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Luminaries: Twenty Lives That Illuminate the Christian Way
Starting in the first century with Saint Paul and ending in the twentieth with St Oscar Romero, Rowan Williams invites you to reflect with him on the lives and legacies of twenty great Christians - saints, martyrs, poets, theologians and social reformers. Their stories and writings have profoundly influenced his own life and thought, and this sequence of short reflections is sure to sharpen your theological vision and cast a fresh light on what it means to live and breathe the gospel. Included among these 'luminaries' are Augustine of Hippo, William Tyndale, Teresa of Avila, Charles Dickens, Florence Nightingale, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Simone Weil. Let these brilliant meditations light your way as you follow the footsteps of the faithful who have gone before.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2019
51 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Rowan Williams
261 books338 followersRowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, is an Anglican bishop, poet, and theologian. He was Archbishop of Canterbury from December 2002-2012, and is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Chancellor of the University of South Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 14, 2020
Really easy to read, quite short only 140 pages and 20 chapters on different spiritual lives starting with St Paul finishing with Oscar Romero. Rowan Williams is such a wise, profound thinker and writes so empathically it is easy to learn , take on and understand different points of view. Enjoyed it.
May 15, 2024
Williams’ gift of economy of language illustrates these luminaries to great effect!
October 27, 2019
One of the best books I've read all year. Deep, thoughtful, inspiring.
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November 24, 2020'It's no accident that Jesus is remembered as a storyteller in the Gospels, and not just as a teacher of general truths. We know that one of the most distinctive things about his teaching was his use of narrative. And it's significant in this connection that in the story of Jesus after the resurrection walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, what Jesus actually does is retell a story. "Don't you know", say the disciples to Jesus, "what's been happening? Don't you know the story of what's been happening in Jerusalem in recent days? You must be the only person who doesn't." In response Jesus says, in effect, "I'm going to tell you the whole story." And, "beginning with Moses and all the prophets", he retells the story of what's been happening in Jerusalem in recent days until it makes sense; and, as bread is broken across the table, the disciples realize that a completely new kind of sense has been made of the whole of their story, their life and their environment, by this encounter with the risen Christ [Lk 24.13-35].
'The resurrection enables people to retell the whole story of God's dealings with his people throughout the centuries as this gradually comes to its focus and climax in the death and resurrection of Jesus. In the light of Jesus' storytelling, the disciples rush back to Jerusalem to help everybody else see their stories all over again. This is one way to describe how the proclamation of the good news works, one way in to the whole Christian doctrine of redemption. To talk of ourselves as redeemed sinners is to talk of ourselves as having learned how to tell our story differently. Or, to put it in a rather condensed way, the unredeemed sinner is the person who has not yet learned how to tell a different story about themselves, but only the story of failure, the story of loss, the story of guilt' (vii-viii)
'The resurrection enables people to retell the whole story of God's dealings with his people throughout the centuries as this gradually comes to its focus and climax in the death and resurrection of Jesus. In the light of Jesus' storytelling, the disciples rush back to Jerusalem to help everybody else see their stories all over again. This is one way to describe how the proclamation of the good news works, one way in to the whole Christian doctrine of redemption. To talk of ourselves as redeemed sinners is to talk of ourselves as having learned how to tell our story differently. Or, to put it in a rather condensed way, the unredeemed sinner is the person who has not yet learned how to tell a different story about themselves, but only the story of failure, the story of loss, the story of guilt' (vii-viii)
January 17, 2021
This short little book contains a series of sermons and talks that Rowan Williams has given over the past 15 years or so on particularly people - mostly, but not exclusively, Christian - that have influenced him or who he has been asked to speak on. There are gems here, most particularly the three Twentieth Century women all of whom died in the 1940s - Edith Stein, Simone Weil and Etty Hillesum. All the chapters feel just that little bit too short, and must be considerably abridged from the original talks. One or two rely on a certain degree of background knowledge beforehand. The chapter on Florence Nightingale - whilst admittedly the most literal luminary in the collection - feels as though this was someone that Rowan was asked to speak on with a little less enthusiasm.
