Victor H. Matthews

A Biblical Morning & Evening Prayer Manual

Prayer & Spiritual Formation

“As is so often the case in Boyer’s work, this new volume on Morning and Evening Prayer is a careful guide to developing an enhanced level of spirituality. Many people pray, but few can do it effectively or as a spiritual regimen. This volume serves as a guide throughout the liturgical year to incorporate prayer on a regular basis to start and end the day. The incentive Boyer provides for daily reflection can quickly become an ongoing blessing.”

Biblical Creation Stories

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Creation stories have always fascinated us. They answer the question of where it all began and what our place is within creation. Boyer opens the facets of biblical creation by starting with the Genesis account and then expanding into wisdom, psalms, and prophetic literature as well as New Testament writings to demonstrate how pervasive creation is to the ancient Israelites and how relevant it is to modern readers. His invitation to journal or meditate about these passages and his reflections makes this an excellent interactive tool.”

Biblical Names for God

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“Mark Boyer has provided many helpful volumes with which to explore Scripture and spirituality. His latest on the names of God gives readers the opportunity to consider a fuller range of God’s being, encompassing both private and communal ways of invoking the divine. No one name can do this. Thus, it is essential to learn and reflect on these names (compiled here in alphabetical order) and how each one enriches our understanding of God in our lives.”

Biblical Prophets from A to Z

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Mark Boyer has once again produced a creative way of examining the biblical narrative and provided a map that allows readers to walk through the text with the prophetic figures as his steppingstones. Not content to only discuss well-known prophets like Isaiah or Jeremiah, he boldly explores lesser known and unnamed figures who have contributed to the prophetic landscape. Readers will find this volume to be both instructive and entertaining while at the same time allowing them to reflect on the role and the importance of these individuals who are so integral to the development of biblical theology.”

Consider Leviathan

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Brian Doak navigates a new course in his study of the sufferings of Job. Instead of concentrating on legal issues or the pact between Satan and God, he has delved into the use of nature symbolism within the narrative and the construction of self as Job’s character evolves. In the process, he challenges scholars to take a fresh and more in-depth look at how animal imagery and ecology influence the composition and purpose of the work. Particularly fresh is his examination of these animals and natural phenomena within the context of ancient Near Eastern tradition and the social and environmental world portrayed in the Bible.”

Conversing with God

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Conversation analysis has been applied to various types of biblical writings, but not to prayers. Terry Giles has now produced a volume that does exactly that . . . . What makes this particularly important is that prayer is the most intimate form of interaction between God and humans. . . . Giles is to be thanked for adding this dimension to biblical studies.”

Divine Presence

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“In a skillful way, Boyer provides a volume that not only walks the reader through the elements associated with biblical theophanies, but makes it clear how these events were tied to an understanding of their work by the ancients and their acceptance of divine power being manifested in natural phenomena. He then provides a valuable companion section that addresses how modern readers can gain value from these ancient stories. In this way, what could otherwise be dismissed as unscientific accounts is transformed into the opportunity for reflection and prayer from a contemporary perspective.”

Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible

World Religions

“Currids volume is a useful introduction to archaeologyits history, vocabulary, and methodsfor the beginner. The systematic unveiling of these themes provides a stratigraphy for study that many students and lay persons will find fascinating. In addition, the short bibliographies add substance to the work, allowing readers to take the additional step of further study. Such aids to first-time student excavators have often taken the form of Xeroxed handouts. Currid has provided them with an easy reference work that they can read on the plane to Israel and pull out during the excavation to explain what is happening around them.”

Eavesdropping on Paul

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Correspondence such as Paul’s to the newly established Christian churches is a genre now foreign to modern readers. Yet it indicates social context and allows Paul to instruct, remonstrate, express his love, and encourage them to hold to their beliefs. Boyer, in his work on the seven authentic letters of Paul, provides a systematic guide to reading this correspondence as well as the opportunity for personal reflection and spiritual growth. He makes one reading Paul not just an eavesdropper, but a recipient hearing it for the first time.”

Final Shelbydog Chronicles

Fiction

“Anyone who has lived with, been owned by, cherished, and suffered with a dog will find this chronicle both a spiritual journey and one difficult to read because it is so relatable. The Shelbydog Chronicles have given us the joys and the responsibilities of sharing our lives with animals, and this final volume makes it clear that the bond between us and our pets parallels our lives with family and friends. Readers will be blessed and emotionally stretched by Boyer’s ability to relate the path we travel when we adopt a pet.”

