Introducing the World Council of Churches
by Marlin VanElderen and Martin Conway
WCC Publications, £6.50
ISBN: - 2-8254-1353-4
This is a straightforward introduction to the modem ecumenical movement and the World Council of Churches (WCC) in particular. This is actually an enlarged and updated version of an earlier work by the late Marlin VanElderen (his untimely death was in 2000) undertaken by Martin Conway but keeping much of VanElderen's earlier version intact.
Aimed at the general reader, as well as the student of ecumenism, this would make an excellent starting point for those wanting to know more about what is, after all, one of the most significant forces shaping the world-wide church, the search for unity.
Beginning with an overview of what the WCC is seen as: part humanitarian relief provider, part space for theological thinking; part campaigner for justice, part practical enabler of Christian unity, part worker for peace, part global constituency, two key phrases in the WCC Basis are highlighted: the confession that the 'Lord Jesus Christ is God and Saviour'and 'according to the Scriptures'.
There is a short history of the ecumenical movement an exploration of what is meant by acting together in unity, and its relations to the Vatican and the Pentecostals (the two large blocs of the world-wide church that are conspicuous by their non-membership of the WCC). Also included are summaries of the key texts to emerge ~ the ecumenical process, including the Lima Text, Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, and the campaigns for economic justice and globalisation that emerged from Harare and concerns for the whole creation.
If every thinking Christian should be aware ecumenical movement then this book deserves too widely read.
The Revd, Paul Goodliff is a Regional minister for the Central Baptist Association.
This review by kind permission of the Baptist Times
by Rhena Taylor
Monarch Books, £7 99
ISBN: - 1-85424-521 -X
The globe is turning grey. All over the world people are living longer In the west, in particular, the percentage of the population that is above retirement age is rising steadily year on year
Whereas we should be thankful that our life expectancy is increasing, many governments look upon it as a problem because the pensions bill increases as a result of all this longevity. Society in general is also ageist. There are many jokes to be found on birthday cards, for instance, all based on the fact that the birthday boy or girl is to be pitied.
The Bible informs us that old age is something to be valued. There are many verses, which speak of the privilege of 'grey hair'. The fifth commandment is the only one to come with a condition attached to it 'Honour your father and mother so that you may enjoy long life in the land which the Lord your God is giving to you' (Exodus 20:12 R.E.B.).
Rhena Taylor states that when you look in the Christian press there are all sorts of courses available that deal with evangelism aimed at teenagers, those in their twenties, young married couples and children, but there are very few that offer help in how to reach out to the over sixties.
In our ageist society, the older person is likely to be forgotten, and that would seem to he true for the Church as well. But, as the author usefully reminds us, the older we get the more urgent is the need to hear the Good News.
Rhena Taylor is the director of Outlook Trust, an organisation to promote the evangelisation of older people. The book contains many examples culled from the experiences of all those who are involved in this form of evangelism. If you need any ideas on how to brighten up your own approach to this important work, you will surely find it in this book. It may even go some way to evening up the imbalance in our approach to evangelism.
The Revd. Ted Kelly is the minister of Cann Hall and Harrow Green Baptist Church, Leytonstone, London.
This review by kind permission of the Baptist Times
by Mary Dana Russell
Black Swan, £7 99
ISBN: - 0-552-99777-3
and
Children of God
by Mary Dona Russell
Black Swan £6 99
ISBN: - 0-552-99811-7
What will happen when we make contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life in the future? Mary Dona Russell's two novels explore the possibilities following the discovery of strange, but beautiful music coming from Alpha Centauri.
With the exciting prospect of exploring a whole new frontier, who will be the first to take up the challenge of travelling to the New World? In this riveting story line, the United Nations and a wealthy business consortium are beaten hands down by those motivated by a deeper and more profound calling. Here Science Fiction meets missiology in a tale nicknamed by some as 'Jesuits in space'.
A former professional paleoanthropologist, Russell draws on the Catholicism of her youth, her professional knowledge of science and present experience as a convert to Judaism in writing this gripping narrative.
The mission to the planet Rakhat is the vision of Father Emilio Sandoz who gradually comes to an appreciation of a divine hand guiding them to a new field of mission. Working for good outcomes with crystal clear integrity proves insufficient as everything goes terribly wrong. Once considered a living saint, Sandoz is later accused of heinous crimes and blamed for the catastrophic disaster that resulted from 'first contact'.
An intriguing plot line is enhanced by the depth of her characterisation of both the hmm mid alien subjects in the developing story. The Science Fiction is both imaginative and believable while the theological content has depth and a sensitivity to nuances that are often notable by their absence in other writers of these factors combines to make these novels an enjoyable experience on a number of different levels.
As an adventure, the context is refreshingly different and stands alone in its own right with romantic storylines and plot-twists that keep the reader thoroughly engaged.
As Science Fiction it takes us into a world that, while familiar to us, is faced with completely different challenges and opportunities. The culture of the planet Rakhat seems quite comprehensible and straightforward, but things are never that simple. The completely alien nature of its fundamental assumptions and lifestyle remain hidden, and thereby hangs the tale.
