|
| Christian news worldwide |
 Home |
 Archives |
 Subscriptions |
 Adverts |
 Find a church |
 About us |
 Contact us |
 Site Map |
 PrintableVersion God's CatalystChristina Press is a new initiative aiming to produce Christian books 'by women, for women', a response to the fact that the vast majority of Christian books are written by men but their readers are overwhelmingly female. (What about an initiative to encourage men into reading . . . ?) PRECIOUS TO GOD Writing in a simple and engaging style, Sarah Bowen relates her experiences of raising two children with cerebral palsy. She is open about the emotional and practical struggles faced, but the persistent theme of the joy brought by her son and daughter. Early on, we learn how Sarah was met by God in her despair and turned to him in trust; it is a shame that we hear so little after this of God's sustenance. This makes the book non-threatening for unbelievers, but does miss some great opportunities for exploring God's sovereignty in suffering. WOMEN CELEBRATING FAITH 56 short and personal narratives have been collected here, 'so you can read what God is doing today in women just like you' - providing the 'you' is over 40, deeply involved in Christian leadership and American! Throughout the five sections (the real me, stress, guidance, bereavement and motherhood) runs the repeated message of surrender to God. This consistency is a strength, but when coupled with the brevity of narratives and the scant references to Scripture, it makes for a warm but insubstantial read. GOD'S CATALYST Rosemary Green has produced this book 'for the non-specialist counsellor; the pastor, the lay Christian', aiming to show a Christian model which will challenge the influence of secular ideologies in church-based counselling. The tone is humble, the chapters short, the style personal and anecdotal - all seemingly attractive for her readership, yet I do fear that this book is far from appropriate for the inexperienced but earnest counsellor. Mrs. Green claims that her methods are biblical and frequently refers to Scripture. However, alongside the authority of the Word comes 'visualisation' - clients are encouraged to imagine Jesus, then asked about their picture - is he at a distance? Does he turn towards you? What does he say to you? While Mrs. Green remains faithful to most other orthodox doctrines, the dangers of these summoned-up encounters with Christ are obvious. How much more simple and safe it seems to take lessons directly from God's living Word, rather than via vulnerable human hearts. Later on in the book, Mrs. Green deals with demon possession and what she terms 'hot line' spiritual gifts using spectacular stories as examples. Whatever one's convictions about contemporary use of gifts, this makes for unsettling reading - much debated phenomena are thrust before the novice counsellor as routine experiences, to be expected, even encouraged. In these and other areas, my concern was how easily the broken souls of clients might be given false hope or cast into greater distress through the counsellor's desire for changed feelings, rather than renewed hearts and minds. Sarah Allen(Congratulations to Sarah on the birth of Madeleine Hephzibah - born just after these reviews were finished! - Ed.) © Evangelicals Now - June 1997 |
|
