Book description
Following an encounter with an African bishop Â- who believed all
who lived in his diocese (and not only congregations and clergy)
should be loved and cared for Â- Robert Cotton became convinced that
Christian disciples in this country need to be assured that they have
something vital to communicate to the well-being of their local
communities. We are all, to some extent, Â vicars' Â- vicarious
disciples who cannot help but influence those around us. Indeed, it
may be beneficial to think of ourselves as public actors for the
faith, housed in a theatre of meaning, the Church, and putting on a
divine play for which there is an eager audience. The audience may
consist of people of other faiths or none: the author encourages us to
have confidence in a theology that does not limit salvation to those
inside the Church; he believes that we can come close to the presence
of God in active engagement with people of goodwill. And, of course,
as Christians it behoves us to respond to others' agendas and concerns
with generosity and grace. This gentle, beautifully written volume
packs quite a punch. Taken seriously, it will revitalize our personal
and corporate vision of Christian living as, inspired by the Holy
Spirit, we seek to bring light and joy to the cities, towns and
villages in which we live.
