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REVIEWS
Book Reviews
KNOWING CHRIST
Christian Discipleship and the Eucharist
David R . Tomlinson ( Sacristy Press 2020 )
182pp , RRP £ 8.99
The bold , colourful cover attracted me to this book , and the contents did not disappoint . Focusing on the Eucharist , the Reverend David Tomlinson explores the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ . He calls the sacrament ‘ Eucharist ’ because it is not tied to any particular Christian denomination , and because the theme of ‘ Thanksgiving ’ runs throughout this book , as we are encouraged to respond to God ’ s love , symbolised in the bread and wine .
The writer ’ s clear , eloquent prose deserves prayerful reflection , as he calls us to become more Christlike in all aspects of our lives . I found in chapter 1 alone , on the nature of the love of God , new inspiration for my Holy Week sermons . There are many sentences and phrases in this book that I have highlighted , because I want to ponder over them . But it is not all deep theology . The writer knows how to engage our interests and attention . Each short chapter is broken down into sections , opens with an example from everyday life , and closes with a prayer .
The book has two parts . The second explores the key elements of a Eucharist service , from the gathering through to the dismissal . This would be instructive for new Christians preparing for Confirmation and thought-provoking for those who receive this sacrament regularly . Finally , a short Epilogue on ‘ The Eucharist in the time of pandemic ’ brings this book right up to date and looks at how the Church has coped during lockdown . For those of us forced to fast from the Eucharist during this time , the writer helps us to appreciate more fully all that we were missing , and to return to it with thanksgiving .
This devotional book is worthy of attention by all who are serious about their Christian discipleship . I recommend it for its fresh and inspirational approach to a subject at the very heart of Christianity .
Jan Thompson
C of E Lay Reader , I am part of the Ministry Team in a benefice of three rural parishes in Kent .
The Bible
A Story That Makes Sense of Life
Andrew Ollerton ( Hodder & Stoughton , October 2020 )
352pp , RRP £ 14.99
Whether you ’ re new to the Bible , or have been studying it for years , it can be very easy to get lost in the detail and confused by particularly obscure passages . In his book , The Bible : A Story That Makes Sense of Life , Andrew Ollerton helps us to take a step back and remind us of the big picture . Taking six key themes that run through the Bible and presenting them as human ‘ quests ’ ( for meaning , freedom , peace , love , community and home ), Ollerton takes us through the whole Bible in a very readable and relatable way . The big themes don ’ t just stay that way ; Ollerton zooms in to individuals in the Bible , drawing out their stories , and showing how these overarching themes continue to be relevant to us today . He is creative in conveying deep theological points , using his own personal anecdotes to good effect . He does not assume any prior knowledge of the Bible , making the book a good starting point for anyone just beginning their journey into the scriptures .
It can be read individually or as a group – there are six chapters , each split into seven sections ( ideal for a six-week course ). At the end of each section is a Bible passage and a short reflection or action point , and there are more discussion questions at the end of the book for further study .
As someone who very rarely reads the Bible in a linear fashion , I found Ollerton ’ s book to be an excellent reminder of what the Bible as a whole conveys to us . Not even a pandemic can stop our questions , but I was deeply comforted by what he said , particularly what he wrote about Revelation and the human longing for our true home . Ollerton continually points to Jesus as the One who fulfils these human ‘ quests ’ mentioned above .
The Bible : A Story That Makes Sense of Life is for anyone looking to be refreshed in their exploration of the Bible or looking for the bigger picture behind some of the more confusing and difficult parts of Scripture . Ollerton makes sure that we know we are part of it all – that the Bible is not just some moral guidebook ; it is one continuous , unfolding story that we find ourselves in the middle of ( somewhere between Acts and Revelation ). And he challenges us to bring ourselves before God and ask what part He wants us to play .
Rebecca Coatsworth
Rebecca is from Oxfordshire and works for Open Doors . She is passionate about preaching and church .