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Biography: Saints & Notable Christians |
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| For the lives of those we give the title Saint, and other historically noteworthy Christian men and women, written by their contemporaries, their own writings and stories about them painstakingly put together by modern day writers, |
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The Clapham Sect- How Wilberforce’s Circle Transformed Britainby Stephen Tomkins The author begins by asserting that the ‘Clapham Sect’ never existed, was not a sect and that few of its members came from Clapham – the name was coined when a newspaper editor misremembered the derogatory remark of a cynic! However the label stuck and that is how the late 18th century collection of lifelong friends became known, as they collaborated in doing God’s work of evangelism and improvement of the quality of life for all. The best known of them is, of course, Wilberforce, but he was surrounded by other fascinating characters who also strove to make a difference. This book tells their stories and describes their works, home and abroad, great and small. It is not a hagiography and does not shrink from including some attitudes and actions that the modern reader may find difficult, but balances this with acceptance that the Victorian social and moral climate was much different to what we have today. Above all these were people of God, openly and unashamedly living for Him – as rare and unpopular a phenomenon then as it is today – and this account provides them with the recognition they deserve and modern Christians with an example to ponder. Review by Diane Morrison (06/09/10) |
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| Paperback Price: £10.99 Publisher: Lion Published: August 2010 ISBN: 978-0-745-95306-9 View this book on its own page >> |
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Cardinal Newman for Todayby Thomas J Norris The visit of the Pope to England, autumn 2010, which will include the formal beatification of Cardinal Newman, has brought with it a renewed interest in this significant figure. In Newman we have a theologian whose life brought him from Anglicanism to Catholicism, and as such he remains influential in both traditions. Moreover, he serves as a figurehead for those who seek to accept the recent offer of Pope Benedict to provide a home for disaffected Anglo-Catholics. Given all this, one can understand the desire of the Columba Press to reissue Norriss's 1996 book: Only Life gives Life. A new introductory biography has been added which serves to provide a context for much of the discussion on Newman's theology which follows in three sections. The first section considers the sources of Divine revelation from which any theology is formed. For Newman it was his discernment of revelation amongst the Church Fathers which brought him to Rome, and the second section looks at the role of tradition in the formation of theology. A tradition which lives and develops. The final section gives, in the manner of St Paul, the 'therefore': if this is so, how then do we live? After these sections, a conclusion is drawn. In all, this is a welcome reissue and the timeliness is reflected in the new title. Given Newman's roots within Anglicanism it provides a good way into catholic thought for those who will be playing host to the Pope and gathering to see him who are not reared in the Roman Catholic tradition. Review by Chris Moore (27/08/10) |
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| Paperback Price: £11.50 Publisher: Columba Press Published: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-856-07680-7 View this book on its own page >> |
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Restoring the Woven Cord: Revised Edition- Strands of Celtic Christianityby Michael Mitton With the study of insular hagiography reaching something of a zenith in academic circles in recent years, this work has been written for a more general readership wishing to dip their toes into the world of late antique Celtic Christianity. Originally published in 1995, Mitton covers such figures as the great missionary Patrick, the enigmatic voyager Brendan, and the miraculous healer John of Beverley. Each of the mini-biographies, which number fifteen in total, leaves the reader wanting more; indeed, if one were to make a slight criticism it would be the author has, if anything, tried to cover too much ground for such a limited compass. The gem of this publication lies in its fresh and innovative approach: through generous reflection upon the lives and works of these early Celtic Christians, Mitton shows how we can find inspiration for our own ministry as followers of Christ. Review by Dan McNamara (27/08/10) |
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| Paperback Price: £8.99 Publisher: BRF (Bible Reading Fellowship) Published: 12 May 2010 ISBN: 978-1-841-01800-3 View this book on its own page >> |
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Marked for Life- The Story of Hildegard Goss-Mayerby Richard Deats This is the story of Hildegard Goss-Mayer who, at eighty years old, is still active in her mission to spread the message of the power of non-violence. Austrian by birth, she lived through the horrors of Nazism and World War ll and saw the spread of dictatorship and colonialism in the wider world. She has travelled widely, lecturing and preaching her gospel of peace and reconciliation, not always welcomed by repressive regimes nor among armed revolutionaries. She recommends an “active” non-violence, even at times encouraging civil disobedience. Her convictions are based on life-affirming Christian principles, in particular the non-violence of Jesus and his message of love and reconciliation. She declares that there are no just wars, that you can achieve radical change without bloody revolution. Married until his death to the French peace activist Jean Goss, she has won several peace awards and is still making lecture tours and giving seminars in all parts of the world. Richard Deats knows her well as friend and colleague and here gives us an intimate and compelling account of a remarkable life. Review by John Irvine (04/08/10) |
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| Paperback Price: £9.95 Publisher: New City Press Published: 2009 ISBN: 978-1-565-48309-5 View this book on its own page >> |
