Rowan, Maggi, Theology and Books

I loved John Davies’ recent description of Rowan Williams

“…That formidable Welsh theologian/poet, mystic/politician, Archbishop of Canterbury…”

As an aside, I’ve recently added Rowan’s book to my library, Ponder These Things: Praying With Icons of the Virgin. Kallistos Ware writes the forward. Perhaps a more open, sympathetic reading of Mary within Protestant circles might wonderfully enrich our conversations and debate about women in ministry, but more especially the gift that women are to the ministry and mission of the whole people of God.

Added The Dwelling of the Light: Praying with Icons of Christ, also by Rowan Williams to my Amazon basket – one day I will buy it.

“One of the delights of reading a good book is that it can broaden our own horizons, challenge our prejudices and preconceptions and, very occasionally, lead us on a journey of self-discovery. Before reading this book, I had never considered using icons in prayer. Rowan Williams The Dwelling of the Light, however, provides an eloquent and intelligent introduction to the topic. It provides a brief, but helpful, history of the church's mixed response to the use of icons before indicating how to pray using four of the best-known images: The Transfiguration, The Resurrection, The Hospitality of Abraham and Pantocrator. The book is illustrated throughout with details of well-known icons. A welcome gift this often misunderstood and underused aid to prayer…” Hamish Bruce.

I loved the following section from Maggi Dawn's post today...carry on reading

"...A truly postmodern christian will find their bookshelf filled with theology emerging from catholic, lutheran, anglican, methodist, baptist and evangelical stables. We don't need 'emergent' theology, we just need good theology.

But we also need to recognise that good theology won't feel obliged to stay within the narrow confines of conservative evangelicalism, and that it won't be presented in softened-up celebrity-speak. The theological enterprise is one of the most exciting adventures in the world. Like going to the gym, the results are fantastic, life-giving, and worth the effort. But also like going to the gym, you have to put in a bit of effort and stay with it even when it doesn't feel great..."

Too true Maggi, you're a kindred Jesus-follower. My prayer is that this kind of reality would become more widespread in our church and churches in general. My bookshelf continues, albeit more slowly now to fill from across the breadth of the one holy, catholic church. Added, from the Catholic arrondissement, Karl Rahner: Mystic of Everyday Life, to my bookshelves (ordered in the middle of last year, but only arrived yesterday)

Comments

[bill]

Recently picked up that book by Williams as wellas one that just came out, The Poems of Rowan Williams.

Just sad you have to get books from Amazon. :)

[Paul Fromont]

Bill, AMAZON.uk though...not your American competitor. The UK site have good book cover photo's and a number of books not published in the USA. I actually got "Ponder These Things" from NZ :-)

[maggi]

I love Rahner - studied him intensely about 10 years ago, and based a chapter of my PhD on his account of 'Kenosis' (the self-giving of God). Is he postmodern? He's specifically post-Wittgenstein and post-Heidegger in terms of thought.

Rahner is rapidly going out of fashion in our Faculty (to my own profound regret - I'd ditch Karl Barth if the choice was mine.) Hope you enjoy your new read.

[Paul Fromont]

Maggi, that's a shame. I'd ditch Barth too in favour of Rahner. I love his integration of great theology, the everyday life, spiritual formation, and a life lived deeply in relation to God. He puts theology in it's right place, it's no mere intellectual exercise...it appeals in a multi-sensual way. Not simply to the rational. Thanks for leaving a comment.