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Book review: The Next Christendom: the coming of global Christianity by Philip Jenkins |
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Thursday, 07 March 2013 16:04 |
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This is the third edition of a book first published in 2002, and perhaps that is all you need to know about it for there can be very few academic tomes that have been revised and reissued so often in such a short space of time.
 The Next Christendom: the coming of global Christianity
By Philip Jenkins
Oxford University Press: £12.99
ISBN: 9780199767465 Reviewed by John DraneFor this occasion, Philip Jenkins has not only updated but also considerably expanded what must now be the standard text on the remarkable growth of Christianity throughout the Global South in the course of the last thirty years or so.
The author is a history professor, and the early chapters offer a succinct account of the spread of Christianity, with particular focus on the modern missionary movement and its relationship to the colonial ambitions of western powers in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Alongside this, however, there is extensive coverage of theological and cultural issues, as Jenkins discusses matters as diverse as the role of witchcraft and 'spiritual warfare' in some African churches, as well as distinctive teachings such as the prosperity gospel.
The question of the relationship between poverty and the growth of the church in Africa, Asia, and Latin America is one that occupies a good deal of space, as he asks whether this is indeed offering liberation to the oppressed or is in danger of becoming a new form of oppression - not only for the poor, but for women in particular.
Nor does the political dimension of it all go unnoticed, with increasing tensions - and on occasion conflicts - between different Christian groups in the Global South as well as with the older denominations of the North, whose attitude to these newer churches varies from a benevolent bemusement to outright condemnation, especially where immigrants from the South have been able to establish substantial churches in the post-Christian environment of European cities.
Then there is the growing suspicion of other religious traditions, notably but not exclusively with a resurgent Islam in parts of Africa and Asia.
In short, this volume is a masterpiece of insight and analysis - and indispensable reading for anyone who wants to begin to understand the enormous shifts now taking place in the nature of world Christianity.
John Drane is chaplain at International Christian College, Glasgow
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Last Updated on Thursday, 07 March 2013 17:07 |
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Book review: Children, Families and God by Lynn Alexander |
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Monday, 04 March 2013 15:43 |
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In this book Lynn shares her passion for ministry to children and families, her thoughts on their awareness and development of spirituality, and her biblical basis for such ministry. She challenges readers to acknowledge ways in which, often unintentionally, children's needs have been overlooked or swept aside in today's church, and offers practical ideas and inspiring stories of how God might bring about change.
 Children, Families and God by Lynn Alexander.
Publisher: Destiny Image Europe/Evangelista Media
Reviewed by Ruth DonaldsonIn particular I was encouraged by two aspects of Lynn's writing.
Firstly, the author has a heartfelt desire to see whole family discipleship, as illustrated in both Old and New Testament communities of God's people; she calls for an end to 'continual partitioning or excluding of children from the key events in the life of the church', including worship, prayer, baptism, communion, housegroups.
In this respect, there is a useful exploration of some key principles of church ministry, as well as encouraging stories of how God has worked in children and families.
Secondly, and inextricably linked to the above, the theme of mission runs throughout the book.
Lynn's primary motivation for discipling families in their relationship with God and with each other is that they might be equipped to reach out to other families and see God's kingdom grow in their community. There are examples of some specific programmes to get you started in your missional thinking, including the current model of Missional Communities.
The book will appeal to a wide audience, although particular sections may hold more or less relevance for particular readers: the detailed chapter on areas of church life requiring attention and potentially repentance, entitled "The Turning Point: Starting Afresh", may be particularly challenging for senior pastors and leaders, whereas other sections such as "Building a Team" will be of more specific interest to children's pastors themselves.
Whatever your role, if you share God's heart of compassion for children and families, yet sometimes wonder how best to advance God's kingdom among them, then this book is worth reading.
Ruth Donaldson is married to Alan Donaldson, the general director of the Baptist Union of Scotland
"The church is in desperate need of advice and guidance on how to nurture children's spirituality and not to ignore or destroy it" - read Lynn Alexander explaining why she wrote Children, Families and God
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Last Updated on Monday, 04 March 2013 16:01 |
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Book review: Prisoner of Hope by Shally Hunt |
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Thursday, 07 February 2013 12:35 |
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The author of best-selling The Sea on Our Left only discovered from her father late in his life that she had a famous ancestor, William Carey, and at once plunged into learning all she could about him, and especially his eldest son Felix through whom she was descended.
 Prisoner of Hope
By Shally Hunt
ISBN 978-0-9573295-5-3
Reviewed by Edward Williams The title, Prisoner of Hope, refers to Felix but the first part of the book tells again the story of William Carey and his family, the beginnings of the BMS, and the Serampore Mission.
It tells the story well, making clear the difficulties facing Carey and his family through the early years in India. It was only support from the governor of the Danish colony of Serampore, the desire of many for schooling for their children, and then his surprise appointment as professor of Indian languages in the British college training future administrators, that finally opened the way forward.
Carey expected great things in turn from his sons, and his famous remark that 'Felix has shrivelled into being an ambassador' has tended to hide how much Felix did achieve. He had great ability as a linguist following his father, and as a printer thanks to William Ward, who in many ways gave him the fathering that Carey was often too busy to give.
