your way through Leviticus or Numbers. I give it three stars. show less

This book examines what heaven is, and Paula Gooder applies her considerable scholarship to understanding the biblical idea of heaven. She draws on biblical, deutero-canonical books and the rabbinic literature in her survey of the subject, concluding with an examination of what an understanding of heaven means for Christians in the here-and-now. As usual with Paula Gooder, it is written in an easy-to-read style, bringing great scholarship into the everyday world. A must-read for any show more Christian who thinks we will spend eternity in a disembodied heavenly existence. show less

Much like Shadow of the Galilean, only about the early church in Rome. Definitely intend to try it as a study with parishioners. A very engaging and enjoyable read.