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Romans

Aug 16, 2022 | 2022 - Autumn - Free, Book Reviews

Romans

Author Ernest Clark
Publisher BRF £6.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781800398215

This small book is part of the Really Useful Guides series published by BRF. It is not an introduction to Paul’s Letter to the Romans, nor is it a commentary – it is a guide. The author is Classics Consultant in the Department of New Testament at a theological college in India. It
is written in a very accessible format, and starts by placing the letter in its original context. The main part of the book gives a comprehensive guide to the contents of Paul’s letter as well as examining its relationship to other New Testament writings. The final section explores the continuing message of Romans. This guide would be a useful aid to sermon preparation, and the list of thirty questions for reflection and discussion ensures that it would also be appropriate for use in a Bible study group. At the time of writing this review, the range of titles available in this Really Useful Guides series seems rather limited, but, on the basis of this example, further additions to the series are to be anticipated and welcomed.

Reviewed by MICHAEL FOSTER

New Testament Analysis (Romans)

 

The Ignatian Guide to Forgiveness

Aug 16, 2022 | 2022 - Autumn - Free, Book Reviews

The Ignatian Guide
to Forgiveness

Author Marina McCoy
Publisher Messenger Publications €12.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788125192

The author takes us gently through ‘ten steps to healing’. She encourages us to find our desire, to embrace being a creature, and helps us to honour anger but to deepen compassion, for ourselves and others. We are encouraged to trust in abundant grace and to forgive ourselves (to ‘leave behind the locked room’). She uses her spiritual direction experience and compassion to show how to let go, to make friends with time, and to create new narratives. She teaches us to embrace the inner child, but also to become the parent; and towards the end of our journey she asks us to consider a ritual of closure. She suggests we cultivate haits of mercy, and to celebrate when we feel our spirits calmed, refreshed and free from anger and hatred. To anyone who listens to others, this handbook is invaluable; more importantly we can begin to understand our own pain so that we may reach a place of peace between God and ourselves. Thank
you, Marina.

Reviewed by SUE PIPER

Spiritual direction

 

Comfort in uncertain times

Aug 15, 2022 | 2022 - Autumn - Free, Book Reviews

Comfort in
uncertain times

Author Rachel Turner 
Publisher BRF £8.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780857466280

Subtitled ‘Helping children draw close to God through Biblical stories of anxiety, loss and transition’, never has a book been more needed in a post-Covid world where lockdown caused massive rises in mental health issues among young and old alike. The author rightly says it is the job of parents to help their children deal with the problems of change and bereavement. Her approach is to re-tell key biblical stories by putting the emphasis on our involvement in the narrative. There are sections on how to connect with God by prayer and by spiritual practices. As with many things designed to help children, this will also be a rich resource for churches tackling these issues with older members of the congregation. This is a book that enables us to see that being human will involve feelings of uncertainty and that although we have an unchangeable God, He is not immune to the pain and the confusion of His children. A valuable resource.

Reviewed by CAVAN WOOD

Biblical analysis, pastoral care

 

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