Under pressure
With the UK now in it's eighth week of lockdown, are you finding that close quarters and confinement are starting to take a toll on everyday life? In this time of confusion and challenge, are you or your loved ones repeatedly asking the question on everyone's minds: 'Why is this happening?'
We've put together some resources that may help you and your household find answers to some of the big questions you may be experiencing and defuse household tensions and those relationships under pressure.
{"id":2439828045924,"title":"Resilience in Life and Faith: Finding your strength in God","handle":"resilience-in-life-and-faith-finding-your-strength-in-god","description":"\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker encourage us to develop our resilience and to prepare ourselves for the challenges that life throws at us in an increasingly difficult world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough biblical wisdom and psychological insight, they show us how to understand ourselves better, appreciate our areas of strength and strengthen our areas of weakness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead this book if you want a faith that persists to the finishing line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and associate trainer with EQUIP, a missions programme based near Doncaster. He is an elder of his local church in West Yorkshire and regularly travels abroad leading retreats and Quiet Days. His other books include Spiritual Growth in a Time of Change (BRF, 2016). He also contributes to BRF's New Daylight Bible reading notes. Dr Debbie Hawker is a psychologist based in Nottingham with a global reputation as a specialist in debriefing and trauma counselling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Dr. Laura Mae Gardner,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e f\u003c\/span\u003eormer International Vice President for Personnel for Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. Author of \u003cem\u003eHealthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry. \u003c\/em\u003eMay 2020\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI just finished reading this wonderful book and am strongly impacted by it. It gives sound practical concepts by two very qualified and experienced mission workers who have worldwide awareness. I know these authors and highly respect them. They have given us an immensely useful tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book includes spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive, social and systemic aspects of resilience. Resilience is illustrated by the lives of Biblical characters—Nehemiah, Elijah, David, Joseph, Paul, Jesus and women as well as men.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strengths of the book are its Biblical anchoring and its practicality. It is comprehensive and clear. It will be a great resource for pastors, church and organisational leaders as well as individuals in the work force. The book will be a guide for all who have personnel and administrative oversight of workers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Resilience Scale at the end of the book is an excellent self evaluation instrument. It is followed by a faith-based creed, a simple but powerful personal commitment. This book will have a ministry-wide impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dr. Laura Mae Gardner, Former International Vice President for Personnel for Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. Author of 'Healthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry'.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2019. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe assertion on the back of this book - ‘Read this if you want a faith that persists to the finishing line – develop resilience and prepare for the challenges life throws at us’ sums up the authors’ intention. Does it do what it says on the cover? Debbie Hawker, a clinical psychologist, introduces the subject and contributes chapters on the psychological aspects of resilience using a model of resilience under the following domains: spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive and creative, and finally social and systemic. Tony Horsfall, a trainer and retreat leader, provides studies of biblical characters illustrating each aspect considered. Each of the 15 short chapters concludes with some questions. Finally there are two appendices – a self-assessment ‘Resilience Rating Scale’ using their model, and then a ‘Resilience Creed’, using scriptural truths to strengthen faith during times of hardship. For those of an investigative nature, 145 annotated references are cited. It is a readable book; I found several nuggets amidst the many referenced opinions and conclusions. In summary, the book should interest Readers keen to investigate and develop the psychological aspects of their faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch of England Newspaper, July 2019. Review by Carol Turner\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn today’s world where so much is ‘instant’ and it is easy to give up and move onto the next thing, resilience seems to be in short supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Christians, Tony Horsfall says, we should fix our eyes on Jesus and keep going. Resilience is what this short paperback is all about and I was amazed at how much is contained in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two authors have collaborated well and the chapters really flow together to form one whole. The combination of the authors’ experience in pastoral work, psychology and mission serve to give the book’s content a real depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book focuses on the spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive \u0026amp; creative and social \u0026amp; systemic aspects of resilience. Of them all as is stated (p167) spiritual resilience is the key and all aspects return to that; the spiritual is not able to be divorced from the rest of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe format of the book is excellent; the components of resilience are outlined and then applied to the lives of Biblical characters, and for us as Christians today. Practical suggestions are given as to how we can apply the teaching in today’s world. Of further benefit are the questions at the end of each chapter: these are challenging but do not result in readers being ‘put down, there are no wrong answers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is well written and easy to read and understand, and will benefit the lay reader and those with more theological knowledge. I fully intend to re read this book, there is so much to recommend and it gives much food for thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Carol Turner, midwife with 20 years' experience in Morocco, Sudan, Afghanistan \u0026amp; Burkina Faso. Member of church leadership team in UK.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Tim Herbert, Director, SYZYGY Missions Support Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker have combined their unique talents to produce this new resource. As one would expect from two authors with excellent track records, it does not disappoint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDefining resilience not as merely 'bouncing back' (as I so often have done!) but helpfully quoting a variety of authors to demonstrate that the status quo in our lives may not be restored after a trauma, though what we learned in the process changes us for the better, they have come up with their own model for understanding the different facets of life which impact upon our ability. They call it 'SPECS' and I will not explain that here so that I don't have a negative impact on their book sales! Suffice to say it considers all aspects of our human being to ensure we have a complete awareness of how to balance our lives well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters explore each of these facets in turn, first the psychology (Debbie) and then a character study from the Bible (Tony). This useful pairing means that the theory, presented simply enough for the amateur to understand but deeply enough to be helpful and authoritative, is balanced with lived-out practice, which is thoughtfully and interestingly brought to us. Each chapter closes with helpful questions for reflection, which gives the book the feel more of a devotional rather than a textbook, usefully bringing together two genres. At the end is a quick but effective self-assessment to highlight the reader's current life practice and how it affects each facet of their resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReading this book I felt better informed about resilience, and inspired to maintain it. I commend this resource to practitioners of pastoral care for whom it is an invaluable addition to the bookshelf, and to all Christians who will find information to help them thrive in their daily lives'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Tim Herbert, Director, SYZYGY Missions Support Network\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Phil Jolley of ECMI\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a practical and helpful book dealing with different aspects to help develop resilience alongside snapshots of characters from the Bible that illustrates those aspects at work. The material that is presented covers building resilience in the areas of the spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive and creative, social and systemic (SPECS) parts of our lives and then illustrates those through the biblical record of characters like Nehemiah, Elijah, David, Joseph, the early disciples and Jesus himself. A whole chapter is devoted to resilient women in the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rev_body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuestions at the end of each chapter help to move it on from merely information transfer to active engagement and application for one’s own life and at the end there is a personal resilience rating scale to help the reader assess their own level of resilience, as well as a resilience “creed” that is both challenging and inspirational and could be used in a church or group setting. Overall, the book is pitched at a level that any reader looking for help in dealing with life’s normal as well as extreme challenges will be able to respond to with gratitude for the insights and practical counsel given.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could do worse than sum up the central message of the book through a quotation that the authors have added from Tim Herbert: “How do we develop these deep roots? To use a sapling as an analogy, trees develop deep roots by going through hardship… We know that we need to stake a young tree to stop it blowing over in the first place, but… if we stake it too tightly, it… will not develop deep roots. Only if it is allowed to wave in the wind will its roots go deeper in the ground to provide more stability. The more it shakes, the further the roots will go seeking rocks to hang on to. For us, those rocks are God and the great truths of our salvation.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"blogpost_authorbio\" class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Phil Jolley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003ePhil Jolley works for European Christian Mission International. Previously based in Spain, he now works in the International office as Director of Finance and Administration\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA very personal reader review. Name supplied.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a book suitable for all different types of people: professionals, people with health issues or challenges in any sphere of their lives, and useful to people of other faiths or none. For an understanding of the psychology of resilience beyond its use as a ‘buzzword’ see the first chapter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCo-written in alternate chapters by a Christian clinical psychologist and a prolific Christian writer and theologian, it is based on a Biblical perspective of resilience, seeking to show that being resilient in the Bible sense does not mean being unflawed, just being willing to persevere and learn lessons from great hardship instead of becoming ‘hardened’ and not giving up!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing as an approach a model called ‘SPECS’ (standing for Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Cognitive \u0026amp; Creative and Social \u0026amp; Systemic) the book helps identify key areas in each of these fields in which to grow in resilience and give oneself ‘margin’ and time to enable the change to take place and ‘take root’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow to become more personally specific. I was feeling quite low and not at all ‘bouncy’ when I did the questionnaire at the back of the book and to my surprise, given that I was coping with a very recent Autistic Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, I found that in the sphere of spiritual resilience my ‘score’ was surprisingly high. This is down to a very good family, friends and faith (i.e. Church) support network. It cheered me up just to realise I was not at the ‘bottom of the chart’ when taking all five areas into consideration, but ‘fair to middling’. It helped me differentiate between the physical side and the emotional, social etc. and gave me a greater understanding of areas I could work on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is almost like a devotional at times, with in-depth study of the Bible characters. For me, the ‘Resilient Women of the Bible’ chapter was outstanding. I thoroughly recommend it and I will be giving it to friends – Christians and others –- as I have already seen how it could be of help to people who are family\/carers of people on the Spectrum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also usable as a manual to help with daily life. Debbie Hawker has incorporated a great deal of resilience into her own life through her faith. This for me is the ultimate test of a self-help ‘system’: it works in daily living. Thanks to both authors, great! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThis is a really useful book - readable, practical and with sufficient supportive evidence and further reading to be authoritative and engaging. