In the Stillness, Waiting

In the Stillness, Waiting

Author Nicholas Worssam
Publisher Canterbury £16.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786224880

This is a book about the prayer of silence and those who practised and taught it, from the roots of hesychasm in the desert tradition, via practitioners/teachers from the fourth to the fourteenth century, to the twentieth-century Greek monk St Porphyrios. Hesychastic prayer is the prayer that seeks God in the silence beyond words; in the Eastern Orthodox tradition it is usually associated with recitation of the Jesus prayer. (This is not a contradiction; the Jesus prayer is the way in, but not the goal.) Each of the saints is given ample voice, much of it verbatim. At the end of each chapter, there are questions for reflection and discussion, usually aiming to identify links between the reader’s experience and the teaching portrayed. The author’s own love of the prayer of silence comes through warmly in the introduction; after that, I found the historical account more of a description than an invitation. The ancient texts yield many gems but require careful attention. I would have valued some reflection on the place of silence and the personal pursuit of God in our own cultural and ecclesiastical context.

Reviewed by GERTRUD SOLLARS

Prayer

 

Can We Use the Prayers of Love and Faith?

Can We Use the Prayers of Love and Faith?

Author Mark Earey & Phillip Tovey
Publisher Grove £4.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788273879

This book informs us, in simple ways, about the most recent information from the House of Bishops. The introduction outlines how the material was produced. The next chapter helps us to understand the liturgical package under Canons B5, B5A and B2. Subsequent chapters explain prayers for a covenanted friendship using a possible scenario for a city centre church; provide useful resources such as prayers of dedication and thanksgiving, and prayers for God’s blessing – with the scenario of a Sunday morning service or choral evensong; and take us through some ideas for the blessing of a home together, likewise exploring prayers for a covenanted friendship. The authors have striven to condense ideas from Prayers of Love and Faith – sticking to the guidance of the November 2023 General Synod. The language is unbiased but informative, offering ideas for as much freedom as has yet been authorised and maybe paving the way for a greater freedom of celebrating relationship in all its many ways.

Reviewed by SUE PIPER

Living in Love and Faith

 

Hero, Lover, Daughter, Queen

Hero, Lover, Daughter, Queen

Author Lavinia Byrne & Jane McBride
Publisher Canterbury £12.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786225931

This relatively short book investigates the story and personality of both the well-known and the less ‘Sunday School-friendly’ people in the Bible, starting with Jezebel. While not all the chapters are about women, as it is written by two women, it does encourage looking at things from a feminine viewpoint, especially around the story of Mary Magdalene and the woman at the well. Each chapter begins by giving what I would consider a traditional Bible interpretation, but then goes on to invite you to look at the person in a different light. I found this very helpful, as it encouraged me to learn more and re-read passages in the Bible that, I admit, I had previously skimmed over! Each chapter ends with several actions to carry out and some ‘to think about further’ suggestions. I really enjoyed this easy and at times entertaining read.

Reviewed by EMILY BRAILSFORD

Biblical characters and analysis

 

The Church, The Far Right, And The Claim To Christianity

The Church, The Far Right, And The Claim To Christianity

Author Helen Paynter & Maria Power (eds.)
Publisher SCM £25
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334065494

This book originated from a conference of Christian academics who met to discuss the challenge posed by the recent growth of far-right political movements with anti-Muslim and violent agendas, who are often hiding falsely under ‘Christian’ labels. It is timely, given the growing electoral strength of far-right parties across the world, and associated violence and terrorism. The challenge of this false ‘claim to Christianity’ has been largely underestimated by churches of all denominations. Although written as academic papers, with many footnotes and references, the contributions are all readable. I found them wise and disturbing in equal measure. They are drawn together by two excellent contributions from Helen Paynter, whose introduction sets out the problem, and whose concluding chapter summarises the consensus of findings and offers recomm-endations which should be required reading for all senior Christian leaders. The book has implications for all denominations, for inter-faith working and for anti-racism programmes. It is serious and significant reading for all Christians worried about these trends.

Reviewed by LEONARD RICKARD

Christianity and Politics

 

When Church Stops Working

When Church Stops Working

Author Andrew Root & Blair Bertrand
Publisher Brazos £18.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781587435782

How do we stop, if not reverse, the current decline in church numbers? What is your church’s mission statement? The authors’ suggested responses seem countercultural. They recommend that, rather than more initiatives, courses or busyness, what the church should be doing is waiting; not ignoring what is happening, but actively listening to God, and waiting for him to reveal his plan. This is waiting together as a congregation or church and expecting to hear him. Various relative biblical situations of waiting are discussed, where God’s plan was different. He called Saul to be the ‘replacement’ apostle, not Matthias. Shouldn’t every church have a Mission Statement and a Mission Action Plan? Their answer is ‘no’. Each church should have a ‘Watchword’ – often a short phrase that is relevant for a time, maybe a few years – for example ‘Feed my sheep’ – that impacts on the whole church’s life and mission and not just on a Sunday. This is an interesting and thought-provoking book with ideas that are worth exploring. Trying to convince our churches and dioceses that we need to pause and wait is an altogether different matter.

Reviewed by PATRICIA WILKINSON

Mission and Growth

 

Anglican Theology

Anglican Theology

Author Stephen Burns & James Tengatenga (eds.)
Publisher SCM £25
Format pbk
ISBN 970334066231

This book surprised me, making me realise my view of Anglican theology was limited. I was aware of the Anglican Communion but the fact that the typical Anglican in the twenty-first century is an African under thirty had escaped me. Cocooned in the writing of a handful of British and North American theologians, I was humbled to realise on opening this book that I did not recognise the name of any of the contributors. The editors have chosen eighteen men and women to present a wide diversity of views to free the Anglican Communion from its British history and to show what those steeped in a history of Anglican devotion might have to learn from those shaped by traditions formed in the present and in contexts far from Britain. Don’t be put off because you can’t immediately place the book; that is its point. Instead, treat it as a bridge that will allow you to become acquainted with theologians who did not necessarily begin their work as Anglicans and thus raise important questions about what counts as Anglican theology.

Reviewed by DAVID GILLIES

Anglicanism

 

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