SU Victoria

‘Do we worship Jesus or an institution?’
So asked Australian Veronica Brady, activist, writer and catholic nun. Kath Jordan gives us this scintillating biography of a woman who is remembered amongst Christians, academics and politicians as one of our ‘most precious assets’ (although some would say Pope John Paul used to wake up every morning saying “Is she dead yet?”)

A most illuminating and gentle book about our tendency to think only ‘perfect’ is truly good. Philip Simons was dying as he wrote this book, and realising in his inimitably intelligent way that as he became weaker, more dependent and less secure about all – he was also finding all the blessings of such imperfections.
A thought-provoking, meditational and often humorous look at our
misunderstanding of ‘perfection’ and ‘imperfection’.
Highly recommended for anyone!

In this book, Parker J Palmer guides through an honest process of listening to the voice of the Spirit as ‘inner teacher’ to find our own unique sense of calling and purpose. For anyone who is ‘not sure’ about what they are meant to be doing, or who feels themselves to be subject to despondency or darkness, this book is a most helpful shared journey towards knowing where to be and where to go.

A wonderful book by Australian theologian Val Webb. This book
explores the phenomenon of definitions and images that have become inextricably linked with the word GOD – and at ways in which God might be perceived with greater respect for the mystery and the unknown. A highly recommended read for any Christian.

Losing My Religion (Tom Frame):
A ‘beautiful blend of history. Theology and sociology’, his long experience of Christianity within the Australian context gives Frame’s book undeniable credibility. With candor and intelligence he seeks to provide insight and answers regarding Christianity in a nation that seems increasingly ‘Godless’.
An important book for Australian Christians.

Local author Ash Barker shares first hand experience of the richness and life experienced when we follow Christ into sharing the daily reality of the majority of the world’s population.
The Bible repeatedly calls for the end of poverty and consequent oppression and suffering. Ash Barker and his family have answered the call with conviction and action and this book is a powerful testimony to what God does when we answer the call.

By Mike Yaconelli (Contemplative Youth Ministry) this book was written for the ’silent majority’ who suspect they don’t do Christianity ‘right’ or ‘good enough’.
Yaconelli suggests that the imperfections, messiness and ‘not good enoughness’ may be part of a wonderful Christian faith that God is happy to meet us in!
A liberating and graceful book for all those who think they don’t pray enough, don’t give enough, don’t do enough or don’t look like ‘good Christians’!

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove takes the reader inside new monasticism, tracing its roots through scripture and history and illuminating its impact on contemporary church.
One the of the most repeated criticisms non-Christians have of our faith is that for all the talk and bells, we don’t seem very much different from non-Christians in what we have, what we do in our daily lives, what we spend and where we live.
New Monastic movements are bringing fresh and modern life to the monastic movement, offering a new/old, radical but ancient way of living the Christian life – in such a way that no one could miss the difference!

For the secular age we live in, and all those who are skeptical of “organised religion” (so-called!) and institutions, one of the forms of Christianity that remains universally respected and appealing is monasticism. Signs of fresh life, based on ancient traditions, are springing up around the world, including in Australia and Victoria, as Christians seek new forms of the monastic Christian life. This communal, sacrificial and missional way of following Christ may be one of the ways that Christians show the reality of the goodness and radical nature of Christ through their own radical committment to that can actually be said to be ‘different from everybody else’.
By Graham Cray, Ian Mobsby and Aaron Kennedy.

A Study of Women in Biblical Worlds: in honour of Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza, these essays bring together the discoveries and discussions of some of the top female theologians as they look specifically at women in Biblical times. A much needed book to balance the oft-given impression by current theologians that women were hardly there at all.