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIan Orton\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:37+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:38+00:00","vendor":"Tony Horsfall","type":"Paperback","tags":["For individuals","Kindle","Leadership","Mar-19","Pastoral care","PDF","Spirituality"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21770222338148,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467348","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":10560968654948,"product_id":2439828045924,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-05-17T14:26:08+01:00","updated_at":"2019-07-15T10:46:38+01:00","alt":null,"width":425,"height":600,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998","variant_ids":[21770222338148,34809602965656]},"available":true,"name":"Resilience in Life and Faith: Finding your strength in God - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":220,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467348","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3266376990859,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":600,"width":425,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":34809602965656,"title":"PDF","option1":"PDF","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390706","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":10560968654948,"product_id":2439828045924,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-05-17T14:26:08+01:00","updated_at":"2019-07-15T10:46:38+01:00","alt":null,"width":425,"height":600,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998","variant_ids":[21770222338148,34809602965656]},"available":true,"name":"Resilience in Life and Faith: Finding your strength in God - PDF","public_title":"PDF","options":["PDF"],"price":999,"weight":600,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3266376990859,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":600,"width":425,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3266376990859,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":600,"width":425,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998"},"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":600,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998","width":425}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker encourage us to develop our resilience and to prepare ourselves for the challenges that life throws at us in an increasingly difficult world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough biblical wisdom and psychological insight, they show us how to understand ourselves better, appreciate our areas of strength and strengthen our areas of weakness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead this book if you want a faith that persists to the finishing line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and associate trainer with EQUIP, a missions programme based near Doncaster. He is an elder of his local church in West Yorkshire and regularly travels abroad leading retreats and Quiet Days. His other books include Spiritual Growth in a Time of Change (BRF, 2016). He also contributes to BRF's New Daylight Bible reading notes. Dr Debbie Hawker is a psychologist based in Nottingham with a global reputation as a specialist in debriefing and trauma counselling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Dr. Laura Mae Gardner,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e f\u003c\/span\u003eormer International Vice President for Personnel for Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. Author of \u003cem\u003eHealthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry. \u003c\/em\u003eMay 2020\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI just finished reading this wonderful book and am strongly impacted by it. It gives sound practical concepts by two very qualified and experienced mission workers who have worldwide awareness. I know these authors and highly respect them. They have given us an immensely useful tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book includes spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive, social and systemic aspects of resilience. Resilience is illustrated by the lives of Biblical characters—Nehemiah, Elijah, David, Joseph, Paul, Jesus and women as well as men.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strengths of the book are its Biblical anchoring and its practicality. It is comprehensive and clear. It will be a great resource for pastors, church and organisational leaders as well as individuals in the work force. The book will be a guide for all who have personnel and administrative oversight of workers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Resilience Scale at the end of the book is an excellent self evaluation instrument. It is followed by a faith-based creed, a simple but powerful personal commitment. This book will have a ministry-wide impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dr. Laura Mae Gardner, Former International Vice President for Personnel for Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. Author of 'Healthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry'.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2019. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe assertion on the back of this book - ‘Read this if you want a faith that persists to the finishing line – develop resilience and prepare for the challenges life throws at us’ sums up the authors’ intention. Does it do what it says on the cover? Debbie Hawker, a clinical psychologist, introduces the subject and contributes chapters on the psychological aspects of resilience using a model of resilience under the following domains: spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive and creative, and finally social and systemic. Tony Horsfall, a trainer and retreat leader, provides studies of biblical characters illustrating each aspect considered. Each of the 15 short chapters concludes with some questions. Finally there are two appendices – a self-assessment ‘Resilience Rating Scale’ using their model, and then a ‘Resilience Creed’, using scriptural truths to strengthen faith during times of hardship. For those of an investigative nature, 145 annotated references are cited. It is a readable book; I found several nuggets amidst the many referenced opinions and conclusions. In summary, the book should interest Readers keen to investigate and develop the psychological aspects of their faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch of England Newspaper, July 2019. Review by Carol Turner\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn today’s world where so much is ‘instant’ and it is easy to give up and move onto the next thing, resilience seems to be in short supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Christians, Tony Horsfall says, we should fix our eyes on Jesus and keep going. Resilience is what this short paperback is all about and I was amazed at how much is contained in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two authors have collaborated well and the chapters really flow together to form one whole. The combination of the authors’ experience in pastoral work, psychology and mission serve to give the book’s content a real depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book focuses on the spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive \u0026amp; creative and social \u0026amp; systemic aspects of resilience. Of them all as is stated (p167) spiritual resilience is the key and all aspects return to that; the spiritual is not able to be divorced from the rest of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe format of the book is excellent; the components of resilience are outlined and then applied to the lives of Biblical characters, and for us as Christians today. Practical suggestions are given as to how we can apply the teaching in today’s world. Of further benefit are the questions at the end of each chapter: these are challenging but do not result in readers being ‘put down, there are no wrong answers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is well written and easy to read and understand, and will benefit the lay reader and those with more theological knowledge. I fully intend to re read this book, there is so much to recommend and it gives much food for thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Carol Turner, midwife with 20 years' experience in Morocco, Sudan, Afghanistan \u0026amp; Burkina Faso. Member of church leadership team in UK.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Tim Herbert, Director, SYZYGY Missions Support Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker have combined their unique talents to produce this new resource. As one would expect from two authors with excellent track records, it does not disappoint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDefining resilience not as merely 'bouncing back' (as I so often have done!) but helpfully quoting a variety of authors to demonstrate that the status quo in our lives may not be restored after a trauma, though what we learned in the process changes us for the better, they have come up with their own model for understanding the different facets of life which impact upon our ability. They call it 'SPECS' and I will not explain that here so that I don't have a negative impact on their book sales! Suffice to say it considers all aspects of our human being to ensure we have a complete awareness of how to balance our lives well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters explore each of these facets in turn, first the psychology (Debbie) and then a character study from the Bible (Tony). This useful pairing means that the theory, presented simply enough for the amateur to understand but deeply enough to be helpful and authoritative, is balanced with lived-out practice, which is thoughtfully and interestingly brought to us. Each chapter closes with helpful questions for reflection, which gives the book the feel more of a devotional rather than a textbook, usefully bringing together two genres. At the end is a quick but effective self-assessment to highlight the reader's current life practice and how it affects each facet of their resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReading this book I felt better informed about resilience, and inspired to maintain it. I commend this resource to practitioners of pastoral care for whom it is an invaluable addition to the bookshelf, and to all Christians who will find information to help them thrive in their daily lives'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Tim Herbert, Director, SYZYGY Missions Support Network\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Phil Jolley of ECMI\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a practical and helpful book dealing with different aspects to help develop resilience alongside snapshots of characters from the Bible that illustrates those aspects at work. The material that is presented covers building resilience in the areas of the spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive and creative, social and systemic (SPECS) parts of our lives and then illustrates those through the biblical record of characters like Nehemiah, Elijah, David, Joseph, the early disciples and Jesus himself. A whole chapter is devoted to resilient women in the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rev_body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuestions at the end of each chapter help to move it on from merely information transfer to active engagement and application for one’s own life and at the end there is a personal resilience rating scale to help the reader assess their own level of resilience, as well as a resilience “creed” that is both challenging and inspirational and could be used in a church or group setting. Overall, the book is pitched at a level that any reader looking for help in dealing with life’s normal as well as extreme challenges will be able to respond to with gratitude for the insights and practical counsel given.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could do worse than sum up the central message of the book through a quotation that the authors have added from Tim Herbert: “How do we develop these deep roots? To use a sapling as an analogy, trees develop deep roots by going through hardship… We know that we need to stake a young tree to stop it blowing over in the first place, but… if we stake it too tightly, it… will not develop deep roots. Only if it is allowed to wave in the wind will its roots go deeper in the ground to provide more stability. The more it shakes, the further the roots will go seeking rocks to hang on to. For us, those rocks are God and the great truths of our salvation.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"blogpost_authorbio\" class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Phil Jolley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003ePhil Jolley works for European Christian Mission International. Previously based in Spain, he now works in the International office as Director of Finance and Administration\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA very personal reader review. Name supplied.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a book suitable for all different types of people: professionals, people with health issues or challenges in any sphere of their lives, and useful to people of other faiths or none. For an understanding of the psychology of resilience beyond its use as a ‘buzzword’ see the first chapter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCo-written in alternate chapters by a Christian clinical psychologist and a prolific Christian writer and theologian, it is based on a Biblical perspective of resilience, seeking to show that being resilient in the Bible sense does not mean being unflawed, just being willing to persevere and learn lessons from great hardship instead of becoming ‘hardened’ and not giving up!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing as an approach a model called ‘SPECS’ (standing for Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Cognitive \u0026amp; Creative and Social \u0026amp; Systemic) the book helps identify key areas in each of these fields in which to grow in resilience and give oneself ‘margin’ and time to enable the change to take place and ‘take root’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow to become more personally specific. I was feeling quite low and not at all ‘bouncy’ when I did the questionnaire at the back of the book and to my surprise, given that I was coping with a very recent Autistic Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, I found that in the sphere of spiritual resilience my ‘score’ was surprisingly high. This is down to a very good family, friends and faith (i.e. Church) support network. It cheered me up just to realise I was not at the ‘bottom of the chart’ when taking all five areas into consideration, but ‘fair to middling’. It helped me differentiate between the physical side and the emotional, social etc. and gave me a greater understanding of areas I could work on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is almost like a devotional at times, with in-depth study of the Bible characters. For me, the ‘Resilient Women of the Bible’ chapter was outstanding. I thoroughly recommend it and I will be giving it to friends – Christians and others –- as I have already seen how it could be of help to people who are family\/carers of people on the Spectrum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also usable as a manual to help with daily life. Debbie Hawker has incorporated a great deal of resilience into her own life through her faith. This for me is the ultimate test of a self-help ‘system’: it works in daily living. Thanks to both authors, great! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThis is a really useful book - readable, practical and with sufficient supportive evidence and further reading to be authoritative and engaging. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIan Orton\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e"}