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Always Believe in Love- Elizabeth of the TrinityEdited by Marian T. Murphy O.C.D. This is a remarkable book, or rather a book about a remarkable person, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity. She was born in France in 1880, entered the Carmel of Dijon when she was twenty-one and died there five years later of Addison’s disease. How little these bare facts tell us of the person to whom they refer. From early childhood Elizabeth was totally immersed in her love of the triune God. Later in her short life she welcomed death as a means of achieving an even closer union with Him. As a rôle-model she would be difficult if not impossible to emulate but as a spiritual guide she surely points in the right direction. This little book contains many of the poems, prayers, personal letters and diary extracts of this “true mystic”, which affords us a glimpse into her very soul. For collecting and translating these, for her own insightful comments, and for the biographical details, we owe the author, Marion Murphy, a considerable debt of gratitude. Review by Alexandra Irvine (27/07/10) |
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| Paperback Price: £9.95 Publisher: New City Press Published: 2009 ISBN: 978-1-565-48313-2 View this book on its own page >> |
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Blessed John Henry Newmanby Michael Rear With the forthcoming Papal Visit to our countries looming (September 2010) – during which His Holiness will beatify Cardinal Newman – the present monograph is apt indeed. Fr. Rear, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of East Anglia, whose own spiritual journey clearly owes much to the writings and witness of Blessed Newman, ought to be praised for having produced in this short compass such a well-researched and thought-provoking work. It is particularly refreshing to read that Fr. Rear recognises the debt of the Catholic Church to Newman’s influence on the shaping of the Second Vatican Council (pp.31). From a personal perspective, it is pleasing to note that Fr. Rear makes mention of Newman’s devotion to the Fathers (pp.13); it is to be regretted that Newman, one of the great authorities on the Fathers (especially in regard to St. Athanasius and St. Ambrose), is rarely cited for having been such. If one slight criticism could be drawn from a work so short in length it would be on grounds of style: grammatical and typographical errors are frequent often threatening to break the fluency of the read. For those planning on attending the Beatification Mass of John Henry Newman on Sunday the 19th September 2010 in Birmingham, and who in their reading have thus far missed the myriad of literature written on Newman, this is a good place to start. Fr. Rear is to be commended for recognizing with great sagacity that Newman was first and foremost a humble priest for whom everything else came a firm second. On the inauguration of the Year for Priests in June 2009, the Pope urged Christians “to hold up to your priests his example of dedication to prayer, pastoral sensitivity towards the needs of his flock, and passion for preaching the Gospel”: Fr. Rear both echoes this call and reminds us, should it be necessary, of precisely why Cardinal Newman is so special. Review by Dan McNamara (22/07/10) |
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| Booklet Price: £4.95 Publisher: St Paul Publications Dist. by Redemptorist Published: 2010 ISBN: 978-0-854-39789-1 View this book on its own page >> |
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C.H.Spurgeon: The People’s Preacherby Peter Morden |
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ISBN: 978-1-853-45497-4 Price: £9.99 |
Published: February 2010 |
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A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life- Includes Audio Excerpts CDby William Law |
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ISBN: 978-0-882-70453-1 Price: £8.50 |
Published: 2008 |
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Spiritual Masters for all Seasonsby Michael Ford |
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ISBN: 978-1-587-68055-7 Price: £12.99 |
Published: 2009 |
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Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ- The cost of bringing the gospel to the nations in the lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson and John Patonby John Piper |
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ISBN: 978-1-844-74409-1 Price: £7.99 |
Published: 09 September 2009 |
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Columbanus- The Earliest Christian Voice of Christian Irelandby Kate Tristram |
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ISBN: 978-1-856-07686-9 Price: £12.99 |
Published: Spring 2010 |
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Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of Graceby Iain Murray |
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ISBN: 978-0-851-51975-3 Price: £16.00 |
Published: 2008 |
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Saintsby Scot Bower |
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ISBN: 978-0-745-95347-2 Price: £9.99 |
Published: 2009 |
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Mere Christians- Inspiring Stories of Encounters with C.S.Lewisby Ed. Mary Ann Phemister and Andrew Lazo |
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ISBN: 978-0-801-07184-3 Price: £7.99 |
Published: March 2009 |
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Faith, Doubt, and Courage in 15 Great people of Faith- And What we can learn From Themby John R.Tyson |
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ISBN: 978-0-687-64726-2 Price: £6.99 |
Published: 12 December 2008 |
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Travel With John Calvin- Geneva's Minister Whose Thinking Changed the Worldby Kenneth Brownell |
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ISBN: 978-1-846-25131-3 Price: £10.00 |
Published: Autumn 2009 |
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The Power and Meaning of Love- SPCK Classicsby Thomas Merton |
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ISBN: 978-0-281-06328-4 Price: £9.99 |
Published: 21 January 2010 |
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The Gospel as Taught by Calvinby R.C.Reed |
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ISBN: 978-1-848-71030-6 Price: £5.50 |
Published: 2009 |
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The SPCK Introduction to Nietzscheby Lucy Huskinson |
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ISBN: 978-0-281-06042-9 Price: £12.99 |
Published: 17 September 2009 |
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Saints and Heroes- Inspiring Politicsby Frank Field |
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ISBN: 978-0-281-06187-7 Price: £12.99 |
Published: 18 March 2010 |
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