Rowan WilliamsBesprekingen

This was a good read, but a little lacking in length -- the subject matter could have been developed more thoroughly. With Andrei Rublev's 'Hospitality of Abraham' icon, Williams does a good job discussing the icon specifically, but in other instances -- such as the icon of the resurrection -- he uses it as an opportunity to opine about the resurrection generally. Which is not a problem per se, as his theological reflections are sound and well-written, but it somewhat misses the richness of icon qua icon.

Chapters 1 and 5 were my favorite....

La vida de Thomas Merton fue, en gran medida, de diálogo con personas distantes o muertas. Mientras forja una relación de este tipo con él, el Arzobispo de Canterbury Rowan Williams explora la mente y la influencia de Thomas Merton a través de ensayos sobre temas como la conexión que Merton tuvo con Paul Evdokimov, el teólogo ortodoxo, y Karl Barth, el teólogo reformado. Rowan también toma nota del impacto de los libros sobre el pensamiento de Merton, que abarca desde Fyodor Dostoevsky y Dietrich Bonhoeffer hasta San Juan de la Cruz. A través de sus ensayos, Williams muestra que él y Merton comparten el hecho de que la vida cristiana sin una dimensión contemplativa es incompleta y, además, que una vida contemplativa es accesible no solo a quienes viven en monasterios sino a cualquiera que busque un monasticismo "interiorizado". El misterio de la amistad, una relación duradera mantenida unida no solo por afinidad, preguntas compartidas e intereses comunes, sino también por la conciencia de que cada uno puede ayudar al otro en la peregrinación, es digna de inclusión en la larga lista de adiciones a los sacramentos ortodoxos. Como atestigua el ví­nculo entre Rowan Williams y Thomas Merton, no todas las amistades dependen de ser de la misma generación. -
The life of Thomas Merton was, to a great extent, one of dialogue with people who were either distant or dead. While forging just such a relationship with him, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams explores the mind and influence of Thomas Merton through essays on such topics as the connection Merton had with Paul Evdokimov, the Orthodox theologian, and Karl Barth, the Reformed theologian. Rowan also takes note of the impact of books on Merton´s thought, spanning from Fyodor Dostoevsky and Dietrich Bonhoeffer to St. John of the Cross. Through his essays, Williams shows that he and Merton share the regard that Christian life without a contemplative dimension is incomplete and, furthermore, that a contemplative life is accessible not only to those living in monasteries but to anyone who seeks an "interiorized" monasticism. The mystery of friendship "an enduring relationship held together not only by affinity, shared questions, and common interests but also by the awareness that each can help the other in pilgrimage" is worthy of inclusion in the long list of additions to the Orthodox sacraments. As the bond between Rowan Williams and Thomas Merton bears witness, not all friendships depend on being of the same generation.

Summary: Weekly meditations by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, written for his parish church from March to September 2020, during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We all remember when life as we knew it ended as lockdowns and stay at home orders were issued to curb rising COVID infections. For many of us it was around mid-March 2020. On March 26, the day of the Feast of the Annunciation (remembering the appearance of Gabriel to Mary announcing she would bear the Christ child), former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams wrote the first of a series of meditations addressing what it means to live in faith, hope, and love during the pandemic. On that day, he wrote:

“And as we contemplate the coming months, not knowing when we can breathe again, it’s worth thinking about how already the foundations have been laid for whatever new opportunities God has for us on the far side of this crisis. The small actions we take to protect one another, to keep open the channels of love and gift, volunteering, if we’re able, to support someone less mobile or less safe, finding new ways of communicating, even simply meditating on how our society might become more just and secure–all this can be the hidden beginning of something fuller and more honest for us all in the future.”

ROWAN WILLIAMS, PP. 2-3.

