This delightful new collection of short-form poetry from former Edinburgh Makar Alan Spence is a descendant of his bestselling cult classic Glasgow Zen.Haiku and senryu, translations from the Japanese; found poems, sound poems, visual and text poems, puns and one-liners, overheard word-on-the-street poems, everyday zen; timeless poems of the here and now, capturing moments of stillness and surprise; poignant, insightful and touching, shot through with warmth and humour – a...

A classic of short fiction, Alan Spence’s celebrated debut collection, first published in 1977, brings Glasgow to vibrant life and captures the spirit of the city as it teetered on the brink of change. From childhood Christmases in small tenement flats and games played on scrubland, to Orange Walks on bright Saturday afternoons and Thursday nights in dark, pulsing dancehalls, these interlinked stories vividly evoke the city and its inhabitants – young and old, Catholic and Protestant, hope...

*Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2024 Longlist*Lovers of Haiku, Zen and Japan will find this novel truly inspiring!An extraordinary man at a crucial time and place."In Mister Timeless Blyth, writer Alan Spence has created a fascinating (auto) biography, convincingly in R.H. Blyth's own voice. In it, he has conveyed the haiku scholar's love of music, eastern and western literature, Zen Buddhism, a...

A study of Paul's letter to the Galatians as a way to understanding the nature of the gospel, justification by faith, the law, the Holy Spirit, Christian freedom, being one with Christ, and the challenges those truths faced in Paul's day, at certain key stages in the history of the Church, and today. This accessible study reveals Paul's argument in Galatians and applies it to today's church.COMMENDATIONS"Written to some of the earliest Christian communities to resolve an urg...

This book offers a fresh outline of the Christian story shaped by the idea of God's love as it is described in the New Testament.Love Hurts is a fresh and compact summary of the central themes of the Christian message. Journeying through the Bible's rich and diverse world of ideas and stories, it leads the reader on a route mapped out by one particular motif - the love of God. The meaning of this idea as it is explained in three key verses in the New Testament determines t...

Through engagement with the historical debate Incarnation and Inspiration offers a systematic exposition of the person of Jesus that brings together dissonant aspects of the tradition. It serves as an introduction to the theology to John Owen, the most able of the Puritan theologians and provides a way of understanding the theological dynamic underlying the Christology of the Fathers and the Definition of Chalcedon. Through its emphasis on coherence it seeks to illuminate the inner rationa...

Today Christology is of concern to both New Testament scholars and theologians alike and continues to provoke debate within the Church. Christology: A Guide for the Perplexed examines the key debates and defining moments in the early Church and the Reformation. After a brief introduction providing a basic definition of Christology, this historical background provides an essential foundation on which to outline later developments in Christology. Alan Spence then considers the Quest...

A collection of three stories to mark the Leap Year by Laura Marney, Ruth Thomas and Alan Spence.The Leap Year Tales are:'Aw Wrong' by Laura MarneyFacing the imminent birth of their first child, a couple take steps to try to influence the course of nature.Read by Gabriel Quigley.'February Alone' by Ruth ThomasAn intended romantic lunch goes strangely awry. Will a gift of lingerie help save the hour?Read b...

Published to mark John Herdman's 80th birthday in 2021.Writers, academics, publishers and literary figures from Britain, Europe and North America came together to celebrate Scottish novelist and critic, John Herdman.The cast of Not Dark Yet are John Herdman's contemporaries and friends, his students and readers.This celebration of John Herdman is witness to the strength of admiration that exists for this Scottish writer's work, a body of writing that extends over a ...

With a foreword by Iain Sinclair.London is an ancient city, whose foundation dates back literally thousands of years into the legendary prehistory of these islands. Not surprisingly it has accumulated a large number of stories, both historic and mythical, during this period, many of which, though faithfully recorded at the time, have lain almost forgotten in dusty libraries throughout the city.The Secret Lore of London is a guide to the legends, including a discuss...

Theology—the study of God—is a concern for every believer, not just theologians or those in ministry. It's the goal of good theology to humble us before the triune God of majesty as we come to understand him better. This is a book of and about good theology.Award-winning author, theologian, and professor Michael Horton wrote The Christian Faith as a book of systematic theology and doctrine "that can be preached, experienced, and lived, as well as ...

In "The History of London," Walter Besant presents a comprehensive and engaging narrative that weaves together the city's rich tapestry of events, figures, and transformations from its ancient roots to the dawn of the 20th century. Besant employs a blend of meticulous research and vivid storytelling, capturing the essence of London's diverse culture and its pivotal role in shaping English history. His attention to detail and his ability to convey the spirit of the city provide readers with...