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The Once and Future Parish

Mar 27, 2024 | 2024 - Summer – Free, Book Reviews

The Once and
Future Parish

Author Alison Milbank
Publisher SCM £19.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334063131

The author provides a sequel to her For the Parish: A Critique of Fresh Expressions. She analyses the ecclesiology and secularism of ’Minster hubs’, ‘Emerging Church’, and the Strategic Development Fund. She argues that all three strategies are deficient, and that the parish remains a vital asset for mission and outreach, but only if properly resourced by the Church, within deanery and diocese, rather than a dispensable burden for subsuming into a large benefice or larger grouping. Her future vision for the parish seeks to recreate synergy with its surrounding community as a place full of participation in the new life of Christ, of known and trusted intention to serve with creative imagination. I had hoped for more than a single page on Readers/LLMs given our roles, but the focus is on ordained ministry. That said, the suggested common curriculum for teaching clergy could be equally adopted for Reader training. This is a passionate and justifiably critical work, so it will be interesting to see what responses it provokes at a challenging time for our church.

Reviewed by ANDREW CARR
Future of the Parish

 

Images of Pilgrimage

Mar 27, 2024 | 2024 - Summer – Free, Book Reviews

Images of Pilgrimage

Author R D Crouse
Publisher DLT £14.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781915412249

Father Robert Crouse was a scholarly teacher, preacher and contemplative who lived most of his life in Nova Scotia, dying in 2011. He was in great demand as a lecturer and this book presents six addresses on the theme of pilgrimage, exploring imagery of paradise and wilderness in classical writings, the scriptures, in Augustine and Dante. He concludes that all people have a fundamental desire to attain their true home; but only in Christianity do we discover that ‘paradise is here, in the wilderness’. Crouse’s writing is fluid and easy to read, but also intellectually challenging. He often quotes the original language of his texts and draws readily on classical, early Christian and medieval writers which may be unfamiliar to some. I found his section on Dante’s Divine Comedy (not a work I know well) absorbing, stirring a desire to read and know more. Images of Pilgrimage is like marmite – some will have no time for it, others will treasure it. Perhaps it should be read in small doses, prayerfully, with plenty of time to contemplate both meaning and application.

Reviewed by APRIL McINTYRE

Pilgrimage

 

Majesty

Mar 27, 2024 | 2024 - Summer – Free, Book Reviews

Majesty

Author Richard Harries
Publisher SPCK £19.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9780281089475

There are three elements to this elegant book. First, it is a simple biblical chronology of the life of Jesus, from annunciation, birth, childhood; from baptism, companionship with disciples, challenges, persecution, death and resurrection. Key gospel passages remind us of the inevitable destiny of our Lord. Secondly, the narrative is wonderfully illustrated by great works of art, mostly from the Renaissance, but with some important modern works. Some are familiar (readers will probably know the works of Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Rembrandt); but others are unfamiliar (I did not know Schiavone’s dark, dramatic ‘Christ before Pilate’). All this is conventional territory – the gospel story told through art history. The original third element woven into the text comprises words from our late Queen Elizabeth, mostly from her Christmas broadcasts, each excerpt brimming with her personal faith. It therefore becomes a fitting tribute to a much-loved Christian monarch. Is this simply a patriotic coffee-table book? Or an ideal gift for an elderly monarchist? Yes – but it is also a book of rare substance which will delight and illuminate all its readers.

Reviewed by ELIZABETH STEPHENSON

Faith and Art

 

A Manifesto for Hope

Mar 27, 2024 | 2024 - Summer – Free, Book Reviews

A Manifesto for Hope

Author Steve Chalke
Publisher SPCK £12.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780281087792

Steve Chalke, Baptist minister and founder of the Oasis Trust, has set out a vision for the future of young people in hard circumstances. He uses ten chapters to illustrate ten principles, although all are interconnected. The first is fundamental: ‘an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory’. Chalke’s solutions are grounded in what works in communities and schools, not ideas dreamed up in Whitehall offices. Individuals have stories and it is their visions, hopes and beliefs that matter and drive social improvements. Ultimately, of course, the impetus comes from Christian faith and the social gospel – for this book can trace its underlying philosophy back to William Temple’s vision, which fed into the post-war Beveridge report. But for the 2020s, this now means practical partnerships, community leadership, the dedication of volunteers and – ultimately – Christian love. Simply written, this book will inspire ministry teams in hard-pressed communities; but more importantly it should be read by MPs, civil servants, council leaders and all who are concerned about our fractured society and the future of young people.

Reviewed by MALCOLM DAWSON

Social gospel

 

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book, 2024 – Tarry Awhile

Feb 2, 2024 | 2024 – Lent, Book Reviews

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book, 2024

Tarry Awhile

Author Selina Stone
Publisher SPCK £11.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780281090105

The Archbishop of Canterbury has made a bold and imaginative choice in selecting this impressive book as his recommended reading for Lent 2024. It has the complex subtitle, ‘Wisdom from Black spirituality for people of faith’, but the main title seems a little old-fashioned until you recognise its source and consider its deep meaning. ‘Tarry’ is a word seldom used nowadays. I liked the dictionary options of ‘sojourn’ or ‘to dwell for a time’; and it comes from Jesus’ words in Gethsemane to his disciples: ‘tarry ye here and watch with me’ (Matthew 26:38 AV).

Dr Selina Stone is a Pentecostalist, an academic theologian and – a sign of the times – an influential ‘podcaster’. She writes beautifully, bringing life and vibrancy to the text and shows clarity and wisdom in her biblical interpretations. The liveliness of her writing contrasts with much of her subject matter, especially the sections on quietness, darkness, and contemplation for spiritual growth. It is these parts of the book which make the title particularly appropriate, for it is through taking time to pause and reflect that we grow closer to God. But I also found charismatic dynamism elsewhere in the book: the section on Spirit, for example. Dr Stone is not afraid to tackle hard contemporary issues. Her section on healing looks at the Aid epidemic in Africa; and her section entitled ‘Movement’, invoking Abraham as a wanderer, has obvious resonances with the worldwide migrant crisis. I loved, too, her wisdom on the theme of oneness and reconciliation, which I read, appropriately, during the week of prayer for Christian Unity. Grief (‘Weeping’) is also addressed, and I marvelled at the beauty and poignancy of the personal account of how the author, grieving for her own mother, was comforted and spiritually strengthened by gazing on a pietà: Mary holding her crucified son.

This book transcends the boundaries of our traditions and is truly for people of all faiths. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Reviewed by KATE BURTON

Lent

 

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