The title Luminaries suggests a certain luminosity to their faith and personalities and you see this most clearly with Sergie Bulgakov, dying with an unearthly luminescence around his faith, and Edith Stein, somehow bringing Christian hope even to that most hopeless place of an Auschwitz death wagon. For the most part the people featuring in this volume are inspirational. Most of them I would have liked to have read more about or heard the fullness of Rowan's reflections.
The title Luminaries suggests a certain luminosity to their faith and personalities and you see this most clearly with Sergie Bulgakov, dying with an unearthly luminescence around his faith, and Edith Stein, somehow bringing Christian hope even to that most hopeless place of an Auschwitz death wagon. For the most part the people featuring in this volume are inspirational. Most of them I would have liked to have read more about or heard the fullness of Rowan's reflections.
April 18, 2021
This book is a compilation of sermons, and some academic lectures, on the saints. While illuminating as the title says, it is not a comprehensive introduction to each saint or an overarching theme about the Christian way; rather, it is a collection of occasional works. Worth reading as with all William's writing, as long as you know what to expect!
March 28, 2021
Sadly this book wasn't for me. I struggle with high theology writing and the words in this book only got as far as my eyes and no further. I couldn't tell you anything that I read! I am sure it is a good book for those who can understand this kind of writing though.
January 9, 2022
Banger from R-Dog.
20 short vignettes about various interesting people's lives and how they in some often profound way grappled with something larger than themselves.
I could have happily read 20 more and my only criticism is that they weren't long enough.
20 short vignettes about various interesting people's lives and how they in some often profound way grappled with something larger than themselves.
I could have happily read 20 more and my only criticism is that they weren't long enough.
January 24, 2021
Kind, gentle and truly illuminating!
February 15, 2021
A good read which gives a interesting short introduction to a variety of Christian characters which will lead you on to reading more.
March 21, 2022
Easy bits
What was best for me in a busy season was being able to read an essay at lunch or before a meeting. Little bits of inspiration.
What was best for me in a busy season was being able to read an essay at lunch or before a meeting. Little bits of inspiration.
December 24, 2022
I like Rowan Williams but this felt like a con - at once superficial in that the chapters are so short and cursory, yet also obscure in its reliance on Christian jargon.
June 20, 2023
Educative (given my former ignorance of many of the individuals referenced). A joy to read with passages which will stick with me and aid my spiritual journey.
May 15, 2024
Good book but I kept wanting to know more about the folks presented.
December 31, 2024
I really enjoyed the first half (earlier in church history), but found the modern examples somewho less compelling. (Perhaps they were just more familiar?)
July 4, 2023
Brief reflections delivered as talks or homilies, so each containing one thought about the person's legacy, personal and timely to whatever the occasion.
Nice to pick up here or there for a thought to ponder.
Nice to pick up here or there for a thought to ponder.
February 13, 2020
Williams looks at how he lives of twenty very disparate figures shed light on the Christian way. It’s a book to stretch and challenge as well as to encourage the reader. Whatever your views there will be some characters you feel more comfortable with than others but all have something interesting and sometimes surprising to say. Each section is quite short and it’s a book you can dip in and out of though it makes best sense read in the order presented.
January 13, 2020
At the start of a new year, I am always looking for inspiration. Especially as a novice writer and amateur worship leader, I want my mind to meet some of the greats Christian thinkers. Rowan Williams offers this in Luminaries: Twenty Lives that Illuminate the Christian Way.
Author Rowan Douglas Williams is an Anglican Bishop and theologian. He was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and was previously Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales. Since this is an SPCK title, there are references to Great Britain and the United Kingdom. But that does not detract from the work, which is a beautiful reflection on the lives and legacies of our most beloved brothers and sisters in the faith.
Twenty Lives
In the introduction, Williams makes it clear that this book is a series of elections on people’s stories, and sometimes also their writings. The book does not attempt to tell the stories of its heroes or examine their writings. Rather, he wants to decipher the stories and make sense of the lives they lived. By doing this, he hopes we can see the way God has worked in their lives, and thereby make some sense of God.
