ASHBURNHAM THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY
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THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY
D E D I C AT I O N
A s h bu rn h am Pl a c e i s a g i f t a n d i t i s o u r h ope th at th e Ash bu rn h am T h e ological Library will be a p rec i o u s gi ft to ma ny. A s s u c h , we wo u l d like to expre ss ou r de e p gratitu de to e ach an d every p e rs o n w h o k i n d l y a n d s a c r i f i c i a l l y g a ve towards th e library’s re n ovation - wh eth e r th rou gh a g e n ero u s gi ft of t i me , by g i f t i n g t h e o logical books or in de e d by su pportin g th e library ’s ren ovat i o n t h ro u g h a f i n a n c i a l g i f t. T h e l i brary is a te stame nt to th e Lord’s goodn e ss th rou gh His fai thf u l s e r va nt s a n d t h i s b ro c hu re is de dicate d, with mu ch love , to th e m.
ASHBURNHAM.ORG.UK
ASHBURNHAM PLACE
F E AT U R E S
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FORWARD SETTING THE VISION D R. R O G E R MI TC H E L L , C ha i r of Tr us tees , A s hb ur nha m P l a c e Pl ac e
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PA S T, P R E S E N T A N D F U T U R E R I C H AR D B I C K E R STE TH , B o a rd of Tr us tees mem b er
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THE LONG HOT SUMMER OF 1959 DAV I D H U N TL E Y , a p e r s o na l tes ti m ony
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VOLUNTEER, FRIEND, AUTHOR S H E I L A R OS E W E L L , a p er s o na l a cc ount
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FROM PITLOCHRY TO ASHBURNHAM M AR G AR E T DE R R I C K , a p er s o na l te s ti m ony
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A COSMIC HOMECOMING TOM PA R KI N S, Res o urc e te a m m em b er a t A s hb ur nha m P l a c e a nd a c t i ng l i b rari an
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Q U I R K Y FAC T S A B O U T THE REFURBISHED LIBRARY
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W H AT T H E C O M M U N I T Y S AY S . . .
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FORWARD
T he l i b ra r y a t A s hb ur nha m P l a c e ha s c o me to l i fe . Ye s , i t ha s b e en a l o ng j o ur ney b ut we b el i eve i t ha s a l l b een wo r t hw hi l e . We s ta r ted a t t he b es t p o s s i b l e p l a c e we c o ul d s ta r t - at t he ver y b eg i nni ng . T he fl o o r b o a rd s were s a nd e d d ow n, t he g ha s t l y o l d el e c t r i c f i re wa s rem ove d a nd d i s p o s e d of a nd we b i d fa re we l l to t he o l d , ta t tered w i nd ow c us hi o ns. Muc h t i m e wa s s p e nt d e l i b era t i ng ove r how we c o ul d a l l ow t he ro o m to reta i n i t s s ens e of g ra nd e ur w hi l s t a t t he s a m e t i me ens ur i ng i t s m o d e r ni s a t i o n. Fa r row a nd B a l l ’s c o l our c ha r t c a me o ut, s o d i d Ne pt une ’s a nd of c o ur s e M y l a nd s ’, D ul ux ' s a nd C ra i g a nd Ro s e ’s a s wel l a s s eve ra l ot her p a i nt s up p l i e r s ’ c o l o ur c ha r t s . We s e a rc he d hi gh a nd l ow fo r t he r i g ht f ur ni t ure ; s t ud y c ha i rs, l e a t he r s ofa s a nd a r m c ha i r s . We were a s to ni s he d a t t he g e nero us i nf l ux of hi gh q ua l i t y t heo l o g i c a l to m es t ha t fl o o d ed i n a s a res p o ns e to o ur re q ue s t fo r b o o ks a nd we are d e l i g hted w i t h t he new s he l v i ng i n t he a l c ove ho us i ng t he o l d er c o m m enta r i e s . Now here we a re a nd we wa nte d to s ha re s o met hi ng of o ur l o ng j o ur ney w i t h yo u. T hi s b ro c hure i nc l ud es p hoto s ta ken ‘a l o ng t he wa y ’ d ur i ng t he c o ur s e of t he l i b ra r y ’s re nova t i o n b ut i t a l s o s et s o ut c l ea r l y a l l t ha t we ho p e the t heo l o g i c a l l i b ra r y a t A s hb ur nha m P l a c e w i l l b e. I nd eed , t hro ug h va r i o us a r t i c l es, te s t i m o ni e s a nd o l d e r p hoto g ra p hs l o o ki ng a t t he l i b ra r y ’s p a s t, f ur t he r l i g ht i s s hed o n t he p res e nt hereby ena b l i ng us to b et ter re- env i s i o n t he fut ure. We ho p e t ha t a s you rea d t hro ug h t hi s b ro c hure yo u f i nd yo ur sel f b ot h enc o ura g e d by j us t how fa r we have c o me a nd i ns p i re d by how fa r we b el i eve t he Lo rd wa nt s to ta ke us . Enj oy ! To m Pa r ki ns , a c t i ng l i b ra r i a n.