Over the coming months, ending September 17, 2020, Williams wrote weekly meditations for his parish church, collected in this compact book. Each are two to four pages in length. He reflects on our anxiety when our usual outlets for productive activity are gone, of treasuring relationships because of the experience of aloneness, the giving of the Holy Spirit that reminds us we are not God, and of seeking justice for those disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

One of my favorites, on the Feast of St. Matthias (May 14) celebrates this apostle whose greatest accomplishment lies in taking the place of Judas Iscariot. Williams emphasizes the hidden heroism he represents of those who faithfully show up. Another, written on August 6 was especially meaningful. Williams notes that this is both the day the first atom bomb was detonated with deadly results over Hiroshima, and the day of the church’s celebration of the transfiguration. In the first we see the dark face of humanity. In the second we see the radiant face of “infinite love of beauty,” the face of God in human flesh and know there is yet hope for us. I was born on August 6 and I feel this contrast, so beautifully articulated by Williams, has framed my life.

His posts do not all address pandemic-specific realities. Many, like the examples noted above, are connected to the church calendar. Others simply address contemporary realities like the reduction of our individuality and dignity before God to algorithms. Another is simply on meditative walking–something some of us have had time for. He writes with a measure of caution about the current trend of tearing down statues, which merely reflect what is true of all of us–people who got much wrong and a few things right. It may be right to remove a statue, but there is no room for smug superiority in doing so.

This is a sparkling collection of writing that reflects not only the pandemic but many of our contemporary concerns. I found myself wondering what Williams would have written during the horrendous wave of infection that came after the close of the book. What would his reflection have been about stubborn variants and vaccines? I hope he has continued writing. The book ends only part way through the journey, offering helpful direction for how we might live as people of faith both in this and more ordinary times. He recognizes this in his epilogue and recalls his opening reflection. He asks if we have grown through the solidarity forced by our common plight.

It is a question worth considering if we believe that the call to trust and follow Christ is to grow in Christ-likeness until the day we see him. We may feel with vaccines and the rescinding of health orders (at least for a time) that this is “over” and we can move on. If we simply want to forget, does it reveal something about the kind of people we have been through this time, with which we are uncomfortable? It is not too late to reflect on how the pandemic has shaped our life of faith, hope, and love, and make course corrections where needed. If we do not consider William’s question, we may find ourselves on a course that takes us away from Christ, and from solidarity with the human community. Williams’ book reminds us there are candles in the dark for those looking for light.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

An insightful devotional that introduced me to a way of prayer I was almost completely unfamiliar with beforehand. Each small segment will challenge your growth, the way you love, and the way you contain God inside of you.

Written in 1983 ‘The Truce of God’ proposes a link between the very real strife current in the world and the conflict we carry within ourselves. This conflict, Williams says, can only be resolved through the positive power of God’s true peace--an inner peace which is available to all.

Williams acknowledges how much of his thinking expressed here 'owes a great debt' to the theology of Thomas Merton.

I love to come across books that are theologically rich but not inaccessible. Rowan Williams has mastered the skill of writing them, having successfully straddled both practical ministry and academic work for decades. In this particular book, right at 100 pages long, he invites deep meditation on the Scriptural portrayal of the cross and the resurrection. If it were longer, I'd love more sustained engagement with historical theological voices, but this is already a book I can share and teach and preach from within my congregation.

I had massive hopes for this book, it being by Rowan Williams. But my real hope was to be able to use it to read with church members (as a UMC pastor). But it's a strangely in-between book, not quite in-depth enough about anything for people equipped to read theology, but not quite shallow enough for a wide readership.

Mini descriptions of the lives of 20 saints; some the usual suspects, Augustine, Bonhoeffer etc, but other unexpected ones, Bulgakov, Dickens, Hillesum. Some chapters highlight very important points of general theology but others seem hopelessly brief giving us just one significant feature of a life. Its not a hard read and so probably worth rereading and following up the relevant stuff, which is perhaps most of what Williams really wanted to give us. But honestly Rowan, we all agree Paul was a passionate man, but what do you really think of his theology?

