Quickening the Fire in Our Midst
George A. Aschenbrenner S.J.

The subtitle of this book is “The Challenge of Diocesan Priestly Spirituality” which is what the author sets out to describe and illuminate. Unlike the major Orders, Jesuits, Benedictines etc there seems to be no uniform or prescribed spirituality for secular priesthood. This book suggests that this is far from the case. Diocesan priesthood does and must have a distinctive spirituality. The word that Aschenbrenner uses is “Active” which he uses to contrast with “Monastic”. The book examines the implications of this Active, Apostolic spirituality and addresses and applies it to all aspects of the Diocesan clergy’s life, obedience, celibacy. Pastoral life.

Rev. Gerard Donnelly

The Living Gospel, Luke
Timothy Johnson (Continuum 2004), 199pp.

This collection of 22 short essays by one of today's leading biblical writers, touches on many areas in theological and pastoral life from a Scriptural perspective.  Bringing together a number of articles previously published (some of them in the review 'Priests and People'), they reflect on such theological areas as Sin, Discernment, Wealth & Property, Reconciliation and Marriage. He engages Scripture to tackle challenging questions such as homosexuality and clerical abuse scandals.  One may disagree with his conclusions, but he forces one to think why. The author's own preoccupations are highlighted: Johnson is known for his (sometimes outspoken) views on current 'Historical Jesus' research, and for his desire to place Scripture truly at the heart of Catholic theology, renewal and prayer.  His particular speciality in the study of Luke's Gospel and Acts is seen in a number of articles, for instance: "How Saint Luke Affirms the World" and its 'partner': "How Saint Luke Challenges the World".  As a scholar, the articles are profound and thought-provoking, yet they are accessible and easily consumed.  The collection would make for a light return to deeper theological reflection for clergy, a useful stimulus to preaching, or even a tool for group discussion in parish adult faith development.
 
    "If it is God with which we have to do, and not just our idolatrous craving for perfection, then we need to think hard and well.  We need to do theology, and quick, for this is a consuming fire, and those not devoured get scorched.  Not now the sleepy tapes of soothing spiritual lullabies, and the restful repose of babes sated on spiritual milk.  This is dangerous stuff.  Who would dance with these flames need be nimble on the feet, for they move to their own music." (The Living Gospel, p4.)

Rev. Tom Kilbride


The Case for God
Karen Armstrong

From the cover of this book onwards, the illustration, the type set, it is clear that this book is a response to the book “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins. Armstrong suggests that Dawkins is asking the wrong questions and so is bound to reach the wrong conclusions. However this is not a point by point argument with Dawkin’s theory. What follows is a fairly chronological tracing of the history of religious thought and language. This inevitably leads to the “conflict” between science and religion. Armstrong begins in pre history. From the first recordings of time and image there has been allusion to religious sentiment and the place of “mythos” the necessary counterpoint to word, “logos” to explain fully the reality of human existence. We have always been Homo Religiosus. The story Armstrong tells is not of sworn enemies between Science and religion but rather a fork in a road that led each party on an ever separating journey and the distance between the two becoming ever further. But it was not always this way. Many leading scientists were seeking to prove that their faith positions were in accordance with God’s laws of nature and reality. Other concept such as “atheism” or “atheist” appear relatively late on the scene due in part to developments in the history of philosophy and history of science. Science had to limit itself to the sensory and physical world. The philosophy of language saw a nonsense in human language trying to used words to describe God and so did not try. The story almost comes full circle in the second half of the twentieth century. Science and especially quantum physics dealing with the immensely huge and immensely small is using quasi religious terminology. Coming up to date it is still too early to declare the death of God but the expressions of faith, religion and religiosity are organic and changing. This is an entirely readable book with no specialist knowledge of the subject needed to enjoy, it which covers the subject well.

Rev. Gerard Donnelly