Don't All Religions Lead to God?:
Navigating the Multi-Faith Maze

By Michael Green

In the introduction to this book, Michael Green recounts a conversation in which a prison visitor told him of four relatively successful 'Kainos' rehabilitation wings which were closed down because their continuation would, in the view of the Home Office, give Christianity a privileged position.

The author quotes the common justification given for this view and then proceeds to demolish it. Being sincere is not all that matters, he points out. Religions offer widely different notions of God, who (or which?) to Hindus is impersonal, to Muslims is personal but 'reveals only his will', while Buddhists don't believe in a God at all.

He contrasts the notion of 'karma' in which we all pay the penalty of our misdeeds in future lives, reflected in Buddhist and Hindu teachings, with 'nirvana' being the ultimate goal, with the Christian ideas of a loving God who knows our failings but has paid the penalty for them, who does not give up on us and who offers eternal life to those who turn to him.

He then focuses on the nature of Jesus who lived, uniquely, by the principles he taught, unlike - for example - Mohammed who raided passing caravans and slew a Jewish tribe. The universal Christian message even now appeals to one third of the world's population in most parts of the world, he points out. Jesus uniquely brought God to us in well-attested miracles, in his teaching, and his claim to be the Son of God stands the test of scrutiny on the basis of his wisdom and integrity. The evidence for his resurrection, not only in his appearances but also in its effect on the lives of his disciples, is strong. Uniquely, he claimed to live within his followers through the Holy Spirit and the qualities that express that. His message of love even for enemies, is unique. This little book with its easy style is a tonic in a society in which Christianity can all too easily look like the religion that 'dares not show its face'.

This review was published in Link Magazine August/September 2009

By Michael Wenham

Published by Monarch 2008

This is the story of Michael Wenham, a church minister (the brother of David Wenham), and his battle with Motor Neurone Disease. He describes how the first symptoms appeared in around 2001, and how the condition was eventually diagnosed. The subsequent effects of this progressive illness on his work and family is described in a moving, humbling and sometimes amusing way. A very honest but not depressing book, the grace of God comes through on every page, and it is an ultimately uplifting and inspiring story. A good holiday read.

Back from the Brink
Stories of Churches which refused to die

By Heather Wraight and Pat Wraight

Published by Christian Research 2006

This book tells stories of churches of various denominations which were all faced with closure, but came back from the brink and began to thrive again as God did something new in each of them. It is written as an encouragement to those whose churches may seem to be heading towards closure, providing inspiration and ideas about how such a church might be turned around.

A final chapter summarises the factors common to each of the churches described. In most cases, the coming of a new leader was the catalyst for change, and this leader had both vision and faith to believe things could be different. An inspiring read, especially if you are involved in a church which does seem to be heading for the brink - prayer and a willingness to change may make all the difference!

Walk this Way
40 days on the road with Jesus

Eds Stephen Holmes & Russell Rook

Published by Paternoster 2009

This book comprises 40 short readings taken from the writings of some early Christian leaders including Brother Lawrence, Thomas a Kempis, Mother Julian of Norwich, the Desert Fathers, Teresa of Avila, John Bunyan and George Herbert. They are chosen to illustrate the spiritual journeys of the writers and following each passage are some points of reflection or questions to ponder, the aim being to help the reader develop a closer walk with Christ. The extracts have been paraphrased into modern English making it easy to read and understand. This might make a good book to read during Lent, not a book to be rushed through if you want to get the most from it and think about how it applies to your own life.

Looking Good, Being Bad

By Adrian Plass

Published by Authentic 2009

This book is fairly typical of Adrian Plass's tongue-in-cheek light hearted tendency to poke fun at some of the quirks and peculiarities of the church. It is presented as the Annual Report of the College of Churchmanship and topics include Using Technology for the Lord-manship and Prayer for Healingmanship. It is similar in style to several of Adrian Plass's other not-to-be-taken-too-seriously works, and would make a fun read to take on holiday, if you don't want a book that makes you have to think too hard!

The Vicar of Baghdad
Fighting for peace in the Middle East

By Andrew White

Published by Monarch Books 2009

Andrew White, the vicar in the title, comes across in this book as a remarkable person. He has had a key role in Middle East peace negotiations, working alongside people of different faiths and cultures in some of the most dangerous places in the world, despite suffering from a progressive illness. He has gained some notoriety and was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary last year.

He qualified as an Operating Department Practitioner in the 1980's, working at St Thomas's Hospital London prior to his ordination in 1990. A growing interest in Middle East affairs culminated in his appointment as Canon in charge of international ministry at Coventry Cathedral.

His ministry now is primarily one of friendship and reconciliation which have been vital attributes in his calling to build bridges between East and West. He has been involved in peace negotiations in several Middle East conflicts, including the Arab-Israeli conflict and most recently in the rebuilding of Iraq, where he is vicar of St George's in Baghdad. As a priest, and a long-standing resident of Baghdad, he is trusted by virtually every side in this complex situation and counts both Jews and Muslims among his closest friends.

The book gives a different perspective on the Iraq conflict from the one normally portrayed by the media. Working in Iraq is both difficult and dangerous but Andrew White's sense of calling to this work, his enthusiasm for it, his deep faith and his compassion have enabled him to build bridges and overcome obstacles which had proved insurmountable to politicians.

In the final chapter of the book he writes:

When life is full of despair, it is only the glory of God that truly sustains. There have been times when everything has gone wrong, when friends and colleagues have been killed and there has seemed to be no hope. It is at times like this that I ask God to show me his glory. He always does so, though sometimes I do not see it immediately. It has been manifested as a mighty cloud over Baghdad, and on one memorable occasion I have sensed it in the singing of a hymn one Easter morning when the birds were singing and the bombs were going off. God is here and his Spirit is with us! When one is in the glory of God, miraculous things can happen and one is no longer restricted by the life of humanity .… It is when the power and the glory come together that we witness change .… the power of those who run this world and the glory of the God who runs the universe. For too long people have tried to keep them separate, but God is at work in time and space and they have to be brought together.

The book is available from Christian bookshops, including the YWAM bookshop, phone 01582 463242 to check stock availability.

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