Simplicity and Depth
Review of Rowan Williams, Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer (SPCK, 2014) There are those who complain about Rowan Williams’ writing and suggest that he can’t write simply. Mostly those people are journalists, lazy, reading the wrong stuff, or some combination of these. This book decisively gives the lie to the complaint. It is a model of clarity and something to put in the hand of those beginning to explore what it is to be Christian. I plan to give it to someone being confirmed this Easter. The four chapters each tackle a basic element of Christian life, just as the subtitle has it. From their origins in talks at Canterbury Cathedral, these chapters have been edited for the page and retain most of their freshness and clarity. They are full of enlightenment and practical insight. For me the opening and closing chapters (on baptism and prayer respectively) are the best moments of the book. ...