Books by Rowan Williams

In many ways, we seem to be living in wintry times at present in the Western world. In this new book, Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury and a noted scholar of Eastern Christianity, introduces us to some aspects and personalities of the Orthodox Christian world, from the desert contemplatives of the fourth century to philosophers, novelists and activists of the modern era, that suggest where we might look for fresh light and warmth. He shows how this rich and diverse world opens up new ways of thinking about spirit and body, prayer and action, worship and social transformation, which go beyond the polarisations we take for granted.Taking in the world of the great spiritual anthology, the Philokalia, and the explorations of Russian thinkers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, discussing the witness of figures like Maria Skobtsova, murdered in a German concentration camp for her defence of Jewish refugees, and the challenging theologies of modern Greek thinkers like John Zizioulas and Christos Yannaras, Rowan Williams opens the door to a 'climate and landscape of our humanity that can indeed be warmed and transfigured'.This is an original and illuminating vision of a Christian world still none too familiar to Western believers and even to students of theology, showing how the deep-rooted themes of Eastern Christian thought can prompt new perspectives on our contemporary crises of imagination and hope.

Rowan Williams distinguishes four modes of 'negative theology' - what we do not and cannot know about God. He argues that such theology is best approached within the context of the worshipping Church and that it offers some intriguing pointers towards a better understanding of artistic endeavour.

In Candles in the Dark, Rowan Williams, one of the world's most widely respected spiritual leaders, offers comfort, hope and encouragement for the troubled times of coronavirus.

A celebration of the conversation and friendship between members of various Christian traditions (Roman Catholic, Methodist, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Anglican) and a substantial contribution to a theological understanding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in dialogue with other Christian churches.

God's Church in the World: The Gift of Catholic Mission presents a confident and joyful assertion of the Catholic character of Christian mission and its sacramental nature, exploring the transforming role the Catholic tradition can play in evangelism.

The UK's leading theologian reflects on the stories of twenty leading Christians, and how they illuminate the path of discipleship today.

Arius is widely considered to be Rowan Williams' "magnum opus". With a fresh conclusion, in which the author reflects on how his views have changed or remained the same, this book will be useful reading for students of doctrine and church history.

The old saying about being condemned to repeat the history we don''t know applies to Church history as much as to anything else. But we are often at a loss to know how to approach it. Much of what passed once for Church history was propagandist; and much of the best now written is brilliantly done but apparently detached from the Church''s present needs. Rowan Williams offers some reflection on how we think about the past in general.

A collection of talks and sermons from Rowan Williams, one of the finest theological minds of our day, covering a range of issues from war, social justice and sexuality to prayer, spirituality and evangelism.

In this classic treatise on Christian spirituality, Rowan Williams takes us with a new eye along a road marked out by Paul, John, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine, and finally to Luther and St. John of the Cross. The Wound of Knowledge is a penetrating psychological and intellectual analysis of Christian spirituality from one of the finest theological minds of our day.

What are we doing when we say the word 'Alleluia'? This title, previously published in hardback, explores the meaning of this word often spoken in Christian worship. It aims to give practical answers to how we cultivate 'an Alleluia view' of every moment.

A POWERFUL AND MOVING MESSAGE 31687 The trial, conviction and death of an innocent man 2000 years ago has particular resonance today. Atrocities from around the world shake us every week. And we ourselves also experience trials and challenges in our own lives. Bringing the gospel accounts vividly to life, Rowan Williams looks at how the trial of Christ profoundly challenges both what we believe and how we live. Drawing not only from the Bible, but also from contemporary fiction, film and theatre, he explores the ways society continues to put Christ on trial today. In fact, all Christians stand with him before a watching world. How we respond to this challenge is the focus of Christ on Trial. It increases our confidence in the faith we have received, and invites us to discover 'what we are and what we might be in God's sight'.