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{"id":2920842592356,"title":"God of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today? Wrestling honestly with the Old Testament","handle":"god-of-violence-yesterday-god-of-love-today-wrestling-honestly-with-the-old-testament","description":"\u003cp\u003eDo you find the violence in the Old Testament a problem?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDoes it get in the way of reading the Bible – and of faith itself?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile acknowledging that there are no easy answers, in \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today\u003c\/em\u003e?, Helen Paynter faces the tough questions head-on and offers a fresh, accessible approach to a significant issue. For all those seeking to engage with the Bible and gain confidence in the God it portrays, she provides tools for reading and interpreting biblical texts, and points to ways of dealing with the overall trajectories of violence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/HelenPaynterseriousface_480x480.jpg?v=1676497452\" width=\"284\" height=\"189\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing a first career in medicine, Helen Paynter is now a Baptist minister, Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence at Bristol Baptist College, and Editor of BRF’s Guidelines Bible reading notes. Helen is passionate about helping people to get to grips with the Bible because she has seen its power to transform lives. She loves to study it, preach it, teach it, and encourage others to study and understand it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Copan, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at the Palm Beach Atlantic University, the author of 'Is God a Moral Monster?', and the co-author of 'Did God Really Command Genocide?'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter’s exploration of Old Testament ethical challenges is insightful, balanced and honest. I appreciate the fact that she does not deny divine severity while putting in perspective God's goodness. She admits that she is still wrestling and learning, as indeed I am. She humbly but boldly approaches an array of key topics and she writes with deep pastoral concern. Her treatment of the imprecatory psalms is particularly effective and illuminating. While I have a few quibbles here and there, I want to emphasize the spirit, the breadth, and the balance of this book. It sheds light on a complex and controversial subject, encouraging further conversation and deeper understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rev'd Dr. Lissa M. Wray Beal, Professor of Old Testament, Chair, Seminary Bible and Theology Department, Providence University College and Theological Seminary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today? Honestly wrestling with the Old Testament\u003c\/em\u003e, Helen Paynter tackles problematic texts of violence in the Old Testament. The questions Paynter asks are pressing ones today, and she sketches out the complex issues clearly but without undue oversimplification. Outlining valuable principles of interpretation and applying them in worked examples, the author’s candor and pastoral attentiveness invite readers into the conversation. The volume models Christian engagement with the biblical text and shows the value of \u003cem\u003ehonest wrestling\u003c\/em\u003e within the text’s own vision of \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e. Providing tools to think not only about specific texts of violence, but the biblical text more broadly, it is a welcome and compact initial resource for Christian laypeople troubled by biblical texts of violence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Meredith Editor of Word \u0026amp; Worship, the publication of the NZ Lay Preachers Association\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn lucid prose Helen Paynter argues that violence featured in the biblical canon should not be ignored or denied but acknowledged and faced honestly. While history is played out in a broken and often violent world the author shows how the movement of scripture is toward God’s creative intention for healing and wholeness. Without providing final answers Paynter offers ways of interpreting even the most violent passages so that we may hear God’s word for today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Natalie Collins, gender justice specialist: see \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nataliecollins.info\/\"\u003ewww.nataliecollins.info\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eTweets as GodLovesWomen and wrote \u003cem\u003eOut of Control: Couples, Conflict and the Capacity for Change\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis relatively small book faces some massive theological questions about the nature of violence in the Old Testament. Exploring different types of violence in the Bible, including that against animals, and perhaps the most troubling, when it appears that God commands genocide, Helen Paynter expertly guides us through complex theological terrain and explains this complexity in down to earth and easily accessible ways. This book is ideal for someone with no\u003cbr\u003etheological training to begin exploring challenging elements of the Bible, with those with formal theological training also able to learn from her. Those in church leadership should read this book so they are able to recommend it to their congregations. While challenging, the book seems to be pitched to a conservative 'Bible believing' audience, which may jar with those who have a more liberal approach to Scripture, but overall it’s a great, engaging, manageably short book. As Helen says, she can’t wholly resolve the tensions of the most problematic texts, but she does give much food for thought and some\u003cbr\u003etools for Christians who want to more ably identify where God is in the text and what God is saying to us through it.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Natalie Collins\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheology 2019, Vol 122(6). Review by Robin Gill\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter is a Baptist minister and director of the new Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence at Bristol. This accessible and refreshingly honest paperback, published by The Bible Reading Fellowship is very welcome indeed. It examines carefully some of the most troublesome texts in the Old Testament and it does so in stages, as she explains:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'First, we will consider instances where violence is \u003cem\u003ede\u003c\/em\u003escribed, not \u003cem\u003epre\u003c\/em\u003escribed\u003cem\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003eNext we will look at places – mainly the psalms – where violence is implored: where the psalmist prays for vengeance. Third, we will consider the issue of violence against animals, particularly the flood story and the system of animal sacrifice. Fourth, we will look at the use of violence as divine judgement. And fifth, we will look at the knottiest problem of all: the texts where God appears to command people to be violent to one another. At the end of most of the chapters in this section I offer some more practical suggestions. How should we handle these texts in our churches – in our pulpits, our home groups, our Sunday schools? And then, in the final chapter, we will ‘zoom back out’ and take a look at the big picture of the bible.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing particularly novel about any of this, but that is not the point. Her message needs to be heard in a context of widespread fear of religiously inspired violence. This small book and her new Centre make an excellent contribution to greater understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Robin Gill\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnabaptism Today Autumn 2019. Review by Alexandra Ellish\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany people from both within and outside of church communities are confused and uncomfortable with accounts of violence in the Scriptures, and the all too frequent appeal to biblical sources to justify modern-day warfare, military action and the ownership of weapons. In this helpful and accessible book, Helen Paynter seeks to address some of the questions and issues raised by texts containing violence in the Old Testament and considers how we might interpret and understand them today. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into two sections. Part One sets out some essential foundations – reading the Bible as God’s word; defining and understanding violence within the ancient world; and some possible tools for interpretation. The second part of the book considers five types of violence, ranging with increasing complexity from: texts with descriptive versus prescriptive accounts of violence; texts imploring the use of violence; the sacrificial system and a consideration of the flood; violence as used in accounts of divine judgement; and finally texts in which God seems to be commanding violence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen reading violence contained in the psalms, the author notes the importance of paying attention to the psalmist’s use of language – particularly allegory and metaphor – to argue for a deeper reading of the texts. While there are psalms calling for God to punish enemies, this desire is usually held in tension with an acknowledgement of ultimate trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty. Paynter suggests that psalms which implore God to use violence to exact vengeance on enemies or oppressors have cathartic value in the context of communal worship – that these psalms remind us that we can bring all of our experiences and humanity to God in worship. Paynter advocates using the imprecatory psalms in worship today by depersonalising the ‘enemies’ of God and people to include issues around ecological catastrophe, serious and debilitating illness, domestic violence and all things which result in death. As the church frequently draws on the psalms of joy and thanksgiving for times of celebration and praise, this encouragement takes seriously the possibility of expressing painful, difficult and angry feelings that we have, in the context of a community of faith which trusts that God is in charge and loves his people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fourth chapter considers violence in divine judgement as a reminder of the nature of God as a just judge who is our friend and ‘brother’ but is also ‘unbearable’ in his holiness. Paynter discusses the positive aspects of the law of \u003cem\u003etalion\u003c\/em\u003e which, she argues, Jesus extends rather than repudiates. The penultimate chapter is devoted to texts where violence is explicitly commanded by God. This chapter covers the most difficult passages, where Paynter untangles the complexity of defining the word \u003cem\u003eḥerem\u003c\/em\u003e. This word is often translated as ‘utterly destroy’ or ‘devote to complete destruction’ but its meaning is somewhat veiled. Paynter suggests that \u003cem\u003eḥerem\u003c\/em\u003e ‘does not always involve killing or destroying’ but that ‘\u003cem\u003eḥerem\u003c\/em\u003e sometimes involves killing’ (p. 128). She states that she cannot offer a definitive answer to the questions surrounding conquest and apparent mass killing, but that the word \u003cem\u003eḥerem \u003c\/em\u003eis used for rhetorical and hyperbolic purposes to portray events in a particular way in the ancient world. Paynter’s honesty and humility in the recognition that her offering might be only partially satisfactory and her desire to continue to ‘nibble’ (p. 153) at the issue alongside others is immensely refreshing and rare! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the final chapter, Paynter considers the arc of the biblical narrative and argues that the vision of God demonstrated throughout the Scriptures is for \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e for all of creation. While I was pleased to see the concept of \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e included in the book, I thought that more could have been made of this subject and how we might understand \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e in relation to violence in the Old Testament. Similarly, in an early chapter the centrality of the life and person of Jesus as a lens for interpretation is briefly mentioned but not elaborated. Since I come to the topic of violence with Anabaptist convictions, perhaps it is no surprise that I would have enjoyed a fuller consideration of these subjects earlier in the book, instead of waiting until the final chapter for a somewhat limited exploration of the concept of \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter assumes that the value of the image of the eating of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden and the subsequent ‘fall’ is to explain the entry of death, competition and violence into the world. This understanding all too easily reduces Jesus to nothing more than a rescuer come to reverse the fall. I am not sure how helpful this is. \u003cem\u003eShalom\u003c\/em\u003e is the narrative arc of our Scriptures; Jesus who is the Christ is\/was, in my view, always going to be the incarnation of God on earth as a pattern for humanity. This impacts how we understand the crucifixion of Jesus, and I would have been interested to read more from Paynter on this issue. Particularly for our western Protestant tradition, which has largely abandoned other atonement theories to focus on the (arguably violent) theory of penal substitution, are there more appropriate ways of exploring and articulating the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ which fulfil rather than undermine a \u003cem\u003eshalom \u003c\/em\u003enarrative?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter is categorical in her rejection of the appropriation of violence from the Old Testament texts for today, and also touches very briefly on the inappropriate conflation of the historic nation of Israel and the modern state. More on this issue would have been instructive, particularly as many pro-Israel churches support the government and its policies of occupation in Palestine based on their understanding of texts from the Old Testament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found Paynter’s writing style clear and engaging. She uses interesting and relevant examples to illustrate the issues she is dealing with, often drawing on contemporary stories. It is clear that Paynter is passionate about the importance of the Old Testament for personal and corporate faith today, and she argues persuasively for and offers numerous practical suggestions for wrestling with the Scriptures communally and individually. Paynter also suggests a wide range of other books for the reader to delve more deeply into the issues she has raised. I look forward to further publications from Paynter as she continues to wrestle with the Bible, in search of fresh insight and understanding to inform our discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Alexandra Ellish, London\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Ministers Journal. Review by Pieter J Lalleman\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is timely, courageous and good. I therefore strongly recommend it to you and your church members. Revd Dr Helen Paynter of Bristol Baptist College has tackled one of the hot issues of the moment, the violence in the Old Testament (OT). It’s unlikely that you have not been asked about this by someone within or outside your congregation; if not, you’ll get the question soon: ‘How can a loving God condone and even order so much violence?’ Paynter helps you to give a Bible-based answer. She does not follow the common escape routes of either denying that this is what the OT really says or ascribing the violence to human authors who had not quite understood God. Instead she listens attentively to what the OT really says.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is in two parts, the first of which is a general introduction to the Bible and how to read it well. Paynter explains that her approach will be biblical and Christocentric, and she defends the position of the OT within the Christian scriptures. As a potted hermeneutic this part of the book has a more general value. For example, readers learn about the various genres in the Bible and about the distinction between description and endorsement. Here we also find a useful chapter on what violence is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the second part Paynter tackles the OT in concentric circles, beginning with the relatively simple texts in which violence is merely described. This is followed by texts in which violence is deplored, psalms which call upon God to use violence, texts about violence against animals and texts in which the use of violence is part of a divine judgement. Throughout her discussions are careful and helpful. Paynter’s response to the usual argument that the Canaanites deserved to be punished for their wickedness was a surprise to me; if you want to know what it is, buy and read the book! The final chapter, intended as a positive counterpart to the preceding misery, deals with God’s plan of \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e for his good creation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout Paynter’s tone is humble. She is honest about her own struggles and about points where she is uncertain. She refers to the book of Joshua as something that ‘feels alien and disturbing’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the most part, the book is easy to read; at times it is almost basic, which means that it is largely right for many church members. At the end of the chapters there are summaries and the notes are tucked away as end-notes. Some may find it uncomfortable that Paynter describes the flood as a myth (94-95), but that should not distract anybody.