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Hans Küng

Nov 22, 2020 | 2018 - Summer, Book Reviews, Free Summer 2018

Hans Küng

Author John J. Kiwiet
Publisher Hendrickson  £14.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781619709737

Continental theologians tend to write big books. The German Catholic Hans Küng exemplifies this, as in this re-issue of Kiwiet’s sympathetic, pithy and critical survey. Most of us will know of On Being a Christian. Not all that he was dismissed by the Pope from his official Catholic teaching role in 1979. Why? For being a scourge and articulate critic of out-of-date and untenable aspects of Catholic belief and practice. ‘Faith in the living Lord should coincide with concrete action’ within the Church and in secular society. He was an ecumenist who sought to bring Catholics and Protestants closer together, healing the centuries old rift of the Reformation. He opposed the Pope’s infallibility, writing that the Church was best placed to be without defect, but not the Pope. He was a brave searcher for the truth, critical of the Vatican hierarchy’s handing down the faith from above, and of those in power who protected the status quo and blocked change coming from below. His hopes rose during John XXIII’s papacy but then were dashed. He remains a champion of worshipping men and women, Protestant or Catholic, and those outside the Church.

JEREMY HARVEY

Biography

 

Journey to the centre of the soul

Nov 22, 2020 | 2018 - Summer, Book Reviews, Free Summer 2018

Journey to the centre
of the soul

Author Andrew D Mayes
Publisher BRF £8.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780857465825

This may be a spiritual book for explorers, as it is subtitled, but it certainly is not for beginners. It is for those well-versed in the scriptures and with a rudimentary knowledge of some mystical writers. A degree of comfort with theological vocabulary will also help. Not a quick or easy read, this book will reward slow, reflective reading. As an extended metaphor of underground landscape to encourage spiritual awareness, it is original and stimulating. Some may find there is too much geological information. The prayer exercises in each chapter are imaginative and varied. The book could be used as the basis for a retreat or with an experienced home group. Spiritual directors and those looking for fresh imagery for the work of the Spirit will find much of value here.

RONA ORME

Spirituality, Prayer

 

Dangerous Prayer

Nov 22, 2020 | 2018 - Summer, Book Reviews, Free Summer 2018

Dangerous Prayer

Author Darren Cronshaw
Publisher Paternoster £14.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781842279762

The author believes that prayer should not be escapist, or just about changing ourselves, but missional – motivating us to seek to change the world in the direction of God’s kingdom. He provides a verse by verse exposition of the Lord’s Prayer to show how this can happen. We are challenged to be part of the answer to our prayer, and to be careful what you wish for. He argues that to ask for our daily bread is to desire to subvert the global economy. Praying for the kingdom questions political manifestos. To seek forgiveness is to work for truth and reconciliation. It is slightly repetitive in places but there are many helpful anecdotes and references to films. Although the author is evangelical, he quotes with approval catholic, orthodox and liberal theologians. With journaling exercises, discussion questions and references to video clips, it could stimulate
a course on prayer.

DEREK JAY

Prayer, Mission

 

If Entrepreneurs Ran the Church

Nov 22, 2020 | 2018 - Summer, Book Reviews, Free Summer 2018

If Entrepreneurs
Ran the Church

Author Peter Kerridge
Publisher SPCK  £9.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780281078004

This book contains a miscellany of ideas about how to reinvigorate the Church from eight successful people who run large enterprises. Having been in industry, I was sceptical that managers in commerce could envisage getting the best out of the mix of stipendiary and voluntary workers that is the Church. Their ideas, though, draw one in probably because whatever it is, they want to make it work. A phrase that crops up several times is, ‘generosity of spirit.’ More emphasis is put on willingness to do things in the name of Jesus than on money and for this reason, and the many fresh ideas, I think this is especially a book for Readers. The overview at the end of the interviews is particularly welcome as a summary, and the ‘questions to help you consider how your church might gain from the entrepreneurs’ ideas,’ are useful.

JOHN FOXLEE

Leadership

 

Forgiveness Remembers

Nov 22, 2020 | 2018 - Spring, Book Reviews, Free Spring 2018

Forgiveness Remembers

Authors Paul Farren & Robert Miller
Publisher Instant Apostle £6.99
Format pbk
ISBN 978190928677

This small book with forewords by Bishop Richard Chartres and the late Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, is packed with insights into the human heart in situations which require understanding and forgiveness. As Catholic and Anglican priests working on opposite sides of the road in Northern Ireland the authors set an example of what a desire for peace can achieve in a society wracked with conflict. The ‘spiralling up to the light of peace from the darkness of hatred’ is explored in many contexts. Illustrations are drawn from the lives of Christians from diverse backgrounds, St Thérèse of Lisieux and Fr Maximilian Kolbe being two examples alongside others less well-known. The authors offer us a challenge to work at forgiving others as well as ourselves, by facing up to the source of our pain, hence the title. This would be a good book to take to a quiet day or retreat and provides useful illustrations for sermons on the theme of reconciliation.

LAURA HILLMAN

Spirituality, Ecumenism

 

God’s Belongers

Nov 22, 2020 | 2018 - Spring, Book Reviews, Free Spring 2018

God’s Belongers

Author David Walker
Publisher BRF £7.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780857464675

This is an important research based examination of how people belong to church. Based on two surveys taken in 2007 and 2009 in the Dioceses of Worcester and Lichfield, Walker outlines four ways – through people, places, one-off events and regular activities – that people belong to the Church. The samples were taken at rural harvest services and Christmas carol services and show information about the attitudes to faith of people who come to church at these times. The findings challenge attitudes of regular churchgoers to those who attend occasionally. Walker argues that people who attend occasionally through people, places or one-off events are co-workers with regular attendees and not objects of mission. He also asks whether it is possible to be a good Christian and not go to church very often. God’s Belongers is full of important questions and issues for PCCs, ministry teams and others to consider. It challenges stereotypes of the ‘not-often-there’ church attendees and deserves wide and careful consideration.

JANICE PRICE

Pastoral, Mission

 

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