He also undertook substantial medical training. At the age of 21 he was ordained and then sent, with others, to open a new mission field in Burma. The obstacles were even greater than had faced his father in India, and it was his medical expertise that eventually gained him the favour of the King - but on his journey up-river to the court the boat was overwhelmed by a storm; he narrowly survived, but his (second) wife and children were lost.
Employment by the King meant luxury, and this undoubtedly turned his head. It is well known that his mother, Dorothy, was mentally disturbed during most of her years in India - small wonder, considering all that she faced, but it is likely that there was inherent mental defect, and Shally Hunt believes that Felix suffered from what we now know as bipolar syndrome.
He certainly became addicted to alcohol and perhaps other drugs, was heavily in debt, and there was a period of 'wandering years' before he finally returned to work in Serampore for four years before dying at the age of 37.
It is a sad, often moving story that needed to be told.
The Revd Edward Williams was a BMS Mission worker on the teaching staff at Serampore College, West Bengal (1959 - 1968). Before his retirement he was minister at Alcester Baptist Church
'This colourful and tragic life was too good a story to be left untold' Follow this link for an interview with author Shally Hunt
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Last Updated on Friday, 08 February 2013 10:54 |
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Powerful proof of God's calling |
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Monday, 21 January 2013 11:40 |
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 Learn more about the remarkable story of Mike McDade, a runaway who became a wealthy businessman before being transformed into a Baptist minister through the will of God and the belief and prayers of Christians around him
Mike McDade's retirement as a Baptist minister last year has certainly not led to a comfortable armchair and gentle walks in the park.
Instead, he is more likely to be found heading for some corner of the UK to talk about a part of his life that usually leaves listeners open mouthed. Not that he will dwell for too long on his tempestuous childhood and teenage years because his aim will be to convince his audience that no matter how bad a start a person has in life, God can still take you by the scruff of the neck and use you to fulfil his purposes.
With the help of journalist, John Alexander, Mike has pieced together his extraordinary story which has caught the imagination of people in all walks of life.
It certainly has appealed to many Christians and turned out to be an ideal Christmas present to give to their friends and relatives who doggedly maintain Christianity is not for them. The feed-back Mike and John are receiving points to the fact that some pretty hardened cases have been moved by Mike's story and are quietly reviewing their fixed opinions of what life is all about.
Reviews of the book Runaway, Red Beret and Reverend published by Authentic Media, made it quite clear that this was no run-of-the-mill conversion story, but one which initially shocks, then inspires.
It was Mike's total frankness about his early life which grabbed the attention. Brought up in a dysfunctional home, he ran away from school and deprived himself of the ability to read or write. For a spell he lived on the streets of London and experienced the horrors of being hungry, dirty and friendless.
Eventually, he left the capital city to try his luck in the north and managed to get work cleaning and painting the Manchester Ship Canal bridge and then the Blackpool Tower.
He bragged his way into job after job and nearly came to grief when he agreed to work at the very top of the Blackpool Tower. His claim to be an industrial painter was false but if nothing else the young Mike was brazen and always convinced that one day he would be rich. His courage wasn't in doubt either because he managed to talk his way into the British Army and straight into the parachute regiment.
There followed an extraordinary passage in his life which resulted in the conversion of both himself and his wife, Pat, and then although illiterate and having no qualifications whatsoever, being accepted for ordination as a minister in the Baptist church. To say more in this article would be to spoil the reader's enjoyment of a book which even cynical journalists have agreed was difficult to put down until the last page.
The power of the book comes once the reader has conceded that Mike's conversion is not a fairy story. Mike sums it up this way: 'A relationship with God is no ordinary one, and it is one that many people find difficult to understand. To say you have a relationship with God Almighty, who created heaven and earth but who could, if he so wished, just wipe you off the planet - well, it's not surprising people have a problem believing this is a person who loves you and wants a relationship with you. But he does!'
A review in the GoodBookStall website points out that in all the places Mike worked - Bradford, Warrington (at the time the IRA exploded a bomb in the town centre killing two little boys), London and Cambridge - it was quite apparent God was at work through his actions and through the small and wonderful miracles that occurred in Mike's life.
The author and Mike admit some might find parts of the story difficult to believe and acknowledge this is a choice for the reader to make, just as it is a choice for each person to accept and acknowledge such miracles that might occur in
their own lives.
The reviewer, Melanie Carroll, comments: 'The real lesson at the heart of the book is that if God has a calling on your life (and I believe he does on all our lives) then there is no escape from it. God's will will happen if you allow it and that is the remarkable story of faith that shines through Mike McDade's life and in this book.'
Runaway, Red Beret and Reverend is available from Authentic Media and on line from Amazon (£7.19). A Kindle version is also available.
Mike is open to invitations to visit and speak to congregations or groups who would like to hear more about his life and faith.
His email address is:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Last Updated on Monday, 21 January 2013 12:47 |
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Christian and children's author Beth Shepherd wants to combat a poverty of aspiration among young children with inspiring stories
Beth Shepherd is passionate to see dreams fulfilled. Writing this book was a proof to herself and others that everything is possible. 
