Books listed in order of publication, newest first.
Lydia: A Story 2022
In her second work of fiction, Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder tells Lydia’s story – who she was, the life she lived and her first-century faith – and in doing so opens up Paul’s letter to the Philippians, giving a sense of the cultural and historical pressures that shaped Paul’s thinking, and the faith of the early church.
Journaling the Psalms: A Guide for Reflection and Prayer 2022
A thoughtful guide to prayer and reflection on the Psalms with plenty of space for journalling. In this beautifully designed hardback journal, theologian Paula Gooder leads readers through fifteen favourite Psalms, offering insight and tips on how to pray and reflect on some of the most profound poetry in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Women of Holy Week: An Easter Journey in Nine Stories 2022
In the style of her bestselling Phoebe, Paula Gooder uses her extensive biblical expertise to retell the events of the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension through the eyes of nine female characters she imagines accompanying Jesus during these momentous days.
Parables 2020
Covering every parable, this volume focuses on some of the best-known stories in the gospels, mining their meaning afresh today. It considers why Jesus spoke in pictures and opens up the world behind the parables to reveal just how striking, memorable and challenging they were for their original hearers.
Phoebe: A Story 2018
In this, her first work of fiction, Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder tells Phoebe’s story – who she was, the life she lived and her first-century faith – and in doing so opens up Paul’s theology, giving a sense of the cultural and historical pressures that shaped Paul’s thinking, and the faith of the early church.
Let Me Go There: The Spirit of Lent 2016
This book completes the popular series on the seasons of the Christian year and is a daily companion for the six weeks of Lent, leading readers deeper into the spirit of the season and opening up the scriptures that are read in churches during this period.
Love Life Live Advent Youth and Adult Version (with Peter Babington, CHP: 2016)
A companion booklet to the earlier Love Life Live Advent Children version, with the same actions but additional short readings, prayers and reflections.
Body Biblical Spirituality for the Whole Person (SPCK: 2016)
Paula Gooder explores what these six key concepts mean in the Bible, especially in the writings of Paul, before moving on to explore what Paul intended by the contrasts he drew, and what implications this all has for the way we think and speak about our spirituality today.
The Joy of the Gospel: A six-week study on sharing faith CHP, 30 Nov 2015
Widely recognised as offering wisdom and vision for all Christians in a culture that is often hostile to the church, Evangelii Gaudium offers a positive and realistic approach to sharing faith in the modern world. Paula Gooder introduces its key themes to readers in all denominations and challenges them to consider its application in their own contexts.
Journey to the Manger Exploring the birth of Jesus (Canterbury Press: 2015)
A devotional commentary on the birth narratives.
Where on Earth is Heaven? A Little Book of Guidance (SPCK: 2015)
A shorter version of Paula’s 2011 book Heaven.
Pilgrim Course A Course for the Christian Journey (with Stephen Cottrell, Steven Croft and Robert Atwell, CHP: 2013-2015)
Pilgrim is a major new teaching and discipleship resource from the Church of England in 8 modules of 6 sessions each.
Love Life Live Advent Children version (with Peter Babington, CHP: 2014)
A resource to help families mark Advent well together
Journeying with John Hearing the Voice of John's Gospels in Years A, B, and C (with James Woodward and Mark Pryce, SPCK: 2014)
One of four volumes exploring biblical, poetic and practical ways into the Lectionary Gospels.
Journey to the Empty Tomb Biblical Explorations (Canterbury Press, 2014)
A devotional commentary on the last week of Jesus’ life.
1 Enoch A New Introduction (SPCK, 2013)
A New Introduction to the classic text of 1 Enoch
Echoing the Word The Bible in the Eucharist (with Michael Perham, SPCK, 2013)
An introduction to and reflection on the biblical themes that run all the way through the Eucharistic texts of the Church of England’s Common Worship service book
Journeying with Matthew Bringing the Gospel Alive for Groups and Individuals in Year A
One of four volumes exploring biblical, poetic and practical ways into the Lectionary Gospels.
The Bible A Beginner's Guide (Oneworld, 2013)
An introduction to the Bible looking at its history, the formation of the canon, the genres it contains as well as its influence.
Love Life Live Lent: Be The Change Youth and Adult version (with Peter Babington, CHP, 2012)
A small booklet offering a reflection and action for everyday in Lent.
Love Life Live Lent: Be the Change For Kids (with Peter Babington, CHP, 2012)
An action a day for everyday in Lent.
Everyday God The Spirit of the Ordinary (Canterbury Press, 2012)
Biblically inspired reflections on the importance of ordinariness.
Journeying with Luke Bringing the Gospel Alive FOR GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS IN YEAR C (with James Woodward and Mark Pryce, SPCK, 2012)
One of four volumes exploring biblical, poetic and practical ways into the Lectionary Gospels.
Heaven (SPCK, 2011)
Paula Gooder considers the ways in which the Bible sees heaven and earth connecting, and explores all the major strands of belief about life after death, including the role of paradise, and what happens between death and resurrection. She shows how the biblical writers see heaven and earth as closely connected, so that what happens in heaven affects events on earth and vice versa.
Journeying with Mark Bringing the Gospel Alive for Groups and Individuals in year B (with James Woodward and Mark Pryce, SPCK 2011)
One of four volumes exploring biblical, poetic and practical ways into the Lectionary Gospels.
The Risen Existence The Spirit of Easter (Canterbury Press, 2009)
Reflections on resurrection for the Easter season.
A Way Through the Wilderness God's Help in a Time of Crisis (CHP, 2009)
A five session course exploring God’s help as laid out in Isaiah 40.
Reader Ministry Explored (with Cathy Rowling, SPCK, 2009)
A practical guide to Reader ministry in the Church of England.
Lentwise Spiritual Essentials for Real Life (CHP, 2008)
A bible study course based on the ‘I am’ sayings from John’s Gospel.
Searching for Meaning An Introduction to Interpreting the New Testament (SPCK, 2008)
An introduction to some of they different ways of interpreting the New Testament
The Meaning is in the Waiting The Spirit of Advent
Reflections on waiting for the Advent season
Only the Third Heaven? 2 Corinthians 12.1-10 and Heavenly Ascent (The Library of New Testament Studies, T&T Clark, 2006)
An exploration of 2 Corinthians 12.1-10 in the light of the heavenly ascent tradition.
Hosea to Micah The People's Bible Commentary (BRF, 2005)
A devotional commentary on the first six minor prophets
Exploring New Testament Greek A Way In (with Peter Kevern; SCM Press, 2004)
A way into learning New Testament Greek
The Pentateuch A Story of Beginnings (T&T Clarke, 2005)
An Introduction to Modern Scholarship on the Pentateuch
