Finding God in a Culture of Fear: Discovering hope in God’s kingdom

Finding God in a Culture of Fear: Discovering hope in God’s kingdom

£8.99

A biblical and story-based exploration of hope

How can we live a little more hopefully each day?

Fear, terrorism, corruption, fake news… it can be easy to become discouraged by the culture around us. Now more than ever, society needs hope in order to survive and flourish.

This book takes us beyond comfort zones and easy answers, and towards a deeper understanding and practice of hope.



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Title Finding God in a Culture of Fear: Discovering hope in God’s kingdom
Author Joanne Cox-Darling
Description

How can we live a little more hopefully each day?

Fear, terrorism, corruption, fake news… it can be easy to become discouraged by the culture around us. Now more than ever, society needs hope in order to survive and flourish.

This book takes us beyond comfort zones and easy answers, and towards a deeper understanding and practice of hope.

It offers reflections, stories and practical ways for individuals and groups to find hope in their lives through discovering more about God in their midst.Focusing on God’s intervention in biblical history, God’s presence in contemporary contexts and God’s promised hope for the future, Joanne Cox-Darling encourages us to live more confidently, noticing more of the Spirit in our daily lives, and with more compassion and – ultimately – hope in God.

Details
  • Product code: 9780857466464
  • Published: 24 May 2019
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 144
  • Dimensions: 130mm wide and 198mm high

How can we live a little more hopefully each day?

Fear, terrorism, corruption, fake news… it can be easy to become discouraged by the culture around us. Now more than ever, society needs hope in order to survive and flourish.

This book takes us beyond comfort zones and easy answers, and towards a deeper understanding and practice of hope.

It offers reflections, stories and practical ways for individuals and groups to find hope in their lives through discovering more about God in their midst.Focusing on God’s intervention in biblical history, God’s presence in contemporary contexts and God’s promised hope for the future, Joanne Cox-Darling encourages us to live more confidently, noticing more of the Spirit in our daily lives, and with more compassion and – ultimately – hope in God.

Joanne Cox-Darling is a Methodist minister, mother, and want-to-be baker, currently living and working in the suburbs of London. She holds a doctorate from Durham University, and co-edited ‘The Call and the Commission’ (MK, Authentic, 2008). She has written for BRF Guidelines. She is passionate about contemporary culture, mission, and communication.

Unlike many of the books that offer hope this starts from a position of realism in that life is not easy, taking the reader on a journey of hope that stems from a Jesus who has been there himself, who knows and understands our hopes and fears, and gives us the courage to believe in what is possible through Christ. I know the book will be a blessing to many.

Des Scott, Deputy Chief Executive, Church Army 

 

The Reader, Winter 2019

A commonly-used mantra throughout this book is, ‘The worst thing is never the last thing’, which reminded me of the phrase quoted by Evelyn Greenslade (played by Judi Dench) in the film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: ‘Everything will be all right in the end. And if it’s not all right, then trust me, it’s not yet the end’. Book and film focus on hope as the key to combat the unknown, fear, and despair. In the book, God’s love and the presence of the Holy Spirit underpin this hope. The film scores highly on the ‘feel good factor’, the book somewhat less so. The ‘fear’ in the book predominantly focuses on the corporate and global, rather than the individual which I found slightly disappointing. It also presents a literary ‘smorgasbord’ of styles although it is still very readable. Its strengths include its (mostly) appropriate use of characters and events from the Old and New Testaments and making them relevant to today; and the ‘questions for reflection’ at the end of each chapter. Read it as a guide to further exploration of fear and trust in God.

Reviewed by Richard Appleton

 

Review by Dr Philip Barlow, May 2019

A book clearly written from the heart and the inclusion of personal anecdotes makes it easier to identify with and understand. Stories from the Bible are made relevant to today’s challenges and problems and focus the mind on the main theme of the book which is hope for the future.

The hope theme runs through the whole book but, as the author explains, hope is not a passive process but one that requires a pro-active approach. It is not sufficient to sit back and hope for the future, hope wants and needs action to make better things to come. Hope does not just rely on the current order but having a vision can change the future for the better. Martin Luther King’s speech of “having a dream” is referred to and sets an approach for us all to consider.

Hopelessness often makes us long for the “rose coloured” past but hope drives us forward and gives us a meaningful purpose. Adopting a proactive approach with a belief that the world can become a better place lessens our fear of the future. The author explains how hope can and does allow us to be more confident in recognising the potential for our own lives and the world around us. God’s presence in the ever changing world, even if at times this is hard to see, provides the hope we need to live and prosper in a world prevailing in a culture of fear.

Read this book as an antidote to the often over whelming and pessimistic world we live in or as a study book (and a series of reflection questions are provided) to think about in a group meeting that hopes for a brighter future.

 Reviewed by Dr Philip Barlow