REVIEWS
Planetwise:
Dare to Care for God’s World
Dave Bookless, IVP (2008)
39
John Sentamu’s
Hope Stories:
20 true stories of faith
changing lives today
Darton, Longman and
Todd (2014)
My first impression on receiving this book was that it was just
another book on recycling, where even the cover is made of
recycled paper. How wrong I was!
Dave Bookless begins by stating that climate change is not
the biggest threat to our world. Rather, this is a symptom of
our wrong relationship with our planet. He traces how the
Bible demonstrates God’s love, not just for us, but for all that
he has created. He uses Tom Wright’s framework of looking
at the Bible in five acts – creation; the fall; Israel (land); Jesus;
and the future – and summarises his central theme thus:
‘The world was created good, has been spoilt by sin, but through
Jesus there is the hope of salvation both for people and for the
whole creation’ (pages 68,69).
But this is not simply a theoretical book, it is also practical.
The author explains how to ‘live it out’ in discipleship, worship,
lifestyle and mission. There are practical examples about how
to make changes to food, travel, waste, and energy, taking
things one step at a time.
This book has moved my thinking on in a far broader sense
than I anticipated. As I read the Bible I am now on the lookout
for references to the land and creation, rather than just
humankind; as I worship, I am challenged to reawaken my
sense of wonder at God’s creation; in prayer I am reminded to
pray about the earth, as well as the people in it. I am persuaded
to think and worship differently, as well as making changes to
the way I live.
This book is well set out and easy to read, with sub-headings
and Bible references that will support sermon-writing and
Bible-study-planning. I would recommend it unreservedly.
RUTH LOGAN
LWPT8462 - Preach Magazine - Issue 2 v2.indd 39
This is a follow-up to the popular John Sentamu’s
Faith Stories and features another 20 people who
have experienced the reality of Christian hope in
sometimes desperate situations. The book cover says
it is ‘presented by the Archbishop of York’, but at first
I could see no introduction or foreword from the man
himself. A closer look, however, revealed each personal
testimony is introduced by a short comment by
Archbishop Sentamu.
Hope Stories chronicles ‘everyday’ battles with
addiction, depression and mental ill-health, serious and
terminal illness. But while these lives are ordinary, the
stories of finding strength in the midst of despair are
remarkable. We meet people like Jasvinder who escaped
from an abusive family situation and now supports
women facing similar issues; Nick, who lost the use
of his legs in a rugby accident and Joanne whose
comfortable lifestyle was shattered when her husband
was diagnosed with cancer.
‘Nothing is beyond God’s power to make a difference,
to transform what seems hopeless into hope’ writes
Archbishop Sentamu. ‘There are no dark places that
his light cannot reach. With God’s grace and light we
know that there is always a fresh start and hope for
the future.’ These words are strongly illustrated in
what I found to be extremely well-written, inspiring,
challenging and comforting book.
SARAH LOTHIAN
09/01/2015 14:36:14