Reviews

Unless otherwise stated all resources are available from your local Faith Mission Bookshop or online www.fmbookshops.com

The Christmas Story

Dr Keith McIlroy and Andrew Dickson

AMBASSADOR INTERNATIONAL

£7.99

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This devotional book for Advent was created by two members of High Kirk Presbyterian Church, Ballymena. Dr Keith McIlroy, who is currently an elder in the congregation and is entering ministry training, has written 25 reflections for the month of December, in preparation for Christmas. Andrew Dickson has written a poem for each day, highlighting the specific theme of that day and giving readers a chance to ponder the message in a fresh way.

The reflections don’t only cover the Christmas story in isolation, rather it is included in the perspective of the wider biblical narrative of why Jesus came to earth; beginning with creation and moving through the foretelling of his coming, set out by the Old Testament prophets.

Keith writes in a down-to-earth and engaging style, picking out a specific message from the Bible passage for that day and weaving it together with some observations of life and Christmas traditions. Each one is short enough to make it a manageable commitment to read every day during Advent. Andrew’s poetry is thought-provoking, with words that are carefully chosen.

This little book is perfect for anyone who is keen to fully embrace the season of Advent and prepare themselves more fully for the celebration of Christ’s birth. It provides a good opportunity to distance ourselves from the worldly distractions at this time of the year and instead focus on Jesus.

SH

Sweaters Without Borders

Jacqui Davey

NOVUM PRO

£13.90

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The clue is in the title. This delightfully charming but also deeply challenging novel takes us into the mind and experiences of Jenny, a young, recently widowed nurse, who accepts the opportunity to take up knitting despite being unable to master it while at school. What starts as a hobby becomes the means of Jenny changing lives for the better around the world.

Jacqui Davey clearly knows the eight countries to which she takes her readers. Her descriptions of some of the problems faced by people, in places which are only a few hours away by plane, put our complaints into a new perspective and make us count our blessings.

She shows how a disaster can become an opportunity for a seemingly insignificant gift to transform a child’s, and therefore a family’s, life.

It is easy to read. Optimistic in the face of tragedy and sadness, here is a book not just for knitters but for anyone who wonders if their life at home can make a difference to hurting people in the poorest parts of our world.

This is Belfast author Jacqui Davey’s first novel. I look forward to reading more from her positive pen. Perhaps she’ll let us know what happened next to Jenny. She has certainly helped to lift the Covid-19 blues from my life!

JL

The Robot Will See You Now: Artificial intelligence and the Christian faith

Edited by John Wyatt and Stephen N. Williams

SPCK

£14.99

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It’s important for theologians to think out loud as new areas of technology, policy and practice develop, rather than carping from the sidelines when it’s too late to stop the rot.

Artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction but is firmly embedded in our daily lives. Self-driving cars. Smart assistants in your kitchen or on your phone. Chatbots on bank websites. Drone warplanes steering missiles towards enemy targets identified without a human in the loop. Omniscient online shopping recommendations. Edited by a neonatal paediatrician and a professor of theology, this timely book gathers together 14 chapters from 12 authors to analyse the background to artificial intelligence along with some theological responses and some ethical concerns about AI’s potential roadmap.

It notes that Christianity, along with other world religions, values authenticity, relationship, compassion. Can a mechanical or virtual presence truly offer compassion? Can human dignity be upheld in a world where algorithms decide who is deserving of service and who deserves and who is denied a drug treatment?

While this book ponders whether we need a theology of artificial intelligence, the real question it provokes in the reader is whether we need to re-examine our theology of human beings, of valuing the living, breathing, made in the image of God, humankind.