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo it is a perfect book? No, because it contains some typos and there is no index of texts. Some elements of the discussion might still be complicated for ‘lay people’. I would also have liked to read a bit more about the character of God. But these minor quibbles are just that: minor quibbles. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Pieter J Lalleman\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach, issue 20, Autumn 2019. Review by Tom Wharin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the third book I’ve read on the subject of violence in the Bible in the last couple of years and it is also the most helpful. \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence yesterday, God of Love Today? \u003c\/em\u003eHas a clear and helpful structure even if the title is a bit of a mouthful. Helen Paynter starts by laying out her unapologetically Christocentric hermeneutic (to which I also subscribe). She then works through the biblical texts containing violence, from the ones she regards as least troubling (violence implored by the writer) to the ones she considers most troubling (violence commanded by God).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book does contain plenty of literary and historical-critical arguments which won’t appeal to a wide popular audience but Helen Paynter is very readable. Theological concepts are well explained with reference to everyday events, familiar news and historical stories. In addition to her marshalling her own thoughts well, Helen Paynter draws on and explains some of the best arguments in John H. Walton \u0026amp; J. Harvey Walton’s and Greg Boyd’s books (among others) in a way that makes them more accessible to readers like me than the originals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an apologia for violence in the Bible to twenty-first century western culture, the book as a whole feels like a pretty solid bridge two-thirds of the way across a cultural canyon. The reader is left with more construction to do on either cliff or both, and the author honestly acknowledges this as our work and hers in the introduction and conclusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI will definitely be recommending this book to anyone from sixth form up who is serious about engaging with God’s word on this subject. The structure will make it easy to dip back into for sermon references and it will serve very well as an introduction to this area of apologetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Tom Wharin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 16 August, 2019. Summer paperback roundup by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today?\u003c\/em\u003e the author Helen Paynter has tried to tackle one of the most difficult questions of biblical theology. Why is it that the God of the Old Testament seems to sanction war and what we might today call ethnic cleansing, while the God of the New Testament seems to be all about love? This simple stereotyping of the argument is well dealt with, giving us many ideas to reflect on. She does not come to easy answers, but you will feel considerably better informed. This is a book to read a couple of times and perhaps to share with a reading group to think through the many issues that it raises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCavan Wood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by David Ball, GOLD Project, July 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis short book deals with one of the thorniest subjects for Christians who believe that God is love and at the same time believe that the Christian Scriptures in their totality are God’s word to us. Helen Paynter does not shy away from any of the challenges that passages of violence in the Scriptures, particularly the Old Testament, bring to a theology of God’s love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart one introduces us to some key skills for interpreting the Old Testament. God’s goodness and the ultimate revelation of this in Jesus Christ sets the theological foundation by which we are to interpret the Scriptures. From this starting point, we are ably guided through what we do and what we don’t mean when we speak of the Bible as God’s Word to us. Here the indispensable place of the Old Testament for our Christian faith is emphasised. If we need a clear theological foundation to interpret the Bible responsibly, we also need a clear understanding of the issue we are dealing with. For this we are led through a careful discussion of the complexity of violence and how it manifests itself in society. This prepares us to look at the nature of the Old Testament and especially the challenge to understand the worldview of its writers and audience which is so often far removed from our own. Reading each passage of the Old Testament in the context of the big story of Scripture, understanding the type of literature that we are reading and wrestling with the meaning of the text are all key skills to hearing the message better. Another important reminder is to let different and apparently contradictory narratives or themes contribute to the big picture of how Scripture conveys a multi-layered voice on key issues such as human kingship. All of these skills prepare us to address the particular issue of violence and the Bible in more depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart two does precisely this. Here we engage with the texts of violence under five (increasingly problematic) headings: Violence described, Violence implored, Violence against animals, Violence as divine judgement, Violence commanded. In each of these chapters, a clear attempt is made to compare and contrast the biblical context with our own and to draw out the significance of texts for our own day. We are carefully guided through the different types of violence each of which demand a different response. For example, describing violence in both the Old Testament and our own day does not necessarily endorse it. On the contrary, it often gives a voice to victims who would otherwise be denied justice and a hearing. Imploring violence is better than actual violence and is not necessarily endorsed by the text either. As we are led into the more problematic aspects of violence in the Old Testament, we are necessarily introduced to more technical aspects of biblical interpretation. Nevertheless, these are explained clearly. While not everyone will agree with some of the readings of the Old Testament, what becomes clear is that it is possible to grapple with even the most difficult Old Testament texts and not lose our integrity as those who believe in a just and loving God revealed in the totality of our Scriptures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final chapter seeks to bring a resolution and explain that the trajectory of the biblical narrative is towards the biblical idea of shalom. Normally translated ‘peace’ the ‘core meaning relates to completeness or intactness and the range of meanings includes prosperity, welfare, good relationships, deliverance and health’ (p.157) It is a vision of this shalom that drives the narrative of the Bible forward from its beginning in Genesis to its conclusion in the New Testament book of Revelation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe skill of interpreting the Bible responsibly in today’s world is one that anyone can learn. It is not easy and involves a struggle, but, above all, this is the significance of this book. For, while it addresses the particularly thorny issue of violence, it does far more than this. It gives us a practical model of how to wrestle with difficult issues in the Bible and society, seeking to listen to each text within the big framework of Scripture and to understand how this relates to our own context. Through this process, we can learn the skills of hearing God’s voice for today even in the difficult parts of the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by David Ball, GOLD Project\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform July\/August 2019. Review by Catherine Ball\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly apposite book for our current political situation. John Lennon wrote the song ‘Imagine’, longing for a peaceful world, assuming that religion is one of the main causes of conflict. It would be lovely to be able to say that Christian scriptures do not advocate violence, or that only the Old Testament shows God as angry and violent. The temptation is to avoid difficult and violent Bible passages. Yet, the Old Testament is an essential part of the Christian scriptures. Helen Paynter shows that it is too simplistic to separate the Old Testament from the New.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter acknowledges that violence is apparently directed and endorsed by God in Old Testament texts. In an intellectually rigorous and accessible way, Paynter wrestles with each text to show that in many cases, the violence may become more understandable, and in some cases may be fully explained. She shows that each story needs to be carefully read in the context of ancient Hebrew language and culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, Paynter compares the battle of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17 – in which David beheads Goliath – with Adam and Eve’s temptation by the serpent (Genesis 3). In both stories, there is a battle that will determine who has dominion and an evil force mocks God’s favoured. In the latter story, God curses the serpent and says that he will bruise the serpent’s head. God will have victory in the end. Though David – God’s chosen king, descended of Eve – is mocked by the giant who defies God, he is victorious. The pattern points to a greater king to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter warns of the need to be careful how these passages are taught to children, and how they are used in preaching. This is an exceedingly helpful book for anyone who wants to honestly teach and preach the scriptures for contemporary society, affirming God’s plan for peace in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Catherine Ball, Minister of the Free Church, St Ives, and Fenstanton URC, Cambridgeshire.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices Issue 30,September 2019. Review by Ray Vincent\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen is Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence at Bristol Baptist College and the new Editor of BRF’s \u003cem\u003eGuidelines \u003c\/em\u003eBible reading notes. She is well placed to write this very accessible book. She deals with the problem in a very straightforward, systematic way, beginning with the less difficult and moving on to the most difficult ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst she considers the places in the Bible where violence is simply described as part of the story. Then she moves on to where suffering people pray for vengeance on their oppressors – a natural human reaction. Next, violence against animals, pointing out the huge cultural difference between the Bible’s world and ours. Then she tackles violence as divine judgement, and finally the most difficult problem, the places where God seems actually to command acts of violence against innocent people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter approaches the problem humbly, freely acknowledging that she does not have the answers but is still wrestling with the questions. However, it seems to me that her perception of the violence as a ‘problem’ comes from her relatively conservative view of the Bible as the Word of God. While acknowledging the humanity of the Bible and reading it in the light of critical scholarship, she seems nevertheless to be trying to justify everything it says, and hesitates to say that parts of it may be simply mistaken.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI suspect that the way in which most of us perceive the Bible means that we do not see the violence in it as a ‘problem’ in this kind of way. At the same time, this book is clear, honest and admirably arranged. It is well worth using as a basis for discussion in churches. Some Progressive Christian Network groups too might find it useful. It is informative, reminding us of parts of the Bible we sometimes neglect, and it is thought-provoking and sometimes challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Ray Vincent\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by David Mitchell, Pastor, Woodlands Church, Bristol. May 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen has written a book on one of the most difficult questions Christians face. In it she has managed to be both accessible, compassionate and scholarly as she navigates the tension between a high view of scripture and yet its depiction of God’s apparent actions and decrees in ways which offend our most basic instincts of what is good and loving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe begins with a really helpful guide to reading the bible well whatever (and wherever) the biblical text is addressing, which I would commend to any serious reader of the bible, especially those coming to it fresh. She goes on to deal specifically with the issues of violence, not just to people; animals are included. She gives really helpful cultural context to hard passages without ducking some of the difficulties and ambiguities that remain even for her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe invites us foundationally to see Jesus as God’s last word on the issue of violence and to read the Old Testament not just as a foundation for the revelation of Jesus but as sacred texts which He provides the ultimate guide to understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Andy Goodliff, May 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter is a Baptist minister and Old Testament scholar based at Bristol Baptist College. This is her second book. Her first, a version of her PhD, was Reduced Laughter, looking at how to read the books of 1 \u0026amp; 2 Kings. This second book, written for a broad audience, engages with the thorn of subjects violence in the Old Testament. It arrives at the same time as the work of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bristol-baptist.ac.uk\/study-centres\/csbv\/\"\u003eCentre for the Study of the Bible and Violence\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(CSBV) begins, of which Paynter is the Director. The book comes in two parts. The first establishes some 'foundations' — reading the Bible as God's word, how to read the Bible well and what is meant or encompassed by the word 'violence.' The chapter in reading the Bible well is especially helpful in offering some important lessons. The second half of the book seeks through 5 chapters to engage with the most serious of questions around the Old Testament and violence. