At the end of a literary evening in Vaucluse, addressed by broadcaster Sheridan Voysey (last year’s Christian Book of the Year winner), Paul Gallagher’s biography of the former Deputy Prime Minister was proclaimed Christian Book of the Year for 2007 The award brochure gave the following precis of the judges comments:
“...an engaging and well written account of the political life and personal faith of a prominent Australian public figure. ... manages to give significant insights into the motivation for, and nature of public duty, as well as the expression of Christian faith in the political context. Insight is also given into the personal cost borne by politicians generally.
Anderson’s life story prompts the reader to think about the place and purpose of God in the midst of individual suffering, in a very moving fashion. It is well documented and well written, and avoids the temptation of veering into hagiography. The judges liked the fact whilst the book will encourage Christians, it also raises significant issues about the relationship between church and state.
SECOND PRIZE was shared by a title which is timely for its focus on Australia’s preparedness for disaster.
MINISTRY IN DISASTER SETTINGS: Lessons from the Edge by Stephen Robinson
“This impressive book breaks new ground in terms of thinking about Christian ministry in extreme situations and makes a major contribution in an apparently neglected area of ministry involvement. . Beginning with four case studies of well known Australian disasters, it moves on to identify the effects of disaster on those ministering, then reflects theologically on this, raising questions about the presence of God in suffering.
It provides a valuable analysis of the different kinds of disaster settings (e.g. natural vs man made), and the varying responses which people have to them. It moves from case study, to theological reflection, to very practical suggestions for those who might find themselves in disaster situations, and people caring for those who do ministry in those situations.
and by MICHAEL FROST, for “EXILES: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture” (Strand Publishers)
“An evocative and stimulating treatment which builds on earlier work written with Alan Hirsch. Frost develops many of those earlier insights as he challenges the church to live missionally in a post-Christian culture.
We may not agree with everything in this book, but it provides plenty of food for thought with respect to the nature of church, and to living as an exile in the contemporary western world.
The image of ‘exiles’ is an evocative one and Frost exploits it in terms of the mindset and lifestyle of an exile, and the critique an exile might make of the host culture. This is counter-pointed with a critique of many aspects of more conventional church culture, as he challenges Christians to live the exilic life as an outworking of Christian identity and incarnational mission.
An award designed to discover and encourage Christian writers for the future, and funded by the Victory Foundation, is THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN WRITERS AWARD.
It was won by a 22 year old Queensland tertiary student, CORALLIE THORNTON. Her winning story “Watch Out! Godly Women on the Loose!” was praised by the judges who said:
All kinds of Christian women (and men too) in need of a challenging wake-up call will benefit from reading this booklet. While particularly useful for anyone from a dysfunctional or abusive background, it's just as useful for long-term Christians in need of a reason to get out of bed and/or get to work in God's Kingdom.
Tackles issues of negativity, the desire to quit, making excuses to get out of God's work, how and why we can forgive and being able to move on from our past. The style is personal and direct, with many examples from the writer's own experience. Written in very contemporary language, with practical content and arresting headlines:
eg "Jesus was not a chicken" in the section The Emu, Chicken and the Eagle, 'Godly Women' is aimed fairly and squarely at today's young people and hits the mark. The last section, Daddy's Princess, Parts 1 - 3, is ideal for all those who have had bad experiences with their earthly father and need to be introduced to God as our loving Heavenly Father. Very relevant and readable
Ms Thornton is studying for a Masters degree at Malyon College (Queensland) and is active in the dance & music ministry at Fairfield Christian Family church.
An award is also made to recognise the work of Australian theologians whose work is published overseas and is therefore ineligible for the Christian Book of the Year Award. It is for the THEOLOGICAL WRITER OF THE YEAR.
The awardee for 2007 is GRAEME GOLDSWORTHY, for his work “Gospel-Centred Hermaneutics” (Apollo)
Judges comments include:
“Gospel-Centred Hermeneutics articulates the theological foundations of the Biblical-theological approach that has occupied Graeme Goldsworthy's writing and teaching for more than four decades, and brings it into explicit critical dialogue with the history of Christian interpretation of Scripture and contemporary hermeneutical theory. It is marked by the usual clarity and critical insight that we have come to expect from one of Australia's leading thinkers and writers on Biblical Theology. This expansive treatment lays important theological foundations for the discipline of hermeneutics, as well as including an important historical survey of how the Bible has been interpreted. The book will almost certainly have very wide readership worldwide, and become a key reference book in its area.”
Culture
Political Biography wins Christian Book of the Year Award
At the end of a literary evening in Vaucluse, addressed by broadcaster Sheridan Voysey (last year’s Christian Book of the Year winner), Paul Gallagher’s biography of the former Deputy Prime Minister was proclaimed Christian Book of the Year for 2007 The award brochure gave the following precis of the judges comments:
Friday, 31 August 2007, 12:10 (EST)
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