Fulcrum Book Review: The Word on the Wind, by Alison Morgan
by Sarah Cawdell
The Word on the Wind: Alison Morgan pub: Monarch Books 2011
A book about confidence in the gospel is surely going to be much in demand at the present time. The Anglican Communion seems more divided by the day as strange ordinations at the protestant end of the scale follow the persistently reported – at least in the Church Times- defections to the ordinariate. Belief appears to be becoming more and more a matter of individual taste, with each individual, or homogeneous small group, making their own, hard fought for way, portraying themselves as victims of the other.
Speaking as one who has in the recent past, been sustained more by the communion of saints than by her own personal beliefs I find this determined, and rugged independence very disappointing.
So I turned to this book with some hope and a rare personal optimism.
It is a well constructed and closely argued volume, dealing with some of the issues of today head on, and logically. The author tackles the rise in secularism, the question of science versus faith (Never a real issue in my book, but all too potent a soap box for many in the present society, intellectually resisting the blandishments of religion), and consumerism.
The technique of the book is very much of the present style: setting small and individual stories: testimonies if you like, to present the case for developing faith and discipleship. Tale after tale from famous (A.N.Wilson) and previously unheard of people litters the text with irrefutable experience of God at work in the world. Miracle and word of knowledge, prophecy and healing all testify to the grace of a self revealing God, being seen at work in ordinary lives, and in ordinary churches. The author is fortunate that her work brings her so readily into contact with people of this expression of the Christian faith. In celebrating the experience of individual the book celebrates the incarnation, and the on going presence of the Spirit. The book points up the nature of God to work in particular places and particular times in order to make known the universals of love and grace.
Celebrating both word and spirit the book develops from a well developed theology of the charismatic and evangelical traditions without ignoring the liberal and catholic influences. It is an inclusive work which cannot give offence to those of the various persuasions of the church.
The author is not ashamed to quote from texts of high science theology alongside popular authors with their own followings: Terry Pratchett, that master of modern satire takes his place in the bibliography alongside Tillich and Polkinghorne.
The writing spans the continents with quotes from well known pastors of the USA, tales from Africa and a rich sprinkling of both rural and urban English anecdotes. The faith of the author is itself fearlessly propounded.
Alison Morgan offers not only hope and encouragement but tools for the journey, listing useful resources from a variety of sources. She provides poetry and questions at the end of each chapter making this an ideal tool for the outgoing, or studious cell or study group. It is a book that would do well to read in company, as it encourages the sharing of personal story, and lends huge weight to personal testimony.
I looked in vain for any experience that mirrored my own, of any post church, post belief tale which went beyond the wonder and excitement of moments of intense and profound experience to the doubt and failure of faith in the face of the absence of God. It seems that all the stories are of success, of growth, and development and of God’s ongoing self-revelation and there is no need for the ploughing on into the dark that is the tale of a number of Christians who have been less consistently touched by success, and the miraculous at work in front of them.
Sarah Cawdell lives in Shropshire with her husband and three teenage children.