In God's Hands: The Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2015

by Desmond Tutu

In God's Hands is the 2015 Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book. It is a meditation on the infinite love of God and the infinite value of the human individual. Not only are we in God's hands, says Desmond Tutu, our names are engraved on the palms of God's hands. Throughout an often turbulent life, Archbishop Tutu has fought for justice and against oppression and prejudice. As we learn in this book, what has driven him forward is an unshakeable belief that human beings are created in the image of God and are infinitely valuable. Each one of us is a God-carrier, a tabernacle, a sanctuary of the Divine Trinity. God loves us not because we are loveable but because he first loved us. And this turns our values upside down. In this sense, the Gospel is the most radical thing imaginable.

It is extremely moving that in this book Archbishop Tutu returns to something so simple and so profound after a life in which he has been involved in political, social, and ethical issues that have seemed to be so very complex.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Christian, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Faith

160 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2014

About the author

Desmond Mpilo Tutu was a South African cleric and activist who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid. In 1984, Tutu became the second South African to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Tutu was the first black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, and primate of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (now the Anglican Church of Southern Africa). Tutu chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is currently the chairman of The Elders. Tutu was vocal in his defense of human rights and used his high profile to campaign for the oppressed. Tutu also campaigned to fight AIDS, homophobia, poverty and racism.

He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2005 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Tutu has also compiled several books of his speeches and sayings.

Reviews

[E Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renewing

[Sophie (RedheadReading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am not a Christian, there was a lot to be gained from reading this and understanding Desmond Tutu's outlook on his faith.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Stefan Grieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshingly progressive look at theology. Spoken compassionately, wisely and good-humouredly by Desmond Tutu.

Second Reading - I decided to read this soon after the death of the author. These are indeed wise words. A hopeful view of Christianity, but also of humanity. It made me feel more enlightened about religion, life, and the man himself. Inspired.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of the book I found really inspiring. I read it on my own but I think it is better as a discussion book. I liked the themes that ran through the book to give it more of a cohesive message while still covering different areas

[Stan Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this man. He is humble, jovial, funny, and inquisitive. In his perception of people and their shortcomings and God and his absolute love, Tutu expresses cutting perceptivity. This book is full of valuable insight into how much God loves us, which according to Tutu is beyond measure and undeserved. One of my favorite points he makes throughout this book is one prevalent throughout Scripture, especially the gospels and Paul's letters: We are loved by God because he chooses to love us, not because of anything we have done or can do to earn his love. We are hopeless in earning God's love. God loves each of us personally because God is love. While we are called to be people of love in this world -- emissaries of Christ's forgiveness, love, and self-giving -- there is nothing we can do to earn our righteousness.

Tutu mentions Origen and his belief in the universality of salvation, that all, even Satan and his demons, will eventually be drawn into God's love and forgiveness. That there will be no eternal punishment and all will be together and at peace. While I appreciate this view, I do not see any evidence of it in Scripture or tradition beyond Origen. It is the only concept of Tutu's for which I struggle. But I have to give him credit for his optimism, even though he denies being an optimist.

I will be reading more of his works, as I love this one.

[Aaron White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of Lenten reflections from the Archbishop, resounding with the sacrificial and pursuing love of God, particularly for the one lost sheep. As always it is good to sit under the teaching of this loving, compassionate, brilliant human. I love his kindness, even to his enemies, and his subversive love. And I hugely appreciate his notion that if you want to oppress someone the last thing you should do is give them a Bible - the most subversively liberating text possible.

[forky wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked his writing style and his parable about Christianity being about the one lost sheep, rather than the 99 sheep that are doing things the right way. I thought it was an interesting way of exploring Western culture and religion in contrast to other world views. He has a very kind voice that was enjoyable to read.

[Nikita Billett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was impressed with the Archbishop's explanation. It was simple and to the point. Very understandable and relatable. I also enjoy going down memory lane with him and hearing about how he came into his calling.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sold Lenten read with plenty of food for thought. Although written in 2015, clearly there are some lessons that have still not been learned. Definitely some challenging thoughts here, but beautiful in it’s simplicity.

[David Meldrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this, it wasn’t what I needed - which may be more about me than the book - in a Lent book. Valuable, but to me a little shallow.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and inspirational. Just what I needed.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of a lent course

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything you need to know about our place purpose and value. Go spread Ubuntu

[Bertus Tichelaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blog n.a.v. ‘In Gods hand’ van Desmond Tutu
De Zuid-Afrikaanse aartsbisschop Desmond Tutu schreef dit zogenaamd Vastenboek, in opdracht van de Anglicaanse Kerk. In enkele korte hoofdstukken vertelt Desmond Tutu kernachtig en bevlogen wat hij gelooft. In zijn leven is zijn geloof, theologie en kerkleiderschap verweven geweest met zijn strijd tegen de apartheid. In dit boek maakt hij duidelijk waarom, en wat zijn bron is: de partijdigheid van God voor de zwakken.
Jaren terug reisden we naar Zuid-Afrika, en las ik de biografie over Desmond Tutu, en bezocht op een zondag in Kaapstad ‘zijn’ kerk. Ook las ik van hem het boek dat hij schreef met de Dalai Lama.