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SETTING THE VISION Theology, is made up of two Greek words, theos and logos. Hence theo-logy. In my understanding, this is rooted in the amazing first statement of John’s gospel: “In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word (logos) was with God (theos) and the Word ( l o g o s ) w a s G o d ( t h e o s ) .” T h e v e r s e s t h a t f o l l o w m a k e i t a b u n d a n t l y c l e a r t h a t J e s u s o f Nazareth is that Word (logos) revealed in our world and that this logos is theos. So at the heart of true theo-logy is the investigation of the implications of this extraordinary alignment between God and Word that is Jesus. T he revelation th a t G o d ca n be k n own b ec a us e Word is what He i s , m e a n s th a t wh i l e th e o l o g y i s p rofound, com mu n i ca ti o n i s wh a t He i s a bo ut, s o i t is s omething u n d e r s ta n d a bl e , n ot hu g e l y c o m p l ex or only for th e cl eve r. P ro ba bl y the mo s t well-known ex pl a n a ti o n of th i s f i r s t s ta te ment of John’s gos p el i s fo u n d i n Je s u s ’ co nve r s a ti o n w i t h Nicodemus in Jo h n Ch a pte r 3: " Fo r G o d s o l ove d t he world, that He g a ve Hi s o n l y be g otte n S o n, t ha t whoever believe s i n Hi m s h a l l n ot pe r i s h , b ut ha ve eternal life” (Jn 3: 16). S o th e Wo rd i s th a t G o d s o loved. How do we u n d e r s ta n d th e m e a n i n g of t he ex tent, the ‘s o ’, of th a t l ove? It i s th a t G o d g a ve . He gave the Wo rd , Hi s o n l y S o n , eve r y th i n g a b o ut whom reveals G o d . G etti n g to g r i ps wi th thi s i s t he s tuff of theo l o g y. It i s n ot f i r s t a n d fo re mo s t a matter of unde r s ta n d i n g wi th th e m i n d bu t a m a t ter of receiving by th e S pi r i t. It i s a bo u t re ce i vi n g G o d ’s love for the wo r l d i n th e re a l pre s e n ce of the g i f t of the Word, Jes u s Ch r i s t. Th i s l ovi n g g i f t of th e Wo rd , or Way, of Je s u s to th e wo r l d i s wh a t i s mea nt by the Kingdom of G o d . Th e re i s of co u r s e a l s o a wo r l d that we are not to l ove , a s Jo h n g o e s o n to s a y i n hi s ep is tle “love n ot th e wo r l d n o r th e th i n g s th a t a re i n the world” ( 1 Jn 2: 15). Th i s i s th e wo r l d s y s tem , des cribed els e wh e re by Jo h n a s “ th e k i n g d o ms of this world,” ( Rev 11: 15) a n d wh i ch i s e m pha t i c a l l y not bas ed on l ove a n d g i f t bu t i n s te a d o n ta ki ng , getting and ke e pi n g fo r m e a n d m i n e . Th i s i s w hy Jes us has to s a y to Ni co d e mu s “ u n l e s s o n e i s b o r n again they ca n n ot s e e th e K i n g d o m of G o d ." (Jn 3 :3 ) Our minds et i s s o co l o n i s e d by th e wo r l d s y s te m that we cannot ‘g et’ G o d , th e Wo rd o r th e K i ng d o m of God at all u n l e s s we co m pl ete l y re o r i e nta te a nd open up our li ve s to th e g i f t of G o d .
