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Christian Doctrine

Sep 11, 2024 | 2024 - Autumn - Free, Book Reviews

Christian Doctrine

Author Mike Higton
Publisher SCM £25
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334061939

This is a second edition of this work from a modest Durham University academic who begins, ‘You should not expect too much from it…’ Using what are described as ‘unfinished conversations’ with differing theologians to illustrate various themes, each chapter is full of references, notes and further reading. Themes explored include the Love of God, Eschatology, Incarnation, The Last Supper and Ecological Rage, ending with a thoughtful coda on the purpose of doctrinal theology. This is seen as ‘a secondary activity within the life of faith’, only offering support in knowing God, ‘but it does not itself produce that knowledge’ which can only be found in God’s love. Pleasingly Aslan, Grace Kelly and Jean-Luc Picard are referenced alongside Bonhoeffer, Lewis and Voltaire. So should you not expect too much from this book? No, because this a concise and compelling consideration of Christian doctrine. The engaging style enables the reader to be involved without being patronised. This is refreshing given too many theologians are seemingly focused on impressing their peers, rather than engaging accessibly with their readers as Higton does. More like this please.

Reviewed by ANDREW CARR

Doctrine

 

On Mission with Jesus

Sep 11, 2024 | 2024 - Autumn - Free, Book Reviews

On Mission with Jesus

Author Graham Cray
Publisher Canterbury £18.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786225412

At first glance this book may seem to be one voice among many. Lay people and Christian leaders often long for a Spirit-led Church and local community instead of what Graham Cray calls ‘the default setting’ of the Church or even – as he knows from personal experience – ‘Fresh Expressions’. And here is a Spirit-led expression of Christian life for today’s world and contexts which Cray likens to the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:42). This longing by the Church to follow the Spirit into new directions, to become true ‘Jesus dwellers’ as Cray puts it, is nothing new. What is different here is an in-depth exploration and intensity of purpose of new directions without discarding much loved traditions and patterns of congregational worship rooted in Gospel faith. Useful notes follow each chapter, plus a section on the rhythm of life intended for the shared missional life of the Church and its local communities. Other voices are quoted – Martin Luther for example – and there is a detailed bibliography and index. Altogether a thoughtful approach to long-held longings.

Reviewed by RAYLIA CHADWICK

Mission

 

With Bridget in the Holy Land

Sep 11, 2024 | 2024 - Autumn - Free, Book Reviews

With Bridget in the Holy Land

Author Luca Cesarini
Publisher Sacristy 16.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781789593075

Luca Cesarini’s great interest is Bridget of Sweden, about whom he has written widely. This work, originally published in Swedish in 2014, is now translated into English. Bridget, a much-travelled woman, left Sweden for Rome, where she spent many years. There, she tried to tempt the Pope back to the city, which finally happened, although temporarily, but with enough time to have her order, The Holy Saviour’s Order, approved. After that, a new revelation guided her to make the perilous journey to the Holy Land. All this had been foretold at her birth: ‘a daughter, whose voice will be heard all over the world’. The facts of Bridget’s life comprise the first part of the book. The second part consists of the revelations Bridget received from Mary, Jesus Christ, St Paul and others. These not only guided her journeys but informed her how to speak to others, especially of their sins. Noteworthy is the section on the nativity, which has influenced pictorial depictions ever since. This book is accessible and gives an interesting account of a medieval woman, unusual for her times.

Reviewed by MARGARET TINSLEY

Biography

 

Yearning for the Vast and Endless Sea

Sep 11, 2024 | 2024 - Autumn - Free, Book Reviews

Yearning for the Vast and Endless Sea

Author Chris Russell
Publisher Canterbury £16.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786225177

This book will revitalise your enthusiasm for sharing the good news. We are taken through the What, How, Who, When, Where and Why of evangelism as the author shares his passion for sharing God’s love. He explains the difference between a witness, as all Christians should be, and an evangelist who equips the saints for the work of ministry. Using modern cultural references (e.g., La La Land) while quoting academic theologians (Brueggemann, Newbiggin, Volf), Russell offers an invigorating challenge to all who minister. He takes us from the word of creation in Genesis to Jesus knocking on the door in Revelation. This is not a ‘how-to’ manual but rather a reminder of what we could be doing and why. I am sure it will be included as recommended reading for those in training where it may be swamped by equally good material. But this book is for all of us to refresh our understanding and excite us with the possibilities – a must for continuing ministerial development. We evangelise because we know that God’s love makes all the difference.

Reviewed by RONA ORME

Evangelism

 

She Needs

Sep 11, 2024 | 2024 - Autumn - Free, Book Reviews

She Needs

Author Nay Dawson
Publisher IVP £9.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781789744521

What would it be like if all members of the body of Christ fully used their God-given gifts? The author has gathered the views of friends and companions in ministry as she wonders whether progress has been made in attitudes to women in the Church. She discovers bias still restricting opportunities and ministry pathways; she alerts us to women with gifts lacking confidence to put themselves forward.
There are interesting references to research

in a variety of settings: women will often speak much less in meetings, but getting a woman to speak first will have a positive impact on the statistics. Alongside the investigation is an excellent reflection on Jesus’s radical valuing of women. Examples include his commending Mary for learning, rather than serving with Martha. Overall, there is a plea to realise Paul’s declaration that in Christ ‘there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ Indeed, surely the challenge of class bias needs to be confronted just as much as barriers of race and gender.

Reviewed by ROSIE MEDHURST

Biblical analysis

 

Candle Youth Bible

Sep 11, 2024 | 2024 - Autumn - Free, Book Reviews

Candle Youth Bible

Author Ryan Carter & Don Davis
Publisher Candle Books (SPCK) £11.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781781284629

If you are looking for something different for your youth group, teenage worshippers or own children, this may meet the need. Here we have ninety prominent Bible passages presented in a thought-provoking way with Old Testament material paving the way for New Testament revelation. Alongside the chosen translation of the New Living Bible, much is highlighted to help bring understanding for our young people – the setting, the characters, the key verses, the main theme and how this develops. Each passage ends with encouragement for the reader’s own thoughts and a journalling space to add personal reflections. The choice of material is good and well-presented. However, I found the black and white illustrations rather bland and disappointing as our young people live in such a vibrant and colourful world. Old and New Testaments are equally balanced with their chosen content in chronological order. The final pages show how the stories are celebrated today throughout the Church’s year. This book is produced in hardback only, substantially bound and very reasonably priced for its size and content.

Reviewed by BETTY TAYLOR

Bible

 

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