FOUR new books on modern Christianity have been launched in the North-East.

The works, all produced by academics at Durham University, were launched during a ceremony at the university’s St John’s College.

The books are: The Virtuous Reader by Richard Briggs, Through the Pilgrim Door: Pioneering a Fresh Expression of Church by Michael Volland, The Reflective Disciple by Roger L Walton and Reading Genesis, edited by Stephen C Barton and David Wilkinson.

Roger Walton, director of Durham’s Wesley Study Centre, said: "It was a great occasion to launch all four books at the same time.

"There is a creative energy in theological study in Durham which has produced this range of books for the church and the wider world on key questions of our day: how to read the Bible, how to undertake pioneering ministry, how to live as a Christian disciple and how to think about the world in the light of Darwin’s influential work.

"The launch of these insightful and challenging books demonstrates the commitment of the college to engage in relevant and up to date research, which in turn offers a vital contribution to Christian community."

The books will be available from specialist stores.