T he g i f t of A s hb ur nha m P l a c e re p re s e nt s t he o p p o s i te of t he g ra s p i ng , ta ki ng , s y s tem of t hi s wo r l d . It c o mes i ns te a d i n t he l ov i ng , b o r n agai n, s p i r i t of t he g i ft of Jes us , t he K i ng d o m of G o d. T hi s i s w hy w hen Jo hn B i c ke r s tet h g a ve A s hb urnham P l a c e , he a nd a g ro up of f r i end s w ho b ec a m e t he o r i g i na l t r us tees , fra med t he t r us t a ro und one o b j ec t, “to a d va nc e t he K i ng d o m of o ur Lo rd Jesus C hr i s t t hro ug ho ut t he wo r l d ,” a nd w hy t hey m ade o ne of t he p ur p o s e s of t he t r us t to e ng age i n t he o l o g i c a l res e a rc h. Pa ra g ra p h 2 :3 of t he t rust d o c ument p ut s i t ve r y c l e a r l y : “to c o nd uc t Bi b l i c al a nd t heo l o g i c a l res e a rc h a nd s uc h ot her researc h a s ma y b e c o nd uc i ve to t he a d va nc e m ent of t he K i ng d o m of o ur Lo rd Je s us C hr i s t.” T he l i b rary e m b o d i es t hi s c o m m i t ment a nd t he c urrent ref ur b i s hment a nd d evel o p ment i s a s i g n of our i nte nt i o n to c o nt i nue to d evel o p t he t he o l ogi c al a s p e c t of t he K i ng d o m g i f t t ha t i s A s hb urnham P l a c e . S o a s wel l a s p rov i d i ng t he l i b ra r y as a re s o urc e fo r o ur g ues t s , we a re ho s t i ng t he l o c al Fi l l i ng S ta t i o n, b ei ng t he a re a K i ng d o m T heo l ogy hub of t he We s t mi ns te r T heo l o g i c a l C e nt re and d eve l o p i ng t he A s hb ur nha m P l a c e K i n gdo m T heo l o g y Res e a rc h I ni t i a t i ve a s a p a r t i c ul a r p l ac e of b e l o ng i ng fo r t ho s e c a l l e d to i nve s t i g a te and a p p l y t he t he o l o g y of t he K i ng d o m of G o d for t he 2 1 s t c e nt ur y.
DR . R O G E R M I TCHELL i s C ha i r of Tr us tees a t A s hb ur nha m Pl ac e
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A s I write this I a m i n s pi re d by a bl a ck a n d w hi te photograp h of T h e Li bra r y a t A s h bu r n h a m P l a c e, prob ably taken in th e e a r l y 1950s wh e n my cous i n Lady Catherine A s h bu r n h a m l i ve d th e re . I a m st ruck by the s imi l a r i ty to th e wo n d e r f u l ref u r b i s hment of today’s Th e o l o g i ca l Li bra r y. Th e re a re bo oks on the s he l ve s , bu t n ot a l l th e s h e l ve s . A typewriter and pa pe r s o n a d e s k , a l o n g wi th t he box-files nearby, s h ow re a l wo r k i s be i n g d o n e . I n front of the fire pl a ce i s a co mfo r ta bl e l e at her settee and ab ove i t a pi ctu re of m oth e r a n d c hi l d a nd The Bible s its o n th e m a nte l pi e ce . A l l i n t ha t g lorious room wi th i ts wo o d e n bo o kca s e s a nd or nate ceiling. My father, the Revd John Bickersteth, inherited Ashburnham Place and later founded the Ashburnham Christian Trust by giving away the family home to be a place for training lay people in their Christian faith. His original plan envisaged that he and others would do the majority of the teaching at ACT. The Lord gently refined this plan such that most groups brought their own speakers. However this desire to teach practical theology to those who were simply wishing to live out their Christian lives wherever the Lord had planted them, rather than to become full time ministers or theologians, continued throughout the years he led ACT. There were often times when Bible teaching courses were run by ACT, alongside the other conference groups who came to use Ashburnham Place. The object being to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ through such Biblical and theological research.
S o my fa t her wo ul d b e ve r y p l ea s ed to see t he wo nd e r f ul L i b ra r y a t A s hb ur nha m P l a c e b ro ug ht b a c k i nto t hi s us e a g a i n. Not a l l t he s he l ve s a re yet ful l , b ut t he re i s c l e a r l y a b a l a n c e b et we en q ui et nes s fo r rea d i ng , a nd i ntent i o nal s t ud y a nd wo r k t ha t now g o es o n a g a i n i n t hi s ro o m . A s yo u s i t i n t he c o mfo r ta b l e c ha i r s a nd are i ns p i re d by t he p a i nt i ng t ha t now ha ng s a b ove t he fi rep l a c e , rem em b er t ha t know i ng yo ur P neum a to l o g y f ro m yo ur Es c ha to l o g y i s a p ra c t i c a l o ut wo rk i ng of yo ur C hr i s t i a n fa i t h; a nd not j us t fo r t hose w ho a re a c a d em i c a l l y m i nd ed . Enj oy re a d i ng t hi s b o o kl et a nd even m o re, d o c o me, v i s i t a nd us e t he A s hb ur nha m T heo l o g i cal L i b ra r y yo ur s el f. We l o o k fo r wa rd to we l c o m i ng yo u!
