Launching Rhythms of Faithfulness

October ended with a great occasion today at Spurgeon's College. (The month began with me submitting my PhD thesis and also hosting Sam Wells at the church I serve). Today folk gathered for a day of theological reflection on the Order of Baptist Ministry, but really it was an excuse to surprise and present Rev Dr John Colwell with a festschrift that I have edited with my father Paul.

Rhythms of Faithfulness: Essays in Honor of John E. Colwell (Pickwick, 2018) is a collection of eighteen essays that recognise the contribution John had made to be many of us as Baptists but also wider. The title of the book borrows from John's own book The Rhythm of Doctrine and it reflects some of its contents as part of the book reflects on the different seasons and feasts of the Christian calendar that shape John's sketch of Christian doctrine. The other half of the book is a theological exposition of the Daily Office of the Order of Baptist Ministry, which John help found in 2009.

We hope this book both honours John, but also is a contribution to the life of the Order of Baptist Ministry and an encouragement to Baptists and other Christians to reflect on the place of daily prayer and liturgical life that participates in the Christian story.

The books contributors are Geoff Colmer, Chris Ellis, Sean Winter, Richard Kidd, Margaret Gibbs, Joseph Haward, Anne Clements, Ian Randall, Sally Nelson, Steve Holmes, Nigel Wright, Anthony Clarke, Paul Fiddes, Ruth Gouldbourne, Helen Paynter and myself and my father Paul. We are also thrilled to have a foreword written by Stanley Hauerwas who has played such a big part in John's own theological life and writing.

John we thank you as one who has been a teacher (at Spurgeon's College where we met today), a pastor, a theologian, a colleague, a mentor and a friend. 

 

Comments

[Terry]

Andy, do you know when this book will be available? It doesn't seem to be on the Wipf and Stock website - not that I can find, anyway.

[David Lock]

Congratulations

Dave Lock

[Andy Goodliff]

Terry, it will appear very soon, we asked them to keep it quiet until yesterday.

[Terry]

Okay - cheers, Andy.