Wat mij trof tijdens het lezen:
“Het laatste wat je aan mensen moet geven die je wilt onderwerpen en die je wilt onderdrukken is de Bijbel. Die is revolutionairder en feller gekant tegen onrecht en onderdrukking dan enig politiek manifest of politieke ideologie. Hoezo dat? De Bijbel zegt dat iedereen – niemand uitgezonderd – is geschapen naar Gods beeld. (…) Wij, die geloven dat we zijn geschapen naar Gods beeld en dat we God in ons dragen, kunnen niet zwijgen of ongeïnteresseerd blijven als andere mensen worden behandeld alsof ze van een minderwaardig soort zijn. Onrecht vraagt om verzet. We hebben geen keuze.”

“De Bijbelse verhalen over de ontstaansgeschiedenis zijn veel nauwer verwant aan poëzie dan aan geologie. (…) Ze zijn geschreven om de diepe waarheden van het ‘waarom’ en ‘waartoe’ van het hele proces te belichten.”

“We zijn principieel en opzettelijk geschapen met verschillen, opdat we onze wezenlijke afhankelijkheid van elkaar zouden beseffen. (…) We zijn voor elkaar geschapen. We zijn geschapen voor samenzijn.”

“Het cruciale paradigma van de Bijbel is de geschiedenis van God die een bende slaven bevrijdde lang voordat ze ook maar iets hadden gedaan om hun uitverkiezing te verdienen. (…) Als God een volk ziet lijden, komt Hij in actie en springt voor deze mensen in de bres. Hij is altijd op de hand van de zwakken, de verdrukten, de vertrapten, de onaanzienlijken. (…) God grossiert in het redden van zondaars, want zo’n soort God is Hij; een partijdig, vooringenomen God, die per definitie op de hand van de zondaars is.”

“Ik geloof dat God wil dat alle mensen die Hij heeft geschapen de hemel binnengaan. (…) Ik sta op hetzelfde standpunt als Origenes, die met zijn universalisme leerde dat uiteindelijk zelfs Satan zich zal bekeren.”

“Wie is opgegroeid in een omgeving waar presteren het hoogste goed is, hoger dan de waarde van simpelweg mens zijn, blijkt grote moeite te hebben met het fenomeen genade: ontvangen om niet.”

“Wij, die uit vrije wil geliefd en aanvaard worden, zijn bedoeld om als God te zijn voor anderen.”

[Raz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complete review available: In God's Hands

An engaging read with some really interesting messages. It's definitely accessible to Christians at all stages of their faith journey, raising some great questions and debates. There's a nice balance too between background on the apartheid and discussion on the gospels, making it an informative read as well as one raising biblical points to discuss. My only qualm as a lent book is its inaccessibility to readers.
For a book to be discussed by diverse groups of people, there was a lot of advanced vocabulary, such to the extent that I had a dictionary on hand to understand. The points were laid out as if describing to the community, but the language was focused very much to academics and the highly educated. On occasions as well it felt as if points were being repeated from chapter to chapter, rather than being built upon, which was a disappointment when such good points were being raised at the start.
Armed with a dictionary, however, it is a thought-provoking read for anyone at any stage on any or no faith journey.

[Julia Alberino · Rating 4 out of 5]

During Lent, I try to read at least one inspirational book that will help me focus on the season. This deceptively simple-appearing book by Archbishop Tutu contains much food for thought, and a good dose of South African history. That Tutu can write about that without bitterness is amazing. As an aside, this was the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent 2015 book, so I expect it got read widely in Great Britain last year.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful little book. It was a pleasure to read. It was also good for me to read from someone whose belief system in many ways is very similar to mine and in others quite different. The book uplifted me and inspired me. Many wonderful thoughts and quotes. One of my favorites are from the final lines of the book, "Death did not have the last word... Good Friday was not the end of the story. The story culminates on Easter Day, so for ever we know that good WILL prevail."

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine Lenten companion exploring God's love and how we are challenged and changed by that. Tutu weaves personal stories and social justice illustrations throughout, showing once again how and why he is such a fine teacher.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me it was an interesting, short read. Found out things about the bishop I didn't realize before such as his universalist sympathies. His exposition on the lost sheep was the most memorable lesson.

[Paul Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A personal and persuasive exegesis of Christian faith

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. A book which blends my spiritual views and world views so eloquently. So glad to find this title!

[Richard Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good now re-reading this excellent book

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bishop Tutu. His ideas and philosophies are so universal. Readers of Don Miguel Ruiz would like his work. A comforting collection of commentaries on life.

[Alec Grae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing message....even though this was published for Lent 2015, it is quite appropriate for the current climate we live in. I encourage all to consider these concepts, even if you don't identify as Christian.