It is a noble task and a daunting task to undertake, but Williams does it exceptionally well. He introduces us to 20 great Christians who have influenced his own life and thought. Starting with Saint Paul, described as a man of passions, he shows the stalwart apostle as a very real human figure.
When we get to meet William Tyndale, Williams helps us see how he viewed God and the economy of debt. Goodness and generosity flow from the life of Christ in us, and that gives us an indebtedness of love to all.
The Christian Way
Williams is not afraid to show the faults of his heroes. For example, he explains how William Wilberforce was said to have regarded slavery as providential for slaves to be converted to Christianity. But this does not distract Williams from the big picture and he paints him as one whose Christianity drove his personal responsibility and social justice.
Interestingly, Charles Dickens is included to display the truth of exaggeration. Williams shows us how Dickens understood people, our ugliness, and how we all want to be characters in the stories we write for ourselves. Ultimately, Dickens shows us how our stories and ourselves can only be redeemed by the beautiful saving grace of God.
Of particular importance to me is the inclusion of Florence Nightingale, said to have the light of life. An English nurse and medical reformer, Williams shows us how she brought caring to the nursing profession, and compassion which stems from our compassionate God.
Luminaries
After reading this book, I am inspired to be a better writer and a more excellent worship leader. But more importantly, I am challenged to live a better life in light of the gospel. In my day to day interactions with my coworkers, friends, and family. To illuminate the light of Christ is a worthwhile goal and demands my passionate pursuit.
I was provided a free copy of Luminaries: Twenty Lives that Illuminate the Christian Way but was not required to write a positive review.
Author Rowan Douglas Williams is an Anglican Bishop and theologian. He was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and was previously Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales. Since this is an SPCK title, there are references to Great Britain and the United Kingdom. But that does not detract from the work, which is a beautiful reflection on the lives and legacies of our most beloved brothers and sisters in the faith.
Twenty Lives
In the introduction, Williams makes it clear that this book is a series of elections on people’s stories, and sometimes also their writings. The book does not attempt to tell the stories of its heroes or examine their writings. Rather, he wants to decipher the stories and make sense of the lives they lived. By doing this, he hopes we can see the way God has worked in their lives, and thereby make some sense of God.
It is a noble task and a daunting task to undertake, but Williams does it exceptionally well. He introduces us to 20 great Christians who have influenced his own life and thought. Starting with Saint Paul, described as a man of passions, he shows the stalwart apostle as a very real human figure.
When we get to meet William Tyndale, Williams helps us see how he viewed God and the economy of debt. Goodness and generosity flow from the life of Christ in us, and that gives us an indebtedness of love to all.
The Christian Way
Williams is not afraid to show the faults of his heroes. For example, he explains how William Wilberforce was said to have regarded slavery as providential for slaves to be converted to Christianity. But this does not distract Williams from the big picture and he paints him as one whose Christianity drove his personal responsibility and social justice.
Interestingly, Charles Dickens is included to display the truth of exaggeration. Williams shows us how Dickens understood people, our ugliness, and how we all want to be characters in the stories we write for ourselves. Ultimately, Dickens shows us how our stories and ourselves can only be redeemed by the beautiful saving grace of God.
Of particular importance to me is the inclusion of Florence Nightingale, said to have the light of life. An English nurse and medical reformer, Williams shows us how she brought caring to the nursing profession, and compassion which stems from our compassionate God.
Luminaries
After reading this book, I am inspired to be a better writer and a more excellent worship leader. But more importantly, I am challenged to live a better life in light of the gospel. In my day to day interactions with my coworkers, friends, and family. To illuminate the light of Christ is a worthwhile goal and demands my passionate pursuit.
I was provided a free copy of Luminaries: Twenty Lives that Illuminate the Christian Way but was not required to write a positive review.
September 12, 2022
“I must learn in this life to accept the fact that hunger and restlessness are part of what I am made for. To love God is not to acquire the biggest and best gratification of all but to have my whole experience of love transfigured. Instead of the manic struggle to fill the gap in my heart, which leads me to the exploitation and domination of others and of my whole world, I acknowledge that I am never going to feel cosily at one with myself, all desires gratified; my longing opens out on to the horizon of the infinite God.”
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews