Book of the Month
Each month we invite a guest reviewer to
suggest and review a book for us. The simple
objective is that each book should encourage
the reader in their walk with Christ.
This month’s reviewer: Jean Mainland is a
retired primary school teacher who worships in Holy Trinity, Ayr. She is a
member of the Learning and Discipleship Development Team and has been
a member of the pastoral team at Holy Trinity for over 20 years.
Our Book this Month
The Electric Bible: revised and enlarged - Poems and Prayers for Public
Worship
Author: Peter Dainty
Publ: Kevin Mayhew (September 2005) ISBN: 978 1 844 174218
Price £16.13 on Amazon
Peter Dainty is a Methodist minister and throughout his life he has written
religious poetry. In 2000 The Electric Gospel was published followed by the
Electric Bible in 2003. In 2005 Kevin Mayhew published them as one volume
which included 38 new poems under the title of The Electric Bible.
Dainty takes familiar biblical verses/stories and puts them into a fresh and
often thought-provoking setting.
His poems can be humorous, gentle and sometimes they are very much to
the point. His clear use of language, sometimes deceptively simple and the
powerful imagery connect with the readers/audiences not only on a visual
level but on an emotional level too. Some of his seemingly simplest poems
can be some of the most profound.
I particularly like “The Candle” whose light/soul lives on when all else has
gone, living to the glory of God. “God’s Good Time” (timetables are man-
made) and “Give us Time” a dialogue between God and the human race.
The poems are intended to be read out loud as they are for public worship,
one voice or more depending on the poem but they work equally as well for
personal reading.
Dainty sets out to illuminate the Bible, break down the “barriers of familiarity”
and challenge us in our everyday lives, our values, our lifestyles, the very
mores of the society in which we live. I think he does this very well.
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