Rowan Williams goes back to the 4th century desert fathers and mothers for inspiration and insight, discovering that their spirituality resonates strongly with aspects of the modern spiritual search. He uses examination of their stories and sayings as a starting point for his own reflections on topics such as: living in relationship with others; discovering the truth about ourselves; reassessing our priorities; silence and the importance of language; living in a fearless community; living within our limitations; life and death; staying and leaving

The content is good, a relatively brief discussion of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in the 21st century. The book is quite short (fewer than 100 pages) and there are some interesting insights.

But I found it quite heavy-going. Perhaps this is because it was originally a series of talks, rather than being written for a book - but whatever the reason, it took me a couple of weeks to read it, and I had to re-read several paragraphs, slowing down deliberately in order to take it in.

Probably better for academically inclined theologians, although they might find it too simplistic and brief.½

Did you know that Archbishop Rowan Williams was visiting an Episcopal Church just a few blocks from the World Trade Center on 9/11? That church was instrumental in immediate relief efforts. This book is a heartfelt struggle with disaster. JULY-AUG 2005

A very pleasant look at the theology behind Narnia.½

a very good exploration of Paul's theological foundations and the development of his theology in Romans, which is the cornerstone of most Christian theology - a lot of pith for such a short book.

I wish this book was longer! Other than that I don't have any negative comments about this book. I particularly liked the section on prayer however. In particular, his discussion of Origen, Gregory of Nyssa and John Cassian's thoughts on prayer. If nothing else, I'm taking away on prayer the two tips: 1) Pray frequently and briefly. 2) When I get distracted, say "O God, make speed to save me."½

Intriguing and provocative, "The Lion's World" raises a myriad of suggestive material for further meditation.
One need not have read all of the work's related (although I have) to enjoy Williams' assessment and benefit from this read.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has a great ability to distil intricate church doctrine and history into easily-understandable readings without losing any of the original's magnitude. In Tokens of Trust, he takes the two great creeds of Christianity (the Apostles' and Nicene) and examines the implications to our faith and to our lives when we affirm that we believe those ancient and yet always current and true words.

This short but detailed work is perfect for devotional study or for adults preparing for Confirmation or Baptism since it succinctly details the key elements of the creeds and in a conversational yet not overly flippant tone, Williams covers the essentials of faith for both newcomers and seasoned believers.

I received a free copy of this book publishers through the Net-galley. However, I lost track of how to log into it. This loose end bothered me, so I got myself a copy of the book from Amazon as an e-book.

I am very glad to have read this book. I should out myself as a religious person, and a huge fan of CS Lewis. The author is actually the Archbishop of Canterbury, which makes him an interesting commentator on one of Britain's greatest theologians of the 20th century. I found his discussion of the Narnia books to be very insightful, and thought-provoking. I read the Chronicles of Narnia many years ago, and then revisited them as a parent. I had forgotten many of the subtle points that he brings up, and I appreciated his acknowledgment that Lewis is a writer had many flaws, and was a man of his time. (Who knew that Lewis thought vegetarianism was silly?)

So I recommend this book particularly for those who have read the Chronicles of Narnia and loved them. Those who are not familiar with the series, may want to reach for it as a companion to this book.

In this text, Rowan Williams goes back to the 4th century Desert Fathers and Mothers for inspiration and insight. He rediscovers that the spirituality of the deseert resonates strongly with aspects of the modern spiritual search.

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I'm not a very religious person, but I find it interesting how some authors can seamlessly weave metaphors and allusions to other narratives within their stories. Lewis was a master at this, and I thought that the best way to learn more about this religious undertones was to read literary criticism from someone who has a lot of knowledge about Christianity.

What I liked:
- Williams doesn't rely only on The Chronicles of Narnia for information; he talks about many other of Lewis's works, such as That Hideous Strength and The Screwtape Letters. This made for a full portrayal of Lewis's beliefs, which I really appreciated.

- The arguments are well thought out and Williams takes the reader through them step-by-step, providing a great deal of evidence from Lewis's works.

What I didn't like:
- I was looking more for background information on the religious ideas behind Narnia rather than a Christian literary analysis of the text. The title is a bit misleading on that front.

- It gets preachy at times, and I would have preferred it stay objective and informational. Similarly, the writing didn't flow as well as it could have.

