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Searching for a Silent God

Nov 23, 2020 | 2020 - Spring, Book Reviews, Free Spring 2020

Searching for
a Silent God

Author Sarah Parkinson
Publisher Sacristy Press  £8.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781789590388

This is Sarah Parkinson’s honest, detailed spiritual journey, punctuated by self-revealing poems. We follow her through conversion; education and career moves; marriage and childbirth; the stresses of becoming a clergy-wife and a significant bereavement. Through all the changes, she is conscious of God’s loving presence. The second half of the book describes how Sarah emerges from the ‘grey-fog’ of mourning only to realize that God has apparently deserted her. Faith says he is still around but, paradoxically, experience screams his absence. She can offer no explanations or solutions, hoping that her experiences and questions may be of help to others who are also finding it difficult to connect with God. This is a creative and well-written short book, touching on important issues of spiritual growth and times of darkness, and may be a great comfort to some. A more objective exploration of the God beyond the silence could have enriched the book further.

APRIL McINTYRE

Poetry, Spirituality

 

Following Jesus

Nov 23, 2020 | 2020 - Spring, Book Reviews, Free Spring 2020

Following Jesus

Author Henri Nouwen
Publisher SPCK  £12.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9780281083558

This simple, beautiful book is based on lectures by the late Henri Nouwen on following Jesus ‘in an age of anxiety’. I think the age of anxiety has increased in intensity since the original talks, and that Henri Nouwen’s message is more poignant than ever. From the very beginning, I felt, both by Nouwen’s style and content, drawn into the presence of Jesus Christ, and that he was talking to me. The simplicity and portrayal of the message is deeply attractive. Nouwen writes on Christ’s invitation and call, the challenge and cost of following Jesus, and the reward of joy, which was my favourite section. The last chapter is about the Holy Spirit and how to practise the presence of the Spirit day by day. Nouwen is very practical and never suggests that the Christian life is easy. He does, however, reveal a quiet assurance of peace and direction that is neither complex nor exhausting. The book is suitable for any time of year but would be particularly good for reading through Lent. I commend it to you with all my heart.

HOWARD ROWE

Vocation, Spirituality

 

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

 

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 with Us

Nov 22, 2020 | 2017 - Autumn, Book Reviews, Free Autumn 2017

God with Us

Author Rowan Williams
Publisher SPCK £8.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780281076642  2016

This is a series of five talks and a short sermon, edited and collated into a book on ‘The meaning of the cross and resurrection – then and now’. Williams encourages us to ‘put out into deep water’. It is a Tardis – small on the outside (106pp), but revealing depth and breadth on reading. I found that Williams regularly took me through what I knew into new vistas of what I didn’t know, shedding light, deepening the background and making new connections. Clarity is a hallmark. I found the book yielded yet more on a second reading and will, no doubt, take me even further the next time. The chapters are self-contained, so it is a good book for busy people. Chapters finish with questions for ‘reflection or discussion’; some of these are quite searching and encourage personal engagement beyond the academic enquiry – useful for a series of Lent studies where members are willing to delve deep.

GERTRUD SOLLARS

Doctrine, Spirituality

 

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