10 Jun 11
In March this year I attended a Bishops Advisory Panel (BAP), a selection conference where my vocation was tested to see if my sense of calling towards ordained ministry was realistic. A number of people close to me viewed this event as the climax of my discernment process.
“Now your through, you know what your going to do.”
Well it was certainly a milestone and an experience that I will remember for a very long time, however, that doesn’t mean that this was the end of Discernment.
First of all the recommendation I received, like everyone else, was to begin training for Ordination - there is still a process to follow.
The second, and perhaps most important thing is that Discernment is an ongoing process, one without an end point(well maybe the ultimate end point). Discernment at this point in my journey came to mean an exploration of my sense of calling.
For me, Discernment is an ongoing process of my understanding and accepting who God calls me to be:
- Husband
- Friend
- Disciple
- Brother
- Me
All this seems very simple, I know , or at least think, I know how to be these things and hope to continue being these things in the future. The question is am I being these things to my fullest ability , am I being Me to the Fullest, the Person that God wants me to be at this point in my life?
The same applies to all of us, who are we called to be? Where does God want us at this point in our lives? What does he want us to do?
This is not about radical changes in where we are or what we do, it may be that we feel that we are exactly where we need to be and are doing what we need to do. By stepping back and prayerfully looking at ourselves and where we have been and what we have done we can begin to see God at work in our lives and can be inspired to move forward with what God wants for us.
The other thing in this process is, whilst reflecting back,analysing/thinking and looking forward and planning, remember to Stop. Take some time to enjoy who you are and give thanks that regardless of where you have been, where you will go, what you have done and will do, at this moment in your lives you are You. Beautifully created in the image of and Loved by God for who you are.
Happy Discerning.
dis·cern·ment
n. 1. The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/discernment
9 Jun 11
So here it is the first of my Book Lists this list is some of the books that I used for my very first module on my Theology Degree – Beginning Theological Studies. All have proved to be very useful in my studies and hopefully they will be of use to you.
Alister McGrath Christian Theology An Introduction, came highly recommended to me and I would say that it has been one of the most useful books that I have purchased in my studies it covers a wide range of subjects, doctrines and their origins. It isn’t Bed time reading by any means but it isn’t too heavy either and the way it is laid out allows you to dip in and read a chapter or section without getting lost.
£18.13 including Delivery – Click Here
Jeff Astley – Ordinary Theology
This is an Interesting Book, It covers the concepts and problems of Ordinary Theology, an interesting read for those engaged with ordinary theology and those within the Ministry of the Church
£17.37 including free delivery – Click Here
Practical Theology In Action
John Pritchard is possibly one of the most well known of recent Theological writers and Paul Ballard is a well respected writer and Lecturer of Theology. This book is a fantastic look at the application of Theology to Christian life, in the service of Church and Society. It covers areas such as Pastoral theology and Cycle, Theological Reflection, Spiritual among others. It uses examples and Scenarios to allow the reader to see how these concepts and ideas contained in the book can be undertaken.
£10.48 Including Free Delivery
John Barton People of The Book
Discusses questions about biblical authority and inspiration, which are as topical and controversial as ever. This Link is to the New edition Published at the beginning of this Year
£7.94 Including Free Delivery
Theology – A Short Introduction
A short Introduction is certainly what you get here, this range of books published by Oxford University Press are a worthwhile read, covering the basics of any given subject. In this title we are given a balanced survey of the central questions of contemporary theology, principles underlying religious belief, including the centrality of salvation to most major religions, the concept of God in ancient, modern, and post-modern contexts.
£4.54 including Free Delivery
3 Jun 11
I have had a few emails requesting the sort of Textbooks I was recommended for mydegree course (Theology and Ministerial Studies). This is quite an undertaking as there have been many recommended for each of the modules that I have completed. I think that is how I will present them module by module, and will include the core texts and the extras and will also add a comment if it is one I have been luck enough to purchase. The first modules I’ll cover are:
On another note if anyone has a book they would reccomend then by all means get in touch and I’ll add it to the list
1 Jun 11
- Buy For only £12.04 including Delivery
This has been a very useful addition to my Bookshelf, particularly when writing Essays on the Eucharist. As always with the SCM range The Sacraments is a one stop tour covering in brief many areas includning the links to Pagan and Jewish Traditions, Eucharistic Theologies the evolution of Baptism. Not only does it cover the Eucharist but also covers in frief the other Sacraments of the Christian Faith.
A bargain at only £12.04 including delivery from the Book Depository
Publishers Description
The Sacraments are clearly intended to focus and unify the church, yet nothing has divided the church so much as the nature of the sacraments and who should minister and receive them. From the early controversy over whether the Jewish sacrament of circumcision was necessary for Christians, through the Donatist schism and the Reformation controversies, down to the ordination of women, division over the sacraments have characterised the church. Even what counts as a sacrament – just baptism and the Eucharist – or five other rites – has proved divisive. This book looks in detail at the two ‘dominical’ sacraments which all mainstream churches acknowledge, baptism and holy communion, whilst also examining the other sacraments of the Orthodox and Catholic churches. Coverage includes general ideas of sacraments and ritual, Old Testament practices, the response of Jesus and the Early Church, the growth of sacramental theology up to the Reformation and since, Baptism, Holy Communion, the rites of commitment – confirmation, ordination and marriage, and rites of restoration – healing and reconciliation. The book concludes by considering whether there are other practices that might be considered sacramental such as deliverance, reverence of icons or preaching.
