The Love that Moves the Sun

Author Paul Dominiak
Publisher Canterbury £12.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781786225658

The author focuses his Advent writing on the ‘four last things‘: heaven, hell, death and judgement; his introduction begins with endings and e

xplains that the purpose of the Christian life was, and is, to contemplate on these last things. He sets out a history of Christianity from earliest days which sets the scene for an in-depth look at each in turn. When unveiling the mysteries of heaven to us he draws on the Old and New Testaments, and on the many writers who have considered this subject. He encourages us to fuse the ideas together but also to take these into our present-day world situations reminding us that we should not lose sight of our brokenness and need for our God whose priority is a marriage of heaven and earth, right here and now. When considering hell, the author draws from many sources including ancient Christian and non-Christian beliefs. He explores universalism which gives an alternative version of hope. He also uses a quote to awaken us: ‘hell is other people’ and suggests that hell is of our own making. Next, when writing about judgement, the author suggests we consider substituting the word ‘justice’; and he goes on to unpack this at length. He continues with the theme of death, the one certainty in life, and steers us through many beliefs and teachings regarding this subject. Death is the absence of life and the author widens our viewpoint and guides us through an idea that we should consider – new life which would encompass us all, the rich, poor, all faiths, all colours, all classes, all levels of education – death to all that separates us from God’s beautiful created world – love and respect for each other as equal and made in His image. This is the author’s understanding of death. It is for us, as individuals, to change our world around each of us, bringing love, hope and faith. Finally, this little book ends (paradoxically) with an epilogue entitled ‘Beginnings’ and closes with questions for reflection during Advent, either for the reader or for small groups.

Reviewed by SUE PIPER