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 5 chapters make a series of important points. When violence is described, it is not always (often?) being endorsed. An example is given in the story of Samson. Paynter provides a different way of reading the book of Judges that pays attention to how the book is narrated. When violence is implored, as is the case of a good number of Psalms, there is a cry for justice and handing over of that desire for vengeance to God. Violence against animals is not as wanton as might be supposed. Paynter offers some helpful readings of the story of the flood in Genesis 6-9 and the place of sacrifices within Israel's worship. The fourth and fifth chapters explore violence as divine judgement and violence as commanded (e.g. the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eherem\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epassages in Joshua). These questions are more difficult to address, and Paynter acknowledges, that this is not her last word on them, but almost a first foray into these questions, in conversation with wider scholarship. She takes us carefully through the importance of justice, the meaning of the law of talion (eye for an eye), a reading of the death of Uzzah (2 Sam 6) and in the latter chapter the meaning of the word\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eherem\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA final chapter suggests that God's great plan in the Old Testament is shalom (peace) and we read it with trajectory in mind. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent book, which wears its scholarship lightly. Paynter has a great way of explaining and the book is an easy read, although exploring difficult questions. The book seeks as its subtitle suggests to 'wrestle honestly' with the violence found in the Old Testament. It doesn't have, and doesn't promise, a magic solution, but does show that a surface level reading will miss or overlook at more subtle ways the Bible describes and responds to violence. I look forward to future explorations that I'm sure will be forthcoming from Paynter and the CSBV that will continue to reach a broad audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Andy Goodliff. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/andygoodliff.typepad.com\/my_weblog\/2019\/05\/helen-paynter-god-of-violence-yesterday-god-of-love-today-brf-2019.html\" title=\"Andy Goodliff on God of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today?\"\u003eClick \u003c\/a\u003ehere for blog.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Peter King, Diocese of Chichester\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past few years I have become increasingly troubled by the violence in the Bible. Although this is a subject we don’t often talk about in our churches, I know from a number of informal conversations that many churchgoers (and others) have questions they would like to explore on these issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished to coincide with June’s inaugural events of Bristol College’s Centre for the Study of Bible \u0026amp; Violence, Helen Paynter’s new book offers a rigorous yet accessible exploration of Old Testament violence ideal for individuals or groups wishing to engage with these troubling texts and the issues they raise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into two parts. The first part offers valuable groundwork on the nature of the Bible and the nature of violence, and concludes with some very helpful suggestions on 'Reading the Bible well'. It is good to be reminded that the reason that texts of violence disturb us is because of our core belief that God is good. It is important, too, to be made aware that just because the Bible describes violence this does not necessarily mean that it commends it. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second part identifies a range of types of violent text, and discusses these in ascending order of importance from what is termed 'Violence described' through 'Violence implored' and 'Violence against animals' (sacrifice) to 'Violence as divine judgement and what is the standout case for most people Violence commanded. I found this a very helpful way of classifying the different examples of violence in the OT. Each chapter concludes with some thoughts on how the type of texts under discussion might be read and used in churches today. Here I was particularly struck by what the author sees as the pastoral implications of ignoring the texts of 'Violence described'. By ignoring these stories of interpersonal and sexual violence we risk silencing those for whom they are a reality in their lives today. Yes, indeed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book concludes with a chapter entitled 'Shalom: God’s great plan', which puts the violent texts in the context of what is arguably an even more significant OT theme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author herself acknowledges at the end of the chapter on 'Violence commanded' that 'there might be more to say' on these most troubling of all the texts of violence. Not everyone will agree with the suggested interpretation, but I hope that all will agree on the important suggestions for reading them 'with ethical integrity' both in our churches and beyond. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in the questions it explores. If you are new to the subject, it offers a comprehensive introduction and the reassurance that you are being guided by a capable and safe pair of hands as you begin to engage with challenging and important issues. If, like me, you are familiar with some of the literature on the subject, reading it will surely bring new insights and ideas. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePeter King trained at Bristol Baptist College and now works for the Anglican Diocese of Chichester in adult theological education.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord \u0026amp; Worship, journal of the New Zealand Lay Preachers Association, Winter 2019 (June). Review by John Meredith\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter addresses the question of biblical violence honestly and without proposing any final answer. She is clear that what is in the scriptures should be neither hidden nor denied and that the Old Testament God of judgement should not be contrasted with the New Testament God of grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter recognises that while violence may be deliberately aggressive it may also find expression through oppressive social structures. Colonisation and cultural devaluation are examples of this. Violence may also be associated with polarising rhetoric. We need think only of the ‘war on terror’ against nations defined as evil. We should not think that violence may be consigned to savage antiquity from which we have moved on. It is still possible to think that with bombs, rather than swords, we are doing God’s will.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we consider episodes of violence in the Bible, Paynter invites readers to reflect on the narrators’ purposes. For example, in Judges 19 we find the gang rape and murder of a concubine. This is deeply shocking, but also draws attention to the appalling consequences for a defenceless woman in a society without law or leadership. Although part of the biblical text, such stories are not usually read in public worship, yet the airing of such stories may allow women who have experienced sexual violence to feel heard and present opportunities for pastoral care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiblical writers recognise the reality of emotions such as anger and desire for revenge arising within the human heart. But rather than being encouraged to give reign to free expression of such emotions we are invited to leave vengeance to God who is just and merciful. The concept of ‘an eye for an eye’ should, Paynter believes, be understood as defining the limitation of personal vengeance, a limitation which Jesus extends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModern sensitivities may cause us to shudder at the conquest of Canaan recorded in the book of Joshua where slaughter seems to be commanded by God. Rather than a literal record of history Paynter suggests the story may be understood as a type of biblical literature dealing with God bringing order out of chaos and affirming the identity of Israel as God’s covenant people. This does not mean, however, that it can be used to support modern Israel’s actions towards Palestine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the Hebrew mind God was awesome in holiness with power to create and to destroy. The stories of creation are placed at the beginning of the Old Testament as affirmation of God’s perfect design and intention for universal shalom\/ wholeness. History is played out in a broken and often violent world, but the law and the prophets point to God’s creative intention for healing and wholeness and this is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not for us to edit from the Bible what offends us. We must learn to read with understanding. Helen Paynter writes clearly and makes a major contribution to informed reading so that we may hear and interpret God’s word for today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Meredith was ordained in the Methodist Church of New Zealand and has completed post-graduate study at Spurgeon’s College, London. John has served in pastoral roles in New Zealand and Western Australia. He is currently editor of Word \u0026amp; Worship, the publication of the NZ Lay Preachers Association and reviews books on theological and biblical themes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-02-27T11:27:42+00:00","created_at":"2019-02-27T11:31:44+00:00","vendor":"Helen Paynter","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","Kindle","May-19"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":24703390875748,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466396","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"God of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today? Wrestling honestly with the Old Testament","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":999,"weight":186,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466396","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466396-l.jpg?v=1551267108"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466396-l.jpg?v=1551267108","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3260489498763,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466396-l.jpg?v=1551267108"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466396-l.jpg?v=1551267108","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eDo you find the violence in the Old Testament a problem?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDoes it get in the way of reading the Bible – and of faith itself?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile acknowledging that there are no easy answers, in \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today\u003c\/em\u003e?, Helen Paynter faces the tough questions head-on and offers a fresh, accessible approach to a significant issue. For all those seeking to engage with the Bible and gain confidence in the God it portrays, she provides tools for reading and interpreting biblical texts, and points to ways of dealing with the overall trajectories of violence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/HelenPaynterseriousface_480x480.jpg?v=1676497452\" width=\"284\" height=\"189\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing a first career in medicine, Helen Paynter is now a Baptist minister, Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence at Bristol Baptist College, and Editor of BRF’s Guidelines Bible reading notes. Helen is passionate about helping people to get to grips with the Bible because she has seen its power to transform lives. She loves to study it, preach it, teach it, and encourage others to study and understand it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Copan, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at the Palm Beach Atlantic University, the author of 'Is God a Moral Monster?', and the co-author of 'Did God Really Command Genocide?'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter’s exploration of Old Testament ethical challenges is insightful, balanced and honest. I appreciate the fact that she does not deny divine severity while putting in perspective God's goodness. She admits that she is still wrestling and learning, as indeed I am. She humbly but boldly approaches an array of key topics and she writes with deep pastoral concern. Her treatment of the imprecatory psalms is particularly effective and illuminating. While I have a few quibbles here and there, I want to emphasize the spirit, the breadth, and the balance of this book. It sheds light on a complex and controversial subject, encouraging further conversation and deeper understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rev'd Dr. Lissa M. Wray Beal, Professor of Old Testament, Chair, Seminary Bible and Theology Department, Providence University College and Theological Seminary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today? Honestly wrestling with the Old Testament\u003c\/em\u003e, Helen Paynter tackles problematic texts of violence in the Old Testament. The questions Paynter asks are pressing ones today, and she sketches out the complex issues clearly but without undue oversimplification. Outlining valuable principles of interpretation and applying them in worked examples, the author’s candor and pastoral attentiveness invite readers into the conversation. The volume models Christian engagement with the biblical text and shows the value of \u003cem\u003ehonest wrestling\u003c\/em\u003e within the text’s own vision of \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e. Providing tools to think not only about specific texts of violence, but the biblical text more broadly, it is a welcome and compact initial resource for Christian laypeople troubled by biblical texts of violence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Meredith Editor of Word \u0026amp; Worship, the publication of the NZ Lay Preachers Association\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn lucid prose Helen Paynter argues that violence featured in the biblical canon should not be ignored or denied but acknowledged and faced honestly. While history is played out in a broken and often violent world the author shows how the movement of scripture is toward God’s creative intention for healing and wholeness. Without providing final answers Paynter offers ways of interpreting even the most violent passages so that we may hear God’s word for today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Natalie Collins, gender justice specialist: see \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nataliecollins.info\/\"\u003ewww.nataliecollins.info\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eTweets as GodLovesWomen and wrote \u003cem\u003eOut of Control: Couples, Conflict and the Capacity for Change\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis relatively small book faces some massive theological questions about the nature of violence in the Old Testament. Exploring different types of violence in the Bible, including that against animals, and perhaps the most troubling, when it appears that God commands genocide, Helen Paynter expertly guides us through complex theological terrain and explains this complexity in down to earth and easily accessible ways. This book is ideal for someone with no\u003cbr\u003etheological training to begin exploring challenging elements of the Bible, with those with formal theological training also able to learn from her. Those in church leadership should read this book so they are able to recommend it to their congregations. While challenging, the book seems to be pitched to a conservative 'Bible believing' audience, which may jar with those who have a more liberal approach to Scripture, but overall it’s a great, engaging, manageably short book. As Helen says, she can’t wholly resolve the tensions of the most problematic texts, but she does give much food for thought and some\u003cbr\u003etools for Christians who want to more ably identify where God is in the text and what God is saying to us through it.