Click Here to Purchase from the Book Depository
28 May 11
The Oxford Bible Commentary is an exciting new ecumenical verse-by-verse commentary on the whole Bible, including all the books of the Apocrypha, for use by Christians, Jews, and members of other religious traditions, or of none. 1.5 million words long, it has been written by a team of internationally respected biblical scholars chosen for their expertise and ability to communicate rather than for their adherence to any particular faith. Now available in paperback, the Oxford Bible Commentary will provide the one-volume resource for the Bible for the 21st century.
26 Aug 10
I started this Blog with the intention of providing simple reviews for the books which I have found useful thus far in my Theology degree, which i will continue to add to as I progress. I have also decided to add a bit of my own writing into the mix, just for fun really and to keep me in the habit of writing articles which aren’t exegesis or Sermons.
I am about to start my second year on my Degree in Theology and Minesterial Sudies and hopefully later this year will find out if I am suitable for Ordination in the Church of England. The past year has been quite a rollercoaster ride. I started my Degree course purely as an ‘Independant’ Student, I had felt a calling to God prior to this but fear prevented me from exploring vocation so I started the course to subdue these feelings. This didn’t work and the feeling of being called got more and more intense until I had to act upon it. To cut a long story short(who knows I may need that story to put in a book in the future) I followed my heart and what I thought God was calling me too and I go to local selection pretty soon.
Academically the challenges have been fast coming, I have studied to quite a high level in the past but in I.T. related subjects and for the past 12 years I.T. is the industry I have worked, particularly Media and Online Marketing. The style and requirements for assignments was somewhat alien to me. If I needed a video creating I got the media, compiled it and produced the output, the same applied in my studies, a challenge was set and I worked out a solution and produced the output as needed. Now I needed to read what other people think, see their ideas, their theologies and use them in my thought processes before drawing my own conclusions, which isn’t dis-similar to checking other websites for ideas and adapting them. I am now required to list the people I use for inspiration, those people I read, whether i think they’re any good or not I have to include them as influencing my ideas in someway. In other words a Bibliography, in the early stages very much a swear word, but Im getting better as I progress, a full list including author, publisher, year and place of publication and ISBN. Sometimes this can take me more time than writing the actual assignments.
So why this site, well over the past 12 months I have bought, borrowed and begged many books which have been of great use to me, some however haven’t, my aim is to include here all those books which I hope will be of use to you, the reader. Of course if any of you have a book you wish to be included then bu all means let me know and I’ll include it. What do I ge out of it, well aside from the satisfaction of sharing these books with you, I may earn enough to fund a book or two if you click and buy any of the books listed here.
Take care, and thanks for taking the time to read. Im about to head off the the GreenBelt Festival, fingers crossed for some good weather, will tel you all about it when I get back, maybe even see some of you there.
16 Aug 10
We did an entire Unit on Theological Reflection towards the end of our first year, yet this book was included in the first book list. When you open the book and start reading its not hard to see why, there are several exccercises to work through in the book, some of which will be over the space of several months (and hopefully beyond if you take to this form of reflection). Working in education meant that I was used to reflecting on tasks but this books enables you to do that from a much more spiritual/theological stand point. It is a very worthwhile book to get as relflecting is something that will become an invauable tools whatever your ministry may be.
Buy from Book Depository for £13.74 with free delivery
The SCM Studyguide to Theological Reflection” fills a gap in the market by providing an accessible guide to the subject for all who embark on it for the first time. The book offers newcomers a step by step introduction to understanding what theological reflection is and helps them to explore which of the methods introduced best suits them and their particular situation. It is practical in emphasis, providing students with a wide variety of worked examples and opportunities to carry out their own exercises.
10 Aug 10
This was the first book on my Book List for my Degree course and everyone I have spoken to has reinforced this “If you want to do Biblical Studies then your going to need a Jerome”. This is probably one of the most expensive books that I have ever purchased at £35 it is a heft price tag and a hefty weight on the bookcase, I would reccomend putting this on a lower shelf or make sure the shelf is fairly strong.
What can I say about this book, it is a verse by verse commentary on the entire Bible, written by Roman Catholic scholars using modern principles of Biblical Criticism. It examines literary, historical and scientific content of the Scriptures. It is often the first port of call when examining a piece of scripture either for assignments or when writing Sermons.
In my first year of Studies there is not an assignment that hasn’t got this book in the bibliography if not a footnote or quote.
What I do reccomend is if your going to buy this online then make sure it’s from somwhere with free delivery, you certainly don’t want to pay the shipping on a book this size.
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Amazon have it Hardcover for £32.46 here
and
Waterstones have it Softccover for £35 here
9 Aug 10
The Shack, chances are you’ve heard of this book, if you haven’t you don’t know what you’re missing. A truly beautiful book, well in my opinion anyway.
This book certainly gets mixed reviews from those that love it (like me) to those who are rather less fond of it. This came recommended by the local Director of Ordinands for those exploring vocation, where as the head of our Theological college was less than impressed with it.
The basic overview is: Four years after his daughter goes missing Mack receives a note from God inviting him to spend the weekend with him back in the same area where his daughter went missing. What ensues is a life changing weekend for Mack as he explores deep questions about faith and his own relationship with God. A very thought provoking read, that is well written and certainly worth a read. So far I’ve purchased 4 copies and as I haven’t received the 4th back yet will probably buy number 5 shortly.
Click Here to purchase yours
9 Aug 10
100 Minute Bible, I have to admit when I first saw this on my reading list I was a little surprised and somewhat unsure of the academic merits of such a book, the Bible in under two hours?
Obviously this is a very compressed reduced and simplified summary rather than a translation, but in its simplicity lies its beauty, it covers the key events characters and information in easy language and serves as a very useful overview, and let’s face it at £2.84 from The Book Depository it’s worth while taking a look.
It also serves as an ideal gift for the not so avid reader.
Click Here to Buy