This is the kind of book I love - a biography of a great theologian who also has a fascinating life story. Up to this point I have only read one of Rowan Williams' books, Being Christian, which is reviewed elsewhere on this blog. I find thoughtful biographies like this to be a great introduction to a theologian and an inspiration to get into some of their books. Hannah's Child gave me the same motivation to start reading Stanley Hauerwas.
Rowan's Rule is well written and contains a good overview and thoughtful critique of Williams' writings, as well as some insight into his life and ministry, with a particular focus on his turbulent decade as Archbishop of Canterbury. Seemingly destined from a young age for this role and with real charisma and a huge intellect, Williams was nonetheless much misunderstood and often maligned by people from both the conservative and liberal wings of the C of E, and often likewise in the mainstream press. Much of this book is a useful corrective, or at least clarification, of some of the negative headlines that he attracted.
Although the book is not short (400+ pages), I found it very accessible and compelling and managed to read it in a few days - it was pretty un-put-downable at times. The author seemed to me to want to focus particularly on the debate around homosexuality and there was quite a strong theme around Williams' relationship with Catholicism too. I would have liked to have read more about his other works and slightly less about these two themes, as important as they are - for example his emphasis on spirituality and the desert Fathers.
If you want a well written and interesting biography that introduces you to a fascinating and brilliant theologian, I fully recommend you read this.
No comments:
Post a Comment