Brian Russell

Book Review: The Triune God: An Essay in Postliberal TheologyThe Triune God: An essay in postliberal theology, PlacherWilliam C. (Westminster John Knox Press2007), 164 pp, £12.99 pbk

neo-classical economists would have much to contribute to theology. What Radical Orthodoxy does gain, however, is a further strengthening of its internal coherence as an answer to modernity. Presumably further books will follow on politics, and perhaps the nature of modern science, and technology. The construction of an alternative vision gathers greater force with this book, but it will be interesting to see whether Anglican, Protestant or Roman Catholic social ethics will engage with it.

Book Review: The Ascension in Karl BarthThe Ascension in Karl Barth, BurgessAndrew, StudiesBarth (Ashgate2004), 218 pp, £47.50 hbk

cribing the world as ‘ disfigured by the accumulating consequences of our rapacity and unconcern and egotism’ (p. 42), Lash suggests that forgiveness is where we should start our response. A more obvious place to start would be conviction and repentance, in the absence of which talk of forgiveness seems somewhat premature and confused. From the perspective of UK communities shattered by exclusion from the economic process, and the two-thirds world communities ravaged by the consequences of their inclusion in the same, Lash’s discussion of globalization seems unreal. The final two chapters deal in different ways with silence and speech. Lash bases his discussion on the excellent Real Presences by George Steiner. Have we lost the sense that there is any truth to be said? If being a hearer is a fundamental part of Christian life, what do we do in a world of competing noise? In the light of this, Lash suggests that ‘ Christianity should be a kind of school of silence, an academy of attentiveness’ (p. 93), which is fascinating but highly problematic given the churches’ history of silencing the laity. Who owns the silence? Lash’s discussion is broad and aphoristic rather than focused and analytic. It certainly does not push the difficult questions – say, of silence and power, of globalization and ecological disaster. As a study book, where the questions are pushed further and more critically, it might be a good discussion starter. Somehow it mostly feels too comfortable, too little caught up in the midst of the forces it describes.

Developing Derrida Pointers to Faith, Hope and Prayer

Jacques Derrida is a philosopher who challenges current understanding, provoking new ways of interpreting texts and asking for new ways of envisaging how humanity is to engage in the task of re-creating the world. Recently he has voiced a way in which faith, hope, action and prayer may be possible. Is he also speaking for others for whom there has been a loss of any hold on an objective sense of Gods existence? How can those who hold a theistic position develop connections with those for whom Derrida might be a voice in the kind of society we now find? Does what Derrida offers have any pointers?