AM

REVIEWERS

PE – Dr Patricia Eaton is an academic and an elder in Fitzroy Presbyterian Church GK – Rev Graeme Kennedy is minister of Ballygrainey Presbyterian SH – Sarah Harding is editor of the Herald JL – Rev Jack Lamb is the minister of Townsend Street Presbyterian AM – Alan Meban attends Kilmakee Presbyterian and blogs as Alan in Belfast LH – Rev Dr Liz Hughes is the convener of the Council for Global Mission

God is Not a White Man

Chine McDonald

HODDER & STOUGHTON

£16.99

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A brilliant title for a book – as the author puts it: “God’s miscategorisation as a white man is no accident, but a consequence of white men – whose dominance has shaped history and theology for centuries – creating God in their image.”

Chine McDonald, who previously worked for Evangelical Alliance and is presently head of public engagement at Christian Aid, shares her experience as a black woman living and working in the UK and in particular the sense of alienation she has encountered even within the Christian community.

As a white Christian who likes to believe that our churches are open and welcoming to all, I found Chine’s honesty painful to read at times. She describes what it felt like as a young five-year-old arriving with her Nigerian parents on their first visit to a local church in England and being asked didn’t they know there was a ‘Black church’ down the road. She describes why the novel The Shack was so liberating in its very different picture of the Trinity: “We were excited…God looked just like us.”

Countering the ‘white saviour complex’, she speaks of the need to tell a different history of the lands and people of Africa depicting “a glorious image of a people of strength, made in the image and likeness of God, who persevere and who rise, even in the face of oppression, injustice and tragedy.”

I don’t agree with every theological position Chine takes, but I can’t argue with her story. It has given me pause for thought, for question, for realisation and for repentance.

LH

Paul Distilled

Gary W. Burnett

WIPF & STOCK

£12.00

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Do we need another book on the writings of Paul, I hear you ask, as surely all has been said that needs to be said? While it is true that a lot has been written through the centuries, there is so much that remains a mystery about this most enigmatic and dynamic apostle.

I personally am looking forward to the conversations with Paul when I arrive in heaven, seeking clarification on what exactly he meant on many occasions. But

Deep Roots of Resilient Disciples

Rick Hill

TIMELESS PUBLICATIONS

£9.99

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Since March 2020, we have all, at times, needed resilience as individuals and churches in the face of a once in a century global event. Resilience is the key word in the title of Rick Hill’s new book. It comes from the experience of seeing friends drift away from Christian faith and wanting to develop deep roots that will establish disciples in the face of enormous challenges.

until that day comes what we all really need is a skilled theologian who will take the complex writings of Paul, draw together the disparate threads and allow the ‘big picture’ to emerge. To distill his writing to the pure essence, enabling Paul’s wonderful, challenging and exciting message to be heard.

And that is exactly what we have in Paul Distilled, the new book by Dr Gary Burnett. Organised into 14 themes including ‘The cross-shaped God’, ‘Radical peacefulness’ and ‘Paul’s women leaders’, Gary weaves together insightful and very helpful contextual understanding; a profound sense of the original text and a deep theological perspective with lightness of touch, resulting in an excellent book that will enhance everyone’s understanding of Paul, from the new believer to the committed Paul enthusiast. It would also serve wonderfully well as a series of short and very accessible studies for any small group or church family interested in really getting to the central message of Paul – distilled.

PE

Rick outlines the essential practices and characteristics of discipleship that any disciple of Jesus should seek to cultivate in a post-Christian age. He encourages us to be open to Jesus’ call in a way that completely reshapes our priorities and our purpose. He challenges us to reckon with the cost of following Jesus that will impact on our time, our talents and our treasure. He reminds us of the necessity of Christian community and spiritual disciplines for our life in Christ.

I was particularly challenged by the chapters dealing with how Christian disciples will be those who stand out from the world around them while engaging with the culture in a way that is faithful to Christ and the gospel. He reminds us how vital it is for us and for the world that Christians are faithfully present in the culture and are both critical of it and compassionate towards it.

Jesus is at the heart of Rick’s discipleship ministry and he is the heart of this book. In every chapter Rick points us back to him as our strength, our song and the ultimate source of our resilience.

GK