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Natalie Collins\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheology 2019, Vol 122(6). Review by Robin Gill\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter is a Baptist minister and director of the new Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence at Bristol. This accessible and refreshingly honest paperback, published by The Bible Reading Fellowship is very welcome indeed. It examines carefully some of the most troublesome texts in the Old Testament and it does so in stages, as she explains:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'First, we will consider instances where violence is \u003cem\u003ede\u003c\/em\u003escribed, not \u003cem\u003epre\u003c\/em\u003escribed\u003cem\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003eNext we will look at places – mainly the psalms – where violence is implored: where the psalmist prays for vengeance. Third, we will consider the issue of violence against animals, particularly the flood story and the system of animal sacrifice. Fourth, we will look at the use of violence as divine judgement. And fifth, we will look at the knottiest problem of all: the texts where God appears to command people to be violent to one another. At the end of most of the chapters in this section I offer some more practical suggestions. How should we handle these texts in our churches – in our pulpits, our home groups, our Sunday schools? And then, in the final chapter, we will ‘zoom back out’ and take a look at the big picture of the bible.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing particularly novel about any of this, but that is not the point. Her message needs to be heard in a context of widespread fear of religiously inspired violence. This small book and her new Centre make an excellent contribution to greater understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Robin Gill\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnabaptism Today Autumn 2019. Review by Alexandra Ellish\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany people from both within and outside of church communities are confused and uncomfortable with accounts of violence in the Scriptures, and the all too frequent appeal to biblical sources to justify modern-day warfare, military action and the ownership of weapons. In this helpful and accessible book, Helen Paynter seeks to address some of the questions and issues raised by texts containing violence in the Old Testament and considers how we might interpret and understand them today. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into two sections. Part One sets out some essential foundations – reading the Bible as God’s word; defining and understanding violence within the ancient world; and some possible tools for interpretation. The second part of the book considers five types of violence, ranging with increasing complexity from: texts with descriptive versus prescriptive accounts of violence; texts imploring the use of violence; the sacrificial system and a consideration of the flood; violence as used in accounts of divine judgement; and finally texts in which God seems to be commanding violence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen reading violence contained in the psalms, the author notes the importance of paying attention to the psalmist’s use of language – particularly allegory and metaphor – to argue for a deeper reading of the texts. While there are psalms calling for God to punish enemies, this desire is usually held in tension with an acknowledgement of ultimate trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty. Paynter suggests that psalms which implore God to use violence to exact vengeance on enemies or oppressors have cathartic value in the context of communal worship – that these psalms remind us that we can bring all of our experiences and humanity to God in worship. Paynter advocates using the imprecatory psalms in worship today by depersonalising the ‘enemies’ of God and people to include issues around ecological catastrophe, serious and debilitating illness, domestic violence and all things which result in death. As the church frequently draws on the psalms of joy and thanksgiving for times of celebration and praise, this encouragement takes seriously the possibility of expressing painful, difficult and angry feelings that we have, in the context of a community of faith which trusts that God is in charge and loves his people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fourth chapter considers violence in divine judgement as a reminder of the nature of God as a just judge who is our friend and ‘brother’ but is also ‘unbearable’ in his holiness. Paynter discusses the positive aspects of the law of \u003cem\u003etalion\u003c\/em\u003e which, she argues, Jesus extends rather than repudiates. The penultimate chapter is devoted to texts where violence is explicitly commanded by God. This chapter covers the most difficult passages, where Paynter untangles the complexity of defining the word \u003cem\u003eḥerem\u003c\/em\u003e. This word is often translated as ‘utterly destroy’ or ‘devote to complete destruction’ but its meaning is somewhat veiled. Paynter suggests that \u003cem\u003eḥerem\u003c\/em\u003e ‘does not always involve killing or destroying’ but that ‘\u003cem\u003eḥerem\u003c\/em\u003e sometimes involves killing’ (p. 128). She states that she cannot offer a definitive answer to the questions surrounding conquest and apparent mass killing, but that the word \u003cem\u003eḥerem \u003c\/em\u003eis used for rhetorical and hyperbolic purposes to portray events in a particular way in the ancient world. Paynter’s honesty and humility in the recognition that her offering might be only partially satisfactory and her desire to continue to ‘nibble’ (p. 153) at the issue alongside others is immensely refreshing and rare! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the final chapter, Paynter considers the arc of the biblical narrative and argues that the vision of God demonstrated throughout the Scriptures is for \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e for all of creation. While I was pleased to see the concept of \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e included in the book, I thought that more could have been made of this subject and how we might understand \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e in relation to violence in the Old Testament. Similarly, in an early chapter the centrality of the life and person of Jesus as a lens for interpretation is briefly mentioned but not elaborated. Since I come to the topic of violence with Anabaptist convictions, perhaps it is no surprise that I would have enjoyed a fuller consideration of these subjects earlier in the book, instead of waiting until the final chapter for a somewhat limited exploration of the concept of \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter assumes that the value of the image of the eating of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden and the subsequent ‘fall’ is to explain the entry of death, competition and violence into the world. This understanding all too easily reduces Jesus to nothing more than a rescuer come to reverse the fall. I am not sure how helpful this is. \u003cem\u003eShalom\u003c\/em\u003e is the narrative arc of our Scriptures; Jesus who is the Christ is\/was, in my view, always going to be the incarnation of God on earth as a pattern for humanity. This impacts how we understand the crucifixion of Jesus, and I would have been interested to read more from Paynter on this issue. Particularly for our western Protestant tradition, which has largely abandoned other atonement theories to focus on the (arguably violent) theory of penal substitution, are there more appropriate ways of exploring and articulating the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ which fulfil rather than undermine a \u003cem\u003eshalom \u003c\/em\u003enarrative?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter is categorical in her rejection of the appropriation of violence from the Old Testament texts for today, and also touches very briefly on the inappropriate conflation of the historic nation of Israel and the modern state. More on this issue would have been instructive, particularly as many pro-Israel churches support the government and its policies of occupation in Palestine based on their understanding of texts from the Old Testament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found Paynter’s writing style clear and engaging. She uses interesting and relevant examples to illustrate the issues she is dealing with, often drawing on contemporary stories. It is clear that Paynter is passionate about the importance of the Old Testament for personal and corporate faith today, and she argues persuasively for and offers numerous practical suggestions for wrestling with the Scriptures communally and individually. Paynter also suggests a wide range of other books for the reader to delve more deeply into the issues she has raised. I look forward to further publications from Paynter as she continues to wrestle with the Bible, in search of fresh insight and understanding to inform our discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Alexandra Ellish, London\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Ministers Journal. Review by Pieter J Lalleman\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is timely, courageous and good. I therefore strongly recommend it to you and your church members. Revd Dr Helen Paynter of Bristol Baptist College has tackled one of the hot issues of the moment, the violence in the Old Testament (OT). It’s unlikely that you have not been asked about this by someone within or outside your congregation; if not, you’ll get the question soon: ‘How can a loving God condone and even order so much violence?’ Paynter helps you to give a Bible-based answer. She does not follow the common escape routes of either denying that this is what the OT really says or ascribing the violence to human authors who had not quite understood God. Instead she listens attentively to what the OT really says.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is in two parts, the first of which is a general introduction to the Bible and how to read it well. Paynter explains that her approach will be biblical and Christocentric, and she defends the position of the OT within the Christian scriptures. As a potted hermeneutic this part of the book has a more general value. For example, readers learn about the various genres in the Bible and about the distinction between description and endorsement. Here we also find a useful chapter on what violence is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the second part Paynter tackles the OT in concentric circles, beginning with the relatively simple texts in which violence is merely described. This is followed by texts in which violence is deplored, psalms which call upon God to use violence, texts about violence against animals and texts in which the use of violence is part of a divine judgement. Throughout her discussions are careful and helpful. Paynter’s response to the usual argument that the Canaanites deserved to be punished for their wickedness was a surprise to me; if you want to know what it is, buy and read the book! The final chapter, intended as a positive counterpart to the preceding misery, deals with God’s plan of \u003cem\u003eshalom\u003c\/em\u003e for his good creation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout Paynter’s tone is humble. She is honest about her own struggles and about points where she is uncertain. She refers to the book of Joshua as something that ‘feels alien and disturbing’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the most part, the book is easy to read; at times it is almost basic, which means that it is largely right for many church members. At the end of the chapters there are summaries and the notes are tucked away as end-notes. Some may find it uncomfortable that Paynter describes the flood as a myth (94-95), but that should not distract anybody.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo it is a perfect book? No, because it contains some typos and there is no index of texts. Some elements of the discussion might still be complicated for ‘lay people’. I would also have liked to read a bit more about the character of God. But these minor quibbles are just that: minor quibbles. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Pieter J Lalleman\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach, issue 20, Autumn 2019. Review by Tom Wharin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the third book I’ve read on the subject of violence in the Bible in the last couple of years and it is also the most helpful. \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence yesterday, God of Love Today? \u003c\/em\u003eHas a clear and helpful structure even if the title is a bit of a mouthful. Helen Paynter starts by laying out her unapologetically Christocentric hermeneutic (to which I also subscribe). She then works through the biblical texts containing violence, from the ones she regards as least troubling (violence implored by the writer) to the ones she considers most troubling (violence commanded by God).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book does contain plenty of literary and historical-critical arguments which won’t appeal to a wide popular audience but Helen Paynter is very readable. Theological concepts are well explained with reference to everyday events, familiar news and historical stories. In addition to her marshalling her own thoughts well, Helen Paynter draws on and explains some of the best arguments in John H. Walton \u0026amp; J. Harvey Walton’s and Greg Boyd’s books (among others) in a way that makes them more accessible to readers like me than the originals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an apologia for violence in the Bible to twenty-first century western culture, the book as a whole feels like a pretty solid bridge two-thirds of the way across a cultural canyon. The reader is left with more construction to do on either cliff or both, and the author honestly acknowledges this as our work and hers in the introduction and conclusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI will definitely be recommending this book to anyone from sixth form up who is serious about engaging with God’s word on this subject. The structure will make it easy to dip back into for sermon references and it will serve very well as an introduction to this area of apologetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Tom Wharin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 16 August, 2019. Summer paperback roundup by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today?