Neil Gardner has narrated 11 audiobooks on Listento.it by 8 authors, with an average listener rating of 4.6★ across 10 ratings. The most-rated is Basic Christianity.
Basic Christianity
Summary
'If Jesus was not God in human flesh, Christianity is exploded,' writes John Stott. 'We are left with just another religion with some beautiful ideas and noble ethics; its unique distinction has gone.' Who is Jesus Christ? If he is not who he said he was, and if he did not do what he said he had come to do, the whole superstructure of Christianity crumbles in ruin. Is it plausible that Jesus was truly divine? And what would that mean for us? John Stott's clear, classic book, now updated, examines the historical facts on which Christianity stands. Here is a sound, sensible guide for all who seek an intellectually satisfying explanation of the Christian faith. John Stott was one of the key figures of evangelicalism throughout the 20th century, leading up to his death in 2011. He was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and spent much of his life in ministry at All Souls, Langham Place.
©2017 John Stott (P)2017 Inter-Varsity Press, Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd
Surprised by Hope
Summary
What do Christians hope for? To leave this wicked world and go to 'heaven'? For the 'kingdom of God' to grow gradually on earth? What do we mean by the 'resurrection of the body', and how does that fit with the popular image of sitting on clouds playing harps? And how does all this affect the way we live in the here and now? Tom Wright, one of our leading theologians, addresses these questions in this provocative and wide-ranging new book. He outlines the present confusion about future hope in both church and world. Then, having explained why Christians believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus himself, he explores the biblical hope for 'new heavens and new earth' and shows how the 'second coming' of Jesus, and the eventual resurrection, belong within that larger picture, together with the intermediate hope for 'heaven'. For many, including many Christians, all this will come as a great surprise. Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. For if God intends to renew the whole creation - and if this has already begun in Jesus's resurrection - the church cannot stop at 'saving souls' but must anticipate the eventual renewal by working for God's kingdom in the wider world, bringing healing and hope in the present life. Lively and accessible, this book will surprise and excite all who are interested in the meaning of life not only after death but before it. Tom Wright is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews. He is the author of over 50 books.
©2011 Tom Wright, SPCK (P)2019 SPCK, Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd
The History of Philosophy
Summary
“A witty, learned, authoritative survey of philosophical thought.” (The New York Times Book Review) The first authoritative and accessible single-volume history of philosophy to cover both Western and Eastern traditions, from one of the world’s most eminent thinkers The story of philosophy is an epic tale, spanning civilizations and continents. It explores some of the most creative minds in history. But not since the long-popular classic by Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, published in 1945, has there been a comprehensive and entertaining single-volume history of this great, intellectual, world-shaping journey. With characteristic clarity and elegance, A. C. Grayling takes the listener from the age of the Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates through Christianity’s capture of the European mind, from the Renaissance and Enlightenment on to Mill, Nietzsche, Sartre and, finally, philosophy today. Surveying in tandem the great philosophical traditions of India, China, and the Persian-Arabic world, and astonishing in its range and accessibility, Grayling’s The History of Philosophy is destined to be a landmark work.
©2019 A. C. Grayling (P)2019 Penguin Audio
Being Human
Summary
What is consciousness? Is the mind a machine? What makes us persons? How can we find the path to human maturity? These are among the fundamental questions that Rowan Williams helps us to think about in this deeply engaging exploration of what it means to be human. The book ends with a brief but profound meditation on the person of Christ, inviting us to consider how, through him, 'our humanity in all its variety, in all its vulnerability, has been taken into the heart of the divine life'. With discussion questions for personal or group use at the end of each chapter, this is a book that listeners of all religious persuasions will find both challenging and highly rewarding. Contents What is consciousness? What is a person? Bodies, minds and thoughts Faith and human flourishing Silence and human maturity Epilogue: humanity transfigured
©2018 Rowan Williams, SPCK (P)2019 SPCK, Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd
The Gospel
Summary
Part of the Contemporary Christian series. John Stott's best-selling volume, The Contemporary Christian: An Urgent Plea for Double Listening, updated and presented for today's audience. What is the authentic gospel? How do we answer the sceptics? Christianity is not a religion but God's good news for the world. This implies that it has both a divine origin and a human relevance: it comes from God, and it speaks to our condition. So, before we ask, 'What is the gospel?', we need to ask, 'What is a human being?' Chapter one: The human paradox looks at what the Bible teaches and what our experience endorses: the glory and shame of our humanness, both our dignity as creatures made in God's image and our depravity as sinners under his judgement. Chapter two: Human freedom: what is traditionally called 'salvation', seen in terms of 'authentic freedom'. Chapters three and four: The central themes of the death and resurrection of Jesus, securing our freedom. This section also looks at a number of objections and denials. Chapter five: The far-reaching implications, both for faith and for life. Radical indeed is the discipleship which takes all of this and Christ's lordship seriously. It's nothing short of a life-changing message. About the author: John Stott exercised a worldwide ministry as a church leader, Bible expositor and author. His best-selling books have been translated into numerous languages, won several awards and shaped whole generations of ministers, thinkers, writers and bloggers. John was Rector Emeritus of All Souls Langham Place, London, and Founder-President of the Langham Partnership. He was awarded the CBE in the Queen's 2006 New Year honours.
