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Love Mercy

Oct 13, 2021 | 2021 - Winter - Free, Book Reviews

Love Mercy

Author Samuel Wells
Publisher Canterbury Press £12.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781786222657   2020

Subtitled ‘The Twelve Steps of Forgiveness’, this short book discusses how individuals and groups can build reconciliation. It is an exploration of twelve steps to peace while acknowledging that peace is a gift from God rather than an achievement. Using passages from scripture, novels and films, consideration is given to the differing values of blaming, repairing and creating. It is neither a self-help manual nor yet a handbook for those seeking to broker reconciliation. It is of value for anyone who wants to think deeply about reconciliation as a form of resurrection through the remembering of an experience or behaviour. This is good background reading for us all. We are taken through the processes by which difference can lead to tension and then on to conflict before escalating into violence and war. In contrast forgiveness comes at the end of the reversal of that chain of responses. As with all Dr Wells’ books, this fizzes with ideas and connections so that preachers will find illustrations and new ways of viewing Christian teaching. Superficially an easy read, there is depth for those taking time to ponder the thesis.

Reviewed by RONA ORME

Reconciliation

 

The Canterbury Book of New Parish Prayers

Oct 13, 2021 | 2021 - Winter - Free, Book Reviews

The Canterbury Book of New Parish Prayers

Author Max Kramer
Publisher Canterbury Press £19.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781786223036

This beautifully produced hardback is an ideal addition to every minister’s library. The author is Precentor at Canterbury Cathedral, responsible for leading the intercessions at choral evensong. In his public role, he is required each day to deliver excellence, and this collection of original collects and bidding prayers certainly fits that description. The book is a model for good intercessions, with well-balanced but modern phrases, which update the sometimes hackneyed 20th century collections which most of us have acquired. Anyone called to lead intercessions in worship will find not only inspiration and wisdom, but also clarity and sensitivity. It is not a short book – there are over 300 pages – so one can find useful material for nearly every occasion; there is seasonal material through the church year, pastoral prayers, material for human tragedies and for the full panoply of human endeavour. Kramer also provides sensible guidance on delivering intercessions and writing your own material. In summary, this is an encyclopaedia of good practice in public prayer, and highly recommended. It would make an ideal gift for ordinands or newly licensed Readers.

Reviewed by LEONARD RICKARD

Intercessory prayer

 

Dear England

Oct 13, 2021 | 2021 - Winter - Free, Book Reviews

Dear England

Author Stephen Cottrell
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton £12.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9781529360950

In a chance encounter at Paddington Station Archbishop Stephen was asked: ‘What made you become a priest?’ His answer – ‘belief in God and a desire to change the world’ – was too brief, and he decided to answer more fully in the form of a long letter, addressed to the entire nation. It became a 17-chapter book, addressed to both believers and non-believers. It has three parts. The first (‘Finding Hope’) sets out the general case for belief in God as the only way to make sense of our world. The middle section (‘Taking Heart’) uses scripture and original ancient sources to point to the authenticity of Jesus’ ministry and resurrection. The concluding section, (‘Changing the world’) is radical and intriguing, setting out a cogent explanation of the trinitarian God as a loving community, alongside a hard-hitting case for Christian social action. This is evangelism at its most thoughtful, a well-written and carefully argued thesis for the relevance of Christianity in the 21st century, post-Brexit, post-pandemic. The vision is attractive and encouraging to Christians; and those on the fringes of our church will find it challenging and thought-provoking.

Reviewed by KATE BURTON

Faith

 

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