by Rowan WilliamsÂ
Bloomsbury Publishing, London. 209 pagesÂ
Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, is one of the finest theologians of our time. His range of knowledge is astonishing: from literature both ancient and contemporary to neuroscience and Buddhism. And he is capable of bringing a finely tuned theological mind to all of it. His formal works of theology, such as the recently published Gifford lecture, can be daunting. Yet, for all his theological depth, he is a pastor with an obvious joy in preaching the Christian faith.
This collection of sermons for Christmas and Easter covers his 10 years as Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012. It’s a rich feast for all who want to hear (read) sermons that proclaim the truth of the Christian tradition with depth and pastoral warmth. There are no cute Internet stories or trite anecdotes, but there is a connection with real life born of Williams’ experiences in the West Bank and his dialogue with science, poetry and contemporary literature. These sermons have biblical resonance and theological depth that will edify the reader and strengthen the resolve of pastors who to take seriously the preaching vocation. It is said that the best writing comes from a discipline of good reading. The same can be said of the best preaching; it is born from reading (hearing) the best sermons.