Four Catholic Pioneers in Missouri: Lamarque, Kenrick, Fox, and Hogan

History & Biography

“Too often the pioneers and their work are forgotten. In this volume, four of these pioneers who were integral to the growth and development of the Roman Catholic faith in rural Missouri are spotlighted and given their due. A biographical history such as this is welcome to fill in the gaps.”

From Contemplation to Action

Prayer & Spiritual Formation

“It is refreshing in a world in which we are battered by the cacophony of sounds, social media, and constantly interacting with other people to find a work that advocates silence and quiet contemplation. The Elijah-Elisha narratives are a perfect vehicle modelling the value of filtering out all distractions and striving instead to listen for God's voice and intention. The format of this volume allows an easy step through the stories and challenges the reader to take the time to consider, pray, and journal about his or her experience with the text. It achieves its goal of demonstrating the interaction between contemplation and activity in one's spiritual life.”

Genesis

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Petersen’s commentary on Genesis provides a readable evaluation of this foundational book, drawing it together from the perspective of family and geography. His approach is primarily literary with close attention to ancient Near Eastern parallels and text-critical variants. It is a welcome addition to the literature on Genesis and as such will be an asset for scholars, clergy, and those interested in studying the narrative accounts of Israel’s origins.”

His Mercy Endures Forever

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“Too often a biblical word or phrase is used out of context. Mark Boyer provides a disciplined way to read, reflect, and pray about the many meanings of the word mercy. The result is an opportunity to consider how we ask for, employ, and sometimes withhold mercy. He also demonstrates in his examination of texts from both Testaments and the Apocrypha the need for God’s grace and forgiveness. This volume is an excellent guide to self-discipline and meditation on the relationship between humanity and God.”

Interpreting the Prophets

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Chalmers has captured the essentials for students, clergy and lay persons interested in studying the biblical prophets. His short handbook provides helpful insights on how to read, interpret and place in context these prophetic writings. Particularly useful are his numerous insets asking the reader to 'go deeper' and 'consider this' as they prepare to read the prophetic writings critically as a coherent body of literature and preach on the historical, social and theological aspects of the material. While suggesting a pathway to a more effective use of the prophets, he sounds the necessary cautions and suggests how to avoid pitfalls that can lead to superficial or incorrect readings.”

Landscapes of Memory

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“While sensory and geographical models have previously been applied to the biblical narrative, the unique aspect of Emma Austin's volume is her ability to combine them with memory studies, creating an effective argument for applying the sensory and reflective steps of mnemonature to the interpretation of the text. She utilizes a comfortable, very personal narrative that encourages the reader to explore the text, not just as a written story but as a lived experience. In this way, the world of the Bible comes alive with associations to the covenant promise, natural phenomena, and very real personal experiences as the reader and characters travel through the land together.”

Monthly Entries for the Spiritual but not Religious through the Year

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“From the most whimsical (Love Your Pet Day, National Tattoo Day) to modern day celebrations (Groundhog Day, Superbowl Sunday) to our most cherished holidays (Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, Kwanza), this short catalog of celebratory days provides little known facts, a listing of what has been and what has become a part of our lives, and allows us to stop a moment and think about what we hold most precious.”

More Shelbydog Chronicles

“For those who enjoyed the first volume of the Shelbydog Chronicles, this latest offering not only continues the story but brings fresh dimensions to the relationship between a dog and her friend Mark Boyer. It quickly becomes clear that the bond between pets and people is both a physical and spiritual one. The added feature of reflection questions draws the reader into common health issues and personalizes the story of their life together. Highly recommended for all pet lovers.”

My Life of Ministry, Writing, Teaching, and Traveling

History & Biography

“In a no-holds-barred recital of his role as parish priest, educator, newsletter editor, and author, Boyer provides a detailed and often bitterly honest account of his career. Readers will find his frank portrayals of fellow priests, bishops, and other administrators a realistic and at times jarring exposé on the trials faced by priests who do not always fit into the mold decried for them. The anecdotes about travel, teaching, and writing present a life and a faith evolving into an existence he eventually created for himself despite the obstacles and frustrations he had to face. This memoir may surprise some readers, amuse others, and in general make them aware that a priest’s life is not all roses.”

Psalms

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Bellinger has created an excellent primer for the Psalms. I like his use of examples in each section and his references in each chapter to what has gone before.”