And Now Let's Move into a Time of Nonsense by Nick Page (Authentic 2004; 122pp, £6.99)
A WesleyOwen bookshop manager once told me that he'd met Nick Page and he was "completely barking". Well, generally his books are not barking (although if "Six Days" was not barking it definitely had a cold wet nose and a tail) but user friendly volumes on Christianity. This book isn't barking either, but his sense of humour comes across as he deals with worship songs in the contemporary church.
Now he is not a hymn-obsessee, indeed he critques hymns, but he does see problems with modern worship culture. Briefly: lack of depth, over use & misuse of Biblical imagery, and a lack of craftmanship. Not that all songs suffer from these, but there has been a general drift in this direction. Nick calls for a different approach, learning from previous generations whilst shaping our sung worship for contemporary people.
Now he is not a hymn-obsessee, indeed he critques hymns, but he does see problems with modern worship culture. Briefly: lack of depth, over use & misuse of Biblical imagery, and a lack of craftmanship. Not that all songs suffer from these, but there has been a general drift in this direction. Nick calls for a different approach, learning from previous generations whilst shaping our sung worship for contemporary people.
As a hymn-obsessee, I did not agree with every single word, but I think 99.9% book is excellent: it critiques without being critical and suggests a way forward (which I think many writers are now taking anyway). Plus the letters from 'Kevin Molecule', anointed worship leader, which preface each chapter, are great.
Reviewed by Alan Burns.
Score: 5/10 4444455555 - worth reading if this is your field of interesr.
?Rate: 1/10 M -you might not agree.
Shadowmancer by GP Taylor (Faber & Faber, 2003)
I was put onto this book by contradictory comments I heard: it is either deeply occultic or profoundly Christian. So I borrowed it from Wall Heath library (children's section) and have discovered that to some degree it is both.
The cover artwork and details would certainly lead someone to expect a tale of the supernatural, even a horror story. Set in the 1700s, Shadowmancer has an almost historical feel. But it's a slightly different England, where many things from folklore actually exist, and where the local Parson is in league with the devil to assault heaven. So far so cashing in on Harry Potter and His Dark Materials. What the cover and outline does not convey is the battle between heaven and hell; angels, Jesus, and Bible quotations. Although folklore is given existence in the novel, magic and everything associated with it is (contra Harry Potter) diagnosed as irredeemably evil with real power residing in a relationship with God.
To say more would give away too much, but clues can be found in thinking carefully about exotic sounding names and words in the book, and where you might have heard them before.
The lack of descriptive writing at key points makes it not the best written book, but it is a page-turner, exciting, complex and the characterisation is very good. However, it does leave several unanswered questions which frustrates after closing the book. Although my biggest question is: how come a secular publisher has pushed a book to teenagers which has such blatantly Christian elements?! And will the movie (Taylor has sold the rights) do the same? Could be interesting.... By the way, if you read the Author blurb where it states that Taylor lives in a deserted graveyard (ooerrr, occultist) - this might be because he is a CofE vicar.
Score: 7/10 4444444555 - worth listening to.
?Rate: 5/10 MMMMM -witchcraft/folklore etc (though roundly condemned); some violence and deaths.
The Cross and the Crescent by Richard Fletcher published by penguin 2002 ISBN 0-141-01207-2
One of the difficulties I have found in trying to understand Islamic history, is that my knowledge tends to be minimal compared with my knowledge of western history. This means that when I try to read books such as the scholarly work on A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani I get lost in a mass of detail, strange Arabic words and alien concepts. But the present author has chosen a novel approach, he has connected Islamic history with more familiar western events which results in an experience that is much more comprehensible, interesting and memorable.
This slim volume of 180 pages (including notes and index) is a highly readable book with an excellent balance between basic information and informed analysis. It covers the first 1000 years of interaction between Islam and Christianity but it also gives historical clues as to the present relationship between the West and Islam.
Although this is not written by an evangelical but rather approached from a standard secular academic view point as can be gauged from the opening, where the writer is describing the difference between the Bible and the Koran. Yet he deals, on the whole, sympathetically with the Christian faith and clearly appreciates the profound affect that the Christian faith has had on the West, and still has, despite the Westıs present secular nature.
I found this a riveting read that left me with many questions but a much better understanding of the way that my Christian faith relates to Islam. I can thoroughly recommend this book.
Reviewed By Alan Dodd.
