Bethel Baptist Church Cardiff : Book Reviews

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	Jon Vaughan-Davies	06/10/2004 13:12
On a happier note(!) - I've just started reading a book called "Red Moon Rising" by Pete Greig and Dave Roberts. One section describes the mission they fet called to begin in Ibiza - yes THE Ibiza! It's an awesome account of what God has done through those guys, and a powerful testimony to the power of prayer! - Read it, but be warned... it's really challenging!
	Roy Kearsley	29/10/2004 17:02
More about Dan brown and Da Vinci Code. or more exactly the entertaining extract we heard on Sunday last. Since the character in the story has been rash enough to enter my field here are a few things for the record: 1. the emperor Constantine was not the high priest of paganism... because there was no such thing. Paganism was varied and prolific. There was no one single high priest. Our confused character may have been thinking of the emperor cult established before Constantine and probably revered by his subject though not by him. 2. he postponed baptism to his death bed, like many in his time, precisely because he was Christian and devout and feared failure after baptism 3. he did not fix the collection of NT writings. They were in place and use long before him and the first full list came from St Athanasius not Constantine 4. The Council of Nicaea was not about Christianity and paganism but internal debates about the Trinity 5. Constantine only chaired it anyway. Its lasting theology came from 450 or so clerics from around the empire not from Constantine. So this character in DV Code got none of it right but created the best lies of all - those with the smallest grain of plausibility. Roy
	Paul Rock	22/11/2004 15:42
Walk On - The Spiritual Journey of U2 Steve Stockman (Relevant Books, ISBN: 088419-793-X) In 1981, U2 wrote "I can't change the world, but I can change the world in me. I rejoice" - That's what the book I finished reading last week is about: U2, and especially their lead singer Bono have become famous as much for their campaigning on Debt, Trade Justice and AIDS as for their musical success - including the best speech of the 2004 UK political conference season (http://www.u2.com/news.php?mode=full&news_id=963). In his book, Steve Stockman - Broadcaster, University Chaplain and writer tried to bring the threads together to help us understand what has driven them. The book takes us easily through a discussion of musical innovation and stage sets through to the Shalom fellowship, Christian Aid's rediscovery of the Band Aid principle that Rock and Roll can change the world and the meaning of grace. An excellent read, especially for the fan. Of course, it doesn't cover "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" - which was released today (and I'm now listening to) but I'm sure Stocki will add his thoughts on his website really soon (http://www.stocki.ni.org/).
	Sarah Hodges	13/12/2004 17:12
As in the Days of Noah by Johannes Facius This is a compelling and easy read for a subject I have found difficult to understand. It details the prophetic vision for Israel and the Church and explains it in a very clear way. It is based on the last days and Christs return and is quite strategic but it is very interesting how the scriptural references and worldly events are starting to be mirrored in our generation. It is sometimes an uncomfortable read but the truth of the direction in increasing times of persecution and mission difficulties are very enlightening.
	Sarah Hodges	12/01/2005 13:06
Just to echo Jons' review of red moon rising 24/7 prayer. Some great accounts of prayer rooms in action in the community. Maybe a good use of one of the rooms in the re built hall, if we could get people to man it 24 hours a day!
	Jon Vaughan-Davies	03/02/2005 10:27
I know the Da Vinci Code has been a lively discussion point, so I thought I'd flag up a show on Ch4 tonight: The Real Da Vinci Code, hosted by Tony Robinson, whose exploration of the FACTS will be a welcome response into Dan Brown's controversial claims...
	Jon Vaughan-Davies	03/02/2005 10:28
Of course, it might be helpful if I included WHEN IT WAS ON!!! - Channel 4, 9pm tonight... I'll wake up in a minute!
	Pauline Wilkins	03/02/2005 19:36
Jon .... any chance of you videoing this for us please? - I'm out at SG this evening and our video record isn't tuned in for recording ...... we're not techies .... just proud grandparents :-)
	Iain Tweedale	04/02/2005 09:20
Did you watch 'The Real Da Vinci Code' last night? I thought the programme was very effective in taking apart the key elements of the book: The Cathars and Knights Templar seemed to be at the wrong end of the human politics rather than protectors of the Holy Grail. The Sion Priory - who is supposedly to this day protecting the Holy Grail or the 'descendents of Jesus' was shown to be a literary hoax by French surrealists only 50 years ago. I must admit though, that the character of John in Da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper did look like a woman to me (the book says this shows that it was Mary Magdeleine rather than John, and that Jesus and Mary were married and had a child). Regardless of dubious nature of the book, it has been popular, which suggests to me that people are hungry to know the truth about Jesus and are interested in spiritual discussion. This gives us good reason to get out there and tell them the real story!
	Jon Vaughan-Davies	04/02/2005 10:00
I agree Iain - it will be interesting to see how the film goes down, Tom Hanks is signed up to play the lead. But in a day and age when interest in Jesus and spirituality is meant to be at an all time low, it's refreshing to see that a book that claims it's all a hoax should be an international best-seller! I haven't seen the program yet, but someone's recorded it for me - I'm glad it was good!

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