R I C H AR D B I C K E R STE T H, B o a rd of Tr us tees mem b er
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THE LONG HOT SUMMER OF 1959 In the long hot summer of 1959 I spent some weeks at Ashburnham Place as a half-time s t u d e n t a n d h a l f-t i m e w o r ke r. . . DAVI D H U N TL E Y , a p er s o na l tes t i m o ny
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In Jo h n B i cke r s teth’s e a r l y ye a r s , he a nd his gues ts m o re o r l e s s ‘ca m pe d o u t’ i n t he o l d hous e, which wa s s ti l l i nta ct. Af te r th e ‘g re a t s a l e ’ almos t all of th e ro o m s h a d be e n l ef t u nf u r ni s he d . However, the Li bra r y wi th a fe w of th e o r i g i na l books and Jo h n’s pe r s o n a l f u r n i tu re be cam e t he main living and s i tti n g ro o m , a n d th e o n l y o ne w i t h any s oft furni s h i n g s . I n wi nte r, th e we s te r n e nd of the room als o a cco m m o d a te d th e d i n i n g ta b l e , pres ided over by Jo h n . W i nte r wa r mth ca m e ma i nl y from an elect r i c ra d i a nt h e a te r. Howeve r, i n wa r m weather, many of th e bu i l d i n g ’s wi n d ows we re l ef t wide op en, eve n ove r n i g ht. No n e of th e g ro und floor doors wa s eve r l o cke d . Mo s t of th e v i l l a g er s came from l o n g s ettl e d fa m i l i e s , wh o o c c up i ed almos t all of th e vi l l a g e h o u s i n g . Th e refo re, a ny s trange face wa s q u i ck l y s potte d ! Since th e chu rch h e a ti n g d i d n ot wo r k, mid-week meeti n g s fo r m e m be r s , vi l l a g e re s i d e nt s , gues ts and vo l u nte e r s , we re a l s o h e l d i n t he Library, and o n S u n d a y s ke ro s e n e h e a te r s b a re l y took the chill of f th e Chu rch pe ws ! Th e re we re a fe w electric outlets i n th e Li bra r y, a n d l i ke oth e r s o n t he original house ci rcu i tr y, th e s wi tch o n th e o ut l et was ‘locked’ an d co u l d n ot be pu t ‘o n’ u n l e s s a p l ug was ins erted; a n d th e n wh e n s wi tch e d ‘o n’ t he p l ug could not be wi th d ra wn . Th e i d e a wa s g o o d – a nd very s afe – bu t th e s pe ci a l pl u g s we re o nl y availab le to spe ci a l o rd e r a n d a d d i ti o n a l s o c ket s were not avai l a bl e a t a l l ! The bo o ks h e l ve s we re m a i n l y ba re, o nl y thos e origina l bo o ks d i re ctl y co n ce r n i ng t he As hburnham a n d B i cke r s teth fa m i l i e s re m a i ned , plus a few hy m n a n d pra ye r bo o ks fo r us e i n meetings . V i s i to r s f ro m ove r s e a s o ccas i o na l l y vis ited As hbu r n h a m a n d th e Li bra r y wa s a p l e a s a nt place to invite th e chu rch m e m be r s to m e et t he m . We s ang from ‘ Ch r i s ti a n P ra i s e ’, a n d a l a d y p i a ni s t from the villag e a cco m pa n i e d u s . Th e Li brar y ofte n res ounded wi th m i s s i o n a r y hy m n s , wh i ch we s a ng with gus to a n d wi th o u t a po l o g y ! I per s o na l l y chaired a Libra r y g a th e r i n g of Chu rch a n d C ha p el , when George S cott, a vete ra n m i s s i o n a r y i n C hi na , was invited to ch a l l e n g e Chu rch a n d C ha p el together to co n s i d e r ove r s e a s m i s s i o n a r y s e r v i c e .
L i g ht i ng wa s ma i nl y by s ta nd a rd lam p s, a nd p o s s i b l y o ne c ent ra l c e i l i ng f i t t i ng . How i nc re d i b l y e a s y i t i s , w i t h t he c ur rent c o nc e a l ed LED s t r i p s a b ove t he b o o ks , to fi nd a vo l um e q uic k l y. I ho p e yo u w i l l s o e q ui p a l l t he b o o ks hel ve s !