Summary:
While not an example of fantastic writing, I think that this is an interesting book for those who are a fan of the Narnia books and want to learn about an expert's opinion on the religious meaning and lessons that provide the backbone of this series.

I received The Lion's World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia from Library Thing Early Review program. This book contains the lectures the former Archbishop Rowan Williams gave about the Narnia series.

What I liked about it is that the author did use a lot of references to support his opinions; it mentions many books that he thought might have influenced C. S. Lewis's writing (some which I have not read, but that I will definitely check out); and about the criticism Lewis received about his views on foreigners and women. All these were carefully covered and provided me with a lot of info that I did not know.

However, at times the book did read as a series of essays that are carefully crafted for academia. I expected he would show a little more passion for the series. Still, I enjoyed this very quick read. It sure gave me same food for thought and interest in exploring more of C.S. Lewis books I haven't read yet.

Rowan Williams must have worked on The Lion’s World in 2012 before retiring as Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of that year. Drawing on lectures he delivered at Canterbury Cathedral in 2011, Williams uses the book not only to present his views on C. S. Lewis, but also to express his own faith in a format free from the usual constraints of a theological work.

In writing The Lion’s Word, Williams “wanted simply to display some of what has mattered most to me as a reader of Lewis over more than half a century.” His deep respect and admiration of Lewis is evident throughout the book, which includes a reasoned apologetic defense of Lewis against his critics, some of whom Williams accuses of intellectual snobbery.

Williams sees Narnia (the world of the lion Aslan) as a kind of strange parallel universe, inhabited by talking animals, that allows Lewis to speak about how faith is experienced without the familiar trappings of religiosity. The major themes reflected in the Narnia books are clearly shown to be consistent with those found in Lewis’s other major works. These include the limitations of self-analysis, our failure to fully comprehend and acknowledge the consequences of our actions, and the ease by which we can delude ourselves and avoid confronting the truth.

In the end, Williams perceives the entire Narnia narrative as pointing to a new world in which grace breaks through our customary self-occupation and opens the way toward “an unending journey of light and joy.” He leaves the reader eager to re-read, or, indeed, read for the first time, the Narnia books.

The Lion’s World builds on a series of lectures that Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, gave at Canterbury Cathedral in Holy Week 2011 about the ideas in C.S. Lewis’s writing, especially the Narnia books, that he has found especially meaningful.

After sharing his own experiences with the Narnia books, Williams discusses the books’ critics, who are many. J.R.R. Tolkien, for instance, didn’t like the mixture of mythologies, but Lewis wasn’t interested in creating an internally coherent alternate world, as Tolkien did. Nor was he interested in creating a systematic theology in a form palatable to children. If you press the theological questions too hard, you’ll end up in a mess. What’s important are the stories. The theology comes through narrative and imagination, through thinking of what it’s it like to be in the presence of great power and great good, to know you’ve done wrong in the face of such power, to be part of a world that’s bigger on the inside. These are stories about seeing the truth about yourself and being given grace and love even when you don’t deserve it.

As for some of the criticisms regarding depictions of foreigners and of women, Williams doesn’t let Lewis off the hook, but he does put those depictions in context, pointing out that Lewis was a man of his time, and he was drawing upon literary traditions from before his time, with all their flaws. In writing about the much-discussed problem of Susan, Williams notes that Lewis wrote to a reader that he did have hope that Susan would find her way back to Narnia, and he encouraged her to try to write how it would happen. I found the idea of C.S. Lewis encouraging Narnia fanfic back in 1960 to be utterly charming. I wonder if anyone has written that story.

It’s been a long time—probably about eight years–since I’ve read the Narnia books, and I’ve worried that they would lose their luster for me now that my own theology has become more complex and I’ve become more aware of the criticisms of the books. But Williams helps me see that even a jaded adult like me can find a lot of value in a good, imaginative story.

A longer version of this review is available at Shelf Love.

It is a good book but just a harder read that I thought it would be. I have to really concentrate to understand what the author is saying.