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The Road to Emmaus by Helen Julian. Pub Bible Reading Fellowship, pp176, ISBN 1841014427, £7.99
Lent is the time for Christians to focus on spiritual disciplines in preparation for the events of Holy Week and Easter. A range of devotional books from different traditions provide disciples with resources to help deepen their spiritual awareness and devotion.
Helen Julian’s The Road to Emmaus describes seven key figures from British spirituality. Sadly the amount of biographical data and commentary far outweighs their devotional material: more information than inspiration. Not enough is given of the rich spirituality accessible from Thomas Traherne, the Venerable Bede, Aelred of Rievaulx, the author of the Cloud of Unknowing, John & Charles Wesley, John Donne and Julian of Norwich. The device of the Walk is not fully explored either. Hopefully this book will inspire readers to study the writings of these spiritual giants and the performance summaries will create enduring practical disciplines.
I Desire Justice by Ridley Hall. Pub by Canterbury Press, pp96, ISBN 1853116971, £4.99
I Desire Justice is the fifth Lent book from the students and staff of Ridley Hall College, Cambridge. It offers 47 daily Biblical reflections as a manual for prophetic Christian living rooted in the Biblical vision of personal holiness. There are too few of the personal stories which link well with strong scriptural selections. Whereas retelling stories of Biblical characters is a helpful device, there are too many preachy reflections on scriptures which are strong enough to speak for themselves. Next year please, more stories of those who are demonstrating the merciful justice of a God who would have us live it out rather than simply telling us to do it.
Jesus the wounded Saviour by Selwyn Hughes and Ian Sewter. Pub by CWR, pp84, ISBN 9781853454028, £5.99
Click here to purchase this book at the CWR Store
Jesus The Wounded Saviour has six group studies by Selwyn Hughes and Ian Sewter, the Every Day with Jesus daily note-writers. Their pedigree is evident in format, imagination and content. The studies provide a complete resource for group work: icebreakers, prayers, linked Bible readings, setting the scene, opening our eyes and eight discussion starters per study, reinforced by helpful Leader’s notes. The studies deal with the Passion story to the triumph of the Resurrection: humiliation, loneliness, temptation and bereavement are set in the context of the comfort and strength of the Wounded Healer… The best of the bunch.
Turning Points by CAFOD/Christian Aid. Pub by DLT, pp104, ISBN 0232526885, £4.95
Turning Points is the CAFOD/Christian Aid Lent book for 2007 with six contributors asking ‘Who do we want to be? What values are we to live by? What do we hope for? Who are we to follow?’ Helpful illustrations from Africa, Latin America, India, Europe and Israel draw heavily on both Gospels and the Prophets. A consistent use of these studies, prayers and thoughts for the day will ensure a focused journey through Lent, challenging assumptions and offering some answers to the questions posed by this useful book.
Beginning over again by Clare Amos. Pub Inspire, pp120, ISBN 1858523044, £5.99
Beginning over again by Clare Amos has five group sessions using the Creation, Flood, Abraham, Jacob and Joseph stories. Amos’ conviction is that Genesis (a) blends its story with our contemporary experiences (b) explores the relationship between one and the ‘other’ – be it God, another person, faith, race or ideology – (c) is to be read intellectually and imaginatively as the forces of creation and renewal are in the here and now. Her comments are content-full, with good resources and theological reflections giving a strong context to aid both intellect and spirit. Skilful leadership for group studies would draw out its value. It makes us take up a discipline rather than give up an indulgence.
Growing in Love by Ann Lewin. Pub MPH, pp80, ISBN 1 85852 320 6, £4.99
To purchase
this book please contact the URC Bookshop
Growing in Love: through Lent with Julian of Norwich by Ann Lewin centres on five topics: coping with difficult times, the nature of God, Prayer, Sin and Julian’s best known saying:
’All shall be well’. Julian’s writings were rediscovered in 1908 and are some of the best loved spiritual texts written, her ’Revelation of Divine Love’, insights, form the basis for this study. The content is challenging and comforting at the same time and will deepen the reader’s spirituality and understanding.
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