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I firs t dis covered th e d e l i g hts of A s h bu r n h a m P l a c e in Novemb er 1990. A l th o u g h i t wa s a wet we e kend , it was the firs t of m a ny ti m e s of e n co u nte r i n g G o d a nd receiving His bl e s s i n g o n th i s s i te . I n 201 4 , I became a volunte e r a s we l l a s a re g u l a r vi s i tor to th e grounds and pra ye r ce ntre . Ha vi n g h e a rd a b o ut th e introduction of Ca re a n d Re cove r y, I m et Ni c k a nd Anna Heas m a n a n d j o i n e d th e Em pl oya b i l i t y te am. A friend rem i n d e d m e th a t I o n ce s a i d to her th at I would love to wo r k a t A s h bu r n h a m a n d I wa s so thankful for th e o ppo r tu n i ty to d o j u s t th a t. It was at the Friends of Ashburnham Gathering in 2015 that I learnt about the plans for the library. I was really inspired by the vision to develop this theological resource and place for study. The completed room exceeded my expectations. I loved the decoration and fixtures and fittings which have both done justice to this imposing room and created a very welcoming place to read and study. From the tables created by our own carpenter, Trevor, to the glass coasters made by Dan, the room speaks of excellence. It is such a blessing to be able to look out on the beauty of the grounds and have good lighting and a power point for my laptop.
The library has been an especially valuable gift to me as I am in the process of writing a book. It’s based on my testimony of how God has helped me since I was widowed four years ago. Ashburnham has been a major part of His provision and inspiration. It’s like the icing on the cake to be able to write in such a beautiful room, a setting which I have found so conducive to both writing and reading and the process has in itself become part of my recovery and personal development. As for the books, what a privilege it has been to have access to such a wide range of writing. From commentaries to topical works, I have benefited from both scholarship and experience. Whether I wanted to look up references to Ebenezer or read a commentary on the armour of God or read other people’s thoughts on grief, the resources were there. T ha nk yo u To m a nd a l l t ho s e w ho s e hard wo r k ma d e t he v i s i o n a rea l i t y.
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VOLUNTEER, FRIEND, AUTHOR SHEI L A R OS E W E L L , a p e r s o na l a c c o unt
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FROM PITLOCHRY TO ASHBURNHAM MARGARET DERRICK, a personal testimony
ASHBURNHAM PLACE
On Septembe r 12th 1970 I m et To ny De r r i c k i n Scotland in a re s ta u ra nt. He wa s o n th e l a s t d a y of a week's holida y i n P i tl o ch r y a n d wa s d u e to ret ur n to the London a re a l a te r th a t d a y. I wa s w i t h my parents trave l l i n g to Fo r re s i n S cotl a n d to s ta y w i t h my b rother an d h i s fa m i l y. Th e eve n i n g befo re he left for his h o l i d a y a S a l va ti o n A r my P ub l i c Relations offi ce r ca l l e d a t To ny ' s h o m e to tha nk hi m for his donati o n s . He s a i d " Th i s i s a n i ce pl a c e yo u have here. We ' re n ot m e a nt to l i ve a l o n e bu t i n t wo s and families . G et d own o n yo u r k n e e s a n d we w i l l pray for a wife fo r yo u "
He ha d a w i d e ra ng e of i nte res t s a nd hi s s to c k of b o o ks wa s q ui te ex te ns i ve. W hen A s hb ur nha m l i b ra r y wa s g o i ng to b e ref ur b i shed I wa nte d to res p o nd to t hi s i n wa y s t ha t wo ul d b e ho no ur i ng to hi m by ma ki ng b o o ks w hi c h he val ued a va i l a b l e to m a ny ot he r p e o p l e w ho wo ul d al so a p p rec i a te t hem . I a l s o wa nte d to p a y fo r a li b rary c ha i r. T hi s ha s re a l l y hel p e d me a s i t i s s uc h an a p p ro p r i a te wa y of re m em b er i ng hi m a nd b l e ssi ng ot her s . To ny s ha red hi s l ove fo r t he Lo rd Jesus o p e nl y a nd una s ha med l y a nd wa nte d p e o p l e to know t he S a v i o ur.
We h a d a s pa re pl a ce a t o u r l u n c h ta b l e and the waitre s s a s ke d i f we m i n d e d s o meo ne joining us . T he Lo rd s a i d to To ny " Th i s i s th e o ne! " We met up s eve ra l ti m e s a n d To ny s h a re d hi s fa i t h with me. It did n ot g o d own we l l !
A s he g ot c l o s e r to t he end of hi s eart hl y l i fe hi s l ove a nd fe l l ow s hi p w i t h t he Lo rd d eep ened d ra ma t i c a l l y a nd he wa s a b l e to s ha re s o m e of t he s e p rec i o us i ns i g ht s w i t h ot he r s . I p ra y many wi l l ut i l i s e t he re s o urc es t he re.
