The Merciful Humility of God: The 2019 Lent Book

by Jane Williams

The 2019 Lent Book is a stirring meditation on God's humility. In one of the most moving stories of Christian literature, Augustine describes himself as sitting in turmoil, knowing that his current way of life had become untenable and was making him ill, because he could find no resting place for his heart and mind. As he sat sobbing in the garden, he heard the voice of children, as though playing a game in another part of the garden. The children's voices were crying, "Pick up and read it, pick up and read it." Looking around Augustine saw an open copy of scripture and he picked it up and read St Paul's Letter to the Romans offering a freedom from conflicting desires, through encounter with the living God. It is not only Augustine who encountered the merciful humility of God. But only God could penetrate Augustine's armor. As we follow this book through Lent and through the Biblical narrative, what begins to emerge is that God's merciful humility is the source of life.

Genres: Christianity

160 pages, Paperback

Published February 12, 2019

Reviews

[Gabe Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Striking in spiritual insight

A very good meditation on humility that spans the entire life of Jesus, from birth to ascension. Williams hits the right note again and again, presenting the simple but profound reality of humility as a power greater than all other ostensible powers in the world. Humility and mercy are God’s actions to renew all people.

[Jon Margetts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. A concise and insightful read on Christ’s life and the humility and love of God to accompany reflections during the Lenten period. I loved the way each chapter ended with a series of further questions, allowing you to deeper explore and strengthen your faith.

[Jenny Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply, deeply encouraging. Filled me with worship, awe and love for Jesus. Highly recommend for Lent or any other season! (*Update: I read this book twice in two months, no regrets.)

[Andreas Stump · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We must just tell this story of Jesus Christ, as faithfully and humbly as our faithless and destructive pride will let us. The risen and ascended Lord still and always bears the marks of the nails. They are the source of our hope that what we cannot do for ourselves, in all our strength and arrogance, God can do, in the divine and merciful humility."

Jane did a fine job of bringing out the humility of God in a very graceful manner that will leave you in awe!

[M Ohman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Lenten reflections

This is a wonderful book by Dr. Jane Williams, in which she reflects on key Biblical passages and then tells the stories of some key saints who can serve as role models for our Lenten journeys.

[Rob Eastwood Dewing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Williams always writes well. This is a thoughtful book which explores the rich theme of the title. The inclusion of historical or contemporary men and women who add particular insight is very helpful.

[Elisabeth Marksteiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Jane Williams lecture on this on Ash Wednesday. She’s so often over-looked as an impressive theologian in her own right. I love that this book is both incredibly simple at one level, and incredibly thought-provoking often simultaneously. She poses questions rather than answers causing us to pause and reflect. While this is a great book for Lent, I am looking forward to rereading it.
In the midst of Brexit chaos, my planned for Lent reading had been an unmitigated disaster. There are semblances of honour occasionally, but very little humility. Yet in her lecture on this book, the point I most remembered was how hard it is for humans to act in love.