Three Westminster John Knox Press (WJK) titles have recently been awarded as 2011 Books of the Year. What Was Lost: A Christian Journey through Miscarriage was named the 2011 Christian Living Book of the Year by Christianity Today. Written by United Methodist pastor Elise Erikson Barrett, What Was Lost offers theological and practical guidance for parents who have suffered the devastation of miscarriage. Barrett draws on her own painful experiences and interviews others who have experienced the loss. This is the fourth time in five years that a WJK book has been recognized as a Christianity Today Book of the Year and the second time in the Christian Living category. Virginia Stem Owens's Caring for Mother: A Daughter's Long Goodbye was awarded in this category in 2008. Elise Barrett discusses her experiences in an interview on WJK's monthly podcast, WJK Radio with Dan and Jana.
Mark by William C. Placher was named the 2011 Reference Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy. This is the second consecutive year a WJK book has been recognized in this category. Revelation, in the New Testament Library series, by Brian K. Blount received this award in 2010. Mark is the inaugural volume in WJK's new series, Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible. The volumes in Belief are theologically-focused commentaries that consider the contemporary relevance of the biblical texts for the church today. Placher, who was a co-general editor of the series with Amy Plantinga Pauw, passed away unexpectedly prior to the publication of Mark. WJK has dedicated the entire series to his memory. Amy Pauw talks about Placher's volume and the series as a whole in an interview on WJK Radio with Dan and Jana.
The Academy of Parish Clergy also released its annual list of Top Ten Books of the Year for parish ministry. Included was Preaching the Gospel of Matthew: Proclaiming God’s Presence by Stanley P. Saunders. Saunders works through every passage of Matthew's Gospel with a keen sensitivity to the demands of preaching. He includes pertinent tips for preachers on how to use the text and apply Matthew’s narrative to today’s churchgoers.
These books can be purchased at discounts of 40%-50% from The Thoughtful Christian website.