But p e o pl e we re pra y i n g a n d o n De c e m b er 6th I became a be l i eve r. We we nt to S t. Hel e n' s Church Bis ho ps g a te th e fo l l owi n g S u n d a y . T hey mentioned a co nfe re n ce th ey we re h o l d i ng a t As hburnham pl a ce i n Ja nu a r y a n d I k n e w I wa s meant to go to i t. This wa s o u r i ntro d u cti o n to A s h b ur nha m. We became Fr i e n d s of A s h bu r n h a m a nd ha ve vis ited many ti m e s ove r th e ye a r s . We s ta ye d t he re one C hris tmas wh i ch wa s th e l a s t Ch r i s tm a s o p e n to vis itors . To ny ' s ca re e r wa s m a i n l y i n h o r t i c ul t ure on the practic a l s i d e a n d th e n o n th e e d i to r i a l s i d e . He got to know Rh o d a n d Ji m o n yo u r g ard e ni ng team and enjoye d ta l k i n g wi th th e m . We s taye d fo r s everal holiday bre a ks . Tony g re a tl y e n j oye d th e g a rd e ns a nd grounds . Tony wa s a wo rd s m i th wh o l ove d a nd us e d words well, wrote be a u ti f u l l y a n d e n j oye d p uns greatly. He h a d a wr y, d r y hu m o u r. He ha d a n enquiring mind a n d h e l ove d to re a d a n d re s e a rc h. His des ire to l e a r n a n d u n d e r s ta n d d i d n ot di m i ni s h with age. A fe w d a y s befo re h e we nt to be w i t h t he Lord he was a s k i n g fo r m o re i nfo r m a ti o n a b o ut plants and had a l o n g ta l k wi th a fe l l ow pl ant s m a n.
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A COSMIC HOMECOMING
TO M PA R KI N S, Re s o u rce te a m m em b er a t A s hb ur nha m P l a c e a nd a c t i ng l i b ra r i a n
Ta c i t t o A s h b u r n h a m C h r i s t i a n Tr u s t ’ s v i s i o n o f b e i n g a g i f t a n d o f e x t e n d i n g G o d ’ s K i n g d o m t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d i s t h e n o t i o n o f h o m e c o m i n g . L i t t l e w o n d e r, t h e r e f o r e , t h a t Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn’s painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son, seems itself to be quite at home above the white marble mantel piece in Ashburnham’s theological library. Painted during the second half of the 17th century and shortly before Rembrandt’s death, The Return of the Prodigal Son, more than any of his works, encapsulates most poignantly something of the artist’s own turbulent homecoming. Henri Nouwen writes;
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“Rembrandt is as much the elder son of the parable as he is the y o u n g e r. W h e n , d u r i n g t h e l a s t y e a r s o f h i s l i f e , h e p a i n t e d b o t h sons in Return of the Prodigal Son, he had lived a life in which neither the lostness of the younger son nor the lostness of the elder son was alien to him. Both needed healing and forgiveness. Both needed to come home. Both needed the embrace of a forgiving f a t h e r. B u t f r o m t h e s t o r y i t s e l f, a s w e l l a s f r o m R e m b r a n d t ' s painting, it is clear that the hardest conversion to go through is the c o n v e r s i o n o f t h e o n e w h o s t a y e d h o m e .” ( N o u w e n , R e t u r n o f t h e Prodigal Son, p.65-66)
With reference to this particular work, the art historian H. W. Janson posited that it "may be [Rembrandt's] most moving painting. It is also his quietest—a moment stretching into eternity." Janson, History of Art, p. 598. Rembrandt, it would seem, had touched upon something truly transcendental. Indeed, Nouwen once observed that that which was most personal was often most universal and from the painting’s current popularity, Rembrandt’s depiction of homecoming appears to have struck a chord with us today, several centuries after the artist lived. Ironically, however, it is precisely those of us living now who are unable to live in the