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In Search of Julian of Norwich

Oct 19, 2023 | 2023 - Winter – Free, Book Reviews

In Search of Julian of Norwich

Author Sheila Upjohn
Publisher DLT £9.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781915412508

It is a great pleasure to see a new edition of this classic companion guide to Revelations of Divine Love, the profound medieval text which, even today, illuminates many Christian lives. Published to coincide with the 650th anniversary of Julian’s famous visions (or ‘showings’), this edition updates the author’s 1989 original, bringing in new material from the internet age. Upjohn knows her history, and quickly sets Julian in her turbulent times, when plague, rebellion, war and purges against heresy disturbed the hearts and minds of all people. This is valuable context, but even greater benefit comes from the spiritual analysis of Julian’s theological insights, the product of her many years of prayer and contemplation as an enclosed anchoress. The beautiful trinitarian symbolism of the hazelnut, the parable of the Lord and his servant, the motherly love of Jesus – all these are described with care and clarity. Above all, the problem of sin is convincingly elucidated by Julian’s genius. No one has produced a more reassuring doctrine. If you never managed to acquire the original edition, do not miss this wonderful book.

Reviewed by ELIZABETH STEPHENSON

Medieval spirituality

 

Beauty and Meaning

Oct 19, 2023 | 2023 - Winter – Free, Book Reviews

Beauty and Meaning

Author Anthony Bloom (ed. James Heywood)
Publisher DLT £19.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781915412195

This book reproduces for the first time four lectures on Beauty, originally delivered over forty years ago. The original lecturer was an archbishop, the book carries an introduction by another archbishop, is published by a firm specialising in religious works, and contains numerous biblical references. On the ‘quacks like a duck’ principle, this should be a work of theology. But it isn’t. It is an absorbing work of philosophy, albeit written from a clearly Christian perspective. The author died in 2003 and was highly regarded for his works on meditation and prayer – and these interests recur in varying degrees in all four lectures. I suspect that to academic philosophers of today some of the ideas here may now be dated. However, I was still fascinated, especially by the frequent references to other works in languages other than English. Bloom was a polyglot who brings his internationalism into his thinking as well. I enjoyed this book, but I must conclude that I think its use in parochial ministry would be extremely limited.

Reviewed by ALAN WAKELY

Philosophy

 

I, Julian

Oct 19, 2023 | 2023 - Winter – Free, Book Reviews

I, Julian

Author Claire Gilbert
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton £18.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781399807524

A novel about an obscure 14th-century lady who spent most of her life in solitary confinement does not seem to be promising territory. But the lady is Julian of Norwich and the author is Claire Gilbert, fine writer and wise theologian, who succeeds splendidly in bringing the mysterious Julian to vibrant life. We follow Julian’s entire story from earliest childhood, when the Black Death struck her family, through marriage and motherhood – when another outbreak of plague left her a lonely widow. After receiving divine visions during her own near-fatal illness, she found her vocation as a hermit, bricked up forever in a cell adjacent to St Julian’s church. Here she was inspired to write Revelations of Divine Love, the spiritual manual we value to this day. Gilbert paints a vivid picture of medieval religious tension when fear of death and hell dominated people’s minds. Her triumph is to demonstrate how Julian left her negative childhood faith to become an assured theologian, utterly convinced that God’s wrath had been replaced by Christ’s overwhelming compassion and love on the cross. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by KATE BURTON

Novel

 

Present in Every Place?

Oct 19, 2023 | 2023 - Winter – Free, Book Reviews

Present in Every Place?

Author Will Foulger
Publisher SCM £25
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334062035

In this important book about our ‘vocation to be present in the places of the nation’, Foulger argues that the parish is ‘credible but needs reimagining, so that its people become those who think, speak and behave in ways that are faithful to the gospel’. An oft-cited theme of ‘certain place over uncertain space’ contrasts modernistic agnostic rootlessness that speaks of dissatisfaction with selfishness, with traditional Christian rootedness that offers satisfaction through selflessness. Vaughan Williams once said, ‘…one’s own community, one’s own language, customs and religion are essential to our spiritual health… without local loyalty there can be nothing for the wider issues to build on.’ A famous novel title also came to mind, encapsulating parochial lay ministry: To Serve Them All My Days. At the heart of this excellent book is the desire of Jeremiah 6:16: ‘Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it and find rest for your souls’. Should Readers/LLMs more positively embrace these ancient paths and present them anew through shared story and proven practice?

Reviewed by ANDREW CARR

Future of the Parish

 

Touching Cloth

Oct 19, 2023 | 2023 - Winter – Free, Book Reviews

Touching Cloth

Author Fergus Butler-Gallie
Publisher Bantam £16.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781787635753

The author is young to have written an autobiography, but he has certainly provided an honest account of his priestly life to date in a book full of hilarity and pathos. The core narrative is his first year after ordination, spent as a curate in inner-city Liverpool. It would be wrong to focus on the disasters – for example, being caught by a huge wave while conducting a riverside Remembrance Day service; or the foibles and misunderstandings of his parishioners (their language is often fruity). We are taken through the liturgical calendar, noting especially how major festivals may be fraught with folk religion and misunderstood doctrine – told through brilliantly funny episodes. Nonetheless, readers will note the Christ-like humanity within this urban ministry as well as the endurance and dedication typifying priestly life. The author writes with exuberant prose and uses witty footnotes to explain the idiosyncrasies of life in the Church of England. Those who are familiar with parish ministry will probably laugh and cherish this book; those outside the church may stop and recognise there is more to Christianity than they realised.

Reviewed by ALICE BURDETT

Autobiography

 

The Company of Heaven

Oct 19, 2023 | 2023 - Winter – Free, Book Reviews

The Company of Heaven

Author Catherine Fox
Publisher Marylebone House (SPCK) £10.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781910674673

Those who have read her previous ‘Lindchester’ novels will relish this latest offering from the talented Catherine Fox. She creates beautifully drawn characters who (though they swear rather too much for the comfort of some) invariably show great compassion and true humanity against the depressing backdrop of the pandemic. Their full identity is found in Jesus Christ, despite their unconventional and occasionally bizarre lifestyles. Ultimately, this novel is about human vulnerability and this is primarily personified in the young, autistic, androgenous artist, Paver – a brilliant portrait of someone finding their way after deep personal tragedy. Fox writes with vivid prose, which is frequently hilarious, but also full of beautiful allusions to the natural world, to music, art and science. The text is studded with subtle biblical references, reminding readers that this is a religious work. The author’s wisdom shines through her principal theme – the weaknesses and strengths of our humanity. There is additional bonus material in the form of three short stories featuring the Lindchester characters, making this entertaining book excellent value for money: ideal reading for long autumn evenings.

Reviewed by ALICE BURDETT

Novel

 

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