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Ten: Why Christianity Makes Sense
Lists can be an entertaining distraction but Ten demonstrates they can be stimulating too. With characteristic wit and candour, John Pritchard attempts to get clear in his own mind what he believes after 40 years of trying to make faith understandable to others. Topics ? Ten problems people have with faith ? Ten things I believe about God ? Ten things I don't believe about God ? Ten words of wisdom ? Ten clichés to avoid ? Ten ways to pray ? Ten lessons learned This is a great book whether you're sceptical about Christianity, feel there may be something to it, or simply want reassurance - in the midst of life's frequently bewildering moments - that it really does make sense. John Pritchard is Bishop of Oxford
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2014
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About the author
John Pritchard
38 books3 followersBishop of Oxford. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pri...
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November 19, 2018
John Pritchard is the former Bishop of Oxford. An interesting book describing in a set of lists of ten items the author's basis for his faith and his approach to prayer, worship etc. Given the ups and downs of my own faith and occasional lapses in exercising devotion, I found it an interesting read. It included "Ten things I believe about God", "Ten things I don't believe about God", "Ten words of wisdom", "Ten cliches to avoid", and most usefully "Ten ways to pray". There were three quotes I found especially useful:
"The reality is that God is obsessed with justice. The Bible has very little to say about personal sexual behaviour but a huge amount to say about the oppression of the poor, the exploitation of power and the responsibility of the rich."
"If faith isn’t applied and making a difference, then people are entitled to ask why they should be interested in it."
"Instead, the deeper wisdom rests with the simple advice: live with what you have; value, enjoy and make the most of the simplest, deep-down gifts, and life will probably blossom in rich and fruitful ways."
Good advice for the media, politicians, various bigots, the way we run our churches, and for all facing personal anxiety. The suggested basic prayer I shall use:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end".
"The reality is that God is obsessed with justice. The Bible has very little to say about personal sexual behaviour but a huge amount to say about the oppression of the poor, the exploitation of power and the responsibility of the rich."
"If faith isn’t applied and making a difference, then people are entitled to ask why they should be interested in it."
"Instead, the deeper wisdom rests with the simple advice: live with what you have; value, enjoy and make the most of the simplest, deep-down gifts, and life will probably blossom in rich and fruitful ways."
Good advice for the media, politicians, various bigots, the way we run our churches, and for all facing personal anxiety. The suggested basic prayer I shall use:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end".
Displaying 1 of 1 review