Reviews

Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer by Rowan Williams

Only show reviews with written explanations

drbobcornwall's review against another edition

4.0

What does it mean to be a Christian? Rowan Williams, the former Arch-bishop of Canterbury, seeks to answer that question with this brief book -- only 84 pages long -- by focusing our attention on Baptism, the Bible, the Eucharist, and Prayer. These are the essential elements -- the aspects of the Christian faith that mark one as a Christian. One begins the journey in baptism (as an Anglican infant baptism figures here, but whenever the sacrament takes places, the reflections are pertinent). There is also the Eucharist, which is the meal Jesus instituted to nourish the journey. There is the Bible, the Word through which God speaks to us. And there is prayer -- including the Lord's Prayer, by which we engage in a conversation with God.

It is brief. it doesn't cover everything. It is not focused on doctrines, but on practices. But there is clearly theology involved. As a pastor who seeks to share the gospel with the people with whom I minister, I found this little book to be an excellent introduction. The reflection/discussion questions at the end of the chapter make this even more useful.

Take and read.

storymi's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Ik vond dit echt een heel tof boekje. Fijne schrijfstijl. Het is kort (maar krachtig), Down-to-earth, af en toe lekker droog, diepzinnig en mooi tegelijkertijd. Goede doordenk-vragen ook aan het einde van de hoofdstukken. Kortom: mag hier een vertaling van komen in het Nederlands? Zou een goed cadeautje zijn bij bijv. een belijdenisdienst. Aanrader.

kristidurbs's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Profound and concise. Williams shares his insights into four key aspects of the Christian life: baptism, the Bible, the Eucharist, and prayer. I wanted to mark this one up, mull over sentences, and reflect on the text further; this is definitely a book that is worth being read twice.

john_hewitt's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

A lot of depth is offered in this concise primer on 'Being Christian'. Great for small groups or those entering into a structured spiritual formation practice.

sarajean37's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I can't say how it is as a book-I spread it out too far for that-but as a small group discussion guide it's great.

avrilhj's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Williams writes with such beautiful clarity and simplicity. This is a quick and easy read, but it's also full of such depth that I would occasionally read a single sentence and then sit in silence for minutes at a time contemplating it. Perhaps most amazingly, Williams makes Christianity sound beautiful. I bought this book to see whether it would be helpful for teenagers and adults being baptised and confirmed, and it's definitely suitable for that.