Pillars of Flame: Power, Priesthood, and Spiritual Maturity

by Maggie Ross

Is the priesthood a power to be exercised, or a call to share in the broken Christ? Ross sets modern questions about ordained ministry in the Church within a much wider context, encouraging us to reflect anew on the relationship between administrative power and spiritual authority within the Church, and to redefine the priesthood. She minces no words in her critique of the contemporary Church, and goes on to propose changes so sweeping and fundamental that we sense what a truly Christian Church would be.

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I profound and electrifying reflection on kenosis - the self-emptying love and reality of Christ. In many ways, this is a prophetic book that challenges the fundamental power structures of the church and lays out a clear call to the self-giving shape of Christ in our formation as Christians. Many parts were profoundly illuminating and clear - helpful and confronting.

My only criticism, which does not diminish the recommendation for all to read this book, is that Ross is at times overly cynical about the nature of the institutional church and holy orders. She also betrays some rather glaring naivete around the dynamics of Christian leadership, which is almost certainly due to her vocation as an anchorite. That being said, these sections are obvious and not abundant. Her theological reflections are profoundly insightful and prophetic to the current juncture of the Christian church.

[Rosemary]

My, this woman is angry! She has good points to make about the priesthood of all believers and some of the abuses of the ordained "class," but the points would be easier to swallow if they were less sharp - less sarcastic - and more constructive. However, sound theology on the kenosis (self-emptying) of God and the call to model that self-giving in our lives.