REVIEWS
Book
Reviews
OUTSTANDING
GOOD
PERFECTLY OK BUT NOT
VERY EXCITING
LIFE IS TOO SHORT
TO SPEND TIME ON
THIS BOOK
SHOULD NEVER HAVE
BEEN WRITTEN
37
Praise Him:
songs of praise in the New Testament
Paula Gooder, York Courses (2014)
This is a discussion course in five sessions based
on the ‘hymns of praise’ in the New Testament.
Although it is suggested as material for Lent, its
content could be usefully employed at any time
of the Christian year. It consists of a CD with
recorded discussions on each text, the transcript
of each discussion and a booklet with guidance for
the group leader.
Each session lasts fifteen minutes and the speakers
are Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury;
Sister Wendy – the nun best known for her TV
series on art; and David Suchet, the well-known
actor. Each session is introduced by Canon Simon
Stanley, co-founder of the York Courses, and Moira
Slight, editor of the Methodist Recorder, adds her
comments to each discussion.
The various comments and very honest individual
reactions to each Bible passage is both refreshing
and encouraging. There is complete lack of
rhetoric or dogmatic statement; instead we are
privileged to share the insight of fellow Christians.
The CD is easy to listen to and I found that the
accompanying transcript was very useful in
helping to highlight a particular comment which
might be a good basis for discussion.
This is an attractive and easy to use aid to
discussion, best suited to small groups and also
valuable for personal use and reflection. Because
of the high profile of the speakers it might well
be of interest to a wide audience in Church or
outside it.
JEAN A BALL
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