\u003c\/em\u003e the author Helen Paynter has tried to tackle one of the most difficult questions of biblical theology. Why is it that the God of the Old Testament seems to sanction war and what we might today call ethnic cleansing, while the God of the New Testament seems to be all about love? This simple stereotyping of the argument is well dealt with, giving us many ideas to reflect on. She does not come to easy answers, but you will feel considerably better informed. This is a book to read a couple of times and perhaps to share with a reading group to think through the many issues that it raises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCavan Wood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by David Ball, GOLD Project, July 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis short book deals with one of the thorniest subjects for Christians who believe that God is love and at the same time believe that the Christian Scriptures in their totality are God’s word to us. Helen Paynter does not shy away from any of the challenges that passages of violence in the Scriptures, particularly the Old Testament, bring to a theology of God’s love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart one introduces us to some key skills for interpreting the Old Testament. God’s goodness and the ultimate revelation of this in Jesus Christ sets the theological foundation by which we are to interpret the Scriptures. From this starting point, we are ably guided through what we do and what we don’t mean when we speak of the Bible as God’s Word to us. Here the indispensable place of the Old Testament for our Christian faith is emphasised. If we need a clear theological foundation to interpret the Bible responsibly, we also need a clear understanding of the issue we are dealing with. For this we are led through a careful discussion of the complexity of violence and how it manifests itself in society. This prepares us to look at the nature of the Old Testament and especially the challenge to understand the worldview of its writers and audience which is so often far removed from our own. Reading each passage of the Old Testament in the context of the big story of Scripture, understanding the type of literature that we are reading and wrestling with the meaning of the text are all key skills to hearing the message better. Another important reminder is to let different and apparently contradictory narratives or themes contribute to the big picture of how Scripture conveys a multi-layered voice on key issues such as human kingship. All of these skills prepare us to address the particular issue of violence and the Bible in more depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart two does precisely this. Here we engage with the texts of violence under five (increasingly problematic) headings: Violence described, Violence implored, Violence against animals, Violence as divine judgement, Violence commanded. In each of these chapters, a clear attempt is made to compare and contrast the biblical context with our own and to draw out the significance of texts for our own day. We are carefully guided through the different types of violence each of which demand a different response. For example, describing violence in both the Old Testament and our own day does not necessarily endorse it. On the contrary, it often gives a voice to victims who would otherwise be denied justice and a hearing. Imploring violence is better than actual violence and is not necessarily endorsed by the text either. As we are led into the more problematic aspects of violence in the Old Testament, we are necessarily introduced to more technical aspects of biblical interpretation. Nevertheless, these are explained clearly. While not everyone will agree with some of the readings of the Old Testament, what becomes clear is that it is possible to grapple with even the most difficult Old Testament texts and not lose our integrity as those who believe in a just and loving God revealed in the totality of our Scriptures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final chapter seeks to bring a resolution and explain that the trajectory of the biblical narrative is towards the biblical idea of shalom. Normally translated ‘peace’ the ‘core meaning relates to completeness or intactness and the range of meanings includes prosperity, welfare, good relationships, deliverance and health’ (p.157) It is a vision of this shalom that drives the narrative of the Bible forward from its beginning in Genesis to its conclusion in the New Testament book of Revelation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe skill of interpreting the Bible responsibly in today’s world is one that anyone can learn. It is not easy and involves a struggle, but, above all, this is the significance of this book. For, while it addresses the particularly thorny issue of violence, it does far more than this. It gives us a practical model of how to wrestle with difficult issues in the Bible and society, seeking to listen to each text within the big framework of Scripture and to understand how this relates to our own context. Through this process, we can learn the skills of hearing God’s voice for today even in the difficult parts of the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by David Ball, GOLD Project\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform July\/August 2019. Review by Catherine Ball\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly apposite book for our current political situation. John Lennon wrote the song ‘Imagine’, longing for a peaceful world, assuming that religion is one of the main causes of conflict. It would be lovely to be able to say that Christian scriptures do not advocate violence, or that only the Old Testament shows God as angry and violent. The temptation is to avoid difficult and violent Bible passages. Yet, the Old Testament is an essential part of the Christian scriptures. Helen Paynter shows that it is too simplistic to separate the Old Testament from the New.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter acknowledges that violence is apparently directed and endorsed by God in Old Testament texts. In an intellectually rigorous and accessible way, Paynter wrestles with each text to show that in many cases, the violence may become more understandable, and in some cases may be fully explained. She shows that each story needs to be carefully read in the context of ancient Hebrew language and culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, Paynter compares the battle of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17 – in which David beheads Goliath – with Adam and Eve’s temptation by the serpent (Genesis 3). In both stories, there is a battle that will determine who has dominion and an evil force mocks God’s favoured. In the latter story, God curses the serpent and says that he will bruise the serpent’s head. God will have victory in the end. Though David – God’s chosen king, descended of Eve – is mocked by the giant who defies God, he is victorious. The pattern points to a greater king to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter warns of the need to be careful how these passages are taught to children, and how they are used in preaching. This is an exceedingly helpful book for anyone who wants to honestly teach and preach the scriptures for contemporary society, affirming God’s plan for peace in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Catherine Ball, Minister of the Free Church, St Ives, and Fenstanton URC, Cambridgeshire.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices Issue 30,September 2019. Review by Ray Vincent\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen is Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence at Bristol Baptist College and the new Editor of BRF’s \u003cem\u003eGuidelines \u003c\/em\u003eBible reading notes. She is well placed to write this very accessible book. She deals with the problem in a very straightforward, systematic way, beginning with the less difficult and moving on to the most difficult ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst she considers the places in the Bible where violence is simply described as part of the story. Then she moves on to where suffering people pray for vengeance on their oppressors – a natural human reaction. Next, violence against animals, pointing out the huge cultural difference between the Bible’s world and ours. Then she tackles violence as divine judgement, and finally the most difficult problem, the places where God seems actually to command acts of violence against innocent people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter approaches the problem humbly, freely acknowledging that she does not have the answers but is still wrestling with the questions. However, it seems to me that her perception of the violence as a ‘problem’ comes from her relatively conservative view of the Bible as the Word of God. While acknowledging the humanity of the Bible and reading it in the light of critical scholarship, she seems nevertheless to be trying to justify everything it says, and hesitates to say that parts of it may be simply mistaken.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI suspect that the way in which most of us perceive the Bible means that we do not see the violence in it as a ‘problem’ in this kind of way. At the same time, this book is clear, honest and admirably arranged. It is well worth using as a basis for discussion in churches. Some Progressive Christian Network groups too might find it useful. It is informative, reminding us of parts of the Bible we sometimes neglect, and it is thought-provoking and sometimes challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Ray Vincent\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by David Mitchell, Pastor, Woodlands Church, Bristol. May 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen has written a book on one of the most difficult questions Christians face. In it she has managed to be both accessible, compassionate and scholarly as she navigates the tension between a high view of scripture and yet its depiction of God’s apparent actions and decrees in ways which offend our most basic instincts of what is good and loving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe begins with a really helpful guide to reading the bible well whatever (and wherever) the biblical text is addressing, which I would commend to any serious reader of the bible, especially those coming to it fresh. She goes on to deal specifically with the issues of violence, not just to people; animals are included. She gives really helpful cultural context to hard passages without ducking some of the difficulties and ambiguities that remain even for her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe invites us foundationally to see Jesus as God’s last word on the issue of violence and to read the Old Testament not just as a foundation for the revelation of Jesus but as sacred texts which He provides the ultimate guide to understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Andy Goodliff, May 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter is a Baptist minister and Old Testament scholar based at Bristol Baptist College. This is her second book. Her first, a version of her PhD, was Reduced Laughter, looking at how to read the books of 1 \u0026amp; 2 Kings. This second book, written for a broad audience, engages with the thorn of subjects violence in the Old Testament. It arrives at the same time as the work of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bristol-baptist.ac.uk\/study-centres\/csbv\/\"\u003eCentre for the Study of the Bible and Violence\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(CSBV) begins, of which Paynter is the Director. The book comes in two parts. The first establishes some 'foundations' — reading the Bible as God's word, how to read the Bible well and what is meant or encompassed by the word 'violence.' The chapter in reading the Bible well is especially helpful in offering some important lessons. The second half of the book seeks through 5 chapters to engage with the most serious of questions around the Old Testament and violence. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 5 chapters make a series of important points. When violence is described, it is not always (often?) being endorsed. An example is given in the story of Samson. Paynter provides a different way of reading the book of Judges that pays attention to how the book is narrated. When violence is implored, as is the case of a good number of Psalms, there is a cry for justice and handing over of that desire for vengeance to God. Violence against animals is not as wanton as might be supposed. Paynter offers some helpful readings of the story of the flood in Genesis 6-9 and the place of sacrifices within Israel's worship. The fourth and fifth chapters explore violence as divine judgement and violence as commanded (e.g. the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eherem\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epassages in Joshua). These questions are more difficult to address, and Paynter acknowledges, that this is not her last word on them, but almost a first foray into these questions, in conversation with wider scholarship. She takes us carefully through the importance of justice, the meaning of the law of talion (eye for an eye), a reading of the death of Uzzah (2 Sam 6) and in the latter chapter the meaning of the word\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eherem\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA final chapter suggests that God's great plan in the Old Testament is shalom (peace) and we read it with trajectory in mind. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent book, which wears its scholarship lightly. Paynter has a great way of explaining and the book is an easy read, although exploring difficult questions. The book seeks as its subtitle suggests to 'wrestle honestly' with the violence found in the Old Testament. It doesn't have, and doesn't promise, a magic solution, but does show that a surface level reading will miss or overlook at more subtle ways the Bible describes and responds to violence. I look forward to future explorations that I'm sure will be forthcoming from Paynter and the CSBV that will continue to reach a broad audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Andy Goodliff. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/andygoodliff.typepad.com\/my_weblog\/2019\/05\/helen-paynter-god-of-violence-yesterday-god-of-love-today-brf-2019.html\" title=\"Andy Goodliff on God of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today?\"\u003eClick \u003c\/a\u003ehere for blog.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Peter King, Diocese of Chichester\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past few years I have become increasingly troubled by the violence in the Bible. Although this is a subject we don’t often talk about in our churches, I know from a number of informal conversations that many churchgoers (and others) have questions they would like to explore on these issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished to coincide with June’s inaugural events of Bristol College’s Centre for the Study of Bible \u0026amp; Violence, Helen Paynter’s new book offers a rigorous yet accessible exploration of Old Testament violence ideal for individuals or groups wishing to engage with these troubling texts and the issues they raise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into two parts. The first part offers valuable groundwork on the nature of the Bible and the nature of violence, and concludes with some very helpful suggestions on 'Reading the Bible well'. It is good to be reminded that the reason that texts of violence disturb us is because of our core belief that God is good. It is important, too, to be made aware that just because the Bible describes violence this does not necessarily mean that it commends it. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second part identifies a range of types of violent text, and discusses these in ascending order of importance from what is termed 'Violence described' through 'Violence implored' and 'Violence against animals' (sacrifice) to 'Violence as divine judgement and what is the standout case for most people Violence commanded. I found this a very helpful way of classifying the different examples of violence in the OT. Each chapter concludes with some thoughts on how the type of texts under discussion might be read and used in churches today. Here I was particularly struck by what the author sees as the pastoral implications of ignoring the texts of 'Violence described'. By ignoring these stories of interpersonal and sexual violence we risk silencing those for whom they are a reality in their lives today. Yes, indeed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book concludes with a chapter entitled 'Shalom: God’s great plan', which puts the violent texts in the context of what is arguably an even more significant OT theme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author herself acknowledges at the end of the chapter on 'Violence commanded' that 'there might be more to say' on these most troubling of all the texts of violence. Not everyone will agree with the suggested interpretation, but I hope that all will agree on the important suggestions for reading them 'with ethical integrity' both in our churches and beyond. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in the questions it explores. If you are new to the subject, it offers a comprehensive introduction and the reassurance that you are being guided by a capable and safe pair of hands as you begin to engage with challenging and important issues. If, like me, you are familiar with some of the literature on the subject, reading it will surely bring new insights and ideas. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePeter King trained at Bristol Baptist College and now works for the Anglican Diocese of Chichester in adult theological education.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord \u0026amp; Worship, journal of the New Zealand Lay Preachers Association, Winter 2019 (June). Review by John Meredith\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter addresses the question of biblical violence honestly and without proposing any final answer. She is clear that what is in the scriptures should be neither hidden nor denied and that the Old Testament God of judgement should not be contrasted with the New Testament God of grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter recognises that while violence may be deliberately aggressive it may also find expression through oppressive social structures. Colonisation and cultural devaluation are examples of this. Violence may also be associated with polarising rhetoric. We need think only of the ‘war on terror’ against nations defined as evil. We should not think that violence may be consigned to savage antiquity from which we have moved on. It is still possible to think that with bombs, rather than swords, we are doing God’s will.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we consider episodes of violence in the Bible, Paynter invites readers to reflect on the narrators’ purposes. For example, in Judges 19 we find the gang rape and murder of a concubine. This is deeply shocking, but also draws attention to the appalling consequences for a defenceless woman in a society without law or leadership. Although part of the biblical text, such stories are not usually read in public worship, yet the airing of such stories may allow women who have experienced sexual violence to feel heard and present opportunities for pastoral care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiblical writers recognise the reality of emotions such as anger and desire for revenge arising within the human heart. But rather than being encouraged to give reign to free expression of such emotions we are invited to leave vengeance to God who is just and merciful. The concept of ‘an eye for an eye’ should, Paynter believes, be understood as defining the limitation of personal vengeance, a limitation which Jesus extends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModern sensitivities may cause us to shudder at the conquest of Canaan recorded in the book of Joshua where slaughter seems to be commanded by God. Rather than a literal record of history Paynter suggests the story may be understood as a type of biblical literature dealing with God bringing order out of chaos and affirming the identity of Israel as God’s covenant people. This does not mean, however, that it can be used to support modern Israel’s actions towards Palestine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the Hebrew mind God was awesome in holiness with power to create and to destroy. The stories of creation are placed at the beginning of the Old Testament as affirmation of God’s perfect design and intention for universal shalom\/ wholeness. History is played out in a broken and often violent world, but the law and the prophets point to God’s creative intention for healing and wholeness and this is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not for us to edit from the Bible what offends us. We must learn to read with understanding. Helen Paynter writes clearly and makes a major contribution to informed reading so that we may hear and interpret God’s word for today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Meredith was ordained in the Methodist Church of New Zealand and has completed post-graduate study at Spurgeon’s College, London. John has served in pastoral roles in New Zealand and Western Australia. He is currently editor of Word \u0026amp; Worship, the publication of the NZ Lay Preachers Association and reviews books on theological and biblical themes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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God of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today? Wrestling honestly with the Old Testament
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{"id":2439814676580,"title":"Anxious Times","handle":"anxious-times","description":"\u003cp\u003eA book of 24 undated reflections drawing on a range of relevant Bible passages to offer genuine hope and encouragement in anxious times. Encompassing the very human emotions of fear and anxiety, the reflections encourage us to draw comfort and strength from God's word even in those times when he seems silent to us. This book acknowledges that trust and hope in God's goodness doesn't always come easily, but when embraced we gain the strength to face our fear with courage and confidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/CarmelThomason_480x480.jpg?v=1676494723\" width=\"212\" height=\"192\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarmel Thomason is an author, journalist and speaker whose writing explores how we can live out the gospel by focusing on the extraordinary to be found in the everyday. She has written \u003cem\u003eAgainst the Odds\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2014), \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/believe-in-miracles-a-spiritual-journey-of-positive-change\"\u003eBelieve in Miracles\u003c\/a\u003e (BRF, 2016) and \u003cem\u003eEvery Moment Counts\u003c\/em\u003e (DLT, 2011) and has collaborated with the Archbishop of York on Faith Stories and Hope Stories.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWider World: The Bookcase. Autumn 2018\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to DoSomething.org, 40% of adults suffer from anxiety. This book of 24 undated reflections, which draw on a range of relevant Bible passages, offers genuine hope and encouragement in anxious times. The reflections on chosen scripture are both practical and prayerful; grounded in human experience and encouraging focused prayer even in those times when God can seem silent to us. \u003cem\u003eAnxious Times\u003c\/em\u003e acknowledges that trust and hope doesn't always come easy, but when we embrace God's goodness we gain the strength to face our fears with courage and confidence. Archbishop John Sentamu writes: 'This book is to be savoured, not rushed. As an antidote to anxiety, it will repay a measured reading, just one short chapter a day.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader online, May 2019. Reviewed by Margaret Ives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 24 short reflections on selected Bible passages are designed to help Christians find spiritual support and encouragement in times of stress and anxiety, whether caused by an increasingly fraught international situation or by more personal issues, such as illness, bereavement or money worries. With a foreword by Archbishop John Sentamu urging us not to give in to despair, this book will be a helpful resource both for those struggling to cope and for those who seek to counsel them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Ives \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:24:47+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:24:48+00:00","vendor":"Carmel Thomason","type":"Paperback","tags":["Anna Chaplaincy books","Devotional","May-18","Pastoral care","PDF","Recommended for Anna Chaplaincy"],"price":499,"price_min":499,"price_max":499,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769980706916,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466600","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Anxious Times - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":499,"weight":63,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466600","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":33384154398859,"title":"PDF","option1":"PDF","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390270","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":15259036418187,"product_id":2439814676580,"position":2,"created_at":"2020-04-16T12:32:23+01:00","updated_at":"2020-04-16T12:32:23+01:00","alt":null,"width":458,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0270.jpg?v=1587036743","variant_ids":[33384154398859]},"available":true,"name":"Anxious Times - PDF","public_title":"PDF","options":["PDF"],"price":499,"weight":63,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390270","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":7432425799819,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0270.jpg?v=1587036743"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466600-l.jpg?v=1587036743","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0270.jpg?v=1587036743"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466600-l.jpg?v=1587036743","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238880903307,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466600-l.jpg?v=1587036743"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466600-l.jpg?v=1587036743","width":458},{"alt":null,"id":7432425799819,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0270.jpg?v=1587036743"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWN0270.jpg?v=1587036743","width":458}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eA book of 24 undated reflections drawing on a range of relevant Bible passages to offer genuine hope and encouragement in anxious times. Encompassing the very human emotions of fear and anxiety, the reflections encourage us to draw comfort and strength from God's word even in those times when he seems silent to us. This book acknowledges that trust and hope in God's goodness doesn't always come easily, but when embraced we gain the strength to face our fear with courage and confidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/CarmelThomason_480x480.jpg?v=1676494723\" width=\"212\" height=\"192\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarmel Thomason is an author, journalist and speaker whose writing explores how we can live out the gospel by focusing on the extraordinary to be found in the everyday. She has written \u003cem\u003eAgainst the Odds\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2014), \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/believe-in-miracles-a-spiritual-journey-of-positive-change\"\u003eBelieve in Miracles\u003c\/a\u003e (BRF, 2016) and \u003cem\u003eEvery Moment Counts\u003c\/em\u003e (DLT, 2011) and has collaborated with the Archbishop of York on Faith Stories and Hope Stories.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWider World: The Bookcase. Autumn 2018\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to DoSomething.org, 40% of adults suffer from anxiety. This book of 24 undated reflections, which draw on a range of relevant Bible passages, offers genuine hope and encouragement in anxious times. The reflections on chosen scripture are both practical and prayerful; grounded in human experience and encouraging focused prayer even in those times when God can seem silent to us. \u003cem\u003eAnxious Times\u003c\/em\u003e acknowledges that trust and hope doesn't always come easy, but when we embrace God's goodness we gain the strength to face our fears with courage and confidence. Archbishop John Sentamu writes: 'This book is to be savoured, not rushed. As an antidote to anxiety, it will repay a measured reading, just one short chapter a day.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader online, May 2019. Reviewed by Margaret Ives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 24 short reflections on selected Bible passages are designed to help Christians find spiritual support and encouragement in times of stress and anxiety, whether caused by an increasingly fraught international situation or by more personal issues, such as illness, bereavement or money worries. With a foreword by Archbishop John Sentamu urging us not to give in to despair, this book will be a helpful resource both for those struggling to cope and for those who seek to counsel them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Ives \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Anxious Times
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{"id":2920550137956,"title":"Finding God in a Culture of Fear: Discovering hope in God’s kingdom","handle":"finding-god-in-a-culture-of-fear-discovering-hope-in-god-s-kingdom","description":"\u003cp\u003eHow can we live a little more hopefully each day?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFear, 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book takes us beyond comfort zones and easy answers, and towards a deeper understanding and practice of hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/JoCox-Darling1_480x480.jpg?v=1676497258\" width=\"209\" height=\"261\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoanne 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDes Scott, Deputy Chief Executive, Church Army \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Appleton\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview by Dr Philip Barlow, May 2019\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHopelessness 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dr Philip Barlow\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-02-27T10:32:11+00:00","created_at":"2019-02-27T10:43:52+00:00","vendor":"Joanne Cox-Darling","type":"Paperback","tags":["Bereavement","Devotional","Kindle","May-19"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":24702508859492,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466464","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Finding God in a Culture of Fear: Discovering hope in God’s kingdom","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":186,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466464","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466464-l.jpg?v=1551264235"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466464-l.jpg?v=1551264235","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3260487401611,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466464-l.jpg?v=1551264235"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466464-l.jpg?v=1551264235","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eHow can we live a little more hopefully each day?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFear, 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book takes us beyond comfort zones and easy answers, and towards a deeper understanding and practice of hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/JoCox-Darling1_480x480.jpg?v=1676497258\" width=\"209\" height=\"261\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoanne 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDes Scott, Deputy Chief Executive, Church Army \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Appleton\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview by Dr Philip Barlow, May 2019\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHopelessness 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dr Philip Barlow\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Finding God in a Culture of Fear: Discovering hope in God’s kingdom
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How can we live a little more hopefully each day?Fear, terrorism, corruption, fake news… it can be easy to become...