Interestingly, any reader aware of the issues presented to Columbus, Magellan and Cortez will appreciate that the themes of these books could equally well have given rise to historical novels rather than Science Fiction.
As a theological exploration it opens up the subjects of guidance, calling, ethics and missiology, Speaking of her motivation Russell reported that she, '…. wanted readers to look philosophically at the idea that you can be seduced by the notion that God is leading you and that your actions have his approval. This is done sympathetically and sensitively. Her aim is not to attack those who have faith but rather to raise the issues that trouble a thinking person's spirituality.
Is God leading me or is it just a chance coming together of circumstances that I am interpreting as such? If God does lead us, is he then responsible when things go wrong and suffering results? Why is it that we can seek to do the right thing, the right way, with the right motives and still find that everything goes horribly wrong? Can good outcomes redeem bad experiences, or is this just another form of the end justifying the means?
In essence, the core of Russell's work is an exploration of cross-cultural mission. The themes and issues it raises are of immediate relevance to those of us seeking to present the gospel to a different culture than the one we presently inhabit.
We used to think that this was just the challenge facing those working overseas. However, as Leslie Newbigen reminded us, we need to learn the culture of our own country from the perspective of being missionaries to it. That is the life of our own fragmented, post-modem Britain with it's culture, urban-culture, rave-culture, eco-culture, black culture, entertainment culture, consumer culture and the rest.
The fact that Russell won the 1998 Arthur C Clarke Science Fiction Prize for The Sparrow alongside five other major awards speaks highly of the critical acclaim she has received. Like the best novels, it is a great read in and of itself. The fact that Universal have obtained the rights to make the movie and that Antonio, Banderas is believed to be the first choice to play Father Emilio Sandoz is just further testimony to the quality of this first foray of Mary Dona Russell as a fiction writer.
The Revd Roger Standing is a Regional Minister with the Southern Counties Association.
This review by kind permission of the Baptist Times
Continuum £16.99
ISBN: - 0-8264-5169-1
and
Inspiration
by David R. Law
Continuum, £16.99
ISBN: - 0-8264-51837
These are the first two volumes in a series entitled New Century Theology For all our supposed 'secularity', questions of God, sin, what it is to be a human, inspiration, truth, are never far from the surface and in recent political events have become urgent and public. This is no time for a retreat into an unquestioning and unquestionable religious ghetto. The publishers hope, therefore, that this series will explore the big questions with both believers and non-believers in mind. The setting for the debate is the public square where intellectual honesty and uncompromising theological faithfulness are required. The bold hope is that the series will return religious thought to the centre of contemporary life'.
Life in the public square moves at quite apace. Conversation partners are not always long term and the soundbite culture is all too much with us. In this sense, these books are properly demanding. They take their subject matter seriously. They know that there are no easy answers, no knock down lone liners' that settle the argument. But that means that time and thought have to be given.
The books are for those who know the seriousness of the issues raised. Intellectual rigour and honesty are notable characteristics of these two volumes.
James Bryne is aware that much talk of God cuts little ice. What do we mean when we use this word, to whom or what are we referring? He is alive to what has happened to much talk of God in modernity and explores what is the state of a society that thinks of God as dead. Here the debate is with Nietzsche in particular. Can God be known? The tradition of the via negativa is probed, concluding that all attempts to grasp God in language fail. All talk of God is metaphorical and symbolic and all attempts to identify God with any form of words runs the risk of idolatry Byrne has impressive chapters on facing the wrath of God, suffering, and a fascinating discussion of the book of job and our anthropomorphic images of divine intervention.
Further chapters face the issues of history and the power of the argument from design. Ultimately the question can we push beyond the idol, the language to speak creatively of God?
The book ends with ten theses, all clearly expressed and all inviting further thought and debate.
--------------------------------
David Law writes on inspiration. He does so with the background question of why the Bible has lost its authority. He asks what kind of authority the Bible has. As such, he is concerned with a theology of inspiration.
He treats us to helpful examinations of word-centred and then non-verbal theories of inspiration. The author's powers of analysis are creatively evident here as he shows how both these approaches are wanting. I suspect not a few Baptists will find the penetrating thought of these chapters disturbing of easily used slogans about hearing and knowing the Word of God.
Law's final chapter is his own understanding of inspiration. He draws heavily on the work of Karl Jaspers. For Law, the key to questions of inspiration lies with the encounter with the symbols, 'ciphers' in Jasper's terminology, which provoke an existential response in us to Transcendence. He argues that the chief of these ciphers is Christ. The argument is provocative in a positive sense and constitutes, in my view, an important credible understanding of the Bible as both being inspired and inspiring.
Neither of theses books is an easy read. But then, the authors have set themselves to be intellectually honest about matters that are of ultimate concern. I enjoyed the challenge the arguments and analyses brought to my mind. I am glad the publishers have been willing to invest in a series of this kind. I shall certainly be looking out for the other volumes as they are published.
The Revd. Dr Brian Haymes is minister of Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, London.
This review by kind permission of the Baptist Times