'The Mystery of John' by the Rev’d Paula Griffiths  

An exciting new book on St John’s Gospel by one of the Saffron Walden clergy is being published on 20 June 2025.

The Mystery of John: Reflections on the Fourth Gospel is written by the Rev’d Paula Griffiths, who was ordained in 2009 to serve in the Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry. She is now one of the retired clergy members supporting the Team.

Paula said: “I have always been moved by St John’s Gospel – it describes so vividly the life and teaching of Jesus, the people he met, and yet connects us at a very deep level to the richness of God’s creation, his eternal purposes, and his love for all people.  

There is mystery in it too: the mystery of who John, the author, actually was, and the mystery of God himself. Years of preaching on and studying this Gospel stimulated me to reflect more deeply on John’s text and themes – and how they relate to our life today. I’m delighted that it is now being published.”

Rev’d Jeremy Trew, Rector of St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden, said, “Paula's gift to the Parishes she serves amongst is a gentle, reflective spirituality, firmly held.  She brings that same gift to her writings.  Enjoy."

Bishop Rowan Williams, formerly Archbishop of Canterbury, says: “Written with energy and clarity, this short book achieves what many longer ones do not in its penetrating reading of John’s Gospel, careful, imaginative, demanding and exciting. Paula Griffiths makes this inexhaustible text fresh and arresting again for us.”

Dr Anthony Hazzard, a member of the congregation at St Mary’s, said: “This is a work of detailed and fluent scholarship…. a work of faith and passion, invested in the eternal values of love, truth and sacrifice.”
The Rev’d Dr Janet Tollington, former Tutor for Old Testament Study in the Cambridge Theological Federation added: “A very engaging book that encourages deep reflection on the Gospel of John based on a close reading of what the biblical text actually says…. It would be an ideal resource for ecumenical or local church Bible study groups.”

The paperback book will be launched on Wednesday 25 June at Hart’s Books, 26 King Street, Saffron Walden, from 6.30 to 8pm.  There is an invitation to hear Paula’s colleague the Rev’d Andy Colebrooke talk to her about the book, and enjoy an evening in Hart’s, with a free glass of wine, and a chance to buy a signed copy. 

There will be a further opportunity to hear Andy and Paula talk about the book, and buy a copy, on Wednesday 2 July at St Mary’s Church, from 6.30-8pm. All welcome. 

All Paula’s proceeds from the book will be divided between the churches of the Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry.

Bibliographic Details:
Griffiths, Paula; “The Mystery of John: Reflections on the Fourth Gospel”, Instant Apostle, 2025, 288 pp, ISBN: 978-1-912726-87-5, £13.99