Plan B

by Rod Bower

This book is about The Beatitudes, nine blessings from the Sermon on the Mount. They provide a radical way of living, radical when described in the first century, and just as radical in the 21st. A personal and corporate way of living that is essentially a spirituality of integrated peace; it is about the possibility of living in a social system that is life giving to all. I seek to share the personal aspects of this way of living by sharing something of my own story. I do this only as an encouragement for you to place your own story into this context, and perhaps discover that is which truly and deeply honourable.

211 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in a relaxed manner, there’s a gentle yet insightful unpacking of the so called beatitudes. Reads like the genre of inspirational poetry with selections preceding each chapter from Byron to Shakespeare to Gandhi to Jesus. Gently dissects the “ blessed are the poor” to solidly oppose crushing souls destroying poverty etc. Interesting trivia in places, I loved his expansion on “ Shalom as a word means much more than peace “ . Interspersed with snippets of autobiography. Not at all dogmatic nor fundamentalistic in style. Plan B limits itself to the beatitudes but perhaps this is sufficient as a good start / a good approach for humanity. I’d expect kind Christians and people of many other faiths would share the kindness. Humanists , non religious , agnostics, atheists could probably appreciate the gentle goodness here.

Disclosure: I’ve personally met the author and might have pushed the Stars rating down so it doesn’t look like a suck up. Furthermore, he handed me the book as a gift though I was happy to buy it. Interestingly thus book is unlikely to generate controversy- unlike his now world famous church signs. ( there’s even a group on facebook that’s an appreciation society of the Gosford Anglican Church signs - you’ll love it , largely focused on Australian content though not exclusively).

[Wyvernsrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoying it. it is a very practical and down to earth expression of the Beatitudes and how they can be reflected in how we live.