Fearful Times;
Living Faith

Author Robert Boak Slocum & Martyn Percy (eds.)
Publisher Wipf & Stock £21.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781666731552

We acknowledge that we are ‘free to worship him without fear’ (Benedictus). Would it were always true. In these essays 21 church leaders record how they and others coped in fearful times and found a living faith. Our times are still fearful especially for the poor, the deprived and the racially despised; sadly this may remain so. The reflections, written between Summer 2020 and Spring 2021, offer hope and comfort. The topics covered include Covid and health, racism and white supremacy; climate change and the environment; being human, community and the common good; love, grief and hope. I found taking two or three essays at a time was digestible. The most rewarding had a simple story line, often personal, as with Guli Francis-Dehqani’s contribution. Percy’s essay on ‘Good Grief’ is particularly helpful: ‘grief can be good. It prunes and pares us back to our core.’ And ‘death is just nature’s way of slowing us down.’ Good food. If necessary, persuade a library to buy this.

Reviewed by JEREMY HARVEY

Theological essays