Books

Nonfiction

(see further below for fiction works)

(All titles below are available from major online retailers like Amazon. 

Clicking the book's title will take you to the publisher's website.)

Missionary Motivations: Challenges from the Early Church (William Carey Publishing, 2023) is a historical study of the way that Christians thought about mission during the first few centuries of Christian history. It presents an inspirational challenge to the modern church to consider once again the perspectives that sent believers out on their first great missionary enterprises.

"Rarely do I begin making a list of people to whom I'd recommend a book...before I've even finished reading the first chapter. But such was the case with Matthew Burden's Missionary Motivations. The book's rich insights from ancient church history can help forge the missional identity of the future. Matthew Burden has made a sizeable and very readable contribution to historical mission studies."

          - Susan Van Wynen, PhD, Wycliffe Global Alliance

Who We Were Meant to Be: Rediscovering Our Calling as God's Royal Priesthood (Wipf & Stock, 2022) brings readers through a biblical and theological journey, examining the theme of Christian identity by drawing on the rich, deep wells of patristic reflection. 

"As a long-time pastoral theologian, when I see books like Who We Were Meant to Be, I am filled with hope.... [Burden] takes readers into the vast magnitude of God's reconciling work to demonstrate the cosmic implications of Christ's sacrifice and our role in it as priests to God.... This is a timely and important contribution to pastoral theology."

- Dr. J. Michael Walters, professor emeritus of Christian ministry, Houghton College

Wings over the Wall: Faith, Birding, and Walking with Jesus in the Holy Land (North Wind Publishing, 2021) is a pilgrimage memoir recounting the author's visit to Israel, interwoven with devotional reflections on the stories of the Gospels. It was awarded a Kirkus Star and chosen as one of the best indie books of the year by Kirkus Reviews, which called it "an eloquent and often moving Christian meditation."

"Burden finds spiritual meaning in nooks and crannies most of us miss. From the Temple Mount to an old pew in Maine, here is a paean about paying attention.... With an eye on the birds and a heart toward heaven, Burden's Wings over the Wall effortlessly soars above the rest."

- Dr. Eli Knapp, Houghton College

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Fiction

Below is a list of all my fiction works currently available. The links listed below each title will bring you to webpages where they are available for purchase. If you're not looking for novels, but for another of my published works, click on the following links:

    

The Hidden Kings Trilogy - a fantasy/adventure trilogy based on Christian motifs (see below for individual volumes) - click here for a set of authorial reflections on the themes and meanings of the series.

"Just finished reading The Hidden Kings Trilogy, and LOVED it! Great writing, great mix of adventure, action, mystery, and even romance! However, the thing I loved most about the series is how the three books work together to paint an unexpected and beautiful picture of the Gospel that left me in awe and thankfulness to God for the amazing gift of grace that was given to us in Jesus. I highly recommend his this series to everyone!" 
          - Josh Robertson, senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Church (Brookings, SD) 


     

- Book 1: Freedom Cry - the story of an enslaved people and their long march to freedom

Freedom Cry is now available in a second edition at Amazon.com.

"Freedom Cry has the makings of a classic with its rich characters, well-placed suspense, both human glory and human depravity, and sobering moments for personal reflection. Burden has created a world that is both shocking and hopeful. I was sad to finish the last page and look forward to his next book, "The Conqueror's Song" to see where the adventure turns next in this superb epic. If you like Tolkien, you'll appreciate Matt Burden's work. If you like Richard Adams' work, you'll like the robust characters in Freedom Cry."
          - Matt Proctor, pastor of Cornerstone Church (Marion, IA) 

- Book 2: The Conqueror's Song - set as a prequel to Book 1, this is the story of a legendary warrior and his quest to save the world from a hostile invasion

  The Conqueror's Song is now available in a second edition at Amazon.com


"Well written and enjoyable to read. Matt Burden needs to write more!"
          - Ron Libby, pastor of Trenton Baptist Church (Trenton, ME) 

- Book 3: Pathways of Mercy - this book returns to the characters of Book 1, as they grapple with the resurgence of the enemies from Book 2 in their own day

Pathways of Mercy is now available in a second edition at Amazon.com.



 "The last book of the Hidden Kings trilogy brought things to a fitting end! Up until the last pages of the book the author continues to surprise you as things happen that you didn't see coming. The trilogy offers a great mix of adventure, action, and romance. I was also blown away by how at the end of the book you are left with a beautiful picture of the Gospel message that warmed my heart again to the grace and mercy that is found in the Gospel."

          - Josh Robertson, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church (Brookings, SD) 


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Whispers of Adventure: A New Pilgrim's Progress for Today's Christian - an allegory of the Christian life, told in the form of an adventure story

Whispers of Adventure may be purchased in paperback form from Amazon, or as a Kindle e-book.





"John Bunyan is alive and well in the 21st century! [This is] a gripping novel, that both young adult readers and adult readers will relish."

          - Jeff Haanen, founder of the Denver Institute for Faith & Work, and a regular contributor to Christianity Today

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Prester John and the Brigand King - an unpublished historical fiction novel, about one man's journey to faith in Christ during the time of the Roman Empire. It features appearances by numerous characters from early church history, including the Apostle John and Polycarp of Smyrna. The draft version is sometimes made available to read online in serialized form, but at present is being withheld for possible publication.



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The Quest for the King - This short unpublished novel, written mostly in 2018, originated with a set of bedtime stories that I made up to tell my children. At the end of my storytelling, my oldest son asked me to write it down in book form. It tells about three children who embark on a quest to find and restore the rightful king to the throne. The draft version is sometimes made available to read online in serialized form, but at present is being withheld for possible publication.

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To see information on Tactus, Soldiers of the King, or one of Matt's other fiction works from his teenage years, follow this link: Juvenilia (Novels from Matt's Teenage Years)