The last paragraph of the final substantive chapter of Cathy Higgins’ new book Churches in Exile: Alternative Models of Church for Ireland in the 21st Century, reads (p. 185): ‘Unless the churches in Ireland are prepared to shake up the system, and take risks for the sake of God’s kingdom, can they be open to [...]
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Cathy Higgins’ Churches in Exile – Challenges for the Churches in Ireland (Book Review, Part 2)
In a previous review of Cathy Higgins’ Churches in Exile: Alternative Models of Church for Ireland in the 21st Century, I promised to note some of her most compelling challenges for the churches in Ireland. Higgins’ challenges are present in every chapter in the book. Indeed, the discussion or reflection questions at the end of [...]
New Post on Slugger O’Toole: The Second Coming of Paisley by Richard Lawrence Jordan: Book Review
I have a new post on the Slugger O’Toole blog, a review of The Second Coming of Paisley: Militant Fundamentalism and Ulster Politics, by Richard Lawrence Jordan.
Johnston McMaster on Cathy Higgins’ Churches in Exile: Remarks from the Book Launch
Cathy Higgins’ new book, Churches in Exile: Alternative Models of Church for Ireland in the 21st Century, was launched on 22 May at Skainos in East Belfast. One of the launch speakers was Rev Dr Johnston McMaster, who worked with Higgins for more than 15 years on the Irish School of Ecumenics’ adult community education [...]
Cathy Higgins’ “Churches in Exile”: Book Review and Book Launch 22 May – What’s Emerging among Churches in Ireland?
Cathy Higgins’ new book, Churches in Exile: Alternative Models of Church for Ireland in the 21st Century (Columba, 2013) starts from the premise that churches in Ireland are in crisis, wedded to an outdated ‘Christendom’ model of church that has not served Christianity well. But in this thoughtful and easily digestible book, Higgins reflects on [...]
Ryan Bolger’s The Gospel After Christendom Book Review–Part 3
Today is the third and final post taking in my review of Ryan Bolger’s edited collection, The Gospel After Christendom. In my first two posts, I provided a general outline review, and then descriptions of three of the chapters I found most useful. In today’s post, I focus on three more of my favourite chapters. [...]
Ryan Bolger’s The Gospel After Christendom Book Review–Part 2
Last week I wrote an initial overview review of a new book edited by Ryan Bolger, The Gospel After Christendom: New Voices, New Cultures, New Expressions (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012). The book contains 28 chapters by scholars and practitioners, and I indicated I would be back to highlight the chapters I found most intriguing. [...]
Ryan Bolger’s The Gospel after Christendom–Book Review, Part I
The Gospel after Christendom: New Voices, New Cultures, New Expressions (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012) is an ambitious attempt to conceptualise, synthesise, and internationalise the Emerging Church Movement (ECM). Edited by Ryan Bolger, co-author of one of the earliest books on the ECM, it features 28 chapters by practitioners and scholars. The volume identifies some [...]
Jay Bakker – Faith, Doubt, and Other Lines I’ve Crossed: Book Review and Interview in Belfast Tues 23 April
What is God like? Is doubt harmful to faith? Who do Christians marginalise? Those are just some of the questions explored in a new book by Jay Bakker, Faith, Doubt, and Other Lines I’ve Crossed: Walking with the Unknown God (Jericho Books, 2013). Bakker, who will forever be known as the son of scandal-ridden American [...]
What We Talk About When We Talk About God by Rob Bell – Book Review and Talks in Manchester and Edinburgh Tues and Wed
Rob Bell’s latest book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God (Collins, 2013), can be read on a number of levels. First – there is the level of pure enjoyment, which even some of his critics are willing to concede. Whether or not you like his message, Rob Bell is simply a good [...]
The Idolatry of God (with Peter Rollins) Starts Next Week in Belfast … tickets still available
In my review of Peter Rollins’ latest book, The Idolatry of God, I wrote that debate should focus on: “ … whether or not Rollins’ articulation of what it could mean to live authentically as Christians in a world where most of us are addicted to consuming products (and more insidiously, other people and our [...]
About me
Welcome to Building a Church Without Walls, a website for people who are excited about how Christianity is developing in the 21st Century. I am a Lecturer and Coordinator of the Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Studies Programme at Trinity College Dublin at Belfast (the Irish School of Ecumenics).
Please note this is my personal site. All views are my own and are not representative of TCD.
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