Suffering the common theme in British Lenten books.THESE TWO Lent books from Britain have contrasting forms: one thoughtful analysis, the other a devotional de·vo·tion·al adj. Of, relating to, expressive of, or used in devotion, especially of a religious nature. n. A short religious service. de·vo journey. While they address a variety of themes, they have one in common -- suffering. Strange Design is the Archbishop of Wales' Lent book, with foreword fore·word n. A preface or an introductory note, as for a book, especially by a person other than the author. foreword Noun an introductory statement to a book Noun 1. by the new archbishop himself, Rowan Williams  The current Anglicanism Collaboration of the Month isBook of Common Prayer The next collaboration will be selected on September 30, 2007. (Vote here) . It addresses the question "Is God in control of the world? How?" The author explores issues like the reality of suffering, the effectiveness of prayer, and the possibility of miracle. The chapter on "accidents of history" is fascinating. Each of the seven chapters ends with discussion questions. With millennium-related apocalyptic guesswork in mind, the author says the second coming "stands for the truth that one day everything will be subject to the just and gentle rule of Christ." Days of Grace offers meditations for each day of Lent -- Sunday, of course, is excluded as not being part of the 40 days -- around the biblical imagery of journeys, mountains, light, food, healing. Each devotion has Scripture passage, commentary, meditation, reflections and prayers and quotations from spiritual writers. The Holy Week section centring on the passion of Jesus is especially powerful. A helpful feature is the pithy pith·y adj. pith·i·er, pith·i·est 1. Precisely meaningful; forceful and brief: a pithy comment. 2. Consisting of or resembling pith. "thought for the day" -- almost like a Sunday school Sunday school, institution for instruction in religion and morals, usually conducted in churches as part of the church organization but sometimes maintained by other religious or philanthropic bodies. In England during the 18th cent. memory verse -- at the end of each daily meditation. Strange Design Exploring the Ways of God in the World by Philip Crowe Canterbury Press 143 pages, papers, $17.95 ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 1 85311 326 3 Days of Grace A forty-Day Journey With Jesus by Raymond Chapman Canterbury Press 161 pages, paper, $15.95 ISBN 1 85311 328 X |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion