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To Heal and Not to Hurt

Nov 23, 2020 | 2019 - Winter, Book Reviews, Free Winter 2019

To Heal and Not to Hurt

Authors Rosie Harper & Alan Wilson
Publisher DLT £12.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780232533941

Subtitled, ‘A fresh approach to safeguarding in Church’, this is a timely analysis which the Bishop of Buckingham and his chaplain intend as ‘an attempt to understand why good church people end up doing bad things.’ They recognise that all abuse emanates from controlling behaviour and the misuse of power. 15 short stories – fictional, but drawing on real situations – show that the Church’s response (or lack of it) may be as hurtful as the original events. ‘Abused in the place they loved by the people they trusted’ means the Church has responsibilities that should not be evaded. Other chapters refer to various aspects of the stories to draw out more general principles, with a strong case made for a mandatory reporting regime so that the abused do not have to face the agony of whether to report or not, coupled with independent inquiry procedures that are truly independent. While recognising that progress has been made in recent years, the authors identify four areas in need of radical reform: Accompaniment; Restoration and Redress; Whistle blowing and Clergy Discipline. This stimulating book shines useful lights in dark places and will enable readers to be alert to situations that could be, or could become, abusive.

JOHN KNOWLES

Pastoral, Safeguarding

 

Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse

Nov 23, 2020 | 2019 - Winter, Book Reviews, Free Winter 2019

Escaping the Maze
of Spiritual Abuse

Authors Lisa Oakley & Justin Humphreys
Publisher SPCK £10.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780281081318

Spiritual abuse, whilst not always being named as such, has been around in the church for generations. As the authors say, it can be bottom up, side-by-side or top down, and it is essential that it is recognised and named for what it is. In this compelling and accessible book the authors do exactly that. Without any hint of sensationalism and with real life, fully- anonymised examples the authors address key questions of the what, how and why of spiritual abuse. However, this is more than a retrospective overview; significant chapters explore the way forward in terms of the creation of safer cultures, and responding well to disclosures – again in a practical and easily accessible way. Research based, thorough and refreshingly light on jargon, I found this an easy read – not in terms of its subject matter – but because it broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of this important aspect of the church’s ministry.

CHRIS BRACEGIRDLE

Ministry, Safeguarding

 

Hospitality, Service, Proclamation

Nov 23, 2020 | 2019 - Winter, Book Reviews, Free Winter 2019

Hospitality, Service, Proclamation

Author Tom Wilson
Publisher SCM £19.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334057994

This is a good book to put into the hands of someone training for the ministry, or who missed out on interfaith ministry in their training. Coming from the evangelical end of the spectrum, Wilson, the director of an interfaith centre, explores how to balance hospitality, service and proclamation. There is a helpful overview of twelve different theologians, whom he classifies as exclusivist, inclusivist or pluralist and he discusses the attraction of each category. He then looks at ten passages from the Old and New Testaments, including Abram’s visitors, Ruth, Naaman, the good Samaritan, John 14.6, Paul in Athens and concludes there are ‘plenty of passages that reinforce the importance of proclamation of the Christian faith, but also a number that suggest the importance of offering hospitality to people of other faiths or none and of acts of selfless service.’ The book also has a helpful appendix suggesting books about seven of the faiths Christians in Britain might wish to engage with.

CLAIRE DISBREY

Interfaith, Mission

 

Everyday conversations with Matthew

Nov 23, 2020 | 2019 - Winter, Book Reviews, Free Winter 2019

Everyday conversations with Matthew

Author John Holdsworth
Publisher SCM £12.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334057468

This small paperback is attractively presented and contains a wealth of background information as well as an impressive depth of theological understanding. The author puts the case for Matthew despite the fact that his appeal to the modern reader is perhaps less than that of the other gospels. To advance his cause he draws on a number of real conversations: each chapter is preceded by a pen portrait of a typical 21st century enquirer and the author angles his approach to address their concerns. The reader, who could be an individual or a group member, is made to think with ‘To Do’ suggestions at regular intervals. I found this the least appealing aspect of the book as the questions often failed to resonate. And can a ‘Twitter follower’ really be compared to a disciple of Jesus? However, for an easy to read and scholarly reflection on the contents of Matthew’s gospel this book is to be recommended.

LAURA HILLMAN

New Testament Analysis

 

Philosophy and Christian Faith

Nov 23, 2020 | 2019 - Autumn, Book Reviews, Free Autumn 2019

Philosophy and
Christian Faith

Author Ben Pugh
Publisher SCM  £22.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334057109  2018

This contribution to the SCM Study guide series would be a useful tool to anyone studying, teaching, or simply wishing to have an over-view of the philosophy of religion. The book’s structure is chronological, starting with Plato, ending with postmoder-nism, and setting the various ideas in their historical and religious (mainly Christian) contexts with admirable clarity. This is but one respect in which it differs from the many lamentably poor textbooks recently published for A level use, which take a thematic approach, and present each topic in a muddled way and with little reference to context. Here, the author is particularly successful in showing how, although philosophical ideas and religious beliefs increasingly clashed from the early modern period onwards, neither philosophy nor the scientific method should in themselves be seen as threatening to belief. Not only can any Christian learn much that is positive from engaging with philosophy, but in recent years there have emerged many eminent philosophers of religion whose ideas are informed by a robust Christian faith. In such an overview, each section is inevitably rather brief, but an impressive range of names and ideas is covered with special sections helpfully set aside for discussion and reflection.

ADRIAN ROBERTS

Philosophy

 

Resilience in Life and Faith

Nov 23, 2020 | 2019 - Autumn, Book Reviews, Free Autumn 2019

Resilience in Life
and Faith

Authors Tony Horsfall & Debbie Hawker
Publisher BRF  £9.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780857467348

The assertion on the back of this book – ‘Read this if you want a faith that persists to the finishing line – develop resilience and prepare for the challenges life throws at us’ sums up the authors’ intention. Does it do what it says on the cover? Debbie Hawker, a clinical psychologist, introduces the subject and contributes chapters on the psychological aspects of resilience using a model of resilience under the following domains: spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive and creative, and finally social and systemic. Tony Horsfall, a trainer and retreat leader, provides studies of biblical characters illustrating each aspect considered. Each of the 15 short chapters concludes with some questions. Finally there are two appendices – a self-assessment ‘Resilience Rating Scale’ using their model, and then a ‘Resilience Creed’, using scriptural truths to strengthen faith during times of hardship. For those of an investigative nature, 145 annotated references are cited. It is a readable book; I found several nuggets amidst the many referenced opinions and conclusions. In summary, the book should interest Readers keen to investigate and develop the psychological aspects of their faith.

ROGER THORNINGTON

Psychology, Resilience

 

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