The Reverend Dr James Woodward
Books reviewed by James Woodward
In Season, out of Season
by
Eric James, SCM Press 1999
(ISBN 0-334-02790-X) 244 pp, 312.95 pbk
There are many sources of learning for theology for some, the Academy is the focus and this may or may not require faith or attachment to any religious system. For others the focus for learning about theology is the congregation and within worship the sermon can have a critical role to play in the process of growth through understanding.
Eric James, former Director of Christian Action and preacher to Gray’s Inn is a skilled practitioner in preaching. He has produced a collection of sermons which draw on a life time of experience, an open and critical faith, and a profound interest and love of people. These sermons are shaped by an engagement with the world and its questions and challenges to faith. They are enriched by an insightful appreciation of music and literature. Above all they are shaped by a sense that James, the man, is engaging with transition and loss – the limitations of old age and the inevitable (though not in all) consideration of death. These give the sermons a rare quality.
However, there is a certain paradox here. I suspect, apart from James’ wide circle of friends and acquaintances, the book will attract those of us who, in a busy life, fail to give proper attention to the Sunday sermon. Perhaps we might hope to find bits and pieces here which can be re-cycled and made our own. As the academic knows that there is no substitute for the exciting but laborious process of research, so the preacher needs to learn not only from the content of these sermons but the process which makes them so moving, inspiring and sources of such deep learning in faith.
James Woodward
