Book of the Month

Revelations: personal responses to the books of the Bible. Intro. Richard Holloway 352pp Canongate, Aust. $28.00

'The best way to get to the layers of meaning in a great text is to get writers to bring their own passion and insight to the task. That, in abundance, is what you get in this volume.' Richard Holloway.

Thirty four of the most celebrated writers and thinkers of our times respond to specific books of the Bible. Contributors include: Karen Armstrong, Bono (U2), A S Byatt, Nick Cave, Thor Heyerdahl, P D James, Kathleen Norris, Ruth Rendell, Will Self, Joanna Trollope and Fay Weldon.

The Spiral Staircase: a memoir. Karen Armstrong 342pp Harper Perennial, UK $24.95.

After seven years of hoping but failing to find enlightenment, Armstrong left her early life as a nun. She knew almost nothing of the changed world she was entering and was tormented by panic attacks and inexplicable seizures. Finally diagnosed with epilepsy and given proper treatment, she began the writing career that would become her true calling. She started writing her bestseller A History of God in a spirit of scepticism, but through studying other religious traditions she found a very different kind of faith which drew from Christianity, Judaism and Islam and, eventually, spiritual and personal calm. “An honest and affecting book.” Independent, UK

Also by Armstrong: The Battle for God $21.95, A History of God $34.95. Islam: a short history $31.95.

The Chosen Ones: The politics of salvation in the Anglican Church. Chris McGillion 249pp Allen& Unwin, Aust. $35.00

The soldiers of Christ are on the march in the Australian Anglican Church. Peter Jensen’s appointment as Anglican Archbishop of Sydney was the triumphant culmination of a struggle for power within this influential diocese. He and his supporters are leading the Church away from traditional forms of worship and progressive policies, towards extreme conservative evangelism — not just in Sydney, but across Australia and internationally as well. McGillion, an independent columnist, tells the inside story of the take over of Sydney's Anglican Church, arguing it is nothing less than a new Reformation.

Hear Our Prayer: an anthology of classic prayers. hbk 128pp Lion, UK. $34.95

A stylish collection of Christian prayers drawn from around the world, and across the centuries. Arranged by topic and beautifully illustrated throughout with evocative nature photographs. An ideal resource or gift.

 

Facing Age: a practical guide for families. Nancye Bourke 224 pp Exisle, NZ. $29.95

As the population ages, people are facing difficult questions about ageing, retirement and death. It can be difficult to absorb the detailed information required to make sensible decisions for their parents and themselves. New Zealander Nancye Bourke presents all the information you need in this clear and practical self-help guide. Includes a comprehensive list of addresses and contact details.

Writing the Sacred: a psalm-inspired path to appreciating and writing sacred poetry. Ray McGinnis. 224pp Northstone, Can. $37.95

McGinnis offers us a new, deeper way to explore and understand the Psalms. He discusses the intent and meaning of the historical psalms, and then sets us on a path to creating our own sacred poetry and leads us through sensory and poetic exercises designed to transform the reader into an inspired modern day psalmist. Rich with insight, power and meaning.

An illustrated history of the Treaty of Waitangi Claudia Orange. 345pp large format. Bridget Williams, NZ. $39.95.

Orange, an acknowledged authority on the Treaty, brings to this book years of research. It is an updated and expanded edition of Orange's classic 1987 work, now with photos, maps, drawings and paintings to bring the story to life.

The Crime of Living Cautiously: hearing God’s call to adventure. Luci Shaw. 140pp hbk IVP, US. $29.95

Here is help for living fully in freedom and faith, and inspiration and advice for following God’s call without fear. Shaw is a 70-something author and poet who remains willing to risk and discover.

 

Jesus at the Movies: a guide to the first hundred years. Barnes Tatum. 293pp Revised 2004. Polebridge, US. $39.95

In this reader-friendly text, Tatum poses questions designed to stretch and challenge even the most progressive Christian. Tatum is at his best when he hints that modern filmmakers are similar to the early Christians in their struggle to understand the biblical presentation of Jesus as both divine and human. The theological reflections provide a basis for a dialogue between Christianity and modern culture. Includes chapters on Jesus of Montreal, Life of Brian,The Passion of the Christ and Jesus of Nazareth.

Civil War (& other optimistic predictions.) David Slack. 210pp Penguin, NZ. $28.00

Politically, racially, economically and morally the nation has found itself divided by a variety of issues. Slack tests the doomsday scenarios put forward by vested interests: Will there be bloodshed on the beaches? Is the family under threat from permissiveness and the ‘gay agenda’? Is New Zealand now little more than a foreign owned and controlled lifestyle block in the South Pacific? In short, which way are we heading; up or down? Provocative & lively.

Also by Slack: Bullsh*t, backlash and bleeding hearts $27.95.

How To Prepare and Preach a Sermon. John Waller. 28pp Grove, UK. $12.95

Preaching remains a vital part of the life of most congregations and an increasingly wide range of people are involved in this ministry. But where do you start in approaching the task? This handbook offers a simple framework together with reflections on the many different facets of preaching. It will help beginners as well as those with experience, and the material can be used as a local training course.

Ministry Leadership Teams: theory & practice in effective collaborative ministry. Andrew Dawswell.28pp Grove, UK. $12.95

Many local churches are forming ministry leadership teams. This helpful study looks at theory and practice, and includes reflection on biblical patterns of leadership and their relevance to contemporary issues. For anyone involved with this kind of lay leadership.

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