In the 1990s, I used to buy just about every book I could find on Christian social action. Around the turn of the century though, I had to become more selective. One reason was because the number of books published on the subject increased so much. But also I had a nagging guilt about spending too… Continue reading ‘For Good: The Church and the Future of Welfare’ – Samuel Wells with Russell Rook & David Barclay [review]
Category: Recommended books & reviews
Eugene Peterson’s Subversive Spirituality
Twenty-five years ago I bought Eugene Peterson's book Subversive Spirituality. I had not heard of Peterson at the time as it was before his paraphrase of the Bible, The Message, became popular. I only bought it because I was intrigued by the title. It turned out to be a great purchase. It's a book that… Continue reading Eugene Peterson’s Subversive Spirituality
Re-discovering Narnia and rinsing out stale thinking about Christianity
I grew up in a Christian home as the son of a vicar. In retrospect it gave me loads of things that I am grateful for, but in many ways I disliked being the ‘vicar’s son’ in a large church. People treated you differently: Sunday school teachers really did say things like ‘I would have expected… Continue reading Re-discovering Narnia and rinsing out stale thinking about Christianity
Inspirational but OTT: review of ‘Dirty Glory’ by Pete Greig
The ambition to 'form a movement' is one I have heard expressed by many leaders over the years. Movements are perceived as exciting, purposeful expressions of collective will and spiritual energy. They often stand in contrast to the more mundane task of managing an organisation. Pete Greig is one of the few contemporary Christian leaders who can legitimately… Continue reading Inspirational but OTT: review of ‘Dirty Glory’ by Pete Greig
I Believe in a Thing called Sin
A few years ago, I was on the south bank in London, near Waterloo station, and I got talking with a homeless man called Richard. He had approached me asking for money. He was in a bad state. He showed me the most terribly infected open wounds on both his arms and legs caused by… Continue reading I Believe in a Thing called Sin
‘Dethroning Mammon: making money serve grace’ by Justin Welby – a review by Gordon Kuhrt
Mammon is money or possessions when they are enthroned. The author says there is nothing wrong with money in itself, but when it exercises supreme power (is enthroned) it becomes mammon: evil, destructive and dangerous. A Foreword commending the book is from Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche movement which now has nearly 150 communities worldwide.… Continue reading ‘Dethroning Mammon: making money serve grace’ by Justin Welby – a review by Gordon Kuhrt
“In reaching out to the lost, I think I have found myself” – The Genius of the Poor [review]
“Somewhat ironically, my 12-month journey amongst the unlearned and unschooled has taught me more insights and life lessons than all my privileged education had achieved back home.” In 2012, Londoner Thomas Graham arrived in the Philippines expecting to stay one month. His assignment was to write an investment report on the Philippines, ‘one of the… Continue reading “In reaching out to the lost, I think I have found myself” – The Genius of the Poor [review]
Concrete faith: A review of ‘Dietrich Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker’ by Andrew Root
At the start of this book, Andrew Root outlines ‘The Bonhoeffer Phenomenon’, the term coined for the divergent Christian tribes who have bestowed hero status on the German theologian. One consequence is that books on Bonhoeffer are warped by the theological commitment of the authors, whether they be radical, liberal or conservative. Bonhoeffer's legacy easily falls victim to the tribal propaganda rife in… Continue reading Concrete faith: A review of ‘Dietrich Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker’ by Andrew Root
A journey of radical humility: ‘Pope Francis: Untying the Knots’ by Paul Vallely [review]
Recently I was talking with someone who was brought up a Catholic but it now an atheist. Although he has rejected the church of his upbringing, he was fascinated and excited by the approach of Pope Francis. It was just one example of the impact that Jorge Bergoglio has had since becoming Pope in March 2013. His generosity,… Continue reading A journey of radical humility: ‘Pope Francis: Untying the Knots’ by Paul Vallely [review]
‘The Book of Forgiving’ by Desmond & Mpho Tutu [Review]
"Forgiveness is not easy, but it is the path to healing. It was not easy for Nelson Mandela to spend twenty-seven years in prison, but when people say to me what a waste it was, I say no, it was not a waste. It took twenty-seven years for him to be transformed from an angry, unforgiving… Continue reading ‘The Book of Forgiving’ by Desmond & Mpho Tutu [Review]
Grace + Truth 