Let Me Go There: The Spirit of Lent

by Paula Gooder

Bestselling author Paula Gooder continues her popular series on the seasons of the Christian year with this 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.

She begins with an introduction to the season of Lent and its the characteristic themes, exploring how to use it as a time for spiritual growth. In forty short sections suitable for daily reading, Paula then reflects on a theme associated with the season,
- Wilderness
- Journey
- Fasting
- Taking up your cross
- Discipleship
- Prayer
- Temptation

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity

129 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2015

About the author

Paula Gooder is a speaker and writer on the Bible, particularly on the New Testament. She began her working life, teaching for twelve years in ministerial formation first at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford and then at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Following this she spent around eight years as a speaker and writer in biblical studies travelling the country and seeking to communicate the best of biblical scholarship in as accessible a way as possible, after that she spent six years working for the Bible Society as their Theologian in Residence and then for the Birmingham Diocese as their Director of Mission Learning and Development. She is currently the Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Reviews

[Michelle Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially moved by the first section on the wilderness: desolation and redemption.

Excellent Lenten read!

[David Campton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb Lent devotional by Gooder who is a Biblical scholar operating outside a college context (although it is currently in St Paul's Cathedral, so it's not a "normal" parish). At 34 sections plus Introduction and Epilogue it is shorter than the traditional 40 days plus Sundays because the author recognises that people like me don't always maintain the daily discipline that they start with in Lent. The sections are all relatively short, but pack a lot of Biblical insights and practical discipleship issues, and the questions bringing each section/week to a close would make for a really helpful group study as well as a longer reflective study by the individual reader. Most helpful of all was her insights regarding later stories echoing the temptation narratives or perhaps vice versa. Gooder is fast becoming my go-to New Testament theologian... More grounded but no less insightful than Wright, and more respectful of the power of story.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thoughtful series of reflections upon the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Concise and clearly written. Includes a study guide with questions for discussion.

[Kristin Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read on Kindle (we own a copy.)

Paula Gooder connected several important and missing dots for me as I have been trying to understand the Bible in its cultural context. She especially helped me to glimpse the whole-picture significance of the exile, wilderness, John the Baptist, and Jesus' baptism and temptations.

I also appreciated the explanation of repentance as a turning towards God, focusing on Him and basking in that relationship vs a focus on continually beating myself for wrongdoings and trying to turn from them.

[Andy Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Taking the biblical experiences in the wilderness as a focal point for Lenten reflection is entirely valid and Gooder makes several sound points on the way. But the style is repetitive and reductive, lacking in an overall 'broad sweep'. I feel that it was written to be used in reading groups, tackling a chapter a week. There is also some 'talking down' to explain basic biblical or theological points.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful Advent devotional, examine the background of wilderness in the Hebrew Bible, Jesus' temptation in each of the synoptic gospels, and the call of discipleship in each of the four gospels. I was encouraged, challenged and I learned stuff. Really well put together. Friends at paraclete shared this book for me to review.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not think this is a bad book, it simply isn't for me. I'm sure there are some people, who would take a lot away from this book. I simply found it boring and I need more in depth...I need more deepness for my lenten journey. Jesus in the wildness is at the core of the Lenten Journey. So it's an obvious baseline to use for a journey about Lent. I got given this book, so probably a combination of why it wasn't the right book for me. I thought, I would still give it a go and I was just craving to get more out of a book. It is 121 pages but still probably would take a few 2 hours to read. You could still a bring a core message in that many pages. For me it was all part of the Christian journey, I have heard a 100 times. Some people probably need the reminder or those new to faith. I will admit, I'm extremely fussy when it comes to Christian literature and there have been a few that have moved me

[Fubzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and thought-provoking. I would highly recommend this book.