now belonging as we do to a fast-paced, transient, global, extra-territorial population. In some strange way, therefore, we are those who do not truly belong but those who have come to know, instead, something of the lostness of Cain. Res tl e s s wa n d e re r s u po n th e fa ce of t he earth, our re s tl e s s n e s s h a s be e n ex po ne nt i a l l y exas p erated by ti m e -s pa ce co m pre s s i on; t he cap acity to m ove a ro u n d th e pl a n et vi r t ua l l y o r phys ically, ins ta ntl y o r wi th i n 24 h o u r s , a d d i ng to our s ens e of ro otl e s s n e s s a n d d i s l o ca ti o n . C a i n, of cours e, was n ot th e f i r s t to k n ow th i s a l i e na t i o n. Adam and Eve we re wh e n th ey o pte d to l ea ve home; having ch o s e n i n d e pe n d e n ce th ey were uprooted from th a t pr i m o rd i a l g a rd e n , f ro m t ha t place of cons ta nt co m mu n i o n wi th th e i r C re a to r. Tragically, the i r ve r ti ca l re l a ti o n s h i p wi th G o d , a s well as their h o r i zo nta l re l a ti o n s h i ps - th a t i s w i t h the non-s ocial cre a ti o n a n d wi th e a ch oth e r - were dis torted. Ho m e wa s l o s t. How d o e s A s h b ur nha m Chris tian Trust fo s te r h o m e co m i n g h e re o n ea r t h? The g ra n d s to r y of S cr i ptu re i s ofte n unders tood to d i vi d e i nto fo u r a cts ; cre a ti o n, fa l l , redemption an d co n s u m m a ti o n . Un d e rg i rd i ng t hi s
meta - na r ra t i ve i s t he l ov i ng C re a to r G o d ’s l ongi ng fo r a re s to ra t i o n of w ha t o nc e wa s . I n t ha t sense, S c r i pt ure i s t he ul t i ma te s to r y of ho mec o mi n g and v i ewe d t hro ug h t hi s l e ns i t i s p o s s i b l e to p o si t t he fo l l ow i ng a s a b i b l i c a l t heo l o g y of ho me: Hom e (c rea t i o n) , Up ro ot i ng ( Fa l l ) , l o ng j o ur ney hom e (red e m pt i o n) a nd ho mec o mi ng (c o ns umm a t io n). It is, t herefo re , b et we en re d e m pt i o n and c o ns umm a t i o n, t ha t A s hb ur nha m P l a c e’s ro l e as a c a ta l y s t of ho mec o mi ng c o mes i nto p l a y. It i s not a ho mec o mi ng s uc h a s t ha t of te n he l d t hro u ghout muc h of C hr i s t i a n t ra d i t i o n i n w hi c h t he a f ter l i fe b e c o mes o ur fi na l d es t i na t i o n. Ra t her, a l o ng wi t h I re na e us of Lyo n of t he s ec o nd c ent ury, ho mec o mi ng re g a rd s t he rec a p i t ul a t i o n of t he Tr i une C re a to r ’s g o o d c rea t i o n; i t i nvo l ves a move m ent towa rd s c o ns umm a t i o n, t he re s torat i on of t he C rea to r ’s o r i g i na l i nte nt i o ns . Per ha p s t hat i s w hy s o ma ny fi nd t hem s e l ve s d ra w n to t he edeni c g ro und s a t A s hb ur nha m P l a c e a nd s p e c i fi c al l y to t he c ro s s up o n t he hi l l ove r l o o ki ng t he l a ke - t wo b i s e c t i ng wo o d en b e a ms a t r i g ht a ng l es to eac h ot her rep re s e nt i ng t he d a r k yet g l o r i o us p l ac e w he re t he G o d - ma n hea l ed o ur ver t i c a l and ho r i zo nta l re l a t i o na l b ro kennes s . It is perhaps, also, through the lens of home that Ashburnham Theological library’s vision can be understood; the library is a gift to the body of Christ that fosters homecoming in all spheres of society. Curiously, therefore, it is a place which seeks to heal the rootlessness and alienation of a free-floating generation whilst, at the same time, seeking to expose the systemic injustices; the myriad roots undergirding a fragmented and ostracising society. It is a space for creativity, reflection and inspiration. It is also a place of encounter with the Spirit of God who seeks to renew all things and who invites us to partake in creation’s renewal, indeed to partake in a truly cosmic homecoming.