©2020 John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press (P)2020 Inter-Varsity Press, Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd
Advent for Everyone
Summary
Join Tom Wright on a journey with the apostles, exploring the New Testament themes of thankfulness, patience, humility and joy. Within each of these themes, Wright offers a week of daily readings and meditations, beginning with the Sunday reading in the Revised Common Lectionary and ending with stimulating questions for personal reflection or group discussion. Drawing on key passages in his popular For Everyone series of commentaries, these sparkling reflections take you on a journey of spiritual enlightenment, guiding you towards the wonder and joy of Christmas.
©2017 Professor Tom Wright (P)2017 SPCK, Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd
Mark for Everyone
Summary
Tom Wright's eye-opening comments on the gospel and what it might mean for us are combined, passage by passage, with his own fresh and involving translation. Making use of his true scholar's understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the urgency and excitement of Mark's gospel in a way few writers have. Tom Wright has completed a tremendous task: to provide comprehensive guides to all the books of the New Testament and to furnish them with his own fresh translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly listenable commentary with helpful background information. The format makes it appropriate also for daily study. About the author: Tom Wright is research professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews. His recent books include Surprised by Scripture, Simply Good News, Paul and the Faithfulness of God, Paul and His Recent Interpreters, The Paul Debate, God in Public, Advent for Everyone: A Journey Through Matthew and The Day the Revolution Began.
©2014 Tom Wright, SPCK (P)2021 SPCK, Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd
Chester Parsons Is Not a Gorilla
Summary
A fast-paced, mind-boggling and hilarious yet thought-provoking listen from the author of The Imagination Box series. When Chester discovers he can mind jump, his sister Amy wastes no time in putting his new skills to work boosting the viewing figures on her video blog. And when a TV company takes them global, he does his most daring mind jump yet, into the brain of Tito the gorilla. The trouble is, when he tries to return to his own body - it's gone! Has it been stolen? But who would want it, and why? And how come Chester suddenly has the urge to search Amy's hair for fleas?
©2019 Martyn Ford (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd
Lorenz
Summary
The breaking of the Enigma machine is one of the most heroic stories of the Second World War and highlights the crucial work of the codebreakers of Bletchley Park, which prevented Britain's certain defeat in 1941. But there was another German cipher machine, used by Hitler himself to convey messages to his top generals in the field. A machine more complex and secure than Enigma. A machine that could never be broken. For 60 years no one knew about Lorenz or 'Tunny', or the determined group of men who finally broke the code and thus changed the course of the war. Many of them went to their deaths without anyone knowing of their achievements. Here, for the first time, senior codebreaker Captain Jerry Roberts tells the complete story of this extraordinary feat of intellect and of his struggle to get his wartime colleagues the recognition they deserve. The work carried out at Bletchley Park during the war to partially automate the process of breaking Lorenz, which had previously been done entirely by hand, was groundbreaking and is recognised as having kick-started the modern computer age.
©2017 Jerry Roberts (P)2017 Audible, Ltd
The Disciple
Summary
Part of the Contemporary Christian series. John Stott's best-selling volume, The Contemporary Christian: An Urgent Plea for Double Listening, updated and presented for today's audience. If Christ is our Lord, then we are his servants, and if he is our teacher, then we are his pupils. Following Christ is a multi-faceted responsibility. We should remember: Every true disciple is a listener. We are both rational and emotional. We can discern God's call and will. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit, a core ingredient of discipleship. About the author John Stott exercised a worldwide ministry as a church leader, Bible expositor and author. His best-selling books have been translated into numerous languages, won several awards and shaped whole generations of ministers, thinkers, writers and bloggers. John was Rector Emeritus of All Souls Langham Place, London and Founder-President of the Langham Partnership. He was awarded the CBE in the Queen's 2006 New Year honours.
©2020 John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press (P)2020 Inter-Varsity Press, Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd
Rome
Summary
Novelist and historian Matthew Kneale, a longtime resident of Rome, tells the story of the Eternal City - from the early Roman Republic through the Renaissance and the Reformation to Mussolini and the German occupation in World War Two - through pivotal moments that defined its history. Rome, the Eternal City. It is a hugely popular tourist destination with a rich history, famed for such sites as the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s, and the Vatican. In no other city is history as present as it is in Rome. Today visitors can stand on bridges that Julius Caesar and Cicero crossed; walk around temples in the footsteps of emperors; visit churches from the earliest days of Christianity. This is all the more remarkable considering what the city has endured over the centuries. It has been ravaged by fires, floods, earthquakes, and - most of all - by roving armies. These have invaded repeatedly, from ancient times to as recently as 1943. Many times Romans have shrugged off catastrophe and remade their city anew. Matthew Kneale uses seven of these crisis moments to create a powerful and captivating account of Rome’s extraordinary history. He paints portraits of the city before each assault, describing what it looked like, felt like, smelled like and how Romans, both rich and poor, lived their everyday lives. He shows how the attacks transformed Rome - sometimes for the better. With drama and humor he brings to life the city of Augustus, of Michelangelo and Bernini, of Garibaldi and Mussolini, and of popes both saintly and very worldly. He shows how Rome became the chaotic and wondrous place it is today. Rome: A History in Seven Sackings offers a unique look at a truly remarkable city. "Kneale's account is a masterpiece of pacing and suspense. Characters from the city's history spring to life in his hands." (The Sunday Times [London])
©2018 Matthew Kneale (P)2018 Simon & Schuster