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Does Religion Do More Harm Than Good?

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

Does Religion Do More Harm Than Good?

Author Rupert Shortt
Publisher SPCK  £7.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780281078714

In eighty pages Shortt sets out to rebut the arguments of Hitchens, Pullman and others hostile to religion because of the harm it has caused. Following a well-trodden path, he argues: first, that one must distinguish between what religions teach, in terms of openness and tolerance, and the abuse of those same teachings by believers; second, that, properly understood, the ethical dimensions of all religions create an environment in which human beings can be most fully themselves. The writing, replete with references, is very much of the style, ‘on the one hand’ but ‘on the other,’ in order to appear even-handed, but inevitably the atheists fare badly. Occasionally in his exposition, despite his best intentions, he strays into implicitly negative judgments of non-Christian religions, thereby risking the kind of simplistic generalisation he warns against; but his conviction that all religions contribute to the general well-being, by urging us to embrace a vision of life that is broad and inclusive and not confined within a naturalistic perspective, is surely one which all readers of this journal would endorse.

C W WATSON

Apologetics

 

Edith Cavell

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

Edith Cavell

Author Catherine Butcher
Publisher Monarch  £8.99
Format pbk
ISBN 978085721671   2015

The sub-title tells all: faith before the firing squad – and that is where the first chapter takes us: a graphic description of the last hours of a
nurse who had saved the lives of over 200 Allied troops but who had confessed to the crime of helping to conduct those soldiers to safety and, of course, to a chance to return to battle against the Germans. Catherine Butcher’s biography of Edith Cavell is detailed, with a strong emphasis on her faith. Child of the vicarage, she was brought up with daily services from the Book of Common Prayer, often quoted. Later, she trained as a nurse working in England, and then in Belgium where she became matron of a training school. Here the focus is more on her humanitarian and brave approach, especially towards soldiers whom she helped; their stories and the danger involved add a tension to the work. Readers will find the book of interest but may find the explanations, such as that about confirmation, frustratingly simple.

MARGARET TINSLEY

Biography

 

Faithful Grandparents

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

Faithful Grandparents

Author Anita Cleverly
Publisher BRF  £9.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780857466617

This book is for Christian grandparents. Anita Cleverly writes of her own journey and approach as a grandparent, and covers the responsibilities of the grandparent’s role in the twenty-first century, together with the opportunities we have, and the limitations we are subject to. The chapters on sensitive listening, the wonder of the created world, Bible stories and children’s questions are well covered. There is an encouraging view of the church today, and valuable advice regarding the changing landscape of culture and today’s technology. The chapter I enjoyed most was the one on praying for and with our grandchildren. Anita Cleverly has written a book of authentic Christian wisdom and grace, sprinkled with real comments from real people, and pieces of practical advice, for ourselves as well as for our families. She writes with feeling about the difficulties of being a faithful grandparent as well as the joys. I commend it to you.

HOWARD ROWE

Family, Lifestyle

 

Psalms

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

Psalms

Author Simon P Stocks
Publisher BRF  £6.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9780857467317

This book is small in size, but substantial in content – 111 pages filled with important ideas and helpful insights. It is part of the BRF ‘Really Useful Guides’ series, and this designation is most apt. Stocks has written for a wide audience, including those with little previous knowledge of the psalms, but those who have used them daily for many years will nonetheless find much that is new and fascinating. He is especially strong on the poetic imagery of the psalms, and how these relate to the context of life in ancient Israel. I was also impressed by the way the author is not afraid to address the difficult questions posed by the so-called ‘vengeful’ psalms, including the seldom-used Psalm 58. While some of these may never become favourites, the ideas described will open our minds to wider issues, including the overriding need for justice. This book will help readers to pray the psalms with new hearts, and greater dedication, and is strongly recommended.

ELIZABETH HOGG

Old Testament Analysis

 

Confronting Religious Violence

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

Confronting
Religious Violence

Authors Richard Burridge & Jonathan Sacks (eds.)
Publisher SCM £25
Format hbk
ISBN 9780334057130

The papers in this volume derive from a conference convened in 2017 at King’s College London by Richard Burridge (Dean of KCL) and the former Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks. The book addresses a major issue of our time, namely that of violence committed in the name of religion, and the necessity of developing a counter-narrative to bring about peace and understanding. It stresses the need to develop an appreciation of those whom we consider to be ‘Other’ and of creating an atmosphere of mutual inter-dependence. The contributors, who are drawn from a wide range of academic disciplines (including theology, philosophy, science and law), offer various explanations for religious violence – psychological, political, economic, even climate change and population movement – all of which are worthy of consideration. Case studies and the outline of training courses also offer practical examples of methods of developing mutual understanding. Individual statements often give pause for thought and the whole volume asks the reader to consider what steps are necessary to bring about peace and understanding between groups and individuals whose opinions conflict with our own. The highly academic language of this book will demand the reader’s full attention, but the issues discussed are vital in confronting the religious violence so prevalent in today’s world.

GEOFF BRAMMALL

Peace Studies, Interfaith

 

Theology for Changing Times

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

Theology for
Changing Times

Authors Christopher R. Baker & Elaine Graham (eds.)
Publisher SCM £30
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334056959

The book is subtitled ‘John Atherton and the future of public theology’. Atherton, who died in 2016, was for many years at the forefront of the dialogue between religion and public policy, particularly economic policy. He was noted for being one of those rare theologians with a real grasp of modern economic theory and stood out as one who argued for a transformation of capitalism by showing how Christian doctrines such as redemption and reconciliation have much to say about morality in economics. This is in contrast to others such as Stanley Hauerwas who argues from a more radical position that capitalism is inherently flawed, and an alternative should be sought. Atherton was particularly interested in globalisation and its effects on all areas of life, and the importance of involving religion (not just Christianity) in the consideration of what makes for the well-being of humanity as a whole. This book is probably of most interest to students of social ethics, but would also interest anyone concerned with the intersection of theology and public institutions. It contains a number of interesting chapters, all very different, reflecting the breadth of Atherton’s thinking and influence.

MARION GRAY

Social Policy, Theology of John Atherton

 

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