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You may o r m a y n ot h a ve n oti ce d a n ow l carved into one of th e l e g s o n e a ch s tu d y ta b l e . That is Trevor’s si g n a tu re . Trevo r Co l bra n i s o ne of our many hig h l y s k i l l e d m e m be r s of t he A s hb urnham Place te a m wh o wo r ke d h a rd to he l p make the lib rary wh a t i t i s to d a y. O f co u r s e , w hen the oak for the ta bl e s f i r s t a r r i ve d i n A s h bu r n ha m Place it was an a s s o r tm e nt of d i f fe re nt s i zed pl anks . To look at th e ta bl e s to d a y yo u wo u l d ha ve thought the tab le s h a d a l wa y s be e n th e re . A n d yo u might have wond e re d h ow to s wi tch th e st ud y la mp s on; don’t m i s s th e d i s crete l i g ht s wi tc hes u nderneath the stu d y ta bl e s - i t' s a l l i n th e d etai l . And of c o u r s e th e re i s th e ch i m n ey w hi c h a fter many ye a r s of d o r m a n cy is b e i ng reawakened… alth o u g h , a d m i tte d l y, i n th e w i nter months it will be h a rd n ot to n o d of f i n f ro nt of. A s well as purchas in g n e w e q u i pm e nt fo r th e f i re , we h ave ins erted a ne w s u r ro u n d a n d m a d e s u re t he
g ua rd p rotec t s t he b ea ut i ful wo o d e n fl o o r b o a rds w hi c h ha ve l ov i ng l y b een res to red by o ur wo nd erful vo l unteer s . G o ne i s t he o l d , wea r y, ta t tered , g rey c a r p et – w hi c h fe l t g o o d . D o n' t over l o o k t he new b o o k a l c ove ho us i ng a s e l e c t i o n of t he o l d e r b o o ks . T he b oo k s he l ve s , a g a i n, were p ut up by Trevo r w hi l s t the d i s c rete l i g ht i ng s t r i p s we re i ns e r ted by Is a a c , our vo l unteer fro m S p a i n. To p s he l f : mi s c e l l a ne o us, s e c o nd f ro m to p : b i o g ra p hi c a l , t hi rd , fo ur t h and fi f t h s he l ves d ow n: c o m m enta r i e s , s i x t h s he l f d own a s e l e c t i o n of G reek Ne w Tes ta ment s , s m a l l B i b les a s we l l a s s o me of Jo hn B i c ker s tet h’s ow n b o o ks . B ot to m s he l f : l a rg e c o m m enta r i es, d i c t i o na r i e s a nd hug e b i g B i b l es (req ui re t wo p eo p l e to c a r r y a l mo s t ! ) S o m e of t he o l d e s t b o o ks i n t he a l c ove d a te b a c k to t he l a te 1 8 0 0 s - a nd m o st l o o k i t.
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Q U I R K Y FAC T S A B O U T THE REFURBISHED LIBRARY W h a t to l o o k o ut fo r o n yo ur nex t v i s i t !
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ASHBURNHAM PLACE
Above o n e of th e e ntra n ce s to th e l i b ra r y, you will notic e Jo h n Mi l to n pe e r i n g d own i nto t he room. T he b us t wa s m a d e i n 1855 by P i e r re Jo s e p h C hardigny ( 1794– 1866) a Fre n ch s cu l pto r a nd medal des igne r. A l th o u g h th e bu s t i s p ro b a b l y worth around £ 300 i t wa s a ctu a l l y a cq u i re d a t a n auction down th e ro a d i n B a ttl e a fe w ye a r s a g o and went for a m e re £ 25! (Po l i te re q u e s t to a nt i q ue collectors : do n' t re m ove) Not to be m i s s e d a re th e h o m e m a d e window s eat cu s h i o n s th a t a l l ow yo u to s i t a nd reflect whils t ove r l o o k i n g th e l a ke a n d th e wo o d s and a C apabi l i ty B rown d e s i g n e d te r ra ce . A s yo u do, lis ten out fo r th a t a n ci e nt, g e ntl e n o i s e of t he old s as h win d ows a s th e bre e ze bl ows a g a i ns t them. Or turn to fa ce th e l a rg e co py of Re m b ra nd t ’s Return of the P ro d i g a l S o n , pa i nte d toward s t he end of the 17th ce ntu r y. (Po l i te n oti ce to a r t collectors : Th i s i s n ot th e o r i g i n a l )
If you do purchase a cup of tea or chai latte from our fabulous Orangery tea room, be sure to make use of our homemade purple, glass coasters. Made by Ashburnham Place’s ex- glass maker in residence, Dan Brearley. These fit just perfectly into our purple themed library and are an attempt at providing a little more protection to our oak study tables. Finally, there is an old door in the corner of the library which is permanently locked. You may wonder where that door leads to and what mysteries lay behind it – Narnia perhaps? The simple answer, however, is nowhere. The cupboard is used as storage, housing books yet to be added to our cataloguing system. Sorry to disappoint but please feel free to imagine otherwise should you so wish.
W H AT T H E C O M M U N I T Y S AY S . . . “The library is a place where you go when you want to escape the busyness of this place. Especially as a volunteer; you find silence and peace there. With the beautiful view and the elegant furnishings the library is one of the most aesthetic rooms here in Ashburnham Place. It is the perfect environment to study, learn, read, pray or just rest in one of the big purple arm chairs. The moment you open the wooden door and enter the room y o u f e e l w e l c o m e d a n d c o m f o r t a b l e .” THEODORA, from Germany, 2016-2017.
“I like the library but they only have theological books. :)” J AV I E R , f r o m S p a i n , 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 .
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